Full Length Research Paper: Ethnomedicinal plants and other natural products with anti-HIV active compounds and their putative modes of action Kazhila C. Chinsembu1 and Marius Hedimbi1,2* 1
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
Multidisciplinary Research Centre, Science and Technology Division, University of Namibia, P/Bag 13301, Windhoek,
Namibia.
Accepted 20 August, 2010
The use of ethnomedicines to manage HIV/AIDS has recently gained public interest, although
harmonization with official HIV/AIDS policy remains a contentious issue in many countries. Plants and
other natural products present a large repertoire from which to isolate novel anti-HIV active
compounds. In this literature survey, 55 plant families containing 95 plant species, and other natural
products, were found to contain anti-HIV active compounds that included diterpenes, triterpenes,
biflavonoids, coumarins, caffeic acid tetramers, hypericin, gallotannins, galloylquinic acids, curcumins,
michellamines, and limonoids. These active compounds inhibited various steps in the HIV life cycle.
However, further studies are needed to determine their interactions with current regimes of
antiretroviral drugs. More clinical trials of candidate drugs developed from these novel compounds are
also encouraged. Key words: Anti-HIV active compounds, other natural products, plants.
Research – Open Access: An ethnobotanical survey of plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Katima Mulilo, Caprivi region, Namibia
Kazhila C Chinsembu, Marius Hedimbi* Abstract
Katima Mulilo has the highest burden of HIV/AIDS in Namibia. Due to several constraints of the antiretroviral therapy
programme, HIV-infected persons still use ethnomedicines to manage AIDS-related opportunistic infections.
Despite the reliance on plants to manage HIV/AIDS in Katima Mulilo, there have been no empirical studies to
document the specific plant species used by traditional healers to treat AIDS-related opportunistic infections. In this
study, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted to record the various plant families, species, and plant parts used
to manage different HIV/AIDS-related opportunistic infections in Katima Mulilo, Caprivi region, Namibia. The results
showed that a total of 71 plant species from 28 families, mostly the Combretaceae (14%), Anacardiaceae (8%),
Mimosaceae (8%), and Ebanaceae (7%), were used to treat conditions such as herpes zoster, diarrhoea, coughing,
malaria, meningitis, and tuberculosis. The most plant parts used were leaves (33%), bark (32%), and roots (28%)
while the least used plant parts were fruits/seeds (4%). Further research is needed to isolate the plants’ active
chemical compounds and understand their modes of action.
HIV, AIDS and Gender: The Socio-Cultural Context of HIV and AIDS. Lucy Edwards-Jauch
Abstract
The feminist dictum that the body is a marker of social power becomes very germane when theorizing HIV/AIDS. While being transmitted through and acting on the body the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa is itself an outcome of intersecting power relationships of which gender and class are the most structuring. If the retreat from Structuralism has underscored the multiple and intersecting nature of power, then HIV/AIDS foregrounds the structural nature of that power.
Female poverty and dependency are key factors in the spread of HIV/AIDS. A historical analysis of the social division of labor and surplus accumulation reveal that it is not women’s biology that make them dependent on men, but patriarchal control over the means of production and female labor. In many pre-colonial African societies the female body was the primary source of wealth accumulation and surplus extraction. Women’s bodies provided productive labor and could be exchanged for goods, land or cattle. In addition women’s fertility reproduced future generations of labor. Control over the female body meant control over a primary of source of wealth accumulation.
Colonialism and capitalism resulted in both changes and continuities in surplus accumulation. The new forms of accumulation utilized the pre-existing gender division of labor and increased women’s exploitation. In addition, male labor migration increased rural women’s workloads. HIV/AIDS affect men and women as well as people from different social classes. However, the epidemiology of its spread suggests that it is neither gender or nor class blind. Poor women face a quadruple jeopardy, biologically they are more susceptible to HIV infection, women’s inferior socio-economic status increase their vulnerability to HIV infection, women carry the burden of mitigating the impact of the epidemic by caring for the sick and the orphaned.
The feminization of HIV/AIDS point to deepening inequalities that contributes towards its spread. It is estimated that the HIV virus crossed the species barrier more than 70 years ago. The questions of why we have this great epidemic now and why women are more vulnerable than men are linked to how features of African modernity interface with traditional patriarchal African culture and political economy. The resulting inequalities and dislocation provide the socio-structural context for the rapid spread of the disease.
