Traditional & Alternative Medicine

The Vhembe region of the Limpopo province has a rich tradition of medicinal plants use. Traditionally, boiled roots of Ziziphus mucronata are used in the treatment of boils, general swelling and other skin infections. A combination of leaf paste and root infusion treats measles, dysentery, chest complains, and gland swelling. Pterocarpus angolensis is famous for the treatment of menorrhagia, infertility in women, wounds and pain management. Th e purpose of the present study was to compare the cytotoxicity, anti-infl ammatory potential and anti-microbial activities of Ziziphus mucronata and Pterocarpus angolensis from the Vhembe region. U937, MeWo, Vero and RAW 264.7 cells were treated to various concentrations (50, 100, or 125 or 250 μg/ml depending on assays) of Ziziphus mucronata and Pterocarpus angolensis. Cytotoxicity assay was done using MTT; Anti-infl ammatory activity was assessed using NO production; Anti-bacterial activity was done using the Micro-Broth dilution method and Anti-mycobacteria activity was determined using the Alamar Blue Method while RT activity was measured by ELISA. Cytotoxicity results showed that Pterocarpus was more toxic than Ziziphus as observed in the Vero and MeWo cells; however both displayed toxicity towards a Human cancer cell line. Both extracts did not inhibit nitrate production but induced signifi cant increase in macrophage activation. Th e plant extracts have shown anti-tuberculosis activity at concentrations >500μg/ml and there was moderation inhibition of HIV replication. The results obtained indicated that the extracts have pro-infl ammatory properties, and the observed toxicity on malignant cell lines must be investigated further for promising anti-cancer drug therapy.