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J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2025;14(4): 469-481.
doi: 10.34172/jhp.2025.53038
  Abstract View: 22
  PDF Download: 17

Original Article

Scientific evidence of anticonvulsant activity of medicinal plants in Iringa, Tanzania

Prisila Andrea Mkenda 1,2 ORCID logo, Onesmo Simon Nyinondi 3* ORCID logo

1 Department of Biosciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro Tanzania
2 Department of Wildlife Management, College of African Wildlife Management, CAWM, P.O. Box 3031, Mweka, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
3 Department of Language Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
*Corresponding Author: Onesmo Simon Nyinondi, Email: onesmon@sua.ac.tz

Abstract

Introduction: Medicinal plants used traditionally to treat various ailments provide a solid lead towards drug discovery. However, the majority of medicinal plants locally used to treat various health problems lack scientific approval and documentation. This study aimed to identify medicinal plants traditionally used for treating epilepsy in Mufindi and Kilolo districts, Iringa region, and to explore scientific evidence of the anticonvulsant activity.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Hehe society in Iringa region, which mainly relies on medicinal plants in treating various ailments. Data were collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field visits, and online literature reviews.

Results: A total of 37 medicinal plant species were identified by both local and scientific names, with the Fabaceae family leading with five species, followed by the Verbenaceae and Rubiaceae families with four species each. Asteraceae and Araliaceae had only two plant species each, while the remaining twenty plant families had one species each. However, the literature review confirmed documented anticonvulsant activity in only 46% of these plants, indicating a need for comprehensive phytochemical analyses to explore potential unreported anticonvulsant activities. Despite limited literature on anticonvulsant properties, the identified plants have already been reported to possess medicinal properties for treating other diseases.

Conclusion: The study underscores the potential of traditional medicinal knowledge and identifies potential medicinal plants traditionally used by the Hehe society, with limited scientific evidence from the literature. This reveals areas for further research to fully leverage their therapeutic benefits in modern medicine.


Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:

The findings underscore the need to scientifically validate the anticonvulsant properties of medicinal plants traditionally used within the Hehe community, as only 46% possess documented efficacy. This situation necessitates the formulation of inclusive health policies that acknowledge and regulate traditional medicine, foster collaboration between traditional healers and biomedical researchers, and promote rigorous interdisciplinary research to evaluate safety, efficacy, and dosage.

Please cite this paper as: Mkenda PA, Nyinondi OS. Scientific evidence of anticonvulsant activity of medicinal plants in Iringa, Tanzania. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2025;14(4):469-481. doi: 10.34172/jhp.2025.53038.

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Submitted: 26 Mar 2025
Revision: 20 May 2025
Accepted: 25 May 2025
ePublished: 01 Oct 2025
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