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For access to the full paper/ further information contact: Dr. Lucy Edwards-Jauch, University of Namibia, Department of Sociology, ledwards@unam.na
The Effects of AIDS on Family Structures. Lucy Edwards-Jauch
Abstract
In some Namibian ethnic cultures polygamous and extended families have been the most basic units of production and reproduction. Colonialism, Christianity, wage labour, migration and the National Liberation Struggle have all in some way or another influenced family form. Today various family forms co-exist be they matrifocal, nuclear, monogamous, neolocal, polygamous, extended, patrilocal, reconstituted or blended families. Sociological theory shows a tendency towards universalising certain family structures and processes as the norm because of the ethnocentric nature of theory construction. Middle class family forms in Europe and North America are often used as templates for theorising all family forms. With the emergence of HIV and AIDS families in Africa take primary responsibility for mitigating the impact of morbidity and mortality. Often the African state does not have the institutional framework or dedicated resources to take over social welfare responsibilities resulting from the impact of AIDS morbidity and mortality. Changes in the demographic structure lead to changes in families and households. Adult morbidity and mortality result in the depletion of a middle layer of society since most AIDS-related deaths occur amongst people in the 19-49 year age group. (Republic of Namibia: 2006) Adult mortality has an effect on the family’s survival and life chances. In Namibia poverty, labour migration and AIDS related mortality intersect and alter family residential patterns, child care arrangements, resource pooling arrangements and decision-making structures. The resulting new and emerging family forms challenge our nuclear normative assumptions of what a family is.
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For access to the full paper/ further information contact: Dr. Lucy Edwards-Jauch, University of Namibia, Department of Sociology, ledwards@unam.na
The Okavango Floodplain: Ecotoxicological Assessment of Biomagnification of Trace Metals
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Freshwater research group within the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences have highlighted the urgent need of ecotoxicological monitoring of the Okavango floodplain in north-eastern Namibia. One of the research activities of the Freshwater group is focused on assessing biomagnification of trace metals in the Okavango floodplain. Preliminary investigations so far have revealed the presence of certain trace metals in the muscles of fish species from Okavango River which are sold in several local markets. Zn and Fe were present in all the fishes sampled while Pb was only present in three (3) species (Hydrocynus vittatus, Serranochromis macrocephalus, and Serranochromis angusticeps). Cu on the other hand was present in about half of the number of fish species. Generally, Fe registered highest concentration followed by Zn, then Cu, and finally Pb being the lowest. Levels of Fe, Pb, and Zn were within the World Health Organisation (WHO) permissible limits while Cu registered a level that is higher than permissible limit of 0.02 mg/g in one of the species (Oreochromis mossambicus). Water and sediment samples indicated the presence of these metals to varying degree. However, with reference to the geochemical index (Igeo), the river can be said to be in a state of unpolluted to moderately polluted state with respect to copper (Igeo = 1.28), lead (Igeo = 1.05) and zinc (Igeo = 0.81). However, the level of Fe (Igeo = 2.54) is of concern.
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For access to the full research/ further information contact: Edosa Omoregie, Ph.D.,
A Cautious Note on Household Survey HIV Prevalence Estimates in Resource-Poor Settings in Namibia
Wendy Janssens1, Ingrid de Beer2, Hannah M Coutinho3, Gert van Rooy4, Jacques van der Gaag5, Tobias F Rinke de Wit6
WHO HIV prevalence estimations have recently been adjusted downwards, mostly because of new data from population-based HIV surveys. This communication puts forward a limitation of such surveys that seems widely ignored: bias due to behaviour of the surveyor. Because household surveys are typically performed on large numbers of respondents by small numbers of surveyors, this could have disproportional influence on (worldwide) HIV prevalence estimates. In 2007 a population-based household survey was performed in a Sub-Saharan country. The survey randomly assigned eight trained nurses to perform medical interviews and collect oral fluid samples for anonymous HIV testing on 2,452 individuals, according to DHS+ survey practices. The estimated HIV prevalence was 12.7%.
The Figure shows weekly HIV+ percentages as collected during the survey, stratified by surveyor-nurse. HIV estimates obtained by one nurse (“H”) appeared to increase to >80% during the second phase of the survey. No significant differences were found in type of respondents visited by nurse “H”, as compared to the other nurses, in terms of age, sex, education, income, marital status, or household demographics. The areas assigned to nurse “H” were identical to the ones assessed by nurses “A”, “B” and “G”, none of whom demonstrated similar HIV results. When all 313 respondents sampled by nurse “H” were excluded from the data, the HIV prevalence rate dropped from 12.7% (95% CI: 11.4 – 14.0) to 9.6% (95% CI: 7.3 – 11.8). If 1 nurse in a team of 10 would produce 50% false positive results, the estimated HIV prevalence would be biased upwards 1.2-fold, 1.5-fold or 2.6-fold in a 15%, 6% or 2% HIV prevalence setting respectively. Therefore, retrospective analyses of pertinent DHS/UNAIDS/WHO household survey HIV data are recommended to avoid that global needs assessments are based on flawed HIV prevalence rates.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Specific Host Signatures Cytokines in whole Blood as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Active TB Infection
Tuberculosis (TB) claims the lives of many Namibias, yet diagnostic methods available take too long for the confirmed results to come out, for the necessary and appropriate medication to be started. The in vitro interferon gamma release assays, including Quantiferon TB Gold in Tube (QFT) accurately have indicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. These whole blood assays however, do not discriminate between latent Mtb infection (LTBI) and active tuberculosis (TB) disease. It is the aim of the study to evaluate the validity of previously identified levels of combination of the TB specific cytokines in WBA supernatants after stimulation with infection phase specific TB infection. We also propose to investigate additional host markers in WBA, which further improve the ability to diagnose active TB infection and evaluate the ability of novel Mtb infection phase-associated antigens to elicit host marker responses in overnight whole blood assays.
