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Journal of Ethnopharmacology 159 (2015) 224237
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Journal of Ethnopharmacology
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jep
Research Paper
Medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment

of malaria in the Chipinge district in Zimbabwe
Talkmore Ngarivhume a,b, Charlotte I.E.A. vant Klooster c,
Joop T.V.M. de Jong c, Jan H. Van der Westhuizen d,n
a
Department of Chemistry, Walter Sisulu University, NMD campus, P.O. Bag X1, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
b
Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
c
Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam (UvA), P.O. Box 15718, 1001 NE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
d
Directorate: Research Development, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
art ic l e i nf o a b s t r a c t
Article history: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Because about 50% of the Zimbabwean population is at risk of
Received 20 August 2014 contracting malaria each year, the majority of people, especially in rural areas, use traditional plant-
Received in revised form based medicines to combat malaria. This explorative ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to document
23 October 2014
how malaria is conceptualized and diagnosed by traditional healers, and to record the medicinal plants
Accepted 7 November 2014
Available online 18 November 2014
used in the prevention and treatment of malaria, their mode of preparation and administration.
Materials and methods: The research was conducted in three villages in Headman Muzite's area and in
Keywords: Chiriga village. These villages are located in the Chipinge district in the Manicaland Province in
Malaria Zimbabwe.Traditional healers were selected with the assistance of the headman of the Muzite area
Medicinal plants and a representative of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association. Semi-structured inter-
Traditional medicine
views were conducted with 14 traditional healers from four villages in the Chipinge district in Zimbabwe.
Chipinge district
Results: In total, 28 plants from 16 plant families are used by the healers who manage malaria with
Zimbabwe
medicinal plants. The most cited plant is Cassia abbreviata Oliv. (Leguminosae) followed by Aristolochia
albida Duch (Aristolociaceae) and Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. (Rutaceae). Roots (55.3%) are the most
common part used. Most of the plant parts used to treat malaria are stored as dried powders in closed
bottles. The powders are soaked in hot or cold water and the water extract is taken as the active
medicine. The healers consider their medicinal knowledge as a spiritual family heritage. Only 25% of the
healers refer the malaria patients that do not respond to their treatment to hospital they believe evil
spirits cause their remedies to failure and they would rather try a different plant or perform a cleansing
ceremony.
Conclusions: Local knowledge of medicinal plants in the treatment of malaria still exists in all four
villages surveyed and traditional healers appear to play an important role in primary health care services
in this remote rural area in Zimbabwe. This explorative survey underscores the need to preserve and
document traditional healing for managing malaria and for more future scientic research on the plants
to determine their efcacy and their safety. This could improve their traditional anti-malarial recipes and
might contribute to a better integration of Zimbabwean traditional medicine into the national health
system in the future.
& 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY
license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
1. Introduction ve (WHO, 2013). In other words, malaria continues to be a major

cause of morbidity and mortality. It is caused by ve species
World-wide, an estimated number of 3.4 billion people are still at of parasite that affects humans. All the parasites belong to the genus
risk of malaria. In 2012 approximately 207 million cases of malaria Plasmodium: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium
occurred globally with most cases (80%) and deaths (90%) occurring ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium knowlesi. Of these, Plasmo-
in Africa. Most deaths (77%) occur in children under the age of dium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are the most important. The
latter is the most deadly form and it predominates in Africa.
Approximately 15 million people belonging to the ve countries in
Abbreviations: MOHCW, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare;
ZINATHA, Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers' Association
the low-transmission Southern African subregion (Botswana, Namibia,
n
Corresponding author. Tel.: 27 514012782; fax: 27 514012591 Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa) are at some risk of malaria
E-mail address: vdwestjh@ufs.ac.za (J.H. Van der Westhuizen). and 10 million people are at high risk. In 2012 the number of
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.11.011
0378-8741/& 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
T. Ngarivhume et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 159 (2015) 224237 225
conrmed malaria cases reported for this region was 283,000 of traditional malaria control interventions by the communities. Docu-
which 98% were from Zimbabwe. The reported number of deaths mentation of TM could facilitate future research on the safety and
from malaria in this sub-region was 437 in 2012, of which 80% efcacy of medicinal plants and could provide a starting point for
occurred in Zimbabwe (WHO, 2013). Malaria is highly seasonal and identifying single chemical entities with antimalarial activity which
mostly caused by Plasmodium falciparum in Zimbabwe. Anopheles could lead to the development of standardized phytomedicines.
arabiensis is the major vector for malaria. Resistance to antimalarial Because the drug-resistance of Plasmodium falciparum and the resis-
drugs and the absence of vaccines are major challenges in controlling tance of Anopheles mosquitos to insecticides are widespread, the search
malaria (Midzi et al., 2004; Kurth et al., 2009; Mayer et al., 2009). for new antimalarial drugs is increasingly important.
It is estimated that about 50% of the country's population is at risk So far only a limited number of studies (e.g. Vundule and
of contracting malaria each year (WHO, 2013). According to the Mharakurwa, 1996; Lukwa et al., 1999; 2001; Kraft et al., 2003;
Ministry of Health and Child Welfare of Zimbabwe (MOHCW, 2008), Kazembe et al., 2012) have been conducted in Zimbabwe on
54 of the 59 rural districts in Zimbabwe have malaria levels which traditional healers' use of medicinal plant for the treatment of
vary from very high and seasonal to sporadic. The incidence of malaria malaria. The aim of this study was to collect comprehensive data
in 33 (61%) of the districts is classied as high (Midzi, et al., 2004; from traditional healers on medicinal plant-based remedies com-
MOHCW, 2008) and therefore warranting intervention. These are monly used to treat malaria in order to document their methods of
mostly low-altitude districts with warm and wet summers. Although preparation and administration, together with information on
the highest malaria prevalence occurs between February and April, how the healers conceptualize and diagnose malaria to contribute
some areas have year-round transmission. to the overall documentation of anti-malarial plant species used by
The National Malaria Control Programme is the unit in the traditional healers in Zimbabwe.
Department for Disease Prevention and Control in MOHCW that
spearheads the prevention and control of malaria. This unit has
reintroduced dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) for indoor 2. Materials and Methods
residual spraying as the main strategy to reduce the transmission
of malaria by reducing the prevalence of mosquitos (MOHCW, 2.1. Study area
2008). The objectives set by the Ministry of Health of Zimbabwe
include achieving the prevention of malaria and personal protec- This explorative study was conducted in the Manicaland
tion of over 80% of the population by strengthening commu- Province in the Chipinge district of Zimbabwe (Fig. 1).
nity and other stakeholders' participation which would maximize The villages of Chindedzwa (32.6251E, 20.5271S), Mazundu
people's access to malaria control interventions (MOHCW, 2008). (32.5591E, 20.5091S), and Zuzunye/Madhlope (32.5441E, 20.5631S)
However, the Traditional Medical Practitioners Act, promulgated in where the research took place are located in Headman Muzite's area
1981, which aimed to integrate Zimbabwean traditional medicine which is a mountainous area near the south-eastern border of
(TM) into the national health system, made no signicant con- Zimbabwe and south-western Mozambique. The village of Chiriga
tribution because it was not followed up with the necessary (32.6621E, 20.2691S) is located 45 km further towards the north-west
institutional and nancial support. And so, although TM practices in a at countryside and at lower altitude. Both areas have a poorly
remain largely undocumented, unregulated and, consequently, developed road network and infrastructure. The people belong to the
poorly integrated into the formal health sector, many people still Ndau ethnic group and the main language spoken is Ndau, a dialect of
use traditional plant-based medicines for primary health care in Shona. The major source of livelihood is subsistence farming with
Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas. limited assistance from agricultural extension ofcers. The commu-
Documentation of TM and plants traditionally used for the prophy- nities are well known for their traditional beliefs and use of plants for
laxis and treatment of malaria in Zimbabwe constitutes an important primary health care and are all located within the Chipinge district
step not only in preserving the local traditions and indigenous knowl- which has high seasonal malaria hot spots (Midzi et al., 2004;
edge but also in improving access to and participation in improving MOHCW, 2008).
Fig. 1. Map of Zimbabwe and research area. Source: Dr C. Barker, Geography Department, Free State University.
226 T. Ngarivhume et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 159 (2015) 224237
2.2. Data collection Table 1

