Osvaldo Bernardo Muchanga ,St Tomas University,Mozambique
The present research was carried out in the Massambe Village and it was aimed at analyzing the Therapeutic Potential of Abrus precatorius and Tabernaemontana elegans, medicinal plants used in the Treatment of Bilharziosis in this Village. The research was mixed and developed in two phases. In the first one, a semi-structured interview was applied to the participants, which consisted in gathering information from the parts of the plants used, as well as the preparation and administration. At this stage participated 21 interviewees, including 1 Secretary, 7 Herbalists, 10 Traditional Medicine Practitioners and 3 Elderly people who were intentionally selected. The second phase was held in the Natural Products research laboratory of the Biology Department of the Pedagogical University Headquarters. It consisted in the identification of active principles present in the roots and leafs of the two plants under study related to the cure of bilharziosis. For the identification of active principles cold extraction (maceration) and chemical reactions were applied. The results of the interviews showed that the population uses roots, leaves, flowers and blends of roots and leaves. For the preparation of the drug, the same uses decoction, infusion and burning and for administration uses ingestion at varying dosages. The active principles identified in plant organs under study and implicated in the treatment of Bilharziosis are tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. These active principles relate to the anthelmintic potential because they inhibit the normal development of S. mansoni.
Abrus precatorius; Tabernaemontana elegans; Traditional Medicine; Bilharziosis treatment; Shistosoma mansoni; Actives principles.
