According to data of research company „IMS Health“ the pharmacy market in Lithuania increases year by year, and sales of non-prescribed medicine increase significantly. A part of those sales is comprised of herbal medicine preparations. Analysis of competitive environment, analysis of available preparations portfolio and possibilities of the company‘s development are compulsory seeking to stay competitive. During the last years we observed an increasing interest of consumers in herbal medicine preparations, therefore, the topic chosen is relevant for the Master‘s Degree thesis. Aim of the study: to evaluate possibilities of development of „Bionorica AG“ company on Lithuanian market. Objectives: Review of market of herbal preparations, evaluation of external environment, analysis of portfolio of the company‘s preparations, possibilities and analysis of the company‘s development on the market. Methods – model of M. Porter, with the help of which competitive analysis was performed. Survey of drugstores. Questionnaire data of surveys were entered, processed and analyzed with the use of statistics data analysis program SPSS. Analysis of the products‘ portfolio was performed with the use of matrix model of Boston consulting group (BCG). Possibilities of the company‘s development are analyzed in the paper with the use of forecasting method - trend model. Results: Many large companies, which follow each others‘ actions in order to know the means that are necesary to be assumed... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas. Nustatyti, kokiais vaistiniais augalais ir jų preparatais dažniausiai gydosi Telšių rajono gyventojai. Darbo uždaviniai. 1. Apžvelgti literatūrą apie vaistinius augalus, jų preparatus ir vartojimą savigydos tikslais. 2. Apklausti vaistinės klientus ir apibendrinti anketų atsakymų rezultatus, atsižvelgiant į pasiskirstymą tarp lyčių. 3. Išsiaiškinti dažniausiai pasitaikančius negalavimus ir jų gydymą savigydos būdu vaistiniais augalais ar jų preparatais. 4. Nustatyti, kas lemia augalinio preparato pasirinkimą. Tyrimo metodika. Tyrimo objektas – UAB „Nemuno vaistinė“ vaistinių, esančių Telšių mieste, klientų nuomonė, apie augalinės kilmės preparatų vartojimą savigydai. Tyrimo metodai – kiekybinis tyrimas, instrumentas – anoniminė anketinė apklausa. Pats tyrimas buvo vykdomas gavus leidimą iš „UAB Nemuno vaistinė“ vadovybės. Buvo apklausta 400 respondentų. Tyrimo duomenys apdoroti statistiškai, naudojant Microsoft Office Excel 2007 programą. Rezultatai. Tyrimo metu buvo nustatyta, kad vaistinėje dažnesnės klientės – moterys (75,5 proc.) nei vyrai (24,5 proc.). Šiek tiek daugiau nei pusė apklaustųjų 52,5 proc. savigydai dažniau renkasi sintetinius, nei augalinius vaistus, 69,5 proc. nurodė, jog augalinio vaisto pasirinkimą nulemia patys respondentai. Pusei apklaustųjų pagrindinis informacijos šaltinis apie vaistinius augalus ir jų vartojimą yra sveikatos priežiūros specialistų informacija. Pastebėję nepageidaujamą vaisto poveikį, dauguma – 48,5 proc. praneštų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Objective of the Thesis. To determine the most prevalent illnesses among the population of Telšiai Region that are commonly self-treated with plant-derived remedies. Tasks of the Thesis. 1. To examine literature on medicinal plants and their preparations, including their use and self-medication. 2. To interview pharmacy customers and to summarise the obtained results. 3. To determine the most prevalent illnesses and their self-treatment with medicinal plants or their preparations. 4. To identify factors that have the greatest influence on the choice of plant-derived remedies. Research techniques. Research object: opinions of the customers of UAB Nemuno Vaistinė pharmacies in Telšiai regarding the use of herbal preparations for self-treatment purposes. Research methods: quantitative research through questionnaire survey. The research was authorised by the management of UAB Nemuno Vaistinė. It interviewed 400 respondents. Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used to statistically process the research data. Findings. It was found that women are more frequent customers of the pharmacy (75.5 percent) than men (24.5 percent). In self-treatment, slightly more than half of the surveyed (52.5 percent) prefer chemical preparations to plant-derived ones, while 69.5 percent of the respondents said that the choice of a herbal preparation depends on their own preferences only. Half of the surveyed specified that the main source of information on herbal remedies and their use is information... [to full text]