Demographic characteristics of respondents (n 14).
Ethnobotanical eldwork for this explorative study was con-
Characteristic Frequency
ducted between March and April 2012. After consultation with the
local headman and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Gender
Association (ZINATHA), it was decided to conduct the research in Male 8
the four villages (Chindedzwa, Mazundu, and Zuzunye/Madhlope Female 6
Education
and Chiriga). With the assistance of ZINATHA, a total of 17 Primary education 14
traditional healers were initially identied, of whom only 14 were Secondary education 3
available to be interviewed between March and April 2012. Two of Extra teaching qualication 1
the 14 healers interviewed claimed not to have any malarial Extra agricultural college 1
Religion
remedies and said that they did not treat malaria. Data was
Christian 7
collected through a survey employing open-ended semi-struc- Traditionalist 7
tured interviews with 12 traditional healers (three per village) Etnicity
providing information on bio-data, herbal anti-malarial medicines, Ndau tribe which (subtribe of the Shangani) 14
vernacular plant names and methods of preparation and admin- Years of experience as healer
Between 110 years 2
istration of these anti-malarial remedies (see Appendix A). The Between 1120 years 6
healers were also asked to state the causes of malaria, how they Between 2130 years 2
diagnosed and treated the disease and how they could minimize Between 3140 years 0
transmission. They were also asked about their alternatives in case Between 4150 years 3
51- 4years 1
of remedy failure and the possible causes of such failure. Further-
more, healers were asked if they referred their malaria patients to
local hospitals or clinics. The interviews were conducted by the
researchers in the ofcial language of Shona. Plants used to 3.2. Diversity of medicinal plants and their uses
manage malaria in each of the villages were compared to establish
consensus. The semi-structured interviews have been analyzed A total of 28 plant species were recorded to be used in anti-
and responses grouped into classes expressing similar ideas. The malarial remedies (Table 2). Twenty-six specimens were collected
recorded plants have been entered in a separate Excel spreadsheet. and identied at the Harare Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe. Unfortu-
The interviews were supplemented by direct observation and nately, the other two species could not be found, even in faraway
transect walks. During the transect walks, plants were collected areas (between 20 and 30 km away). They are known locally as
under the supervision of the traditional healers. Plant voucher munyabangwa and muranga, are collected by traditional healers from
specimens (MAL2001MAL2026) were collected and deposited at urban areas only and sold in towns and cities. For this reason, the
the Herbarium of the Harare Botanical Gardens in Zimbabwe for plants could not be collected on the spot and scientic names could
identication. Plant names have been checked and updated with not be established.
the online website (www.theplantlist.org) of the Royal Botanic The identied 26 species comprised trees (38.5%), shrubs (30.8%),
Gardens, Kew, accessed on 3 April 2014. climbers (23.0%) and herbs (7.7%), and belong to 16 families. Most
Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the headmen plant species belong to the Apocynaceae (15.4%), Compositae (11.5%)
of the studied areas and the ZINATHA. All respondents were asked and Leguminosae (11.5%), followed by the Aristolochiaceae, Rubiaceae
to sign a prior informed-consent form after the objectives and and Cucurbitaceae (7.7%). The other 10 families contributed one
possible consequences of the study had been explained. The prior species each (3.8%). Twenty (76.9%) of the collected species are used
informed consent (PIC) form was translated into the local Shona for treatment only, four (15.4%) for prevention only and two (7.7%) are
language. used for both treatment and prevention. The plant most cited was
The use value (Trotter and Logan, 1986), a quantitative method Cassia abbreviata (Leguminosae) followed by Aristolochia albida (Aris-
that demonstrates the relative importance of species known tolociaceae), Toddalia asiatica (Rutaceae) and Strychnos potatorum
locally, was calculated for the Chipinge district according to the (Loganiaceae). Two species (Momordica foetida and Capsicum annuum)
following formula: UV U/N, where UV refers to the use value of a are cultivated while the rest are wild species. Euclea natalensis
species; U to the number of citations per species; and N to the (Ebenaceae) is not considered to have antimalarial properties but is
number of informants. added to improve appetite and body strength. Use values of the
recorded plant species have been calculated which showed a highest
use value of 0.67 for Cassia abbreviata.
3. Results
3.3. Mode of preparation and administration
3.1. Socio-demographic details respondents
Most of the parts of the plant used to treat malaria are stored as
All 14 traditional healers belong to the Ndau tribe which is a sub- dried powders in closed bottles, except Capsicum annuum, Momor-
tribe of the Shangani people. They comprised 57% men and 43% dica balsamina and Momordica foetida. The powders are soaked in
women and were between the ages of 40 and 83 (the majority were hot or cold water and the water extract is taken orally as the active
between 50 and 65 years old). The average age for female healers was medicine. The fruit of Capsicum annuum (syn. Capsicum frutescens)
45 years while the male average age was 62 years. The healers had is swallowed directly without chewing since it is very bitter.
little formal education mostly up to primary level only while Momordica balsamina and Momordica foetida are eaten as prophy-
three of them had extra qualications (Table 1). Only two of the lactic vegetables (relishes) during meals from freshly collected
interviewed healers were formally employed, one as a secondary plant material. Remedies based on mixtures of different plants are
school principal and the other as an agriculture extension ofcer. Four common. In a few cases, different healers use different parts of the
of the 12 healers who provided extensive information on malaria are same plant.
spiritualists and bone throwers, and eight are locally renowned The amounts of powder used to make the concoction were
herbalists. described in terms of a full, half or quarter of a teaspoon or tablespoon
Table 2
Plants used in the prevention and treatment of malaria.
Family Scientic name Collection Local name Part used Purpose Preparation Growth Village Times stated Use value
number form (per village) (per species)
Apocynaceae Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don MAL18 Muruwa Root Treatment Decoction Shrub Chindedzwa 1 0.08
Diplorhynchus condylocarpon (Mll.Arg.) MAL15 Mutowa Stem bark Treatment Cold infusion Tree Chiriga 1 0.08
Pichon
Holarrhena pubescens Wall. Ex G. Don MAL02 Masunungure Root Treatment Decoction Tree Mazundu 2 0.17
Tabernaemontana elegans Stapf MAL11 Muchenya Root Treatment Hot infusion Shrub Mazundu 1 0.08
Aristolochiaceae Aristolochia albida Duch. MAL25 Ruzangariro Tuber Treatment Hot infusion Climber Chindedzwa 2 0.42
MAL25 Ruzangariro Tuber Both Hot infusion Climber Mazundu 3
Aristolochia heppii Merxm MAL13 Chividze Root Treatment Hot infusion Climber Zuzunye/ 1 0.08
Mahlope
Caricaceae Carica papaya L. MAL01 Mupopo Root Treatment Decoction Tree Chindedzwa 1 0.08
Compositae Baccharoides adoensis (Sch. Bip. ex Walp.) MAL27 Chipenembe Leaf Treatment Hot infusion shrub Mazundu 1 0.08
T. Ngarivhume et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 159 (2015) 224237

