MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / See the attached abstract below

MA (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M. E.R. Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afrika, Vhutsila na Mvelele / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (D. Tech. (Biomedical Technology)) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Medicinal plants are part of indigenous people‟s cultural heritage, thus since ancient times treatment of various diseases using medicinal plants has been part of human culture. The value of medicinal plants to mankind has been very well proven. It is estimated that 70% to 80% of people worldwide rely mainly on traditional health care systems, especially on herbal medicines (Stanley and Luz, 2003). In many societies the medicinal properties of plants were discovered mostly through trial and error, but use was also influenced by the belief systems of the people involved and often became entangled with religious and mythical practices (Mathias et al., 1996). Besides that, medicinal plants are proving to be rich resources of constituents that can be used in drug development and synthesis. Medicinal plants have been a source of a wide variety of biologically active compounds for many centuries and have been used extensively as crude material or as pure compounds for treating various disease conditions. Between 1% and 10% of plants out of an estimated 250 000 to 500 000 species of plants on earth are used by humans (Boris, 1996). 2 Plants used for medicinal purposes contribute significantly to the development of major medical drugs that are used today. Most common medicines have compounds extracted from plants as their primary active ingredients and many have provided blueprints for synthetic or partially synthesized drugs (Simpson and Ogorzaly, 2001). There has been a major resurgence of interest in traditionally used medicinal plants, with a number of international and local initiatives actively exploring the botanical resources of southern Africa with the intention to screen indigenous plants for pharmacologically active compounds (Gurib-Fakim et al., 2010; Rybicki et al., 2012). South Africa is considered a “hot spot” for biodiversity and more than 22 000 plant species occur within its boundaries. This represents 10% of the world‟s species, although the land surface of South Africa is less than 1% of the earth‟s surface (Coetzee et al., 1999). Plants have also been used by man for various purposes, among others as arrow and dart poisons for hunting, poisons for murder, hallucinogens used for ritualistic purposes, stimulants for endurance and hunger suppression, as well as medicine (Duke et al., 2008; Cragg and Newman, 2005). A derivative of the polyhydroxy diterpenoid ingenol isolated from the sap of Euphorbia peplus (known as “petty spurge” in England or “radium weed” in Australia), which is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for skin cancer, is currently under clinical development by Peplin Biotech for the topical treatment of certain skin cancers (Kedei et al., 2004; Ogbourne et al., 2004). Combretastatin A-4 phosphate, 3 a stilbene derivative from the South African bush willow, Combretum caffrum, acts as an anti-angiogenic agent causing vascular shutdowns in tumors (Newman et al., 2005; Holwell et al., 2002). Further reliance on plants for drug development is demonstrated by the use of galantamine hydrobromide, an alkaloid obtained from the plant Galanthus nivalis used traditionally in Turkey and Bulgaria for the treatment of Alzheimer‟s disease (Howes et al., 2003; Heinrich and Teoh, 2004). The plant chemicals used for the above-mentioned purposes are secondary metabolites, which are derived biosynthetically from plant primary metabolites (e.g. carbohydrates, amino acids and lipids). Secondary metabolites are organic compounds that are exclusively produced by plants and that are not directly involved in the normal growth, development and reproduction of a plant (Firn and Jones, 2003). Yet, they have many functions that are important for the plant‟s long-term health and appearance. Plants, being stationary, have to cope with a number of challenges, including engineering their own pollination and seed dispersal, local variation in the supply of the simple nutrients that they require to synthesize their food and the coexistence of herbivores and pathogens in their immediate environment. Plants have therefore evolved secondary biochemical pathways that allow them to synthesize a spectrum of organic molecules, often in response to specific environmental stimuli, such as herbivore-induced damage, pathogen attacks, or nutrient deprivation (Reymond et al., 2000; Hermsmeier et al., 2001). 4 The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is derived from the fundamental processes of photosynthesis, glycolysis and the Krebs cycle to afford biosynthetic intermediates which, ultimately, result in the formation of secondary metabolites also known as natural products (Dewick, 2002). It is hypothesized that secondary metabolism utilizes amino acids and the acetate and shikimate pathways to produce “shunt metabolites” (intermediates) that have adopted an alternate biosynthetic route, leading to the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (Sarker et al., 2006). Modifications in the biosynthetic pathways that produce secondary metabolites are probably due to natural causes (e.g. viruses or environmental changes) or unnatural causes (e.g. chemical or radiation processes) in an effort to adapt or provide longevity for the plant (Sarker et al., 2006). Plants‟ secondary metabolites can be classified into several groups according to their chemical classes, such alkaloids, terpenoids and phenolics (Harbone, 1984; Wink, 2003).

