Screening of Rwandese plant extracts for their influence on lymphocyte proliferation.

Plants from Rwanda used in traditional medicine have been investigated for their influence on lymphocyte proliferation with and without the presence of the mitogen phytohemagglutinin. Phytolacca dodecandra displayed a significant mitogenic effect. Several plants inhibited the lymphocyte proliferation after prestimulation with the mitogen.

Screening of hundred Rwandese medicinal plants for antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

A series of 100 Rwandese medicinal plants (267 plant extracts), used by traditional healers to treat infections, were screened for antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. The results of the testing showed that 45% were active against Staphylococcus aureus, 2% against Escherichia coli, 16% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 7% against Candida albicans, 80% against Microsporum canis and 60% against Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Not less than 27% of the plant species exhibited prominent antiviral properties against one or more test viruses, more specifically 12% against poliomyelitis, 16% against coxsackie, 3% against Semliki forest, 2% against measles and 8% against herpes simplex virus.

Rwandese herbal remedies used against gonorrhoea.

In the course of systematic studies on biologically active substances from medicinal plants of Rwanda (Central Africa) we have screened the indigenous drugs used against gonorrhoea for their antimicrobial activity. From the 25 plants tested, 16 were found to have an activity against Neisseria gonorrhoea and N. meningitidis, 6 against Streptococcus pyogenes and 5 against Staphylococcus aureus.