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In recent decades, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gradually assumed a growing popularity and economic importance in the health care systems of Western nations including Australia. Personal expenditure on CAM now represents a significant investment by the Australian general population. During this period, various CAM professions have steadily emerged as popular, if unofficial, healthcare providers. Despite the growing popularity of CAM, little is known outside of special interest groups about most CAM practices or about the professionals who provide them. In Australia one of the most well known and popular forms of CAM is herbal medicine. The focus of this thesis is on the professional practice of herbal medicine in Australia, specifically Western Herbal Medicine (WHM). It is estimated that practitioners of WHM conduct almost two million consultations a year representing an investment of $AUS 85 million (excluding the cost of medicines)in the Australian health economy. Typically described as a complete system of medicine, WHM boasts a comprehensive philosophy and claims to offer a unique approach to treatment, diagnosis and prescription. WHM practitioners reputedly operate within a broad range of autonomy, including some acting as primary health care professionals. Nevertheless, little is known about the Australian WHM profession: their approach to clinical practice; their use of herbal medicines; the patients and problems seen in WHM practice; or the nature of the WHM profession’s relationship with the mainstream healthcare sector. This thesis presents a pragmatic health services inquiry that aims to provide empirical data for the purpose of stimulating reflective practice within the WHM profession and seeks to inform discussion about the role of WHM in the Australian healthcare system. The analysis employs the concept of 'mainstreaming' (the increasing popularity, acceptance and legitimacy of CAM within the dominant healthcare structures) to explore the response of WHM to the changing role of CAM within mainstream healthcare. Mainstreaming is interpreted as an active social process in which the boundaries between CAM and mainstream healthcare are shifting, and is a concept that implies the dominance of the mainstream medical paradigm. The investigation triangulates quantitative and qualitative methods to provide an in-depth account of WHM practice from the perspective of the WHM practitioner. The study population is the membership of the National Herbalists’ Association of Australia (NHAA), and the unit of analysis is the individual WHM practitioner. The research describes the clinical practice of WHM and explores the WHM profession’s developing relationship with the mainstream – including the Australian public and the mainstream healthcare professions, particularly medical practice. A social theoretical framework is employed to examine WHM practice within its social context. The conceptual framework directs the examination of the evolving relationship between WHM and mainstreaming towards three core areas of intersection: (1) the inter-professional; (2) the intra-professional; and (3) the professional/non-professional. The inquiry consists of a mixed methods design in which an initial survey study is followed by a qualitative in-depth interview study. The rationale of adopting a mixed methods approach was threefold: firstly, to increase the scope of inquiry by selecting methods most appropriate for each inquiry component; secondly, to better understand the research problem by converging both types of data; and finally, to increase the validity of constructs and inquiry results by triangulation of data sources. The survey study consisted of a postal questionnaire that was distributed to the membership of the NHAA. The survey was specifically designed for this study in consultation with the NHAA. A preliminary pilot study of the draft questionnaire was conducted consisting of both a formal and informal stage of testing. The questionnaire was distributed with the association’s quarterly professional journal (The Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism) in December 2003 and again in March 2004. Achieving a response rate of 58% (n=378), the survey data described key aspects of the WHM profession; its approach to clinical practice, herbal prescribing and aspects of its professional relationships. The survey results demonstrated an increased influence of medical science on WHM principles and practices including the incorporation of medical concepts,clinical procedures, technologies and language into clinical practice. Although the survey provided strong evidence of a trend towards the rationalisation of WHM clinical practice, the results showed how the prescription of herbal medicines remains a predominantly traditional practice. In terms of the WHM profession, the survey results indicate that WHM practitioners are not assuming a primary healthcare role in Australia but are predominantly providing treatments for chronic conditions. The data indicated high levels of concurrent patient care, including concurrent use of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines;thus, suggesting that WHM clientele consider WHM a complementary rather