H. Rob.
Brachylaena huillensis O. Hoffm. MAL14 Muphahla Root Treatment Hot infusion Tree Mazundu 1 0.08
Erythrocephalum zambesianum Oliv. & MAL03 Muhloni Root Treatment Cold infusion Shrub Chindedzwa 1 0.25
Hiern
MAL03 Muhloni Root Treatment Cold infusion Shrub Chiriga 2
Cucurbitaceae Momordica balsamina L. MAL19 Ngaka Leaf Prevention Relish, especially during rainy Climber Mazundu 1 0.17
season
MAL19 Ngaka Leaf Prevention Relish, especially during rainy Climber Zuzunye/ 1
season Mahlope
Momordica foetida Schumach MAL20 Muchukubaba Leaf Prevention Relish, especially during rainy Climber Mazundu 1 0.17
season
MAL20 Muchukubaba Plant Prevention Relish, especially during rainy Climber Zuzunye/ 1
season Mahlope
Ebenaceae Euclea natalensis A.DC. MAL23 Mushangura Root Treatment Take with porridge. May cause Shrub Chiriga 1 0.08
diarrhoea
Lamiaceae Ocimum angustifolium Benth. MAL09 Mufuranhema Tuber Treatment Cold infusion. May induce nausea Herb Zuzunye/ 1 0.08
Mahlope
Leguminosae Cassia abbreviata Oliv MAL21 Murumanyama Root/bark Treatment Cold or hot infusion Tree Chiriga 1 0.67
MAL21 Murumanyama Root Prevention Cold or hot infusion Tree Chindedzwa 2
MAL21 Murumanyama Bark/Root Treatment Cold or hot infusion Tree Mazundu 3
MAL21 Murumanyama Root/bark Treatment Cold or hot infusion Tree Zuzunye/ 2
Mahlope
Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Harms) Harms MAL08 Chiurayi Root Treatment Hot infusion Tree Zuzunye/ 1 0.08
Mahlope
Senna septemtrionalis (Viv.) H. S. Irwin & MAL24 Mumwahuku Root Treatment Decoction Shrub Mazundu 1 0.08
Barnaby
Loganiaceae Strychnos potatorum L. f. MAL06 Mudyambira Root Treatment Decoction Tree Mazundu 1 0.25
MAL06 Mudyambira Root/stem Treatment Decoction Tree Zuzunye/ 1
Mahlope
MAL06 Mudyambira Root Treatment Decoction Tree Chiriga 1
Menispermaceae Cissampelos mucronata A. Rich. MAL17 Chipombafodya Tuber Treatment Hot infusion Climber Mazundu 1 0.17
MAL17 Chipombafodya Tuber Treatment Hot infusion Climber Zuzunye/ 1
Mahlope
Passioraceae Adenia cissampeloides (Planch ex Hook) MAL04 Muore Root Prevention Cold or hot infusion Climber Chindedzwa 1 0.17
Harms
MAL04 Muore plant Prevention Cold or hot infusion Climber Zuzunye/ 1
Mahlope
Plumbaginaceae Plumbago zeylanica L. MAL10 Mhisepise Root Treatment Cold infusion Herb Chiriga 1 0.08
Rosaceae Prunus persica (L.) Batsch MAL12 Mupirikisi Leaf/root Both Hot infusion Tree Zuzunye/ 1 0.08
Mahlope
Rubiaceae Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G. Dion) MAL05 Chikobengwa Stem bark Treatment Cold infusion or take with porridge Tree Zuzunye/ 1 0.25
Benth. Mahlope
227
MAL05 Chikobengwa Stem bark Treatment Take with porridge or cold infusion Tree Mazundu 1
(per species)
or even a pinch. The concoctions were usually prescribed to be taken
two or three times a day for between three and seven days or until the
Use value
patient had healed. Most healers were very clear about their recipes
0.08
0.25
0.08
0.33
0.33
and dosages but not precise about quantities of plant material and
volume (e.g. handful and teacup). Different dosages for the same
concoction were described by different healers. The most common
Times stated
(per village)
volume of water used was 750 ml. This is the most freely available
container since cooking oil is sold in 750 ml bottles. Other volumes
mentioned were one or two litres or a teacup. No clear pattern or any
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
consistency existed between healers as far as dosage was concerned.
The healers claimed that patients did not always comply with
Chindedzwa
their prescribed dosages. This could be a problem in the malaria

Mazundu
Mazundu
Mazundu
Zuzunye/
Zuzunye/
Zuzunye/
Mahlope
Mahlope
Mahlope treatment. Successful administration of the treatment might also

Village
Chiriga
Chiriga
depend on the patient's capacity to persist with the treatment. For

example, 750 ml of the very bitter concoction of Cissampelos
mucronata roots should be taken three times a day for seven days.
Growth
Shrub
Shrub
form
Cold infusion or take with porridge Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
Tree
3.4. Perceptions about, causes and symptoms of malaria

Prevention Swallow 4 fruits 3 times a day for
All the respondents were aware that mosquito bites might

transmit malaria. However, 35.7% of the interviewees reported
that eating fruits such as mangos, guavas and melons, drinking
Treatment Cold and hot infusion
Cold and hot infusion
water from unprotected wells, and exposure to morning dew may

cause malaria as well. The disease is commonly known as malaria
Cold infusion
Cold infusion
Cold infusion
Preparation
by the healers, though the older respondents (65 years old and
Decoction
Decoction
above) refer to it as muswarara and ndangaranga. While muswar-

3 days
ara means goose pimples in the local Shona language, ndangar-

anga indicates a state of dizziness or lack of balance. The common
use of the term malaria as opposed to local terms could reect the
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
Purpose
extensive education campaign on malaria that the MOHCW con-

ducted throughout the country.
The general patterns of diagnosing malaria were similar among
Stem bark
the healers from the four villages. The symptoms of malaria,

Part used
according to the healers, are presented in Table 3. The most

Tuber
Fruit
Root
Root
Root
Root
Root
important symptoms were feeling cold/goose pimple and head-

aches. None of the interviewees indicated sweating and wasting
Munyabangwa
Munyabangwa
away of the body with time, suggesting that the infections tend to
Chikobengwa
Local name
be short-lived. The healers would diagnose an infection as malaria

Muchena
Mhiripiri
Muranga
Muranga
if the patient presented with at least three of the listed symptoms.