Clinical investigation and patients will be recruited from Katutura Health Center and Katutura State Hospital; HIV uninfected (n=200) and infected (n=100) adults with TB (n=50) in each group. Samples for the study (blood, urine, sputum, saliva) will be collected by a research nurse and laboratory investigation will be done at NIP. Supernatants from WBA stimulated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection phase specific antigens is aliquoted for IFN-ɣ ELISA, Luminex analysis for IL-1α, for UPC-LF testing. Development of a field-friendly, diagnostic test tool will subsequently be performed that will include Mtb antigen coated, combined with lateral flow strips to measure host biomarkers.
The study findings will be presented later when they became available. Upon the completion and hopeful success of the study, the new diagnostic tool will be of great help for public health, because the new method would provide results overnight, thereby enabling diagnosis of TB disease in both HIV uninfected and infected patients, for adequate patient health management.
This research received full clearance from the Ministry of Health & Social Services in Namibia:
Research Brief on Indigenous Knowledge Systems Technology (IKST) food Program
This research program is a collaboration research work between the Science, Technology and Innovation Division of the Multidisciplinary Research Center (MRC) and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Department of Food Science and Technology. The overall idea of this program based on the transformation of indigenous knowledge and skills which are unique to certain indigenous communities, cultures or societies into value added products. This program aims to setup the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Technology (IKST) laboratories (Biochemical and Microbiological Labs), to conduct research in various fields of IKST; in particular in the Ethnobotany, indigenous plants and traditional foods and beverages field to determine the composition of nutritional and functional elements. Also to establish IKST database. In the later stages; it is planned to commercialize potential food products and/or their components within different industrial sectors (Food, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, etc...). Two research teams have been formed; the Biochemical research team: responsible for the nutritional analysis and bioactive components chemical profiling from indigenous plants and traditional food products, and the Microbiological analysis research team: responsible for the microflora screening and identification of the functional components (enzymes, peptides, bio-surfactants, prebiotics, probiotics, etc...). Research in IKST can support the policy development in building national capacities for research; increase the need for indigenous plant protection; finding new compounds from medicinal plants for medicine development to fight diseases like Malaria, HIV and improving livelihoods through enhanced food security, development of improved traditional foods and methods of production and improved agricultural methods.
Figure 1. Some of the traditional fruits, food and beverage products studied within the IKST Food program: For more information about this program contact: Dr. Ahmad Cheikhyoussef: acheikhyoussef@unam.na (IKST Food Program Coordinator, MRC-UNAM)
THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA MALARIA RESEARCH RECEIVES
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
The University of Namibia, through the research work of Prof. Enos Kiremire, has developed 7 novel metal complexes that were successfully tested in vitro against the chloroquine resistant strain of the Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium Falciparum in comparison to a standard control drug used internationally.
In its effort to protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of the University of Namibia and Prof. E Kiremire, an intellectual property strategy has been adopted through which protection was sought both nationally and internationally. To that effect 7 patent letters patent has been issued to UNAM and Prof E Kiremire as the co-owners of the IPR in Namibia. The work was further submitted to the World Intellectual Patent Organization, a United Nations organization with 184 member states, through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). WIPO through its International Search Authority has granted Novelty and Industrial Applicability to all the applications presented to them. This is an historical and tremendous achievement for UNAM and the Prof E Kiremire, Namibia and Africa as a whole, as it is the first ever patent applications emanating from research coming from UNAM. Evermore so as millions of African children, and children over the world are dying annually due to malaria infection. This achievement should lay the foundation to a pharmaceutical development industry in Namibia, with solutions that is applicable to millions in Africa and around the world.
As part of the Intellectual Property Strategy developed by their IPR Management Agent, Patented Business Solutions, headed by the CEO, Jacques Scott, the work has been submitted to India for IPR protection with leading countries in the field to follow like, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Australia etc.
Due to the confidentiality and sensitivity of the information no further detail can be disclosed, but interested parties who would like to partner with the UNAM and Prof E Kiremire are encouraged to send their expression of interested to IPR Management Agents of the research at services@p-businesssolutions.com.
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