than an alternative form of medicine. The survey also showed that WHM practitioners would welcome improved inter-professional and intra-professional relationships. The second phase of the mixed methods study consisted of a series of qualitative in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of survey respondents (n=18)resident in NSW, Australia. The objectives of the in-depth interview study were twofold: firstly, to add depth and meaning to survey data; and secondly, to understand the practice of WHM from the perspective of the WHM practitioner.To ensure flexibility and to uncover novel data from the participants the in-depth interviews were carried out on a semi-structured basis. Building upon the survey findings, the qualitative study explored the WHM practitioners���� conceptualisations, explanations and rationalisations of their approach to WHM practice. The interview participants represented a broad range of WHM practitioners who commonly shared a holistic worldview, but who also offered a range of interpretations of the philosophical and theoretical basis of WHM. The investigation described how mainstream conceptualisations of healthcare have impacted upon the traditional model of WHM practice. The analysis identifies a number of competing sub-groups within WHM who each advocate particular approaches to WHM practice. In particular, the analysis highlights a significant degree of internal tension operating within WHM about the salience of medical science within WHM. The analysis also revealed how the perceived subordination to, and thus distinction from, mainstream medicine is a dominant issue within the WHM practitioner’s discourse. The explanation for this emerged from the perception amongst the in-depth interview participants of the widespread appropriation of herbal medicine by the mainstream, as well as systematic discrimination towards the WHM profession. Furthermore, there was evidence of not only poor intra-professional cohesion but significant intra-professional differences regarding the apposite location of WHM in relation to mainstream healthcare. This research provides new understandings about the clinical practice of WHM practice, but also about the role of the WHM practitioner in Australian healthcare. The thesis reveals a story of irony. Despite the increasing popularity of herbal medicines and significant concessions within WHM to the medicalparadigm, the WHM profession is struggling to achieve legitimate participation within the mainstream and continues to operate on the fringe of Australian healthcare. The thesis concludes that the process of mainstreaming is challenging the authenticity of WHM herbal tradition and challenging the future viability of the WHM profession, the implications of which suggest that the WHM practitioner will continue to experience financial insecurity unless the WHM profession can collectively move to demarcate its scope of practice and legitimate its professional role.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-140).

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-04-03T14:29:49Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) LIDIANE PINTO CORREIA-TESE DE DOUTORADO.pdf: 5242864 bytes, checksum: 30aaf9ade8f3601fdf6b92444374359f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-03T14:29:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) LIDIANE PINTO CORREIA-TESE DE DOUTORADO.pdf: 5242864 bytes, checksum: 30aaf9ade8f3601fdf6b92444374359f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / O estudo de plantas medicinais como fonte de tratamento das mais diversas enfermidades é milenar, tendo em vista seu vasto uso embasado no conhecimento popular. Estudar essas espécies vegetais, de forma a caracterizá-las fisicamente, quimicamente e biologicamente tem sua importância para que o dito popular seja embasado cientificamente e parâmetros como eficácia e segurança sejam assegurados. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar características físicas, químicas e biológicas de três espécies vegetais (Tabebuia caraiba, Sideroxylon obtusifolium e Maytenus rigida) típicas do semiárido paraibano, com intuito de fornecer informações concretas acerca das suas características e do seu uso. Foram utilizados diferentes faixas de tamanhos de partículas para cada espécie, as quais, posteriormente, foram utilizadas na forma de droga vegetal (pó seco) e derivados (infusos e extrato liofilizado). As amostras utilizadas foram nomeadas: CAR00, CAR01, CAR02 e CAR03; QU00, QU01, QU02 e QU03; e MR00, MR01, MR02, MR03; referindo-se a Tabebuia caraiba, Sideroxylon obtusifolium e Maytenus rigida, respectivamente. Para caracterização física e química utilizaram-se as técnicas analíticas microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) com espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS), técnicas térmicas (Termogravimetria (TG) e Análise Térmica Diferencial (DTA)) e pirólise acoplada à