For centuries Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) used their indigenous knowledge (IK) in conserving medicinal plants and environments to maintain sustainability. With the rapid environmental, social, economic and political changes occurring in many areas inhabited by rural people exist the danger that the loss of biodiversity from habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting practices will result in some species becoming extinct. The main aim of the study was to determine the natural habitat of extinction-prone traditional medicinal plants combining the insight of THPs with an ultimate goal of guiding research for the conservation, propagation and cultivation of traditional medicinal plants. Despite problems, opportunities and challenges expressed and identified by THPs, the analysis of data from interview schedule and personal observations, show that the THPs' practices are shaped by historical processes and local cultural values, social norms and their management strategies that are influenced by a broad range of factors. / Agriculture, Animal Health & Human Ecology / M.A. (Human Ecology)

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the understanding and utilization of Strychnos henningsii (umqalothi, Red bitterberry) by Zulu traditional healers and the signs and symptoms induced by the thirtieth centesimal potency (30CH) homoeopathic dilution of the crude substance in a previously conducted triple-blind placebo-controlled homoeopathic proving. Methodology The study was carried out in four dispersed areas of KZN (Harding, Durban, Weenen and Melmoth). From each area one isangoma and one inyanga were interviewed, resulting in eight interviews. All visits were conducted by the researcher, who acted as principal communicator and translator, and his supervisor, who assisted him by doing live video recording of all interviews. The methodology employed was that of qualitative interviewing using semi-structured interviews. Each video was transcribed into Zulu text and subsequently translated to English text by the researcher and his supervisor. The data obtained from the interviews was then compared to data obtained from the previously conducted homoeopathic proving of Strychnos henningsii 30CH in order to evaluate the overlap between the traditional and the homoeopathic approach to utilisation of the plant. Results After comparison, it was found that there was an overlap in the gastro-intestinal system, cardio-vascular system, respiratory system and female/male genito-urinary system and in some mental symptoms. v However, there were no overlaps found in traditional usage of the plant as an antisnake venom, and in the proving symptoms related to scalp, hair, eyes, ear, nose, face, mouth, teeth and throat. Conclusion After comparison between the understanding and utilization of Strychnos henningsii by Zulu traditional healers and the signs and symptoms induced by the proving of Strychnos henningssi 30CH, it was concluded that while there are certain overlaps, the homoeopathic proving produced a wider range of symptoms which may either serve to extend the traditional use, or overlap with existing traditional use not exposed within the scope of this study. Interviews with a greater number of traditional healers in a wider geographic area may reveal a closer correlation between homoeopathic proving symptoms and patterns of use by traditional healers.

The aim of this study is to isolate and evaluate the anticonvulsant components from the leaves of Leonotis leonorus (L) R.aR. and to see if there is any change in activity with the origin of the plant material and I or the season in which plant material is collected. Therefore, in this study, two sites were chosen for collection of plant material and the collection was made in summer and in winter. Chemical, physical and pharmacological methods were used to isolate, identify and to evaluate compounds isolated from the leaves of Leonotis leonorus for anticonvulsant activity.

