Decentralisation of the multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) programme to primary health care (PHC) facilities in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan was implemented in order to improve the effectiveness of MDR TB services. This study explored the knowledge gaps of nurses at PHC facilities as regards MDR TB. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted; data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Non-probability sampling was applied in this study. A convenient sampling technique was used and 25 of the 42 facilities were selected. Thirty-two respondents completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 64%. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. Only 38% of the nurses had been trained on MDR TB. Overall scores were high with a mean knowledge score of 61%. However there were knowledge gaps regarding side effects of MDR TB medication. This study revealed gaps in knowledge of certain areas of MDR TB management / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2014-10-13T18:11:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP ROSANGELA MENESES. 2010.pdf: 1029228 bytes, checksum: a495ab1d732bfbe849331458f7d36a37 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2014-10-13T18:13:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP ROSANGELA MENESES. 2010.pdf: 1029228 bytes, checksum: a495ab1d732bfbe849331458f7d36a37 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-13T18:13:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP ROSANGELA MENESES. 2010.pdf: 1029228 bytes, checksum: a495ab1d732bfbe849331458f7d36a37 (MD5) / Introdução: Este estudo analisou o perfil da resistência aos medicamentos contra a tuberculose, a partir da participação do estado da Bahia no II Inquérito Nacional de Resistência a Drogas em Tuberculose realizado nos anos 2006 e 2007. Método: Estudo transversal, do tipo descritivo, exploratório, realizado em 16 municípios do estado da Bahia. Foram incluídos os sintomáticos respiratórios que tiveram tuberculose confirmada por baciloscopia e cultura e foram notificados no SINAN. Foi estimada a prevalência de resistência (primária, adquirida, multirresistência, monorresistência a Isoniazida) e analisadas associações segundo sexo, idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e comorbidades. Resultados: Entre os 687 casos de tuberculose estudados e com informações disponíveis no SINAN, 67,1% eram do sexo masculino; 52,4% estavam na faixa etária ≥25 e < 45 anos, 87,3% eram não brancos (562/644) e as comorbidades identificadas foram 20,8% HIV+, 1,2% com Aids, 17,2% com problemas de alcoolismo, 4,4% com diabetes e 1,5% com doença mental. Verificou-se que a resistência primária foi 10,59% e a resistência adquirida foi 16,44%. A multirresistência (MR) global foi observada em 1,3% dos pacientes, a MR primária de 0,81%, a MR adquirida de 5,47% e a monorresistência a isoniazida foi 3,8%. Considerações Finais: Concluiu-se que a multirresistência aos tuberculostáticos na Bahia é baixa, entretanto as prevalências da resistência primária e da resistência adquirida são altas. A análise destes resultados poderá colaborar na definição de estratégias para o efetivo controle da doença no estado e sugere-se que novas investigações busquem identificar os fatores que contribuem para a resistência primária, indicador da ocorrência da transmissão da TBMR na comunidade. / Introduction: This study analyzed the profile of drug resistance for tuberculosis in Bahia, from participation in the Second National Survey of Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis held in years 2006 and 2007 with the participation of 16 municipalities, including the capital. Method: Cross sectional, descriptive, exploratory, conducted in 16 counties of the state of Bahia. We included symptomatic patients who had TB confirmed by sputum smear and culture were reported in SINAN. It was estimated the prevalence of resistance (primary, acquired, multidrug resistance, a single drug isoniazid) and analyzed associations by gender, age, race, education, and comorbidities. Results: Among 687 cases of tuberculosis studied and information available from SINAN, 67.1% were male, 52.4% were aged ≥ 25 and <45 years, 87.3% were non-whites (562 / 644) and comorbidities identified HIV were 20.8%, 1.2% with AIDS, 17.2% with alcohol abuse, 4.4% to 1.5% with diabetes and mental illness. It was found that the primary resistance was 10.59% and 16.44% was acquired resistance. The multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was observed in 1.3% of patients, the primary of 0.81% MR, MR gained 5.47% and single drug isoniazid was 3.8%. Conclusion: We concluded that the multiresistance to antitubercular drugs in Bahia is low, however the prevalence of primary resistance and acquired resistance are high. Analysis of these results may assist in developing strategies for effective disease control in the state and it is suggested that further research can identify factors that contribute to primary resistance, indicating the occurrence of transmission of MDR-TB in the community.