cromatografia gasosa/espectrometria de massa (Pir-CG/EM). Para investigar o efeito da atividade antioxidante, bem como da citotoxicidade das amostras obtidas de pós de diferentes tamanhos de partícula utilizaram-se os seguintes ensaios: sistema de varredura do radical 2,2 difenil-1-pricril-hidrazil (DPPH), capacidade redutora (RP), capacidade de absorção de Radicais de Oxigênio (ORAC) e citotoxicidade (células Caco-2). Para validação do método analítico de identificação e quantificação, utilizou-se um cromatógrafo líquido de alta eficiência (HPLC). Através da termogravimetria utilizando o modelo adaptado de Ozawa foi possível diferenciar através dos parâmetros cinéticos obtidos (Ea, ordem de reação, percentual de perda de massa) as amostras de CAR de diferentes granulometrias. Os tamanhos volumétricos das partícula de QU e MR foram especificados através da MEV. Através dos dados térmicos da TG, DTA e Pir-CG/EM caracterizaram-se as drogas vegetais QU e MR, verificando diferenças dos resultados de acordo com a distribuição do tamanho das partículas. Através dos testes de determinação de resíduo seco, fenólicos e flavonoides verificaram-se diferenças quantitativas dos teores. As capacidades antioxidantes para as três espécies estudadas variaram para as diferentes granulometrias quando avaliadas através dos testes de DPPH, RP e ORAC. Levando-se em consideração o limite de 70% de viabilidade celular,observou-se que as diferentes granulometrias dos pós podem influenciar no dano celular. De acordo com os dados obtidos através das diferentes técnicas analíticas e ensaios biológicos, afirma-se que a propriedade física tamanho de partícula pode influenciar nos parâmetros de qualidade física, química e biológica de drogas vegetais, sendo importante a padronização da matéria-prima vegetal de forma a garantir a homogeneidade dos pré-requisitos que regem um produto de qualidade, segurança e eficácia / Herbal medicine studies as a source of several diseases treatment is age-old, based in its wide use grounded in popular knowledge. To study these species considering its physical, chemical and biological characteristics has its importance to scientifically support the popular herbal medicines use, ensuring parameters such as efficacy and safety to the users. This work aimed to evaluate physical, chemical and biological three typical plant species (Tabebuia caraiba, Sideroxylon obtusifolium and Maytenus rigida) from the semiarid Paraiba region, aiming to provide concrete information about their characteristics and use. Different particle size ranges were used for each species, which were used like herbal medicine (dry powder) and derivatives (infuses and lyophilized extracts). The samples used were named: CAR00, CAR01, CAR02 and CAR03; QU00, QU01, QU02 and QU03; and MR00, MR01, MR02, MR03; referring to Tabebuia caraiba, Sideroxylon obtusifolium and Maytenus rigida, respectively. For physical and chemical characterization we used the analytical techniques scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermal techniques (Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)) and pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC / MS). To investigate the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity effect of the different particle sizes samples it was used the following tests: scanning radical system of 2,2-diphenyl-1-pricril hydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power (RP), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), and cytotoxicity (Caco-2 cells). To the analytical method identification and quantification validation it was used a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). TG data using adapted Ozawa model allowed differentiate through kinetic parameters obtained (Ea, reaction order, weight loss percentage) the different particle size CAR samples. The volumetric size of QU and MR particles were specified by SEM. Through the thermal data of the TG, DTA and Pyr-GC / MS the herbal medicines QU and MR were characterized and it was checked differences in the results according to its particle size distribution. The determination of dry residue tests, phenolics and flavonoids showed quantitative differences levels. The antioxidant capacities for the three species studied varied to the different powder particle sizes when evaluated through DPPH test, RP and ORAC. Considering the cell viability limit of 70% like the parameter to the determination of citotoxicity, it was observed variations between the obtained results and the different particle sizes could influence in the cellular damage. According to the data obtained through analytical techniques and biological assays, it was evidenced that the physical property particle size may influence the physical, chemical and biological herbal medicine quality parameters. So, it is important to standardize the raw material to ensure the product prerequisites of homogeneity: quality, safety and efficacy.

