Traditional medicines 'do work'

Researchers tested the remedies in the lab

Doctors have found scientific evidence supporting the use of traditional Ghanaian plants to help wounds heal.

Parts of the African tulip tree and the Secamone afzelli are made into pastes which are applied to wounds.

UK and Ghanaian researchers told the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Harrogate that tests had showed they did work.

They said the work would help Ghanaians to understand which plants they should use, and which had scientific support for their use.

Medicinal plants complement more orthodox medicines Dr Peter Houghton, King's College London

The researchers were from King's College, London, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

They looked at the stem bark of the Spathodea campanulata (African tulip tree) and the shoot of Secamone afzelii, both used by the Ashantis, one of the largest ethnic groups in Ghana.

The researchers tested the two traditional remedies against four different bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans to see how well they protected against infection and against tissue damage caused by free radicals.

Both were highly effective against the Candida, and were shown to act as antibacterial treatments.

Tests also showed the plants had antioxidant qualities.

'Little alternative'

The major compound in the Secamone afzelii was found to be vitamin E, a compound with established antioxidant properties.

Further analysis is being carried out to examine properties of the African tulip tree.

Professor Peter Houghton, who led King's College research team, said: "Medicinal plants complement more orthodox medicines and it has to be accepted that there is little alternative for many people in countries like Ghana.

"We are aiming to identify those plants that have a scientific rationale for their reputation, and this should help local people to know which plants to recommend."

The research was funded by a Tropical Development Research Grant from the Wellcome Trust.