Gato
Gato
The healers were aware that their patients might not get better
after taking their remedies. In such cases, 25% of the healers
referred the patients to hospital. However, most of the healers
attributed the lack of a patient's improvement to evil spirits
Collection
number
(41.7%). These healers would cleanse the patient of the bad spirits
MAL05
MAL22
MAL07
MAL16
MAL16
and might repeat or give a different prescription thereafter. Other

healers believed the lack of patients' improvement was a result of
misdiagnosing a patient with malaria (16.7%), a compromised
immune system of the patient (8.3%) or non-compliance in taking
the remedies (8.3%).
Pavetta schumanniana F. Hoffm.
Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam
Table 3
Symptoms that are used by traditional healers to diagnose malaria.
Capsicum anuum L.
Scientic name
Symptom Frequency (no. of healers that mentioned it)

Not identied
Not identied
Not identied
Not identied
ex K. Schum.
Feeling cold/goose pimple 6

Headache 10
Fever 8
Sweating 1
Table 2 (continued )
Loss of appetite 4
Body weakness/feeling sleepy 5
Solanaceae
Vomiting 2
Rutaceae
Dizziness 2
Family
Nausea 2
Pain 1
3.5. Prevention practices Most of the remedies described in this study are administered
orally as water-based concoctions. This is in agreement with the
Besides the administration of herbal remedies to reduce the ndings of Adekunle (2008), Musa et al. (2011) and Maroyi (2013).
chance of contracting malaria, the respondents' measures to Although there was agreement about the general mode of pre-
prevent malaria, are the use of treated bed nets, the destruction paration (most commonly soaking dried plant material in water),
of mosquito breeding and resting areas, and the reduction of there was a wide variation in the quantities of plant material
unwanted undergrowth and puddles within and around the soaked in a specic amount of water. The concentration of active
homesteads. These practices are overseen by village/community ingredient in the concoctions and the amount ingested by the
health workers and environmental health workers, who are malaria patients thus differed widely. Randrianarivelojosia et al.
government employees. Other preventive practices mentioned (2003) and Ugulu (2012) report similar observations. This wide
are the use of drinking water from protected wells only, not eating variation in the amount of the active ingredient ingested and the
fruits such as green mangos, guavas and melons, and avoiding low compliance creates the possibility of subminimum doses.
morning dew. In addition, the healers were aware that indoor Roots (55.3%) are usually regarded as the most important parts
residual spraying killed the mosquitoes. However, there was no of the plant. Next, the bark (13.7%) and tubers (12.8%) followed by
reference to the use of repellents, neither commercial nor tradi- leaves (10.6%) and fruit (2.1%). Also whole plants (4.3%) are used in
tional ones by the healers themselves. the remedies. These observations resonate with those of
Bussmann (2006), Musa et al. (2011), Cheikhyoussef et al. (2011)
and Maroyi (2013). It deviates from the work of Bekalo et al.
(2009), Ogbe et al. (2009) and Rahmatullah et al. (2012) who
4. Discussion observe that leaves are the most used plant parts. Bark, leaves or
roots from the same plant are also used interchangeably by
4.1. Traditional knowledge different healers. Randrianarivelojosia et al. (2003) make a similar
observation.
Traditional knowledge and the use of plant-based medicines The healers were aware of the possibility of unfair bioprospect-
remain important in the prevention and treatment of malaria in the ing practices from institutions such as pharmaceutical companies
Chipinge district and probably in other rural areas of Zimbabwe. and were concerned about legal protection of their intellectual
This is important because traditional African medicine is often property and a possible lack of proper compensation, similar to the
quickly accessible and affordable to the rural communities in Africa. ndings described by Uprety et al. (2012) amongst the aborigines
Government clinics are often difcult to reach (the nearest Gwenzi of Canada. We were thus surprised by the absence of signicant
clinic to Chipinge is about 12 km on a poorly maintained gravel resistance from the healers to supply us with traditional knowl-
road) and are poorly resourced: community health workers in the edge and plant material. We attribute this to the involvement of
villages often run out of commercial drugs while traditional herbal the local headman and ZINATHA and the prior informed-consent
medicines provided by traditional healers are quick and constantly forms that explained the objectives, benets, risks and general
available at the time of need. procedures of the survey in Shona before the start of the project.
The healers interviewed were mostly men (57%) with an In order to develop the use of herbal medicines, the plant
average age of 62. The female healers were younger with an species must be easy to collect. However, the healers believe that
average age of 45 years. The large percentage of female healers is cultivated medicinal plants are less potent than those harvested
surprising because it is often claimed that Africans believe that from the wild and therefore the latter is still preferred. Only two of
traditional healers should be male (Okello and Ssegawa, 2007; the recorded species (Momordica foetida and Capsicum annuum)
Bekalo et al., 2009; Cheikhyoussef et al., 2011). are cultivated while all other species are still collected from the
The traditional healers from the four villages in Chipinge wild. This agrees with the ndings of Bussmann (2006) in South
district all understood that malaria is transmitted by mosquitos. Turkana, Kenya, Okello and Ssegawa (2007) in Uganda, and Simbo
This may be due to government's anti-malaria interventions in the (2010) in Babungo and Cameroon and Musa et al. (2011) in Sudan.
area. However, other factors were also mentioned to play a role.
Some healers mentioned that people need to avoid eating some 4.2. Plants used in the treatment of malaria
fruits such as green mangos, guavas and melons, drinking water
from unprotected wells and exposure to morning dew. Tabuti Medicinal plants play a major role in many communities over
(2008) reports that, in Uganda the respondents believe that the world in the treatment and prevention of disease and the
drinking dirty water is responsible for causing malaria. Dirty water promotion of general health. Previous studies have shown that
is also mentioned in Lukwa et al.'s (2001) study at Kariba in more than 1200 medicinal plants from 160 families are used
Zimbabwe in which 87.3% of healers mentioned that mosquitoes worldwide to treat malaria or fever (Willcox and Bodeker, 2004)
transmit malaria and 12.4% did not know the cause of malaria. In and still many anti-malarial plant species remain to be discovered.
Ghana, Ahorlu et al. (1997) found that respondents believed that The present study documented 28 plants which were used in the
malaria was caused by eating raw or overripe fruits such as prevention and treatment of malaria by traditional healers in four
mangos while exposure to morning dew was reported in Kenya villages in the Chipinge district in Zimbabwe (Table 2).
by Dye et al. (2010). Important symptoms reported in this study The low correlation in the plants used in villages that are close
are headache, fever and feeling cold/goose pimples as was also to each other and even in the same village by the three healers
reported by Tabuti (2008). involved is surprising. This may be due to the secret spiritual
The failure of a remedy is generally believed to be caused by family heritage considerations discussed above. Because of this, no
