Background: The Vhembe region of the Limpopo province has a rich tradition of medicinal plants use. Traditionally, boiled roots of Ziziphus mucronata are used in the treatment of boils, general swelling and other skin infections. A combination of leaf paste and root infusion treats measles, dysentery, chest complains, and gland swelling. Pterocarpus angolensis is famous for the treatment of men...

This study records a severe outbreak of a disease on Zizyphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) in Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. The causal agent of the disease was found to be Coniodictyum chevalieri, a fungus previously believed to be very rare. Detailed illustrations of the symptoms and fungus are presented in order to facilitate future studies. The known geographical distribution of Coni...

OBJECTIVES To determine the relative impact of hydrocephalus and spinal dysraphism in young adults on intellectual and cognitive functioning. Sub-groups of patients with congenital hydrocephalus and/or spina bifida were assessed between 1995 and 2003. The entry criteria were that individuals should have (i) intact global function, (ii) average verbal intelligence (or above), and (iii) should no...

OBJECTIVE Neonatal jaundice is a common clinical finding in newborns. The efficacy and safety of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice have been firmly established, but it has some side effects, thus herbal therapy has recently received special attention. Herein we investigated the efficacy of Zizyphus jujuba for treatment of jaundice in neonates compared to phototherapy. METHODS In this clinica...

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Magnolia officinalis Rehder and Wilson [Magnoliaceae] bark and Ziziphus spinosa (Buhge) Hu ex. Chen. [Fam. Rhamnaceae] seed have a history of use in traditional Asian medicine for mild anxiety, nervousness and sleep-related problems. AIM OF THE STUDY To identify pharmacological targets, extracts of Magnolia officinalis (ME), Ziziphus spinosa (ZE), and a propriet...