@article {2500, title = {A Review: Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Plants from the Hermannia Genus}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {384-393}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {384}, abstract = {

Introduction: Medicinal plants play a pivotal role in treating illnesses and modern medicines are still being derived from plants. Hermannia genus is a significant traditional herbal medicine. This review evaluates the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of plants from the genus Hermannia genus based on available research. Methods: Studies accessed from online research databases were systematically selected and analysed to construct a comprehensive review of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of plants from the genus. Results: Hermannia species are used in traditional medicine to treat or manage; respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal issues, skin conditions, sexually transmitted infections, and diabetes. Scientific findings also discovered promising pharmacological activities within members of the genus such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer activities. To date, over 30 types of secondary metabolites have been identified from the genus, including the 2 pure compounds that were isolated and tested for pharmacological activities. Further research must prioritize other unexplored species of the genus and efficacy and mechanism of action studies on isolated compounds. Conclusion: The genus Hermannia is important in the treatment of diseases of high public health concern. The pharmacological studies and presence of secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds further validates the traditional uses of the genus. Therefore, the findings suggest that the genus has species that may serve as candidates for novel drug discovery for the treatment of various illnesses. Efficacy and mechanism of action studies still need to be conducted on isolated compounds and other unexplored species of the genus.

}, keywords = {Bioactive compounds, drug development, Hermannia, Pharmacological activities, Phytochemistry, Secondary metabolites, Traditional medicine}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.48}, author = {Mfundisi Nhlapo and Brian Ngobeni and Idah Manduna} } @article {1956, title = {Phytotherapy for Sexually Transmitted Infections In ThabaNchu, Free State Province, South Africa}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {March 2023}, pages = {21-30}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {21}, abstract = {

Medicinal plants have been prescribed by traditional healers for the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI{\textquoteright}s) for years. This study documents therapeutic plants used against STI{\textquoteright}s in Thaba {\textquoteleft}Nchu, South Africa. Information was gathered through semi-structured interviews with traditional medical practitioners between March and December 2017. Information on medicinal plants, their local names, and their uses against STI{\textquoteright}s was gathered. The use value (UV) of the plant species, frequency of citation (FC) and the informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated for the plants and STIs included in the study. Plants were used to treat infections such Herpes zoster (ICF=0.4) as gonorrhoea (ICF=0.11), vaginosis (ICF=0.2), symptoms of HIV/AIDS (ICF=0.1) and pubic lice (ICF=0.1). A total of 35 plant species were identified for the treatment of STIs. Most medicinal plants in the study area came from the families Asteraceae (21\%), Fabaceae (17\%), Solanaceae (13\%) and Hyacinthaceae (13\%). Bulbinenarcissifolia, Pentanisiaprunelloides, Hypoxishemerocallidea, Scabiosa columbaria, Xysmalobiumundulatum Rumex lanceolatus, Eucomisautumnalis, Dicomaanomalaand Salvia runcinatawere frequently used. The preferred method for preparation of remedies were decoctions made from the roots (72\%), whole plant (17\%), leaves (7\%), fruits (2\%) and bark (2\%) which were consumed orally.This study contributes to the documentation of plants used for STIs to conserve the information for future generations. A selection from the most frequently mentioned plants for treatment of STI{\textquoteright}s may be used for further phytopharmacological investigations and subsequently be used for the development of new antimicrobial agents for global use and for the socioeconomic development of local communities.

}, keywords = {Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Sexual transmitted infections, Thaba {\textquoteleft}Nchu, Traditional Healers.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2023.15.4}, author = {Brian Ngobeni and Idah Tichaidza Manduna and Ntsoaki Joyce Malebo and Samson Sitheni Mashele} }