Submitted by Pedro Barros (pedro.silvabarros@ufpe.br) on 2018-09-10T22:59:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) TESE Marcela Agne Alves Valones.pdf: 1096987 bytes, checksum: bc7c26f9af8c8a784af28b31b85c2286 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alice Araujo (alice.caraujo@ufpe.br) on 2018-09-17T19:00:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) TESE Marcela Agne Alves Valones.pdf: 1096987 bytes, checksum: bc7c26f9af8c8a784af28b31b85c2286 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-17T19:00:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) TESE Marcela Agne Alves Valones.pdf: 1096987 bytes, checksum: bc7c26f9af8c8a784af28b31b85c2286 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-18 / CAPES / Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a ação de um dentifrício à base do extrato de Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. (Alecrim), através de um ensaio clínico randomizado, controlado, aberto e duplo cego. Material e Métodos: cento e dez voluntários, que preencheram os critérios de inclusão, foram randomizados em dois grupos, A e B, de acordo com os dentifrícios utilizados e avaliados antes e após 30 dias do estudo, onde foram registrados os Índices de Sangramento Gengival (IG) e de Placa (IP). A análise dos dados foi realizada calculando-se o efeito dos dois dentifrícios na redução do sangramento gengival e de placa, através de medidas como Excesso Relativo de Risco (ERR), Redução Relativa do Risco (RRR), Redução Absoluta do Risco (RAR) e o Número Necessário de Tratamento (NNT). Resultados: houve equivalência entre os dois dentifrícios em relação à redução do risco de sangramento gengival em termos relativos e absolutos (A reduziu em 38% ERR= 0,38; B reduziu em 29,3% ERR=0,293; A e B reduziram em 18% RAR= 0,18), em relação à eficácia da redução da placa bacteriana (A reduziu em 22,7% RRR=0,227; B reduziu 28% RRR= 0,28) e em relação ao número necessário de pacientes para tratamento do sangramento e da redução de placa (A e B NNT=5; A e B NNT=7, respectivamente). Conclusão O dentifrício de Alecrim se mostrou efetivo quanto ao sangramento gengival e redução de placa bacteriana em comparação ao dentifrício convencional. Relevância Clínica: o dentifrício de Alecrim é um produto viável clinicamente em comparação ao dentifrício convencional. / Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the action of a toothpaste made from the extract of Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. (rosemary) in a clinical randomized, controlled, open and double-blind trial. Material and Methods: One hundred and ten volunteers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were randomly separated into two groups according to the toothpastes used: Group A (experimental) and Group B (control). They were assessed at baseline and 30 days after the study using the gingival bleeding index (GBI) and the plaque index (PI). Data analysis was conducted to calculate the effects of the two toothpastes on gingival bleeding and plaque, using measurements such as the excess relative risk (ERR), the Relative Risk Reduction (RRR), the Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) and the Number Needed for Treatment (NNT). Results: The two toothpastes provided similar results in terms of the reduction in the risk of gingival bleeding (relative and absolute): a reduction of 38% in Group A, ERR= 0.38; a reduction of 29.3% in Group B, ERR=0.293; A and B reduced by 18% ARR= 0.18). The reductions in bacterial plaque were also similar (22.7% reduction in Group A, RRR=0.227; 28% reduction in Group B, RRR= 0.28). The number needed for treatment values for bleeding and plaque were A and B NNT=5 and A and B NNT=7, respectively. Conclusion: The rosemary-based toothpaste effectively treated gingival bleeding and reduced bacterial plaque, when compared with conventional toothpaste. Clinical Relevance: The rosemary-based toothpaste is a clinically viable product, when compared with conventional toothpaste.

