Developing new medicines for infectious diseases
- Studies based on Ghanaian medicinal plants -

Prof.YAMAOKA

"After graduating from med school and working for a while as a surgeon, I became interested in viruses. I went into research, first investigating the cancer-causing viruses behind leukemia, and then moving to Tokyo Medical and Dental University to begin research into HIV. TMDU places great importance on making an international contribution, so I became involved in SATREPS, and since then I have gained a much deeper understanding of the importance of addressing the problems of infectious diseases in Africa. Actually visiting areas that until then I had only known through the media completely transformed my perception of the world. Until then, my interest in virus research had been as an academic subject, but I suddenly gained a powerful motivation to help resolve the problems that viral infections cause in developing countries."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"Like many African countries, Ghana is still developing its basic infrastructure, so access to modern medical facilities is limited both geographically and economically, particularly in rural areas. In terms of working with HIV/AIDS, perhaps only 30% of HIV-positive people can receive treatment."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"The strains of HIV that are prevalent in Ghana and other West African countries are not the same strains as those prevalent in Japan, so simply donating the medicines used in Japan or the West is not a practical option. First we need to confirm whether or not each medicine would actually be effective. In practice, we expect that we have to develop medicines that suit local circumstances."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"Traditional medicine still has a strong presence in Ghana, and the local culture holds medicinal herbs and traditional treatments in high regard. There are many herbalists, although they are not systematically organized. One of the Ghanaian government's objectives is to make good use of these traditional resources by developing effective medicines based on plants that grow locally. Such a strategy is possible because some of the medicinal herbs that are available do in fact act directly on pathogens or on infected cells, and others modify the bio-environment through their effects on innate immunity or acquired immunity."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"Even in Japan, HIV/AIDS cases are growing each year, and a record number of new cases was reported for 2008. This project can provide pointers to new approaches for effective treatment. Moreover, collaborative research can help to strengthen the Japanese presence in West Africa by contributing to healthcare in Ghana. To do so, we are building on our close relationship with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, which was established in 1979 in memory of the renowned Japanese medical scientist Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, engendering great expectations from both Japan and Ghana."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"To the Ghanaian people, the significance of this research is that it is bringing out the value of the country's own traditions. Moreover, it provides the opportunity to acquire new technology that can be applied in Ghana, and also leads to training human resources. Consequently, the researchers are highly motivated. Personally, the involvement of SATREPS in this research has provided me with the opportunity to meet people with a great variety of different roles in Ghana, discuss the issues with them, and gain an understanding of their perspectives."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"Ghana is already well known in Japan, partly as the producer of cocoa that inspired the name for the popular Ghana chocolate, but also because it was where Hideyo Noguchi--the face on the 1000-yen note--conducted his research on yellow fever, and where he died. We hope that this research project will bring Japan and Ghana even closer together."

Prof.YAMAOKA

"Our first task is to attempt to extract bio-active components from plants that grow wild in Ghana. After that, we will screen the compounds extracted, and conduct analysis to investigate whether the compounds can be synthesized. Specifically, the project researchers hope to find compounds that can ward off the HIV/AIDS virus, either by inducing the body to produce antiviral compounds, or by bringing the virus out of hiding so that it can be attacked by other means. Additionally, researchers are searching for plant-based antiparasite compounds that can ward off trypanosome protozoa. Drug development involves clearing a number of barriers, including cost and safety considerations, but we are keen to discover the hidden gems that can become a base for developing actual drugs. Also, through this project, we believe that training new people in both Japan and Ghana will lead to greater understanding between the peoples of the two countries, and enhance the scientific capacities of both."