evil spirits which need to be exorcised before the plant-based focus-group discussion was performed in this study. Signicant
remedies will be effective again. Only 25% of the healers send their discrepancies thus exist between healers from the same area as far
patients to hospital after a remedy has failed. The low referral to as the plant species and part of the plant used are concerned. Of
hospitals could reect the efcacy of the remedies and/or a lack of the 26 plant species identied in this survey, 13 were used in
understanding of the disease by healers and the communities at Mazundu village, 12 in Zuzunye/Mahlope village, 8 in Chindedzwa
large. This is a worrying trend given the progressive and virulent village and 7 in Chiriga village. The most overlap was with the root
nature of malaria. or bark of Cassia abbreviata that is used in all four villages and was
mentioned by eight of the 12 healers. Strychnos potatorum roots avanone (5-hydroxy-40 ,8-dimethoxyavanone) and a 3-methoxyavan
and Crossopteryx febrifuga bark are commonly used in Zuzunye, (40 ,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxyavan) from the root bark.
Mazundu and Chiriga villages. Adenia cissampeloides root or bark The bark of Cassia abbreviata is also used to treat sexually
is used for treatment in Chindedzwa and Zuzunye villages, while transmitted diseases in Zimbabwe (Kambizi and Afolayan, 2001),
Momordica balsamina and Momordica foetida whole plants are bovine Dermatophilosis (Ndlovu, Masika, 2013), bilharzia, skin
used for prevention in Zuzunye and Mazundu villages and disease, cough, pneumonia, fever, abdominal pain, headache and
Aristolochia albida tuber is used for treatment in Chindedzwa snakebite (Erasto et al., 2003). Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk (1962)
and Mazundu villages. This low overlap might be due to the reported its use by the Bushman in the Kalahari (Botswana and
explorative character of the study in which no saturation could be South Africa) for dysentery, diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain and
reached. The plant mostly cited was Cassia abbreviata (Legumino- toothache. A review of Cassia abbreviata's ethnomedicinal uses,
sae) followed by Aristolochia albida (Aristolociaceae) and Toddalia toxicity, phytochemistry, possible propagation techniques and
asiatica (Rutaceae). These plants are also known in literature as pharmacology was published in 2013 by Mongalo and Mafoko.
medicinal plant species. Little correspondence between the uses of Other species in the genus Cassia used traditionally against
the same species in the same village was surprising. The greatest malaria are Cassia stula L., used in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozam-
agreement of species and plants parts was recorded in Mazundu bique and Brazil. The leaves, containing the most active extracts,
village, where three of the 13 species, Cassia abbreviata roots or yielded bioactive phytol (a diterpene alcohol), lutein (a xantho-
bark, Holarrhena pubescens roots and Aristolochia albida tubers, are phyll) and di-lineolylgalactopyranosyl-glycerol as antiplasmodial
used by at least two of the three interviewed healers. Zuzunye/ compounds upon activity-guided fractionation (Grace et al., 2012).
Mahlope reected the least overlap of species used where only Antiplasmodial alkaloids and a chromone were isolated from the
Cassia abbreviata is used by two of the three healers that were owers of Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (synonym
interviewed. Cassia siamea Lam.), used traditionally in Indonesia (Oshimi et al.,
The conservation status of the collected plants has been 2009). The stem bark yielded the antiplasmodial compound
checked by consulting the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species emodin (6-methyl-1,3,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) and lupeol
(version 2014.1, www.iucnredlist.org, downloaded on 9 July 2014). (a triterpenoid). The leaves also yielded antiplasmodial alkaloids
Brachylaena huillensis is listed as low risk but might become (Morita et al., 2007). Senna alata (L). Roxb. (synonym Cassia alata
nearly threatened in future; Catharanthus roseus and Senna septem- L.) and Senna occidentalis (L.) Link. (synonym Cassia occidentalis L.)
trionalis as not threatened; and Holarrhena pubescens as of least are used traditionally in the Democratic Republic of Congo and
concern. The other species are not on the list. The online Catalogue of quinones with antiplasmodial activity were isolated from these
Life website (http://www.catalogueoife.org) showed no further con- two plants (Kayembe et al., 2010). These authors also isolated
servation issues on any of the reported plants. However, the fact that terpenes from Sarracenia alata (Kayembe et al., 2012).
roots and bark are the most commonly used parts in the remedies All parts of Toddalia asiatica are used to treat malaria in Kenya
suggests that the continuous collection of plants may threaten local but the roots were considered to be the most potent. Oketch-
populations of plants in the future. Rabah et al. (2000) isolated an antiplasmodial 10 -butene-coumarin
from the ethyl acetate extract of the root. Alkaloids with anti-
plasmodial activity were isolated from the metanolic extract of the
4.3. A brief literary review of the antiplasmodial activity of extracts root bark by Gakunja et al. (1995) and Nyahanga et al. (2013).
from the antimalarial plants identied in this study and identied Nyanga and co-workers also isolated antiplasmodial coumarins.
secondary metabolites Recently eight new alkaloids were isolated from the roots by Jiang
Hua et al. (2014). Columbin (a diterpenoid furanolactone) was
In vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extracts of 12 of the 26 isolated from the whole plant and found to be active against
plants identied as antimalarial treatments in this study have Trypanosoma brucei (Nok et al., 2005).
been reported in the literature namely Adenia cissampeloides, The genus Aristolochia contains about 500 herbaceous plants
Aristolochia heppii, Carica papaya, Cassia abbreviata, Catharanthus which are widely used in traditional medicine (Wu et al., 2004).
roseus, Cissampelos mucronata, Crossopteryx febrifuga, Holarrhena More than 60 species have been studied phytochemically and
pubescens, Momordica balsamina, Momordica foetida, Plumbago contain a variety of compounds including aristolic acid and deriva-
zeylanica and Toddalia asiatica. These results are summarized in tives, terpenoids, aristolactams, aporphines, protoberberines, isoqui-
Table 4. Secondary metabolites, some with antiplasmodial activity, nolines, benzylisoquinolines, amides, avonoids, lignans, biphenyl
have been reported from seven of these 12 plants and from ethers, coumarins, tetralones, terpenoids, benzenoids, steroids etc.
Aristolochia albida. The published phytochemical investigations of (Kuo et al., 2011). Aristolochic acid and derivatives occur in many
these eight plants are discussed below. Aristolochia species have been found to be nephrotoxic, carcinogenic
The potential of antiplasmodial and antimalarial compounds and mutagenic (Abdelgadir et al., 2011). Kubmarawa et al. (2007)
with known molecular structures from African medicinal plants reported that the roots of Aristolochia albida Duch. were used in
was reviewed by Amoa et al. (2013) and Ntie-Kang et al. (2014). Nigeria against malaria and that it contains tannins. Kamagaju et al.
These included alkaloids, terpenoids, avonoids, coumarines, phe- (2007) reported that the seeds of this plant species were used in
nolics, polyacetylenes, xanthones, quinones, steroids, and lignans. Rwanda to treat malaria as well and that preliminary investigations
They concluded that African ora hold an enormous potential for showed that species was rich in alkaloids. This plant species has also
