Browsing by Author "Apio Olet, Eunice"

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    Medicinal plant species used by local communities around Queen Elizabeth National Park, Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve and Ihimbo Central Forest Reserve, South western Uganda
    (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2019) Gumisiriza, Hannington; Birungi, Grace; Apio Olet, Eunice; Sesaazi, Crispin Duncan
    The application of ethnobotanical indigenous knowledge is very important in improving primary healthcare systems among the local communities living around and within protected areas in South Western Uganda. In this area, there are biodiversity endowed Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve (MCFR) and Ihimbo Central Forest Reserve (ICFR). Despite the rich floral diversity and cultural heritage, there is no published documentation on the use of medicinal plants in this area. This information can be used as a basis for the selection of medicinal plants for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Study aim: This study identified and documented the use of medicinal plants, plant parts used, and mode of preparation and administration by the local communities living around and within QENP, MCFR and ICFR. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was used to collect data from 202 informants using semi-structured questionnaires, open interviews and field visits. Ethnobotanical data was analyzed using use reports (UR), frequency of citation (FC) and Informant Consensus Factor (FIC). The plants species were identified by botanists and voucher specimens were deposited. Results: A total of 302 medicinal plant species were mentioned by informants, out of which only 211 species belonging to 65 families and 165 genera were collected, identified and documented. The remaining 91 species were not available for collection and informants stated that they had become very rare within the study area. Herbs (35.8%) were the main source of herbal medicine. Leaves (60.4%) were the most commonly used plant parts used in the preparation of herbal remedies. Most of the medicinal plants were harvested from the wild, either growing in abundance (41%) or as rare species (21%). The most common mode of administration was oral, while other exceptional modes such as touching with bare hands and sweeping over the affected part were reported for the first time. The medicinal plant species were reported to treat 134 physical ailments, which were grouped into 16 ICPC-2 disease categories. Digestive disorders (854 UR) and general and unspecified disorders (507) scored the highest FIC value of 0.83. The highest number of medicinal plants (146 plant species) was used for treatment of digestive disorders. Among the species with higher use reports, Gouania longispicata had the highest frequency of citation (FC=174) and was mentioned to be used to treat 41 physical ailments. The most important ailment treated by Gouania longispicata was allergy with 102 use reports. Conclusions: A variety of medicinal plants are used by communities living near protected areas in South Western Uganda. Most species were used in the treatment of digestive disorders, followed by general and unspecified disorders. Much as allergy has not been identified as a major threat by the health sector in Uganda, the study found out that it is one of the prevalent ailments in the study area. While the therapeutic value of some of the documented medicinal plant species, especially those with higher frequency of citation have been scientifically validated, the efficacy and safety of other species with wide application need to be investigated. In this study, we recommend further scientific studies on Gouania longispicata to validate its wide usage in the study area.
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    Medicinal Plants Used to Treat ‘African’ Diseases by the Local Communities of Bwambara Sub-county in Rukungiri District, Western Uganda
    (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020) Gumisiriza, Hannington; Sesaazi, Crispin Duncan; Apio Olet, Eunice; Kembabazi, Owen; Birungi, Grace
    Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Africa, traditional medicine encompasses a diverse range of practices, including herbalism and spiritualism, where some diseases are believed to be “African” since they can only be traditionally treated. Indigenous knowledge on the management of “African” diseases using medicinal plants is still handed down orally from generation to generation by tribal societies of tropical Africa, and with the rapid westernization of these societies there is a pressing need to record local knowledge before it is lost forever. Aim: This study documented medicinal plant species associated with the management of “African” diseases by the local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district, Western Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. The data collected included names of plant species, plant parts used, diseases treated, methods of preparation, and mode of administration of the herbal remedies. A total of 196 informants participated in the study. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics and the Informant consensus factor. Results: We documented 67 medicinal plant species distributed over 27 families and 62 genera. The most commonly reported species belong to Asteraceae family. The most frequently used medicinal species were Chenopodium opulifolium (27), Sesbania sesban (26), Thevetia peruviana (25), Leonotis nepetifolia (23), Momordica foetida (23), Euphorbia hirta (21) and Cassia mimosoides (20). Leaves were the most commonly used plants parts and decoctions were the main method of preparation. Water was the main medium used for the preparation of the remedies which were administered orally while petroleum jelly was the main medium for those which were used as ointments. The medicinal plant species reported are used to treat 39 conditions which were clustered into 10 International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) disease categories. There is a high degree of consensus among the informants on which medicinal plant species they use for different diseases especially disorders in the following categories: neurological (FIC = 0.90), general and unspecified (FIC = 0.87), digestive (FIC = 0.86) and female genital (FIC = 0.82). Conclusion: Local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district, Western Uganda use a rich diversity of medicinal plant species in the management of various “African” diseases. Therefore, collaboration between users of medicinal plants and scientists is paramount, to help in the discovery of new drugs based on indigenous knowledge.
