@article {72, title = {Ghanaian Herbal Medicines for Malaria: An Evaluation of the Clinical Safety and Effectiveness of {\textquotedblleft}Time Herbal Mixture{\textquotedblright} in Uncomplicated Malaria}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {February 2020}, pages = {71-75}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {71}, abstract = {

Background: Herbal antimalarials have become a popular source of treatment for most Ghanaians. The significant increase in patronage is of public health concern due to the lack of quality, safety, and efficacy data. Aim: In this report, we evaluated the clinical safety and effectiveness of a Ghanaian commercial product named {\textquotedblleft}Time Herbal Mixture{\textquotedblright} (THM). The product is formulated from the leaves of Solanum torvum and Vernonia amygdalina and the stem bark of Spathodea campanulata and Bombax buonopozense. Methods: Participants of 40 patients diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria were recruited, treated, and followed up for a period of 28 days. This population comprised 25 (62.50\%) females and 15 (37.50\%) males, with a mean age of 42.29 (12.35) years. Outcome of primary interest was the ability of the product to clear blood parasites by day 7 of the study, resolution of cardinal symptoms of malaria, and an absence of adverse effects from the use of the product. Results and Discussion: A total of 33 (82.50\%) participants achieved clearance of all parasites by day 7 (complete cure). Partial clearance was attained by 6 (15.0\%) and treatment failure in 1 (2.50\%). Resolution of the cardinal symptoms was also observed in most participants by day 7. The product also had a good safety profile as none of the participants reported any adverse effects. Liver, kidney, and hematological profiles were also normal after the study. Conclusion: {\textquotedblleft}THM,{\textquotedblright} therefore, has the potential to be used in cases of uncomplicated malaria.

}, keywords = {Bombax buonopozense, Clinical studies, Herbal antimalarials, Solanum torvum, Spathodea campanulata, Vernonia amygdalina}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_23_19}, author = {Andrews W Tetteh and Kwesi P Thomford and Merlin L Mensah and Kwame O Boadu and Ama K Thomford and Isaac K Amposah and Godfred Amofa and Benard K Turkson and Michael O Agyemang and Emmanuel DJ Owusu-Ansah} } @article {956, title = {Immunomodulatory and Erythropoietic Effects of Aqueous Extract of the Fruits of Solanum Torvum Swartz (Solanaceae)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {3}, year = {2011}, month = {June,2011}, pages = {130-134}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {130}, abstract = {

Aim: The effect of Solanum torvum (Fam: Solanaceae) on delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, hemagglutinating antibody (HA) titer, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin concentration was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats to establish immunomodulatory and erythropoietic activity. Materials and Methods: Sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-immunized and challenged rats were treated with Solanum torvum extract, levamisole and dexamethasone. Phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemia in rats was treated with the extract. Results: The aqueous Solanum torvum extract and levamisole significantly enhanced DTH response, increased HA titer and WBC count, while dexamethasone significantly decreased DTH response, did not increase HA titer, and did not enhance WBC profile. The extract and Feroglobin, the reference heamatinic, were able to reverse PHZ-induced anemia, and increase the RBCs and Hb concentration above baseline values within 24 days. Conclusion: Solanum torvum extract showed a concentrationdependent immunostimulant and erythropoietic activity.

}, keywords = {Delayed type hypersensitivity response, Hemagglutinating antibody titer, Phenylhydrazine, Sheep red blood cells, Solanum torvum}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.81961}, author = {George A. Koffuor and Patrick Amoateng and Terrick A. Andey} }