Sceletium tortuosum or “Kougoed” has been used through the ages by the Khoisan people for mental health issues.
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In fact, the university – through our Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre (IKS Centre) – is seen as a pioneer of African indigenous knowledge systems in South Africa.
Our inter- and multidisciplinary IKS Centre is involved in fields ranging from astronomy and health systems to agriculture and technology, among others. The benefits of indigenous plants are one of the most fertile fields of study.
Dr Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, a researcher from the Food Security and Safety research niche area, investigates how Africa’s indigenous fruits could be used to enhance food security.
The possibility that a certain indigenous plant could be used to treat depression is the research interest of another NWU expert, Dr Makhotso Lekhooa, a senior lecturer at the DST/NWU Pre-Clinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP).
The wealth of indigenous knowledge that helped to nourish and heal our ancestors for centuries, is highly valued by the NWU.
This plant may nip depression in the bud
Makhotso is investigating the possibility that an indigenous plant, Sceletium tortuosum, can be used to treat depression.
She explains that it has been used through the ages by the Khoisan people to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, improve mood and enhance concentration.
Makhotso says in Africa many plants used for mental health issues – including the Sceletium tortuosum – lack robust scientific evidence to support claims of their medicinal value. She is helping to change this. “In my research study I used a genetic rat model of depression to evaluate different doses of Sceletium tortuosum as either a monotherapy and/or adjunctive therapy to current antidepressants, examining both behavioural and biological markers.”
The results generated from her research will indicate whether it could be beneficial in the treatment of depression.
Providing scientific evidence for the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants is in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) traditional medicine strategy for 2014-2023.
Makhotso’s research is also very relevant as the WHO indicates that 4,4% of the global population suffers from depression, while in South Africa this percentage amounts to 4,6 %. (If you would like to read the full article on Makhotso’s study, click here.)
“The Covid-19 pandemic is having a detrimental effect on the health and economy of the world, and as such the prevalence of depression is expected to increase,” says Dr Makhotso Lekhooa. She investigated the possible use of Sceletium tortuosum or “Kougoed” for the treatment of depression.
Research is bearing fruit
Dr Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, a researcher from the Food Security and Safety research niche area, says future food security on the continent of Africa may depend on the untapped potential of indigenous fruit trees.
Olusola, together with Prof Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu, also from Food Security and Safety, published a paper in the high-impact journal Food and Energy Security. The article looks at the benefits of Africa’s indigenous fruits and why they should be considered for food security.
Olusola says one of the unique traits of indigenous fruit trees is their ability to provide vital nutrients that may be scarce in other food sources. They are also naturally adapted to local soils and climates, and often survive environmental stresses better than exotic or introduced species.
The study focused on 10 selected fruit trees in different regions of Africa. Among them are the African baobab, Transvaal red milkwood, wild loquat, Kei-apple and Mobola plum and the marula.
“We found a rich phytochemical and nutritional content across the selected indigenous fruit trees, including fibre, minerals, carbohydrates, organic acids, fats, proteins, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc and vitamins,” he says.
“Fruit from these trees also displayed anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.” (Click here to read more about his research.)
The Marula fruit is one of Africa’s indigenous fruits that should be considered for food security. The Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) can be found in Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin and South Africa.
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This plant may nip depression in the bud
Makhotso is investigating the possibility that an indigenous plant, Sceletium tortuosum, can be used to treat depression.
She explains that it has been used through the ages by the Khoisan people to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, improve mood and enhance concentration.
Makhotso says in Africa many plants used for mental health issues – including the Sceletium tortuosum – lack robust scientific evidence to support claims of their medicinal value. She is helping to change this. “In my research study I used a genetic rat model of depression to evaluate different doses of Sceletium tortuosum as either a monotherapy and/or adjunctive therapy to current antidepressants, examining both behavioural and biological markers.”
The results generated from her research will indicate whether it could be beneficial in the treatment of depression.
Providing scientific evidence for the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants is in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) traditional medicine strategy for 2014-2023.
Makhotso’s research is also very relevant as the WHO indicates that 4,4% of the global population suffers from depression, while in South Africa this percentage amounts to 4,6 %. (If you would like to read the full article on Makhotso’s study, click here.)
“The Covid-19 pandemic is having a detrimental effect on the health and economy of the world, and as such the prevalence of depression is expected to increase,” says Dr Makhotso Lekhooa. She investigated the possible use of Sceletium tortuosum or “Kougoed” for the treatment of depression.
Research is bearing fruit
Dr Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, a researcher from the Food Security and Safety research niche area, says future food security on the continent of Africa may depend on the untapped potential of indigenous fruit trees.
Olusola, together with Prof Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu, also from Food Security and Safety, published a paper in the high-impact journal Food and Energy Security. The article looks at the benefits of Africa’s indigenous fruits and why they should be considered for food security.
Olusola says one of the unique traits of indigenous fruit trees is their ability to provide vital nutrients that may be scarce in other food sources. They are also naturally adapted to local soils and climates, and often survive environmental stresses better than exotic or introduced species.
The study focused on 10 selected fruit trees in different regions of Africa. Among them are the African baobab, Transvaal red milkwood, wild loquat, Kei-apple and Mobola plum and the marula.
“We found a rich phytochemical and nutritional content across the selected indigenous fruit trees, including fibre, minerals, carbohydrates, organic acids, fats, proteins, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc and vitamins,” he says.
“Fruit from these trees also displayed anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.” (Click here to read more about his research.)