THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN MANAGING HIVAIDS: The Case of Ghana September 89, 2005

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THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN MANAGING
HIV/AIDS The Case of Ghana    September 8-9,
2005       
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THE USEFULNESS OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN POST HIGHLY
ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT (HAART) ERA

• BY DR. MUBARAK OSEI-KWASI
• Noguchi Memorial Institute For Medical Research,
• University Of Ghana
• August 11, 2005

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• High prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant
  African women between 24 and 29 years means that
  most of them were infected between 15 and 19
  years ( Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior
  Secondary School (SSS) years

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• Despite positive impact that antiretroviral
  therapy has had on the lives of individuals with
  HIV infection, the adverse effects, potential
  long-term toxicities, complexity of regimens,
  development of drug resistance and cost have made
  decisions about when to initiate HAART difficult.
  

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• Patients are seeking help from alternative
  systems of medicines
• Unani, Chinese, Ayurvedic, naturopathy,
  acupuncture, Kneipt-Therapy, homeopathy and many
  others

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• Their importance has led to a new Discipline
  known as Alternative Medicine being taught in
  some higher institutions in Europe, America and
  Asia.

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• Africans use medicinal plants for the treatment
  of many diseases without any scientific evidence.
  It is known that some medicinal plants contain
  vitamins, minerals, etc. which help the body
  maintain a healthy balance.

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Description Of Patients

• Signs and symptoms specifically asked for and
  documented
• Chronic diarrhoea of greater than 1-month
  duration.
• Unintentional weight loss
• Greater than 10 of body weigh
• Dermatological problems.
• Prolonged fever (documented more than 1-month
  duration)
• Persistent cough
• Genital ulceration and vaginal discharge
• Menstrual disorders.

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Description Of Patients

• Signs and symptoms specifically asked for and
  documented
• Chronic diarrhoea of greater than 1-month
  duration.
• Unintentional weight loss
• Greater than 10 of body weigh
• Dermatological problems.
• Prolonged fever (documented more than 1-month
  duration)
• Persistent cough
• Genital ulceration and vaginal discharge
• Menstrual disorders.

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Table 1. Constant low CD4 Levels
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Table 2. Increasing CD4 Levels
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Table 3. High CD4 Levels
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Treatment of Herpes Zoster
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Constraints

•  Mistrust
• Preparations of decoctions
• Dosage of herbal decoctions
• Definitions -cure and treatment

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Constraints (cont.)

• 5. Acceptance of herbal medications by orthodox
  medical institutions
• 6.  Research funding
• 7. Support
• - i) Herbalist
• -ii) Patients

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RESEARCH ON FLAVONOIDS

• Hu CQ, Chen K, Shi Q, Kilkuskie RE, Cheng YC, Lee
  KH.
• Natural Products Laboratory, School of Pharmacy,
  University of North Carolina

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RESEARCH ON FLAVONOID (Cont.)

• Seven other natural flavonoids, and 14 synthetic
  flavonoids have been evaluated.
• Flavonoids with hydroxy groups at C-5 and C-7 and
  with a C-2-C-3 double bond have been found to be
  potent inhibitors of HIV growth.

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SOME SOURCES OF FLAVONOIDS

• COCOA
• GREEN TEA
• CHRYSANTHENIUM ETC.
• Identified As Major Sources Of These Compounds.

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A CHALLENGE OF OUR TIME

• Ghanaian scientists (esp. Chemists and
  Biochemists) should do their best to isolate
  these compounds and join hands with other
  researchers to evaluate them for medicinal
  purposes.

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LAST WORDS

• WISDOM IS FROM ALLAH (GOD), EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE
  MAN KNOWLEDGABLE,
• BUT ONLY ALLAH (GOD) CAN MAKE HIM WISE

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• THANK YOU !!!MERÇI BEAUCOUP!!
• GRACIAS!!!
• ASANTE SANA !!!YE DA MU ASe !!!