the development of phytomedicines for malaria. been used to treat skin disease, dysentery, colic, snakebite and as an
The more promising plants from this ethnobotanical survey are adjuvant (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962).
briey reviewed below in terms of their known photochemistry, The genus Strychnos comprises about 100 species and is well
other traditional uses and related medicinal species. known for its alkaloid content including strychnine and curare.
The bark of Cassia abbreviata yielded a 4-methoxyavan (Volker Frederich et al. (2002) reviewed the antiplasmodial activity of 69
et al., 1998), avan-3-ols (afzelechin and epiafzelechin) and proantho- Strychnos alkaloids. They found weak or no antiplasmodial activity in
cyanidin dimers (proguiboergtinidins) (Malan et al., 1996). Similar monoindoles and potent activity in the usambarine-type bisindoles.
compounds, including proanthcyanidin trimers, have been isolated Twenty-four alkaloids were isolated from the roots of Strychnos
from the root bark and leaves and twigs (Erasto et al., 2003; Mongolo potatorum (Massiot et al., 1992). Phillipe et al. (2005) found no
and Mafoko, 2013). Kiplagat et al. (2012) isolated an antiplasmodial antiplasmodial activity in the EtOAc extract of the stem of this plant.
Table 4
Literature review on identied plants.
Species Method of preparation of concoction, part used and country with Pharmacology
reference source
Adenia cissampeloides No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever Ethanolic whole plant extract IC50 1.56 m/mL (Annan et al., 2012)
Aristolochia albida (syn. Roots prepared in treatment against malaria: various countries in No reference
Aristolochia aethiopica) Africa (Neuwinger, 2000), roots prepared in malaria treatment and
fever: Ghana (Iwu, 2014); plant used in treatment of malaria: no
country specied (Leeuwenberg, 1987 in Heinrich et al., 2009).
Aristolochia heppii Plant is powdered and used as an insect repellent against malaria: Plant active as insect repellent 100% for 1 h, 84% for 2 h, but fell
Zimbabwe (Kazembe and Chauruka, 2012) rapidly to 46% by 2.5 h post application (Kazembe and Chauruka,
2012)
Baccharoides adoensis (syn. The dried roots are eaten: Mozambique (Mulhovo, 1999 in Fowler, Very high anti-plasmodial activity (Stangeland et al., 2010)
Vernonia adoensis) 2006), leaves or fruits are used to treat malaria: Uganda (Stangeland
et al., 2011)
Brachylaena huillensis No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever No reference
Capsicum anuum Fruits are eaten against malaria: Ethiopia (Giday et al., 2007) No reference
Carica papaya Crushed leaves are applied on the body to use as insect repellent in Methanolic leaf extract IC50 0.21.8 mM (Julianti et al., 2014)
the prevention of malaria; Ethiopia (Karunamoorthi and Hailu, 2014),
decoction of leaves prepared to treat malaria: Comores Islands (Kaou
et al., 2008) and in Uganda (Stangeland et al., 2011). Decoction of the
leaves and roots are drunk against malaria: Ethiopia (Giday et al.,
2007; Traore et al., 2013). Leaves are burnt and grinded and prepared
in a drink: Zimbabwe (Lukwa et al., 2001). Decoction of leaves are
boiled with Azadirachta indica and drunk or used in steambath:
Ghana (Asase et al., 2005).
Cassia abbreviata Plant (parts unknown) used against black water fever: East Africa Antimalarial activity tested (Weenen et al., 1990). An extract has
(Bally, 1937), decoction of the roots used as an antimalarial remedy: been marketed under the name Cassia beareana and is said to be
Tanzania (Haerdi, 1964 in Lye et al., 2008) and to treat fever of diaphoretic (Anon. (n.d.) in Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962;
malaria: East-Africa (Kokwaro, 1976) Decoction of roots drunk against Palgrave, 2002)
fever and malaria: East and Southern Africa (Chhabra et al., 1987).
Catharanthus roseus Decoction prepared from leaves against fever (Brendler and Eloff, Anti-malarial activity detected against Plasmodium falciparum
2010) (Ponarulselvam et al., 2012), high antiplasmodial activity (Gakunja
et al., 1995; Gathirwa et al., 2007)
Cissampelos mucronata No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever In vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (Gessler
et al., 1994)
Crossopteryx febrifuga Decoction of bark scrapings drunk & used to wash to treat malaria: In vivo antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic bark extract (Eluoye
Burkina Faso (De la Pradilla, 1988 in Fowler, 2006 ), bark is used as a and Agbedahunsi, 2004); Crude alkaloids from leaves IC50 410 mg/
remedy for fever: Central & S. Africa (Githens, 1948 in Fowler, 2006), mL (Sanon et al., 2003a, 2003b).
parts of the tree provide a remedy for fever: Central & S. Africa
(Palgrave, 2002; Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962), the bark is
decocted and drunk, or used to bathe the patient: Cte d'Ivoire
Kerharo and Bouquet, 1950 in Fowler, 2006), the shrub is used as a
remedy for fever: Ghana, Guinea (Gelfand et al., 1985 in Fowler,
2006), decoction of the bark is used to treat fever: Malawi,
Mozambique (Morris, 1996 in Fowler, 2006), leaves are used to treat
malaria: Mozambique (Mulhovo, 1999 in Fowler, 2006), scrapings of
the fresh roots are eaten against malaria: Tanzania (Haerdi, 1964 in
Fowler 2006, Hedberg et al., 1982), bark is used as remedy for malaria
and fever: Tropical Africa (Githens, 1948 in Fowler, 2006; Watt and
Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962), the bark is infused as remedy for malaria:
Zambia: (Haapala et al., 1994 in Fowler, 2006), leaves are used as an
enema to cure fever: Zimbabwe (Gelfand et al., 1985 in Fowler, 2006).
Diplorhynchus Root infusion prepared from leaves against malaria to bathe patient No reference
condylocarpon (syn. or taken orally: Zambia (Vongo, 1999 in Fowler, 2006), bark is used in
Aspidosperma water against malaria: Zimbabwe (Lukwa et al., 2001).
condylocarpon)
Elephantorrhiza goetzei Infusion of the roots is drunk, and used to immerse the naked patient No reference
as a remedy for fever (Gelfand et al., 1985 in Fowler, 2006).
Erythrocephalum Root decoction with leaf juice is drunk for malaria: Tanzania (Haerdi, No reference
longifolium (syn. 1964 in Lye et al., 2008)
Erythrocephalum
zambesianum )
Euclea natalensis Leaves are used to treat malaria and fever: Uganda (Adjanohoun et al., No reference
1993 in Lye et al., 2008; Tabuti et al., 2003; Ssegawa and Kasenene,
2007; Tabuti, 2008).
Holarrhena pubescens Leaves used to treat fever externally: Kenya (Omino & Kokwaro, Methanolic bark extracts IC50 28 mg/mL (Simonsen et al., 2001);
1993), decoction prepared from leaves and roots used to wash Chloroform leaf extract IC50 5.7 mg/mL (Sinha et al., 2013)
children with fever: East Africa (Greenway, 1941; Kokwaro, 1976 in
Lye et al., 2008), decoction prepared from the roots and drunk to treat
malaria (Haerdi, 1964 in Lye et al., 2008).
Momordica balsamina Plant reported to be efcient in treating malarial symptoms: Active against liver stages of Plasmodium berghei (Ramalhete et al.,
Mozambique (Bandeira et al., 2001; Mulhovo, 1999 in Fowler, 2006) 2011 and 2014)
Momordica foetida Infusion prepared from the leaves to treat malaria: Tanzania (Gessler In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of methanolic leaf
et al., 1995), leaves are used against malaria (Kakudidi et al., 2000; extract (Froelich et al., 2007 and Waako et al., 2005)
Tabuti et al., 2003; Ssegawa and Kasenene, 2007; Tabuti, 2008;
Adjanohoun et al., 1993 in Lye et al., 2008), leaves are used against
fever: Uganda (Kakudidi et al., 1996 in Lye et al., 2008).
Table 4 (continued )
Species Method of preparation of concoction, part used and country with Pharmacology
reference source
Ocimum angustifolium No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever No reference