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-08-26T18:01:43Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) NILMA MEDTROP VD.pdf: 2060397 bytes, checksum: 801ad4896a8a5f3c544547167d27652d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-26T18:01:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) NILMA MEDTROP VD.pdf: 2060397 bytes, checksum: 801ad4896a8a5f3c544547167d27652d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-05 / A tuberculose (TB) é a doença mais comum da humanidade. Atualmente, a Organização Mundial de Saúde estimou nove milhões de novos casos e um milhão e meio de mortes decorrentes da doença. A rápida expansão da resistência aos fármacos antituberculose tem prejudicado o controle global da TB, constituindo um grave problema de Saúde Pública. No Brasil, a semelhença de outros países endêmicos, tem-se observado uma variabilidade na prevalência de resistência e no estado da Paraíba (PB) não há dados recentes e concisos. Dessarte, esse estudo objetivou verificar a prevalência de resistência do Mycobacterium tuberculosis aos fármacos do esquema de primeira linha do tratamento da TB utilizados no Brasil e a frequência de fatores de risco - sexo, idade, tratamento prévio e ingesta alcóolica - em pacientes adultos com diagnóstico de TB pulmonar resistente (TBP), atendidos em serviço de referência na PB durante o período de 01 de janeiro de 2003 a 31 de dezembro de 2013. Para obtenção dos dados, utilizou-se formulário padronizado, preenchido, retrospectivamente, a partir das informações contidas nos prontuários dos pacientes atendidos no período do estudo. Foram notificados 69 casos, com prevalência de 0,5%. Evidenciou-se 17,4% de mono, 14,5% de poli e 68,1% de multirresistência. A resistência à isoniazida (INH) mostrou-se importante, tanto isolada, quanto em associações; bem como e, principalmente, a TB multirresistente (TBMR). Perante os fatores de risco, o sexo masculino (73,9%), a faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos (46,4%), a realização de tratamento prévio (98,5%) e a ingesta alcóolica (57,4%) foram os de maior ocorrência. Todavia, não expressaram significância estatística no estudo realizado tendo a PB como cenário. O desfecho foi a cura para 44,9% dos casos; no entanto, o abandono ao tratamento foi considerável, principalmente para a TBP monorresistente (33,3%). As características sociodemográficas compreenderam: a cor da pele parda (68,5%), o estado civil casado (50,9%), o nível de instrução até o fundamental (67,3%) e a procedência do interior da PB (78,2%). Quanto à coinfecção com HIV/AIDS, ocorreu em 14,5%; no entanto, nesse grupo a TBMR, também, foi mais frequente. Desta feita, mais estudos são imprescindíveis no intuito de investigar genotipicamente a resistência da TB no estado da PB, visto que alguns estudos genéticos têm reportado mutações em cepas resistentes à rifampicina (RMP), estando associada a maior transmissibilidade e a resistência à INH tem sido associada com mutações de vários genes. Assim, correlacionando com outros estados e países a fim de colaborar com o enfrentamento da doença na busca do controle e cura extensiva a todos. Por outro lado, há necessidade de fortalecimento das ações do programa de controle da TB, tanto em nível estadual, quanto nos municípios. / Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common disease of humanity. Currently, the World Health Organization estimated nine million new cases and a million and a half deaths from the disease. The rapid spread of resistance to antituberculosis drugs has undermined the global TB control, constituting a serious public health problem. In Brazil, as other endemic countries, it has been observed variability in the prevalence of resistance and the state of Paraíba (PB) no recent and accurate data. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of resistance of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis to first-line drugs in TB treatment regimen used in the Brazil and frequency of risk factors - gender, age, prior treatment and alcoholic intake - in adults patients diagnosed with resistant pulmonary TB (PTB), treated on reference service in PB during the January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2013. To obtain the data, it used standardized form filled out retrospectively from the information contained in the medical records of patients seen during the study period. Were reported 69 cases, with a prevalence of 0.5%. Revealed a 17.4% to mono, 14.5% to poly and 68.1% to multidrug resistance. The isoniazid (INH) resistance was found to be important, both isolated, as in associations; as well as, and especially multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). In view of the risk factors, males (73.9%), the age group 40 -49 years (46.4%), the realization of previous treatment (98.5%) and alcoholic intake (57.4%) were the most frequent. However, did not express statistical significance in the study with the PB as a scenario. The outcome was the cure for 44.9% of cases; however, abandon to treatment was significant, particularly for mono resistant PTB (33.3%). The sociodemographic characteristics included: dark brown skin (68.5%), married status (50.9%), level of education up to primary (67.3%) and the origin from the interior of PB (78.2%). The co-infection with HIV/AIDS occurred in 14.5%; however, this group the MDR-TB also was more frequent. This time, more studies are essential in order to investigate genotypically the TB resistance in the state of PB, as some genetic studies have reported mutations in strains resistant to rifampicin (RMP) and are associated with increased transmissibility and INH resistance has been associated with mutations multiple genes. Thus, correlating with other states and countries to collaborate with coping with the disease in the search of control and extensive cure to all. On the other hand, there is need to strengthen the actions of the TB control program at the state level and in the municipalities.

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / Many studies have reported low cure rates for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) patients and MDR-TB patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, little is known about the effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy on the treatment outcomes of MDR-TB in South Africa. Therefore, the objectives of the study are: to find out whether HIV infection and interactions between ARVs and second line anti-TB drugs have an impact on the following MDR-TB treatment outcomes: cure rate and treatment failure at Brewelskloof Hospital. MDR-TB patients were treated for 18-24 months. The study was designed as a case-control retrospective study comparing MDR-TB treatment outcomes between HIV positive (cases) and HIV negative patients (controls). Patients were included in the study only if they complied with the following criteria: sensitivity to second line anti-TB drugs, MDR-TB infection, co-infection with HIV (for some of them), male and female patients, completion of treatment between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2008. Any patients that presented with extreme drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) were excluded from the study. Data were retrospectively collected from each patient’s medical records. There were a total of 336 patients of which 242 (72%) were MDR-TB patients and 94 (27.9%) MDRTB co-infected with HIV patients. Out of the 242 MDR-TB patients, 167 (69.2%) were males and 75 (30.7%) were females. Of the 94 patients with MDR-TB co-infected with HIV, 51 (54.2%) males and 43 (45.7%) females. Patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis co-infected with HIV who qualify for antiretroviral therapy were treated with stavudine, lamivudine and efavirenz while all MDR-TB patients were given kanamycin, ethionamide, ofloxacin, cycloserine and pyrazinamide. The cure rate of MDR-TB in HIV (+) patients and in HIV (-) patients is 34.5% and 30 % respectively. There is no significant difference between both artes (pvalue = 0.80). The MDR-TB cure rate in HIV (+) patients taking antiretroviral drugs and in HIV (+) patients without antiretroviral therapy is 35% and 33% respectively. The difference between both rates is not statistically significant. The study shows that 65 (28.0%) patients completed MDR-TB treatment but could not be classified as cured or failure, 29 (12.5%) patients failed, 76 (32.7%) defaulted, 18 (7.7%) were transferred out and 44 (18.9%) died. As far as treatment completed and defaulted is concerned, there is no significant statistical difference between HIV (+) and HIV (-) The number of patients who failed the MDR-TB treatment and who were transferred out is significantly higher in the HIV (-) group than in the HIV (+) group. Finally the number of MDR-TB patients who died is significantly higher in the HIV (+) group). The median (range) duration of antiretroviral therapy before starting anti-tuberculosis drugs is 10.5 (1-60) months. According to this study results, the MDR-TB treatment cure rate at Brewelkloof hospital is similar to the cure rate at the national level. The study also hows that HIV infection and antiretroviral drugs do not influence any influence on MDR-TB treatment outcomes. / South Africa

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / Tuberculosis and HIV are arguably South Africa’s largest and most important health issues. With drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis on the increase and little research on new drugs, there is an urgent need for research around the drugs presently available to ensure their optimal use and to minimise their sometimes serious and significant side effects. Treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis is expensive and lengthy, and is complicated by a limited choice of drugs with lower efficacies and higher toxicities. Treatment is further complicated in patients with HIV due to several factors including drug interactions. While some authors suggest that HIV and malabsorption might be associated with poor clinical outcomes, other researchers have found no link. Patients may benefit from Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in order to ensure that their doses of antituberculosis drugs are reaching the required minimum effective concentrations, without attaining toxic levels in the plasma which may cause unpleasant side effects. There is little research concerning drug levels in HIV patients with TB in South Africa, let alone in patients with drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis, and there are no studies in this country that use Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to investigate the plasma levels of pyrazinamide in patients with MDR-TB. This study aimed to investigate whether or not there is a difference in the pharmacokinetics of PZA in MDR-TB patients with HIV, and those without HIV infection. It also aimed to establish whether LC-MS could be used to study the levels of pyrazinamide in the plasma of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis with and without concurrent HIV infection. The plasma levels of pyrazinamide in 32 MDR-TB patients (23 HIV negative and 9 HIV positive), were successfully 2 analysed using LC-MS, and the pharmacokinetics of PZA in these 2 populations was described. It was established that the Tmax of pyrazinamide was significantly higher in HIV-negative patients than in HIV-positive patients. Although there was a difference between the Ka in the two populations, this difference did not quite reach statistical significance. There were no statistically significant differences between HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients with regards to the other pharmacokinetic parameters investigated. Our findings established that there was little evidence to suggest that there is a difference between the pharmacokinetics of the antimycobacterial drug pyrazinamide in HIV-positive patients and that in HIV-negative patients. We were also able to successfully develop and validate an assay for the analysis of PZA in plasma using LC-MS, and this finding could be very valuable for further studies. Although our study failed to prove this, the possibility still exists that HIV-positive patients could exhibit altered kinetics of antiTB drugs and this has not been fully investigated in South Africa. The clinical impact of low plasma levels of antimycobacterial drugs is still largely unexplored and further research with larger sample sizes should be done in order to establish which factors may contribute to low plasma levels of anti-tuberculosis drugs in MDR-TB patients, and whether or not these low levels are increasing the risk of treatment failure or other poor clinical outcomes.

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / The aim of the study was to determine firstly, kanamycin plasma concentrations using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS); secondly, to investigate the PK parameters of kanamycin in patients infected with MDR-TB and in patients co-infected with MDR-TB and HIV; thirdly, to assess the influence of HIV infection and renal impairment on the PK of kanamycin and fourthly, to find out whether there is any interaction between antiretroviral drugs and kanamycin.

The emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drugresistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) are a major medical and public problem threatening the global health. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the prevalence of MDR-TB and XDR-TB in the Eastern Cape; (ii) analyze patterns of gene mutations in MDR-TB and (iii) identify gene mutations associated with resistance to second line injectable drugs in XDR-TB isolates. A total of 1520 routine sputum specimens sequentially received within a period of 12 months i.e. February 2012 to February 2013 from all MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients treated by Hospitals and clinics in the Eastern Cape were included in this study, of which 1004 had interpretable results. Samples were analyzed with the Genotype MTBDRplus VER 2.0 assay kit (Hain Lifescience) for detection of resistance to Rifampicin and Isoniazid while solid and liquid culture drug susceptibility tests were used for ethambutol, streptomycin, ethionamide, ofloxacin, capreomycin and amikacin. PCR and sequence analysis of short regions of target genes gyrA, (encode subunit of DNA topoisomerase gyrase), rrs (16S rRNA) and tlyA (encodes a 2’-O-methyltransferase) were performed on 20 XDR-TB isolates. MTBDRplus kit results and drug susceptibility tests identified 462 MDR-TB, 284 pre-XDR and 258 XDR-TB isolates from 267 clinics and 25 hospitals in the Eastern Cape. There was a high frequency of resistance to streptomycin, ethionamide, amikacin, ofloxacin and capreomycin. Mutation patterns indicated differences between the health districts as well as differences between the facilities within the health districts. The most common mutation patterns observed were: (i) ΔWT3, ΔWT4, MUT1 [D516V+del515] (rpoB), ΔWT, MUT1 [S315T1] (katG), ΔWT1 [C15T] (inhA) [39 MDR, 204 XDR-TB and 214 pre XDR-TB isolates], (ii) ΔWT8, MUT3 [L533P+S531L] (rpoB), ΔWT, MUT1 [S315T1] [145 MDR, 18 pre-XDR and 3 XDR-TB solates] and (iii) ΔWT3, WT4 [D516Y+del515] (rpoB), ΔWT, MUT1 [S315T1] (katG) [75 MDR, 1 pre-XDR and 7 XDR-TB isolates]. Mutations in inhA promoter regions were strongly associated with XDR-TB isolates. Two thirds (66.6 percent (669/1004) of the isolates had inhA mutations present with 25.4 percent (170/669) found among the MDR isolates, 39.2 percent (262/669) among the pre-XDR isolates and 35.4 percent (237/669) among the XDR-TB isolates, which implies that these resistant isolates are being spread by transmission within the community and circulating in the province. There was good correlation between XDR-TB drug susceptibility test results and sequence analyses of the gyrA and rrs genes. The majority of XDR-TB isolates contained mutations at positions C269T (6/20) and 1401G (18/20) in gyrA and rrs genes respectively. Sequence analysis of short regions of gyrA and rrs genes may be useful for detection of fluoroquinolone and amikacin/ kanamycin resistance in XDR-TB isolates but the tlyA gene is not a sensitive genetic marker for capreomycin resistance. This study highlighted the urgent need for the development of rapid diagnostics for XDR-TB and raised serious concerns regarding ineffective patientmanagement resulting in ongoing transmission of extremely resistant strains of XDRTB in the Eastern Cape suggesting that the Eastern Cape could be fast becoming the epicenter for the development of Totally Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TDR-TB) in South Africa.

The aim of this study was to assess community members’ knowledge levels regarding Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS. The study was conducted at ward 40 in Green bushes area in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM). A quantitative research method was used in this study. Random sampling is the type of probability sampling method that was used in this study. The sample consisted of 100 respondents above 18 years who were randomly selected from the beneficiary list of for the RDP houses in Green bushes area in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. Data for this study were collected using close ended questions which were administered by the researcher to the selected participants. Data was analysed using bivariate and descriptive statistics according to the identified themes. The study revealed that community members had high knowledge levels regarding Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS prevention, transmission modes and diagnosis and treatment methods. The findings revealed that community members were highly knowledgeable and aware of the fact that abstaining and practising safe sex were means of preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS as it was spread through unprotected sex, while opening of windows and minimisation of close contact with HIV positive people and children with people infected with Drug Resistant TB are infection control measures or methods of preventing the spread of the disease. Additionally, the study indicated that female respondents were more aware and knowledgeable about prevention, transmission modes and diagnosis and treatment of Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS than male respondents. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the respondents were highly knowledgeable and aware about transmission of Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS; knowledgeable about prevention and less knowledgeable about diagnosis and treatment. A high percentage of female respondents knew that there was no vaccine to neither prevent nor cure HIV and AIDS and that antiretroviral drug were used to manage it. The study also showed that female respondents knew that all people irrespective of race and economic class can be infected with Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS. It is important to note that the respondents between 41-60 years possessed more knowledge regarding Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS than the respondents who were between 18-40 years. Lastly, the study showed that there were significant differences in gender and knowledge and no significant differences in age and knowledge of the respondents regarding Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS. It is recommended that in future, research regarding knowledge levels about Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS be extended to other wards in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM). Accurate knowledge should be provided by ensuring that educational materials that are developed, are appropriate for the various levels of literacy, and that more appropriate and relevant information regarding these diseases is made more accessible to community members in their home languages. The researcher further recommends that during training interventions and educational campaigns more emphasis should be put on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Drug Resistant TB and HIV and AIDS.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Although TB is a curable communicable disease, poor adherence to TB treatment is a major barrier to TB control in South Africa as it increases the risks of morbidity, mortality and drug resistance at individual and community level. As a result, multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) has become a serious public health issue. Underpinning this study was the assumption that a client-centred approach to treatment of MDR-TB clients, with a hospital programme which adopts an integrated multidisciplinary approach that is client-centred and is not purely biomedically driven, would improve treatment outcomes of MDR-TB clients.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Chemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the world. The development of drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis such as Multidrug resistant (MDR) and Extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains further complicate the TB control. Medicinal plants present a possible source for new potential antitubercular drugs. They have played an important role in drug discovery, with many pharmaceutical products originating from them. Isolation and characterisation of new antitubercular compounds from plant extracts is relevant today because of the development of resistant strains. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity of the leave extracts of Croton gratissimus and Leonotis leonorus. The first step was to extract fine powder leaves of the two plant species using four (dichloromethane, acetone, hexane and ethanol/water) different solvent systems. Isolation of the fractions was done using column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the broth dilution method and the values were recorded in μg/mL. All the isolated fractions from both plant species were evaluated for preliminary in-vitro antimycobacterial activity. Some of the isolated fractions showed an increased activity against the pathogen as compared to the crude extracts. All the crude extracts of the two plants had activity with MIC90 values greater than 125 μg/mL. Seven fractions obtained from Croton gratissimus showed potential activity against the pathogen with MIC90 values ranging from 30.61 to 64.88 μg/mL. Leonotis leonurus had three fractions with promising activity with MICs ranging from 1.963 to 62.51 μg/mL. The crude extracts of the two plant species showed that the two plant species have antioxidant properties. The qualitative antioxidant assay showed that DCM crude extracts had more antioxidants than all other extracts because of more clear zones against the purple background colour on the TLC plates. These was confirmed by the qualitative antioxidant assay where DCM crude extracts was able to inhibit the highest percentage of DPPH at different concentrations than all other solvent extracts. The DCM crude extracts of L. leonurus and Croton gratissimus inhibited 87 and 93 % of DPPH respectively at 250 μg/mL. The structures of the compounds within the isolated fractions were elucidated using NMR and confirmed by MS and FTIR spectroscopies. The NMR data showed that the isolated fractions were not pure compounds but mixtures of closely related compounds. The compounds whose structures were elucidated included two labdane diterpenoids (Croton A and Croton B) and a Cembranolide ((5E,10E,13R)-4-isopropyl-7,11-dimethyl-15-oxo-14-oxa-bicyclo [11.2.1] hexadeca-5,10-dien-7-yl acetate) from Croton gratissimus and a phenol (4-(3,3,4,4-tetramethylheptyl) benzene-1,2-diol)) from Leonotis leonurus. / National Research Foundation (NRF) and Sasol Foundation