Sur près de 70 millions de personnes vivant avec l’épilepsie (PVE) dans le monde, 150 000 vivent au Pérou et 52 000 au Laos, avec un déficit de traitement (proportion de PVE qui ne reçoit pas de médicaments antiépileptiques adaptés), respectivement de 75% et 97%. Notre objectif principal était de caractériser l’utilisation des plantes médicinales dans la prise en charge de l’épilepsie. Les objectifs spécifiques visaient à : (i) faire l’état des lieux des connaissances sur les plantes médicinales utilisées comme antiépileptiques dans les pays d’Asie, d’Amérique Latine et d’Afrique, (ii) déterminer la place de la phytothérapie dans l’itinéraire thérapeutique des PVE (iii) évaluer l’efficacité pharmacologique d’extraits de plantes utilisées pour soigner l’épilepsie dans deux communautés rurales du nord du Pérou. D’abord, nous avons utilisé une approche bibliographique exhaustive de la littérature spécialisée. L’approche de terrain au Pérou et au Laos a combiné des outils épidémiologiques et ethnopharmacologiques. La troisième partie de ce travail était une étude pilote ayant pour objectif d’évaluer la faisabilité et la pertinence de réaliser des tests pharmacologiques de l’efficacité de plantes sur différents modèles d’épilepsie. Nous avons identifié 106 publications portant sur l’utilisation de plantes dans l’épilepsie(études réalisées entre 1982 et 2017). Sur le terrain, le pourcentage de recours aux remèdes à base de plantes était de 66,7% au Pérou et de 71,1% au Laos. Au total, 66 espèces végétales ont été citées par les patients et tradipraticiens au Pérou et 87 au Laos. Un effet antiépileptique potentiel avec les extraits de Valeriana officinalis et Melissa officinalis a été observé. La place de la médecine traditionnelle est telle dans l’itinéraire thérapeutique d’un patient épileptique qu’il serait intéressant qu’elle soit partie intégrante du système de soins. / Of the 70 million people living with epilepsy (PWE) worldwide, 150,000 live in Peru and 52,000in Laos, where the epilepsy treatment gap are respectively 75% and 97%.Our main objective was to characterize the use of medicinal plants in the management ofepilepsy. The specific objectives were: (i) to review the current state of knowledge onmedicinal plants used as antiepileptics in Asian, Latin American and African countries, (ii) to determine the place of phytotherapy in the therapeutic itinerary of PWE, (iii) to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy of plant extracts used to treat epilepsy in two rural communities in northern Peru.We first used a comprehensive bibliographic approach of the specialized literature. The field approach in Peru and Laos combined epidemiological and ethnopharmacological tools. The third part of this work was a pilot study to assess the feasibility and relevance of conducting pharmacological tests of plant efficacy in epilepsy models.We identified 106 publications on the use of plants in epilepsy between 1982 and 2017. Thepercentage of herbal remedies used was 66.7% in Peru and 71.1% in Laos. A total of 66 plant species were mentioned by patients and traditional healers in Peru and 87 in Laos. A potential antiepileptic effect with extracts of Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis has been observed. The place of traditional medicine is such that it would be interesting if it were an integral part of the health care system.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:27:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marilia da Conceicao da Silva Doria.pdf: 2820398 bytes, checksum: f5e45a91376059167c619c5f26da25dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-02 / Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas / The present study aimed to verify the Acupuncture effectiveness for stress symptoms treatment. The 20 participants, all volunteers from the Community, 15 female and 5 male, aged from 27 to 65 years old, answered the researcher s invitation announcement. The pre-treatment was composed by the participants acceptance though. The Free and Informed Consent signature, and then the application the Lipp s Stress Symptoms Inventory (ISSL), of an interview, the Analogue-Visual Scale (EAV), that accesses the participants demand. Participants who attended the inclusion criterion, that was the presence of stress symptoms, had received the 10-sessions Acupuncture Treatment at the Instituto de Psicologia e Acupuntura Espa?o Consci?ncia. These sessions, conducted by 5 acupuncturist psychologists oriented by Professor Delvo Ferraz da Silva, were individual, weekly, and endured 50 minutes each. All participants were submitted to the same instruments after the 10 sessions, and also registered their personal opinion about the treatment. The general results has indicated that before the Acupuncture Treatment, 60% of the volunteers were in the resistance phase of stress, and the demand intensity average was 8,1, considering a scale from 1 to 10. After the treatment, the stress presence was significantly reduced (p<0,001), as the stress level (p=0,006), the symptoms predominance (p=0,02), and the demand intensity (p<0,001). As the Acupuncture Treatment reduced significantly the stress symptoms presence, it s possible to conclude its effectiveness in this sample. / O presente estudo objetivou verificar o uso da Acupuntura na sintomatologia do stress. Os participantes foram 20 adultos, sendo 15 mulheres e 5 homens, na faixa et?ria de 27 a 65 anos, provenientes da Comunidade em geral que responderam ao an?ncio da pesquisadora para participa??o na pesquisa. Os volunt?rios que aceitaram participar, assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido, e logo ap?s foram submetidos ? aplica??o do Invent?rio de Sintomas de Stress de Lipp (ISSL), para avaliar a presen?a de stress, a um question?rio e ? Escala Anal?gica Visual (EAV), para avaliar a intensidade da queixa (sintoma principal do ISSL) do participante. Essas avalia??es constitu?ram a fase pr?-tratamento. Assim, os participantes que atingiram os crit?rios de inclus?o do estudo, participaram do Tratamento de Acupuntura, que foi realizado em 10 sess?es individuais, com freq??ncia semanal e com dura??o de aproximadamente 50 minutos. O Tratamento de Acupuntura foi realizado nas salas do Instituto de Psicologia e Acupuntura Espa?o Consci?ncia por cinco Psic?logos Acupunturistas formados no Instituto, igualmente treinados, que seguiram orienta??es sistematizadas, com supervis?o do Professor Delvo Ferraz da Silva. Ap?s as 10 sess?es de acupuntura, os participantes foram reavaliados com os mesmos instrumentos de avalia??o psicol?gica (EAV e ISSL), utilizados na fase pr?-tratamento, e tamb?m foram solicitados que expressassem a sua opini?o sobre o Tratamento. Os resultados gerais mostraram que antes do Tratamento de Acupuntura, 100% dos participantes apresentavam stress, j? que este era um crit?rio de inclus?o da pesquisa, sendo que 60% se encontravam na fase de resist?ncia, e a m?dia da intensidade da queixa era 8,1, em uma escala que variava de 1 a 10. O tratamento foi capaz de reduzir significativamente a presen?a de stress (p<0,001), o n?vel de stress (p=0,006), a predomin?ncia de sintomas (p=0,02) e a intensidade da queixa (p<0,001). Conclui-se que o Tratamento de Acupuntura foi ?til na redu??o da sintomatologia do stress desta amostra, considerando-se seus efeitos imediatos.