(syn. Becium
angustifolium)
Pavetta schumanniana Decoction of roots drunk against malaria (Haerdi, 1964 in Lye et al., No reference
2008)
Plumbago zeylanica Leaves used to treat malaria and decoction of the roots drunk to treat Methanolic leaf extract IC50 17 mg/mL (Simonsen et al., 2001);
malaria: Samburu in western Kenya (Heine et al., 1988 in Lye et al., In vitro antiplasmodial activity (Clarkson et al., 2004)
2008); the herb is used as a sudoric: India (Watt and Breyer-
Brandwijk 1962). The plant is used as a fever remedy: Nigeria
(Gelfand et al., 1985 in Fowler, 2006), decoction of the leave is drunk:
Ethiopia (Giday et al., 2007).
Prunus persica Decoction of the seed is used orally to treat malaria: Ethiopia (Giday No reference
et al., 2007)
Senna septemtrionalis (syn. Leaves are used to treat malaria; Uganda (Adjanohoun et al., 1993 in No reference
Cassia septemtrionalis) Lye et al., 2008)
Strychnos potatorum (syn. No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever No reference
Strychnos heterodoxa/
Strychnos stuhlmannii)
Tabernaemontana elegans No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever No reference
(syn. Conopharyngia
elegans)
Toddalia asiatica Decoction of aerial parts used to treat malaria: Madagascar Signicant activity found against Plasmodium falciparum (Katuura
(Rasoanaivo et al., 1992), decoction of plant prepared and drunk et al., 2007b); Methanolic root extract IC50 2.2 & 1.8 mg/mL
against malaria (Brendler and Eloff, 2010), roots and leaves used to (Oketch-Rabah et al., 2000); Root and fruit extract IC50 2.43 and
treat malaria: Uganda (Katuura et al., 2007a, 2007b), treat fever and 1.87 mg/mL respectively (Orwa et al., 2013); Parasitaemia
malaria (Heine et al., 1988 in Lye et al., 2008), plant used against suppression in mice (Muregi et al., 2007)
malaria (Njoroge and Bussmann, 2006); decoction of plant used
orally against malaria: East Africa (Orwa et al., 2008).
Strychnos potatorum is also known to be used to treat microbial An antimalarial steroidal alkaloid has been isolated from Holar-
infections, diarrhoea and diabetes (Mallikharjuna et al., 2007). rhena pubescens (synonym Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth)
Crossopteryx febrifuga is the only species in the Crossopteryx Wall. ex A.DC) (Dua et al., 2013). The leaves of Holarrhena
genus. The alkaloids crossopterine and crossoptine and the glycoside pubescens contains the avonoid naringin, naringenin glycosides
B-quinovine have been isolated from it (Eluoye and Agbedahunsi, and the triterpenes lupeol, lupeol -hydroxyhexadecanoate and
2004). Quercetin derivatives, other avonoids (Toms-Barbern and ursolic acid (Pittaya et al., 2006). Three known pentacyclic triter-
Hostettmann, 1988), a bisdesmonic terpene and a triterpene penoids namely lupeol, betulinaldehyde, and betulinic acid and a
(Gariboldi et al., 1990) were isolated from the stem bark. A triterpene steroidal compound stigmasterol were isolated from the seeds
saponin characterized by a novel ursadienedioic acid aglycone moiety (Bhattachartya et al., 2009).
was isolated from the root bark (Babady-Bila et al., 1991). A syrup Momordica balsamina, known as African pumpkin, is a vege-
produced from the fruit is one of the improved traditional medi- table used as food, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It has also been
cines used in Mali and is well known amongst the population and used in traditional African medicine in Africa to treat diabetes and
prescribed by up to 76% of biomedical health workers for dry coughs malaria. Triterpene-type triterpenoids and phenylpropanoid gly-
(Willcox et al., 2012). The leaves are used to treat antiamoebic and cosides were isolated from it (De Tommasi et al., 1991; Ramalhete
spasmolytic antidiarrheal activities. The active ingredient was in the et al., 2009). The presence of chlorogenic acids in the leaves of
polyphenolic fraction (Tona et al., 2000). The bark is also used to treat Momordica foetida, Momordica balsamina and Momordica charantia
diarrhoea, dysentery and fevers (Toms-Barbern and Hostettmann, L. (esters of p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acid and quinic acid)
1988). was established (Madala et al., 2014). Phenylethanoid and phenyl-
Baccharoides adoensis var. kotschyana (synonym Vernonia propanoid glycosides have been isolated from the Brazilian plant
kotschyana) is used in Mali to treat gastrointestinal disorders and Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich. Vahl) (Verbenaceae) used as a
wound healing. This has been attributed to the immunomodulat- remedy for malaria (Froelich et al., 2007). Five new pimarane
ing properties of acidic polysaccharides isolated by Nergards et al. diterpenes were isolated from the aerial parts (De Tommasi et al.,
(2004). 1995).
Catharanthus roseus is a well-studied medicinal plant. More Momordica foetida is closely related to M. balsamica and
than 130 terpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) including two com- Momordica charantia. Similarly to M. balsamica it is used to treat
mercially important cytotoxic dimeric alkaloids used in cancer diabetes and malaria. Cucerbane triterpenoids were isolated from
chemotherapy has been reported from it (Van der Heijden et al., a chloroform extract of the leaves (Mulholland et al., 1997).
2004). However, little reference could be found in the literature Froelich et al. (2008) isolated O-glycopuranosides (of two ava-
regarding its traditional use to treat malaria. nones, a avonol and a chromone from the leaves of Momordica
Holarrhena pubescens is a well-known medicinal plant in India foetida from extracts with antiplasmodial activity. Momordica
and Southern Africa. It has been extensively studied for its charantia has been intensively investigated because of its anti-
alkaloids and steroids (Siddiqui et al., 1993, 2001). The stem bark diabetic properties. More than 50 cucerbane triterpenoids were
is used to treat amoebic dysentery, helminthic infections, diar- isolated and characterize the closely related Momordica charantia
rhoea, toothache and as a tonic. The steroidal alkaloids, holamide (Chen et al., 2009). No references could be found for Pavetta
and pubscinine, were isolated from the ethanolic extract and schumaniana. The related species Pavetta crassipes K. Schum
demonstrated to have hypotensive properties (Aftab et al., 2009). contains avonoids (Asusheyi et al., 2014) including a quercetin-
3-O-rutinoside which has good antimicrobial activity (Bello et al., research. In vitro screening programmes, based on this and other
2011). Its signicant antimalarial activity was attributed to alka- ethnobotanical study results, could be important in validating the
loids (Sanon et al., 2003a, 2003b). traditional use of herbal remedies and for providing leads in the
The medicinal properties of Plumbago zeylanica reviewed by Jain search for new active principles. Another method to improve
et al. (2014) is an important medicinal plant in Africa and Asia. traditional medicines is the Retrospective Treatment Outcome Study
Plumbagic acid glucosides, naphthoquinones and coumarins have (RTO). The advantage of applying this method developed by Graz
been isolated from the roots (Lie-Chwen Lin et al., 2003). et al. (2005) and described in further detail by Willcox et al. (2011)
Adenia cissampeloides has been poorly studied and no pure is that it adds clinical information and statistical analysis to
compounds have been reported from it or related species. Njoku ethnobotanical studies. Scientic validation of herbal medicine
et al. (2011) identied tannins, saponins, phlobatannins, avo- may eventually lead to more widespread use of traditional
noids, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, carbohydrates and glycosides medicines in cheaper health care systems, as in India and China,
with TLC and spray reagents. Similar results were published for provided that thorough toxicological investigations, clinical stu-
Adenia lobata (Jacq.) Engl. used to treat cancer in Nigeria (Agoreyo dies and randomized controlled trials are carried out. African
et al., 2012). traditional knowledge and medicine thus have the potential to
In vitro antiplasmodial activity does not necessarily translate into play a large role in primary healthcare, particularly in poor and
antimalarial drugs since there may be poor bioavailability and toxicity. isolated rural areas. This underscores the value of traditional
The opposite is also true as the molecules with antimalarial properties knowledge and the need to collect and preserve traditional health
may occur as prodrugs in plant extracts and need to be metabolized practices.
enzymatically in humans to bioactive compounds. The wide variation in plant species used by traditional healers
Variability in the composition of the plants due to different in the same area, the absence of standardised preparations and
chemotypes or physiological stage of the plant or climatic and soil dosages and the low rate of referral to hospitals when a treatment
conditions may inuence the composition of plant extracts from has failed is worrying. This and the lack of scientic knowledge on
the same species. It is not known to what extent this is taken into the toxicity and active ingredients probably explain the low
account by healers when collecting plant material. Gessler et al. acceptability and adoption of African traditional medicine into
(1994) demonstrates that plants mentioned in the literature for national health systems. Traditional healers should be educated as
anti-malarial properties do not necessarily show high activity in to when patients, particularly children below the age of two and
an in vitro test. This was for example the case with Cassia pregnant women, should be referred to clinics and hospitals. The
abbreviata which gave only moderate results in their in vitro test toxicity and efcacy of traditional medicines should be scienti-
(IC50 1050 mg/ml), although it has been known to be used as an cally validated to enable the manufacture of safe and effective
anti-malarial treatment in various countries. Some plants may be standardized herbal treatments. This is not an easy task due to the
used in the treatment of malaria, not for their antiplasmodial complex composition of herbal extracts and the uncertainty about
properties but because of other therapeutic health properties. whether single chemical entities are metabolized to active drugs
These would include reducing fever, convulsions and headache, after ingestion and whether more than one chemical entity acts in
and possibly even immuno-stimulatory effects (Rasoanaivo et al., synergy.
1992; Gessler et al., 1994). Work is in progress to manufacture extracts of the 26 plant
Different levels of activity found in samples of material from the species collected during this ethnobotanical survey and to screen
same plant species but collected in different regions suggest that the these extracts in antiplasmodial bioassays. The results will be
locality and probably also the time of collection may be important in published separately.
the amount and composition of their active components (Capasso,
1985; Gessler et al., 1994). Gessler et al. (1995) report that the chemical
composition of the various plant constituents is affected by the climatic Authors' contributions
conditions and the locality under which the plant species are growing.
Klayman (1985) conrms that the active compounds of Artemisia TN conceptualized the study and CK and JJ reviewed the research
annua can vary signicantly within the same plant species growing in proposal. TN conducted the ethnobotanical survey and analyzed the
different continents. eld data. TN, CK and JvdW drafted the manuscript. All the authors
Another problem is that plants are often used in mixtures and are participated in writing and giving feedback on the manuscript. All
perhaps only fully active in this combination, due to synergistic effects. authors have read and approved the nal manuscript.
Elford et al. (1987) show that certain avonoids act synergistically
with artemisinin against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro at concentra-
tions in which they exhibit no individual antiplasmodial activity. Acknowledgement
This work is part of the Multi-disciplinary University Tradi-

