Traditional Medicine & HIV/AIDS in Africa Flashcards
What are the signs and symptoms of HIV?
i. Acute seroconversion, which manifests as a flu-like illness consisting of fever, malaise and a generalised rash.
ii. Asymptomatic phase is benign.
iii. Generalised lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes)
iv. AIDs manifests as recurrent, severe opportunistic infections
v. Sequelae such as AIDS-associated dementia or encephalopathy
vi. Wasting syndrome
African traditional medicine can be organised into 3 levels of specialty, namely:
i. Divination
ii. Spiritualism
iii. Herbalism
What is traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in the maintenance of health and in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical or mental illnesses.
Traditional medicine is also called _______.
Alternative medicine or complementary medicine.
Mention 5 benefits of acupuncture.
- Pain relief
- Treatment of high blood pressure
- Treatment of depression
- Relief from morning sickness
- Alleviation of post-operative pain
- Alleviation of adverse effects of chemotherapy
Mention 5 plants that can be used in the treatment or management of HIV.
- Sutherlandia microphylla (Fabaceae)
- Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Hypoxidaceae)
- Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae)
- Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae)
- Moringa olifera (Moringaceae)
- Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae)
- Cordia spinescens (Boraginaceae)
What is the mechanism of action of Sutherlandia microphylla in the treatment of HIV?
The leaves help the body mobilise its own immunological and physiological resources to combat diseases as well as mental and physical stress.
The plant may increase energy, appetite and body mass in PLWH.
What is the mechanism of action of Hypoxis hemerocallidea in the treatment of HIV?
The corms show indirect
evidence that sterols and sterolins potentially enhance immunity.
What is the mechanism of action of Pelargonium sidoides in the treatment of HIV?
Phenolic compounds extracted from the root inhibit the fusion of the virus to the host cell.
What are the mechanisms of action of plants used in HIV treatment?
- Inhibitory activity against HIV target
- Broad spectrum activity against HIV
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy
__________ obtained from _________ (Acanthaceae) has shown potent activity against a broad spectrum of HIV strains with EC50 values ranging from 15-21nM.
Justiprocumin B from Justica gendarussa.
__________ ,which is derived from plant lignin, has shown broad-spectrum anti-HIV activity as an inhibitor of entry as well as replication.
Lignosulfonic acid
Name 4 phytochemicals being considered for future drug formulations.
Andrographolide
Calanolide A
Mangiferin’
3-O-(3’,3’-dimethylsuccinyl)-betulinic acid
