Retrospective treatment outcome analysis on the use of medicinal plants to alleviate diarrhoea in the Thaba Nchu area of the Free State Province, South Africa

The aim of this study was to identify at least one medicinal plant commonly used by participants in the Thaba Nchu area, South Africa, to reduce/alleviate diarrhoea. Diarrhoea continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing countries, including South Africa, especially in children under 5 years [1]. It is estimated that 88% of diarrhoeal-related deaths are caused by inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene [2]. The major cause of intestinal infection is due to foodborne infections caused by Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuini, and waterborne infections due to contamination of the water supply with the cysts of Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum and Escherichia coli [3]. The main cause of death is dehydration [4].

This investigation is a qualitative RTO based study with one-on-one interviews using a questionnaire for data collection. Each participant received an information leaflet and informed consent form in the language of choice (English, Afrikaans, Sesotho). Participants were recruited from the Thaba Nchu area in the Free State province, South Africa, and were 18 years and older, able and willing to provide written informed consent, a user of traditional medicine and had diarrhoea in the last three months.

Results showed that the traditional remedies are effective for treating diarrhoea and, since no adverse effects were reported, the remedies have low toxicity. Xysmalobium undulatum is indicated most frequently to treat diarrhoea in the Thaba 'Nchu area and thus merits further phytochemical and phytopharmacological investigation.

References:

[1] Abdulkarim A, Sadiq Y, Gabriel OA, Abdulkadir UZ, Ezzeldin MA. J Ethnopharmacol 2005; 101: 27 – 30

[2] Semenya SS, Maroyi A. J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 144: 395 – 401

[3] Mathebe MC, Nikolova RV, Lall N, Nyazema NZ. J Ethnopharmacol 2006; 105: 286 – 293

[4] De Wet H, Nkwanyana MN, Van Vuuren SF. J Ethnopharmacol 2010; 130: 284 – 289