5. Conclusion tional Health Initiative (MUTHI), a plant research capacity building
project, which receives nancial support from European Union
Local traditional knowledge and the practice of plant-based FP7-AFRICA-2010, Grant number 266005. We thank the Walter
medicine are still widespread in rural areas such as the Chipinge Sisulu University for study leave to perform the survey. We are
district in Zimbabwe and traditional healers play an important role grateful to the headman of the Muzite area and the Zimbabwe
in primary health care. This is probably because of the frequent National Traditional Healers Association who allowed us to work
incidence of malaria and the remoteness of the villages. Easy in the areas involved and assisted us with the identication of
access to the plants and the simplicity of preparing medicines recognized traditional healers and obtained their collaboration.
from plants are essential as well. Our sincere thanks go to the traditional herbalists for participating
The data gathered in this survey could assist in identifying in this study. We are also grateful to the Harare Botanical Gardens,
plant species and extraction methods to develop herbal drugs Zimbabwe, for accepting voucher specimens and identifying the
against malaria in Zimbabwe. The most widely used plants for the plant species and the assistance of the Zimbabwe Forestry Com-
treatment of malaria reported in this study such as Cassia mission for allowing us to collect the plant material. We thank
abbreviata and Aristolochia albida should be prioritized for further Dr C. H. Barker from the Department of Geography at the
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Journal of Ethnopharmacology 159 (2015) 224237

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment

1. Introduction ve (WHO, 2013). In other words, malaria continues to be a major

2.2. Data collection Table 1

T. Ngarivhume et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 159 (2015) 224237

their prescribed dosages. This could be a problem in the malaria

Mahlope treatment. Successful administration of the treatment might also

depend on the patient's capacity to persist with the treatment. For

Cold infusion or take with porridge Tree

3.4. Perceptions about, causes and symptoms of malaria

All the respondents were aware that mosquito bites might

Cold and hot infusion

water from unprotected wells, and exposure to morning dew may

above) refer to it as muswarara and ndangaranga. While muswar-

ara means goose pimples in the local Shona language, ndangar-

extensive education campaign on malaria that the MOHCW con-

the healers from the four villages. The symptoms of malaria,

according to the healers, are presented in Table 3. The most

important symptoms were feeling cold/goose pimple and head-

be short-lived. The healers would diagnose an infection as malaria

if the patient presented with at least three of the listed symptoms.

and might repeat or give a different prescription thereafter. Other

Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam

Symptom Frequency (no. of healers that mentioned it)

Feeling cold/goose pimple 6

Ocimum angustifolium No reference found to the treatment of malaria or fever No reference

This work is part of the Multi-disciplinary University Tradi-

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