Acupuntura tem sido integrada no tratamento da discopatia intervertebral tóraco-lombar em cães com intuito de analgesia e reabilitação motora e sensorial. Faltam estudos clínicos controlados comparando acupuntura associada ao tratamento médico não cirúrgico. Foram avaliados 61 cães portadores de afecção degenerativa do disco intervertebral tóraco-lombar durante o período de março de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006. Destes 61 animais, 50 foram incluídos no estudo, 26 cães no grupo com acupuntura e 24 cães no grupo sem acupuntura. As avaliações da melhora do estado neurológico foram realizadas através de uma escala funcional numérica em 4 momentos: primeira avaliação, 7&ordm; dia de avaliação, 14&ordm; dia de avaliação e último retorno. Para análise estatística, nível de significância de 5%, utilizou-se o Teste de Mann Whitney para amostras independentes e o Teste de Friedman para amostras dependentes, seguido do Teste de Wilcoxon para comparações das amostras dentro do mesmo grupo. Os valores das medianas do escore total na 1&ordf; avaliação permitiu comparação entre graus de lesão (1 a 5) subdivididos em graus 1-2 (Md 21 e 20); graus 3-4 (Md 11 e 9) e grau 5 (Md 2). O tempo de retorno a locomoção de animais sem capacidade de locomoção e presença de dor profunda (graus 3-4) foi comparado entre os grupos com (n=10) e sem acupuntura (n=6) através do Teste T-Student, sendo os cães que receberam acupuntura anteciparam em 50% o retorno a locomoção (10,10&plusmn;6,49 dias) em comparação com cães que não receberam acupuntura (20,83&plusmn;11,99 dias) com diferença significativa (p&lt;0,034). Apresentaram médias superiores e com diferença significativa no escore total da escala funcional numérica na 7&ordf; e 14&ordf; avaliações (p&lt;0,039 e p&lt;0,020) em relação ao grupo que não recebeu acupuntura, representando um estado neurológico superior. A taxa de sucesso em cães com graus 3-4 no retorno a locomoção foi de 100% e 66%, respectivamente grupo com acupuntura e sem acupuntura, sendo a diferença significativa (p&lt;0,047). Os cães de graus 1-2 não apresentaram diferença significativa, sendo a taxa de sucesso em ambos os grupos de 100%. Os cães de grau 5 tiveram taxa de sucesso no retorno a locomoção de 50% e 12,5%, respectivamente grupo com acupuntura e sem acupuntura, não apresentando diferença significativa (p&gt;0,124). Conclui-se que acupuntura pode ser aplicada associada ao tratamento médico em cães com discopatia tóraco-lombar, antecipando o retorno à locomoção e a melhora na evolução neurológica em cães apresentando percepção à dor profunda intacta e sem capacidade de locomoção. / Acupuncture has been combined in the treatment of thoracolumbar disk disease in dogs with the purpose of analgesia, motor and sensorial rehabilitation. There is a lack of clinical controlled studies comparing acupuncture integrated with medical and non surgical treatment. 61 dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease were evaluated from March 2005 to February 2006. Among these 61 animals, 50 were included in the study: 26 dogs in the group with acupuncture and 24 dogs in the group without acupuncture. The evaluations of the neurological improvement were done through a numerical functional scale in 4 moments: first, seventh, fourteenth evaluations and the last visit. For the statistical analysis, significant level of 5%, Mann Whitney test for independent variables, Friedman test for dependent variables comparisons, followed by Wilcoxon test for dependent variables in the same group, were utilized. The median values of the total scores in the first visit permitted comparisons within lesion levels (1 to 5) divided in levels 1-2 (Md 21 and 20); levels 3-4 (Md 11 and 9) and level 5 (Md 2). The time of return of ambulation in dogs without ambulation and intact deep pain perception (levels 3-4) were compared with acupuncture group (n=10) and without acupuncture group (n=6) through Student T test, where dogs that received acupuncture anticipated in 50% the locomotion return (10,10&plusmn;6,49 days) in comparison of dogs that didn?t received acupuncture (20,83&plusmn;11,99days) with significant difference (p&lt;0,034). These dogs showed superior means and significant difference in the total score from the numerical functional scale in the seventh and fourteeth visits (p&lt;0,039 and p&lt;0,020) in relation to the group that didn?t received acupuncture, showing superior neurological state. The success rate of dogs with