Traditional medicine is promising for tropical diseases in Ghana

(CN) — Thursday scientists tell people affected by neglected tropical diseases as research discovers traditional medicines in Ghana, an African country that may help treat neglected tropical diseases. Revealed new hope.

Neglected tropical diseases mainly affect the poorest people living in tropical climates. Despite the fact that more than 1.7 billion people have been affected by the disease and billions of dollars have been lost due to economic impact, they have not received much attention and are ignored because less research funding is spent on treatment Is called.

so Research Published in the journal PLOS neglected tropical diseaseResearchers from University of Ghana We have identified traditional drugs that have the potential to treat three diseases: schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis.

Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever, is caused by an infection in flatworms and affects the liver and kidneys. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is caused by parasites and can lead to itching and blindness. Lymphatic filariasis can cause elephantiasis when infected with parasites. Elephantiasis is a syndrome that causes large swelling of the arms and legs.

There are several drugs to treat these diseases, but the authors of the study said they “may lead to reduced efficacy and the emergence of drug resistance.”

Scientists have used 15 traditional medicines to discover three herbal extracts that help slow down and even kill disease-causing worms. In tests against Schistosoma mansoni, the cause of blood-flukes, the extracts NTD-B4-DCM and NTD-B7-DCM reduced worm movement by 78.4% and 84.3%, respectively.

Another extract labeled NTD-B2-DCM successfully killed 100% males and 60% females of the onchocerciasis onchocerciasis-causing onchocerciasis.

“By adopting a unique knowledge system that has evolved over the centuries, we unleash a wealth of undeveloped research and conduct sound scientific research to create safe, effective and quality treatments. It may be possible to shape it. ” statement..

The three illnesses have hit Ghana particularly hard.country’s Economy Growing in recent years, nearly a quarter of 30 million citizens live below national poverty levels and remain vulnerable to illness.