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

It is evident that herbal medicines continue to be the mainstay of healthcare systems and source of livelihoods of many local communities in South Africa and other developing countries. As a result, there is an overwhelming dependence on medicinal products harvested from natural populations. This dependence has led to local extinction of some important medicinal plants that include Warburgia salutaris and Cassine transvaalensis in South Africa. Cultivation has great potential to relieve the pressure on natural populations. However, some traditional practitioners and scientists believe that cultivation may weaken medicinal properties and that increased secondary metabolites may form only under stress conditions, respectively. This is certainly true in some cases especially where infections with pathogens, browsing by herbivores or competition takes place in nature. It is however not clear how true this is with environmental stresses. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate to what degree different environmental conditions influenced antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of plants cultivated outside their natural environment. In order to address the aim of the study, exploratory and in-depth studies were undertaken. The exploratory study comprised long-lived Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretacea), Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC. (Combretaceae) and Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. (Anacardiaceae). Short-lived herbaceous Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae) and Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fish, C.A.Mey,&Avé- Lall, (Hypoxidaceae), were included as part of the exploratory study. The in depth studies were further undertaken, also with short-lived herbaceous Leonotis dysophylla Benth. (Lamiaceae), Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd. (Asphodelaceae) and T. violacea. Acetone leaf extracts of all plants were studied for antimicrobial activity against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis) and fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus). Extracts were also studied for antioxidant activity against Trolox and L-ascorbic acid standard oxidants using 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, respectively. The exploratory study tested the effect of different rates of annual rainfall (≥870 mm/year, 651 mm/year and 484 mm/year) on the antibacterial activity of C. collinum, T. sericea and S. birrea growing in nature. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of acetone extracts of air-dried leaves was determined by using microplate serial dilution technique. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and bioautography determined chemical constituents and antibacterial activity of extracts, respectively. The majority of extracts had low MIC values, which indicated good antibacterial activity against test bacteria (MIC of 240 μg/ml - 60 μg/ml). Leaf extracts of C. collinum and S. birrea against S. aureus (range of 390 – 100 μg/ml), E. coli (310 -70 μg/ml) and P. aeruginosa (520 - 70 μg/ml) had antibacterial activity increased significantly with low rate of annual rainfall. However, extracts of T. sericea against P. aeruginosa (240 - 100 μg/ml) and E. faecalis (150 - 820 μg/ml) had antibacterial activity significantly increased and decreased, respectively. Extracts of C. collinum and S. birrea against E. faecalis as well as T. sericea against S. aureus and E. coli did not show any clear correlation between activity and different rates of annual rainfall. Inconsistent results suggest that other factors in nature such as genetic variability, age difference, pathogens, herbivores or allelopathy (competition) might have influenced the antibacterial activity of extracts. The results indicate that the antimicrobial activity of plants growing in nature may be highly variable. In order to eliminate possible effect of those factors common in nature, another exploratory study was undertaken using clone T. violacea and H. hemerocallidea of similar age (Chapter 3). Plants were grown under controlled conditions that included irrigation with 1000 ml of distilled water in intervals of 3, 14 and 21 days outside natural environment. Dry mass of all plants was reduced significantly (P≤0.05) with watering interval of 21 days, which indicated the effect of water stress. Air-dried leaves of all plants were finely ground and extracted with acetone. Extracts had good antibacterial activity as attested by low MIC values (< 1 mg/ml) across watering intervals. Differences in the antibacterial activity of the extracts against test bacterial between water treatments were not statistically significant (P≤0.05). Furthermore, there was no clear correlation between the activity of extracts and water treatments in terms of the MIC and total activity values or chemical constituents. The results in general suggest that cultivation under optimal watering intervals may not necessarily weaken the biological activity of extracts. To complement the above findings, in depth studies were also undertaken with clone L. dysophylla, T. violaceae and B. frutescens of similar age growing under controlled conditions outside natural environment. The studies determined the influence of a wide range of water (50 ml – 500 ml) and temperature (15°C and 30°C) treatments on antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant of extracts. With the exception of a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant, B. frutescens, transpiration, dry mass and leaf areas of the other two plants were reduced significantly (P 0.05) under high temperature of 30°C and lowest water supply of 50 ml. Acetone leaf extracts had some biological activity. Differences in the majority of antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts between water and temperature treatments were not statistically significant. With the exception of the influence of temperature, the majority of the antioxidant activity of extracts was almost similar between water treatments. However, the significant reduction of the antioxidant activity of all extracts under high temperature of 30°C was indicative of great sensitivity to high temperatures. The overall findings suggest that the biological activity of plants is more likely to vary widely in nature than under controlled conditions outside the natural environment. This is an indication that natural environment cannot always guarantee high and stable biological activity. As a result, beliefs by some traditional practitioners and scientists that cultivation weakens medicinal properties and good secondary metabolites form only under stress, respectively, cannot be widely substantiated. Therefore, the study encourages cultivation of medicinal plants. It has potential to optimise yield of biomass production, and ensure uniform and quality biological activity as well as reduce misidentification. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

Bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides) is an herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family used throughout history as medicinal herbal tea by the people of South Africa. Many studies stated that the plant has an ability to be commercialized as a medicinal herbal tea. But vegetative propagation of this type of plant by stem cutting, survival ability of the rooted cuttings, response to different hormone concentrations and the requirement of the seeds for germination has not been studied. In this investigation, different features aimed at effective propagation of bush tea were studied. These comprised: cutting position (apical vs. basal), media (pine bark vs. sand), hormone (Seradix No. 2), season (summer, autumn, winter and spring), transplanting survival of rooted apical and basal cuttings, response of basal cuttings to three hormone concentration levels (Seradix No. 1, 2 and 3) and light and temperature requirement for bush tea seed germination. In vegetative propagation, apical cuttings rooted to higher percentage and produced high root number as well as longer roots than basal cuttings. Pine bark improved the number of roots developed but had no effect on rooting percentage as well as root length. Application of rooting hormone (Seradix No. 2) increased root numbers but not rooting percentage or root length. Rooting of cuttings was improved when propagated in autumn (longer roots) and spring (more number of roots) than in summer or winter. There was higher survival percentage (67.5%), high root number as well as longer roots from apical cuttings than from basal cuttings (50%) two months after transplanting. Propagation in pine bark with hormone application increased root number after transplanting. Application of hormone also improved root and shoot length after transplanting. Apical cuttings propagated in pine bark with hormone developed more number of roots. Cuttings propagated in sand with hormone and in pine bark without hormone also produced longer shoots after transplanting. Regarding response of basal cuttings to hormone concentration, high number of roots was produced in pine bark with Seradix No. 2 at 10 days after planting (DAP) but at 15 DAP more roots were produced in pine bark with Seradix No. 1. With sand, more roots were produced with Seradix No. 3 than Seradix No. 1 and 2. Number of roots were also higher with 0.3% IBA concentration (Seradix No. 2) and 0.1% IBA concentration (Seradix No. 1). Similarly, cuttings with lower IBA concentration (0.1%, Seradix No. 1) rooted to higher percentage followed with 0.3% IBA concentration (Seradix No. 2). Germination percentage of bush tea seeds differed with the temperature treatments and the highest was 75.5% at 20 and 25°C followed by 15°C with 64.5% and low percentage at 30 and 10°C with 36 and 47% respectively. There was a high germination percentage in constant temperatures than alternate temperatures and in continuous light than alternate light: dark or continuous dark. Germination percentage was also higher in continuous light at constant temperatures than with alternated light: dark with constant temperatures. In addition, there was more differences in germination percentage with variation in light exposure than variation in temperatures. At low temperature (10°C), longer time was required to start germination and germination rate was high at 20°C continuous light and low at 30:30°C alternate light: dark. Based on this investigation, better vegetative propagation and survival of bush tea can be attained from apical cuttings with Seradix No. 2 but basal cuttings rooted better with Seradix No. 1 in pine bark. Seeds germinated to higher percentage and rate at 20°C constant temperature and continuous light. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric) Horticulture)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted