Este trabalho é o resultado de uma pesquisa exploratória por meio de metodologia qualitativa, de análise documental, da Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos com base no modelo dos Fluxos Múltiplos de John Kingdon para análise de políticas públicas. Foi efetuada revisão dos modelos de análises de políticas públicas e analisados os antecedentes da formação da agenda das políticas públicas farmacêuticas e o processo de formação da agenda e formulação da Política referida. Foram identificados os atores envolvidos, os conceitos, os problemas e as soluções apresentados, o fluxo político que as colocou na agenda governamental e seu processo de formulação, assim como os empreendedores e a ocorrência de janelas de oportunidades. E assim objetivando avaliar as possibilidades de sua implementação em relação as suas diretrizes de desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, as dicotomias e ambigüidades presentes no processo. A partir da análise discutiram-se aspectos a superar e aperfeiçoar a fim de que sejam alcançados seus propósitos. / This work is the result of a exploratory research, by qualitative methodology, documental analysis, of National Policy of Medicinal Plants and Phytomedicines, based on Multiple Streams Model, by John Kingdon, for public policies analyses. It was made a review of policy analysis models and analyzed the preceding facts of agenda setting of pharmaceuticals public policies and the agenda setting and formulation process of the policy. The actors involved, the concepts, the problems and solutions presented, the political stream of governmental agenda and its formulation process, also the policy entrepreneurs, and policy windows. So, evaluating the possibilities of its implementation, relative to the scientific and technological development in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the dichotomies and ambiguities in the process. To assume that analysis, we discussed aspects to overcome and improve with the intention to reach their purposes.

Este trabalho é o resultado de uma pesquisa exploratória por meio de metodologia qualitativa, de análise documental, da Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos com base no modelo dos Fluxos Múltiplos de John Kingdon para análise de políticas públicas. Foi efetuada revisão dos modelos de análises de políticas públicas e analisados os antecedentes da formação da agenda das políticas públicas farmacêuticas e o processo de formação da agenda e formulação da Política referida. Foram identificados os atores envolvidos, os conceitos, os problemas e as soluções apresentados, o fluxo político que as colocou na agenda governamental e seu processo de formulação, assim como os empreendedores e a ocorrência de janelas de oportunidades. E assim objetivando avaliar as possibilidades de sua implementação em relação as suas diretrizes de desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, as dicotomias e ambigüidades presentes no processo. A partir da análise discutiram-se aspectos a superar e aperfeiçoar a fim de que sejam alcançados seus propósitos. / This work is the result of a exploratory research, by qualitative methodology, documental analysis, of National Policy of Medicinal Plants and Phytomedicines, based on Multiple Streams Model, by John Kingdon, for public policies analyses. It was made a review of policy analysis models and analyzed the preceding facts of agenda setting of pharmaceuticals public policies and the agenda setting and formulation process of the policy. The actors involved, the concepts, the problems and solutions presented, the political stream of governmental agenda and its formulation process, also the policy entrepreneurs, and policy windows. So, evaluating the possibilities of its implementation, relative to the scientific and technological development in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the dichotomies and ambiguities in the process. To assume that analysis, we discussed aspects to overcome and improve with the intention to reach their purposes.

Please read the abstract in the section 07chapter7 of this document / Thesis (DPhil (Plant Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Abstract in English / The number of studies focused on the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge has been growing steadily over the years. Despite the growth in this area of research, there is still a lack of information technology tools that preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge has been highlighted as an area that can advance sustainable development, and its preservation is therefore of the utmost importance. Indigenous knowledge is mostly present within older generations, and if it is not preserved, this knowledge will die with its custodians. African communities rely heavily on indigenous medicine. A digital platform needs to be explored that can preserve practices relating to these medicines for future generations. Since indigenous knowledge is dynamic and is constantly evolving, there is a need to explore a digital tool that can highlight this dynamic nature. Current methods of preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants were found to be less than effective and marred by constraints such as space and time. The main objective of this study was therefore to develop a model that could be used to guide the design of a new e-learning system aimed at facilitating the preservation of indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants. In this study, e-learning technology was used to determine the requirements for presenting indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants in such a way as to ensure that individuals can internalise and preserve this knowledge. An interpretivist qualitative approach was followed. Data was collected by conducting a literature review and carrying out a survey. A prototype e-learning system was developed and evaluated based on the collected data. It was found that preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants through e-learning would require, among other things, engagement with the relevant knowledge custodians, leveraging multimedia, and offering content in indigenous languages. / School of Computing / M.Sc. (Computing)

Thesis (M. Sc. (Microbiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Sexually transmitted infections represent one of the main health problems related to reproductive and sexual function, constituting one of the main causes of infertility. Plants have been employed traditionally in treating diseases for centuries. Elephantorrhiza burkei, Securidaca longepedunculata and Wrightia natalensis medicinal plants were selected for this study based on their use in traditional medicine to treat sexual health problems in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the selected plants. Different extraction procedures coupled with solvents of varying polarities were used in the extraction of the plant materials. Possible microbial contaminants were identified using the VITEK 2 instrument. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was determined using standard chemical tests and Thin-Layer Chromatography. Total polyphenol content was quantified calorimetrically. Antioxidant activity was quantified using 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power assays. In vitro antimicrobial activities were determined using a broth micro-dilution assay and bioautography. Combinational effects of the addition of multiple plant species on antimicrobial activity were investigated for additive, synergistic and antagonistic interactions. The plant species phytochemical profile contained polyphenols that are known to have antimicrobial effects against two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), a Gram-negative bacterium, as well as the fungus, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Elephantorrhiza burkei exhibited high antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens, although most of the interactions were antagonistic and indifferent. Toxicity was found in the herbal treatment and acute toxicity was found in the selected plants. Based on the good correlations which were found in E. burkei, it was selected for bioactivity guided by an isolation of antibacterial compounds. Elephantorrhiza burkei was not successfully isolated, but the fraction collected showed exceptional biological activity that validates its usage against disease-causing pathogens related to sexually transmitted infections, which compromises male sexual health. This study suggests that the evaluated plants are potential sources of novel anti-infective agents. Further in vivo and in vitro studies are recommended for all the plants, respectively. / University of Limpopo and CSIR

Thesis (M. Sc. (Biochemistry)) --University of Limpopo, 2017 / Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by perpetual hyperglycaemia. Various oral pharmacological theraputic management strategies currently exist but are too expensive and having a host of undesirable side effects. Therefore people resort to the use of traditional medicinal plants as they offer a cost effective and readily available health care avenue. Despite the wide-spread use of traditional medicinal plants, several worrisome concerns about their effectiveness, clinical modes of action and safety have been raised. Leaves of five selected plants (Toona celliata, Seriphium plumosum, Schkuhria pinnata, Olea africana, Opuntia ficus-indica) were collected from Mankweng area, Capricon Local Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. Ground plant materials were exhaustively extracted by maceration in methanol, acetone or hexane. The presence of different plant secondary metabolites in the crude extracts was determined using various standard chemical tests and thin layer chromatography (TLC). A myriad of compounds which represented various secondary plant metabolites groups were observed on the TLC plates and were best resolved in the non-polar (BEA) and intermediate (CEF) mobile phases. The total phenolic content and total flavonoids of the different extracts were determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu`s phenol reagent method and Aluminium chloride colorimetric assay respectively. The plants contained comparatively higher amounts of total phenolic compounds as compared to the flavonoids. The antiglycation activity of the plant extracts were determined using the bovine serum albumin assay. The acetone extract of Seriphium plumosum (SPlA) exhibited the most glycation inhibitory activity among all the examined extracts, as it resulted in 2,22% glycation. The antioxidant potential of each of the different extracts was quantitatively determined spectrophotometrically using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and the ferric ion reducing power assay. The methanol extract of Seriphium plumosum showed the best antioxidant activity among all the extracts in this study. It exhibited the lowest EC50 values of 0.72 mg/ml and 2.31 mg/ml for the DPPH scavenging activity and the ferric reducing power assay respectively. The cytotoxicity profiles of the different plant extracts on C2C12 cell line were determined using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium xiii bromide (MTT) assay. It was concluded that since the all the extracts investigated had CC50 values greater than 50 μg/ml they were generally non-toxic. The amount of glucose taken up by differentiated C2C12 cells was quantified using the glucose uptake assay. Treatment of the C2C12 cells with the hexane extract of Seriphium plumosum resulted in the best glucose utilisation effect of 35,77% which was higher than that of insulin which was 26,06% after 6 hours. The translocation assay was used to determine the effect of the plant extract on GLUT4 translocation while the expression of various mitogen activated protein kinases in the cells was determined using the human MAPK profiler assay. It was established that treatment with Seriphium plumosum hexane extract resulted in increased GLUT4 translocation from the intracellular vesicular stores to the cell surface membrane. The increase in GLUT4 translocation may have resulted from the upregulation of expression of phosphorylated Akt-1, Akt-2, GSK3β, ERK1, ERK2 p70S kinase and MKK3 under the influence of Seriphium plumosum hexane extract. The study documents a probable insulin-mimetic activity of the hexane extract of Seriphium plumosum. This activity may be responsible for its hypoglycaemic capability and may occur via the augmentation of proximal mitogen activated protein kinases involved in the GLUT4 translocation pathway. Further investigations need to be conducted to ascertain this novel finding which may help provide a cost-effective and readily available antidiabetic therapeutic agent. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

M. Tech. (Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most difficult infectious diseases to control in the world today. The disease spreads easily in overcrowded, badly ventilated places and among people who are undernourished. Trends in the incidence of TB together with the development of multi-drug (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant (XDR-TB) strains of TB raises the need to intensify the search for more efficient drugs to combat this disease. Herbal remedies used in traditional medicine provide an interesting and largely unexplored source for the discovery of potentially new drugs for infections such as TB. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antimycobacterial activity of synthesized compounds from medicinal plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). About 40 synthesized compounds isolated from South African medicinal plants were screened against H37RV using microplate alamar blue assay (MABA). Identified active compounds were screened against resistant strains of M. tuberculosis (MDR, XDR and pre-XDR) and sensitive clinical isolates of TB. Cytotoxicity and synergistic drug combination studies were done on active compounds to validate their toxicity and synergy levels. Cytotoxicity was done by sulforhodamine assay (SRB) against the C2C12 cell line. Only six compounds showed activity against M. tuberculosis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) below 10μg/ml. The results obtained indicated that the cytotoxicity effects of the three compounds on C2C12 cells demonstrated marginal toxicity except for MVB 282/61215 which showed a high toxicity at the lowest concentration of 0.156μg/ml with over 100% viable cells at the highest concentration (5μg/ml). MVB 282/61271 had the highest percentage cell viability (65%) at the lowest concentration. Only two compounds had a higher potency evoking a bigger response at low concentrations with treated cells still viable after 3 days of incubation with the compound which was comparable with the treatment of isoniazid (INH). Synergistic activity of the six compounds was less in INH combination as compared to the rifampicin’s (RIF) combination. The results demonstrated that the synergistic interaction between the compounds and RIF could the antituberculosis acitivity. In conclusion the synergistic effects with RIF translate to lower dosing requirements of the compounds and the potential to combat multidrug resistant TB. In deed there is no doubt that natural products, with their range of interesting chemical structures and powerful antimycobacterial effects are certain to remain important participants in the development of new generations of antimycobacterial drugs.

Infectious diarrhoea is the second largest single cause of mortality in children under the age of five globally. Bacteria are responsible for most diarrhoeal episodes especially in developing countries, and progressive increase in antimicrobial resistance has given rise to the need to investigate other sources of therapy such as medicinal plants. Ten plant extracts were analysed for their antimicrobial activities using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution method. Their phytochemical contents were screened, and their effect on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to assess their antioxidant activities. Their toxicity profiles were evaluated using the XTT Cytotoxicity Assay. Water and methanol extracts of Adansonia digitata v ABSTRACT Infectious diarrhoea is the second largest single cause of mortality in children under the age of five globally. Bacteria are responsible for most diarrhoeal episodes especially in developing countries, and progressive increase in antimicrobial resistance has given rise to the need to investigate other sources of therapy such as medicinal plants. Ten plant extracts were analysed for their antimicrobial activities using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution method. Their phytochemical contents were screened, and their effect on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to assess their antioxidant activities. Their toxicity profiles were evaluated using the XTT Cytotoxicity Assay. Water and methanol extracts of Adansonia digitata seeds and pulp showed no inhibition against all the test organisms, while water and methanol extracts of A. digitata leaves showed inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.39 to 6.25mg/ml. Water and methanol extracts of Garcinia livingstonei and Sclerocarya birrea barks showed good activity against all the test organisms, with MICs between 0.39 and 1.56 mg/ml. Alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids were found in one or more of the plant extracts, and all the plant extracts demonstrated scavenging power against DPPH.The cytotoxicity of extracts of Garcinia livingstonei, and Sclerocarya birrea barks ranged between 105.9 μg/ml and 769.9 μg/ml. The results obtained in this study validate the traditional use of A. digitata leaves, G. livingstonei and S. birrea bark in treating bacteria causing diarrhoea. / Life Sciences / M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Dichrostachys cinerea, Carpobrotus dimidiatus, Capparis tomentosa and Leonotis leonurus are all plants that are indigenous to South Africa. These plants are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. However, there is little or no scientific data to justify these traditional uses. Furthermore, it is difficult to reconcile traditional knowledge with scientific evidence because of the overwhelming targeting of signal-responsive systems by plant defensive compounds, multiple sites of action and the connectedness of the signaling pathways, which provide many cures and have pleiotropic effects. In order to evaluate the action spectrum of these plants, and validate its widespread use, this research evaluated the antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mosquito and immunomodulatory properties of these plants. Antimicrobial activity of the extract was determined by evaluating the bactericidal and fungicidal action using the agar disc diffusion assay. Anti-oxidative properties of the extracts were tested using the DPPH photometric assay. Anti-inflammatory properties were carried out using the 5-lipoxygenase assay. The larvicidal, repellency and insecticidal assay was determined against A.arabiensis. The safe use of these plant extracts was determined by evaluating toxicity, a brine shrimp lethality assay and an in vitro cell culture system using human myelogenous leukemia cell line. Potential carcinogenic activity was evaluated using the Ames Salmonella Mutagenecity assay. The immunomodulatory activity of the extracts on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells 6 was evaluated on freshly harvested lymphocytes using the MTT assay. Cytokine response was evaluated by measuring the secretion of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10. Elucidation of the B cells, T cells, activated T cells, CD 4+, CD 8+ and NK cells was performed by flow cytometry. The extracts showed anti-microbial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus cereus and Tricoderm sp. The highest activity was shown by methanolic and aqueous extracts of L. leonurus leaves followed by methanolic and aqueous extracts of D. cinerea. Extracts of C. tomentosa and D.cinerea demonstrated a higher degree of free radical scavenging than rutin, which was used as a standard indicating that these plants have strong antioxidant properties. None of the plants showed significant anti-inflammatory activity when compared to NDGA. In the anti-mosquito assays, the extracts showed strong repellency and insecticidal activity. L. leonurus extracts demonstrated the highest insecticidal and repellency activity against the mosquito, and was also found to cause ‗knockdown‘ and mortality. The extracts display no toxicity, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity. The immunological studies for immune modulation showed that the methanol extracts of these plants induce a Th1- predominant immune response because they significantly suppressed the secretion of IL-10 and augment IFN-γ production, which are hallmarks used to indicate a stimulation of the innate immune response. This study also provides new information, with respect to the potential use of these plants in producing a mosquito repellent and an immunostimulant. / National Research Foundation

Submitted in fulfillment for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Ceratatheca triloba (Bernh.) E. Mey. Ex Hook. f. is one of four species that is common to the summer rainfall areas in South Africa, especially the grasslands. It is used in traditional medicine to treat stomach cramps, nausea, fever and diarrhea. Like many other plants used in the traditional medicine system, these uses are not justified through scientific investigations. This study was undertaken to characterize the functionality of the main bioactive compounds from Ceratatheca triloba. This was achieved by isolating and identifying predominant chemicals from the non polar extracts using conventional chromatography techniques. Once identified the crude extracts and identified compounds were tested for their antimicrobial, anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity and anticancer activity. This was followed by investigating the safety of the crude extracts and the purified compounds by the Brine shrimp lethality assay, and its toxicity to HepG2 cells and the Salmonella mutagenecity test. For large scale production, we set up a protocol to produce 9, 10 anthracenedione in a cell suspension culture system. Following the complete chemical profile of the roots, stems, flowers and leaves the predominant compounds were isolated, characterized and identified by UV-Vis, IR, EI-LCMS and NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and DEPT). Three anthraquinone derivatives and one steroid, 9, 10 anthracenedione, 1-hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone, 5, 8-dimethoxy-2, 3, 10, 10a-tetrahydro-1H-phenanthrene-4, 9-dione and androst-5-ene-3, 17, 19-triol were determine by analysis of spectral data (UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and EI-LC-MS) 9, 10 anthracenedione and 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone showed antibacterial activity against S.aureus, M. luteus, B cureus and E. coli. Due to the synergistic effect of the individual compounds, the crude extract exhibited good potency (>500) against S.aureus and M. luteus, medium potency against E. coli. and S. typhimurium (<100) and very low potency against B cureus (<10). Although a similar trend was observed for 9, 10 anthracenedione and 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone unlike the crude extract. A very low potency against S.aureus for 9, 10 anthracenedione and a high potency for 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone. Thus 9, 10 anthracenedione is an effective drug against E. coli and S. typhimurium and 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone is effective against S.aureus and M. luteus. The crude root extracts and 9, 10 anthracenedione, 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone, 8-dimethoxy-2, 3, 10, 10a-tetrahydro-1H-phenanthrene-4 showed a ± 50% reduction of the free radicals. No anti-inflammatory activity was observed. The purified extracts showed moderate toxicity against HepG2 cells at high concentrations and no toxicity was observed against brine shimp larvae. No mutagenecity was observed with the crude extracts using the Ames test. All purified and crude extracts showed potent inhibition of the human topoisomerase II enzyme. In conclusion, although this study does not indicate any relationship to its traditional usage it provides valuable information that paves a way for commercial exploitation of C. triloba. 9, 10 anthracenedione and 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone can be used as antibacterial agents. Their antioxidative potential can be exploited for anti-cancer as in many cancers reactive oxygen species are implicated in the aetiology of these cancers. Furthermore, in this study 9, 10 anthracenedione was produced from both callus cultures and cell suspension cultures. This compound demonstrates potent anti-topoisomerase II activity which is vital to cancer treatment. Thus, the synergistic effect of 9, 10 anthracenedione and 1 hydroxy-4-methylanthraquinone as antibacterial, anti-oxidative and anti-cancer compounds demonstrate the importance of C. triloba. / Centre for Research Capacity Development ; National Research Foundation