The screening of medicinal plants traditionally used to treat ...

29Botanical DescriptionBaccharoides adoensis is a shrub of up to 2 m high. The roots are usuallytaproots, sometimes fibrous. The stem is usually erect, sometimes prostrateto ascending. The leaves are usually altemate or opposite each other,sometimes in basal rosettes. The fruits are dry with relatively thick, toughpericarps sometimes beaked and winged. The fruit consists of one seed(Nergard et al., 2004).DistributionThe plant is distributed from Senegal to Nigeria, extending across Africa toEthiopia and is also found in the open grassland of KwaZulu-Natal (Nergard etal., 2004).Medicinal UsesThe roots are used in the Malian folk medicine for the treatment of gastritis,gastro duodenal ulcers, as an aid to ameliorate digestion and as a woundhealing remedy. The plant is used for stomach pains and wound healing(Nergard et al., 2004). In South Africa it is used to treat stomach, chest andskin complaints, head lice and back pain (Pooley, 1998).Data from ethnobotanical surveyBaccharoides adoensis was collected from the surrounding area and is alsocultivated in home gardens. It is sometimes planted as a fence aroundhomesteads. This plant is not sold in the muthi market. There is no specifictime for collection of the plant parts. The decoction resulting from crushed,boiled and filtered leaves is drunk by children (half a cup) and adults (onecup) to treat diarrhoea. This medicine was reported to have no side effects(Mtshali 2007, pers. comm).Chemical contentTwo polysaccharides, pectin and a pectic arabinogalactan were isolated fromthe dried powdered roots. Several acidic polysaccharide fractions wereisolated from the roots and the gfaucolides were isolated from the aerial parts(Nergard et al., 2004).