levels 3-4 in the return of ambulation were 100% and 66%, respectively acupuncture group and without acupuncture, with significant difference (p&lt;0,047). The dogs with levels 1-2 didn?t show difference, so that the success rate in both groups were 100%. The dogs with level 5 had success rate in the return of ambulation of 50% and 12,5%, respectively acupuncture group (n=6) and without acupuncture (n=8), but without significant difference (p&gt;0,124). It was concluded that acupuncture can be applied to the medical treatment in dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease, with anticipation of the return of ambulation and the improvement of neurological state in animals showing intact deep pain perception and without ambulation.

Thesis (M.CUR.) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / Indigenous practices (IPs) are experiences generated by people who are living in a specific region context and a specific cultured group. IPs are shaped by cultural traits that are passed from one generation to the next. The practices are rooted and embedded in such a society and, therefore, the practices become part of the people’s lifestyle. It is difficult to try and change these practices, since people have adhered to them throughout their entire lives. The believe system plays a major role in health care seeking behaviour of individuals because they are informed by the IPs that are observed in their environment (Shaik & Hatcher, 2005). IPs are stored in people’s memories and are expressed in songs, dances, beliefs, rituals, cultural values, myths, and healing of diseases by using herbs. During pregnancy, IPs are still applied worldwide. Ayaz and Efe (2008) indicate that it occurs mostly in Turkey and Africa where women’s reassurance is depending on the local context and meaning of pregnancy. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To determine indigenous practices of pregnant women at the Dilokong Hospital in the Greater Tubatse Municipality of the Limpopo Province.This was achieved by the exploring and describing the indigenous practices of pregnant women in the antenatal (ANC) clinic of the maternity ward at the Dilokong Hospital.. DESIGN AND METHOD A qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual research design was used for the participants to describe the indigenous practices by pregnant women. Data was collected by means of unstructured one-on-one interviews in maternity unit of the ANC clinic at the Dilokong Hospital of the Greater Tubatse Municipality. Ethical considerations as described by Denosa (2000) were adhered to in order to ensure the v quality of the study. The criteria for trustworthiness were observed as stipulated in Babbie and Mouton (2009).Fifteen pregnant women were interviewed. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Four themes with sub-themes emerged from the data analysis by using Tech’ṡ open coding approach (Creswell 2006, Botma, Greef, Mulaudzi & Wright, 2010). Four themes were emerged namely; indigenous practices based on ancestral knowledge; indigenous practices based on spiritual diviners versus church principles; restricted practices versus instructions followed during pregnancy and labour and indigenous practices during labour and delivery. It is recommended that a national IP strategy needs to be developed to provide a framework and platform to support and promote grass roots IPs into mainstream development in the health care system in relation to midwifery practice. CONCLUSION The study findings indicated that IPs were regarded as an honourable health intervention by THPs, families, and pregnant women. They showed trust in methods used to preserve pregnancy, labour, and delivery, although, the indigenous practices by pregnant women still continue. Indigenous practices such as cords around their waists, are still observed during physical examinations. However, there is a reduction of prescribed potions mixed with cool drinks for use to accelerate labour and to prevent negative consequences because the potential toxicity has been explained during the provision of health education. These findings call for health care professionals to emphasise training and workshops for the THPs church diviners that are the fundamental principle of effective implementation of IPs to enhance improvement in the prevention of complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery. KEYWORDS Pregnant women Indigenous practice Indigenous knowledge Antenatal care