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    Occurrence of Citropsis articulata in Tropical Forests in Uganda: Implication for Ex Situ Conservation
    (International Journal of Forestry Research, 2021) Wangalwa, Rapheal; Apio Olet, Eunice; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Umba Tolo, Casim; Ogwang, Patrick E.; Barasa, Bernard
    Citropsis articulata is a medicinal plant that is increasingly threatened by unsustainable methods of harvesting and habitat degradation. Owing to the fact that this plant species is highly utilized for herbal medicine and is currently restricted to a few forest reserves in Uganda, this has significant implications for ex situ conservation. ,erefore, the aim of this study was to assess how physiographical factors influence the occurrence and distribution of C. articulata in the three forest reserves in Uganda, namely, Budongo, Mabira, and Kibale National Park. ,e study was carried out in 15 compartmental sites in each of the three forests. In each compartmental site, 4 plots of 60m× 60m were systematically established, and within each plot, 4 subplots each of size 20m× 20m were randomly setup. A total of 240 subplots were assessed for occurrence of Citropsis articulata in each forest. ,eresults indicated a significant (p < 0.05) variation in the density of C. articulata with the highest recorded in Kibale National Park. Citropsis articulata generally occurred at moderate altitudinal landscapes (overall elevation = 1200.0 ± 20.73 m) with soils that are moderately acidic (overall pH= 5.7 ± 0.10), low in salinity (overall salinity = 84.0 ± 3.84 mg/l), and moderate levels of macro- and micronutrients. Citropsis articulata was generally associated with plant communities dominated by canopy tree species of genera such as Chryosphyllum, Celtis, Markhamia, Cynometra, Lasiodiscus, Trilepisium, Funtumia, and Diospyros, thus suggesting that C. articulata is a shade-tolerant species. Establishing the ecological requirements of this plant species among other things informs the potential for ex situ production of this plant. ,is will not only provide alternative sources of plant harvest but also go a long way in relieving the current harvest pressures exerted on the conserved wild populations of this plant species.
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    Traditional eye medicine use in microbial keratitis in Uganda: a mixed methods study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
    (Wellcome open research, 2019) Arunga, Simon; Asiimwe, Allen; Apio Olet, Eunice; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Ayebazibwe, Bosco; Onyango, John; Newton, Robert; Leck, Astrid; Macleod, David; Hu, Victor H.; Seeley, Janet; Burton, Matthew J.
    Traditional eye medicine (TEM) is frequently used to treat microbial keratitis (MK) in many parts of Africa. Few reports have suggested that this is associated with a worse outcome. We undertook this large prospective study to determine how TEM use impacts presentation and outcome of MK and to explore reasons why people use TEM for treatment in Uganda. Methods: In a mixed method prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients presenting with MK at the two main eye units in Southern Uganda between December 2016 and March 2018 and collected information on history, TEM use, microbiology and 3-month outcomes. We conducted qualitative interviews with patients, carers traditional healers on reasons why people use TEM. Outcome measures included presenting vision and at 3-months, comparing TEM Users versus Non-Users. A thematic coding framework was deployed to explore reasons for use of TEM. Results: 188 out of 313 participants reported TEM use. TEM Users had a delayed presentation; median presenting time 18 days versus 14 days, p= 0.005; had larger ulcers 5.6 mm versus 4.3 mm p=0.0005; a worse presenting visual acuity median logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Log MAR) 1.5 versus 0.6, p=0.005; and, a worse visual acuity at 3 months median Log MAR 0.6 versus 0.2, p=0.010. In a multivariable logistic regression model, distance from the eye hospital and delayed presentation were associated with TEM use. Reasons for TEM use included lack of confidence in conventional medicine, health system breakdown, poverty, fear of the eye hospital, cultural belief in TEM, influence from traditional healers, personal circumstances and ignorance. : TEM users h Conclusion ad poorer clinical presentation and outcomes. Capacity building of the primary health centres to improve access to eye care and community behavioural change initiatives against TEM use should be encouraged.