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The Studies of Anti-viral and Anti-parasitic Compounds from Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants

Infectious Diseases Control

Republic of Ghana

Finished

The Studies of Anti-viral and Anti-parasitic Compounds from Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants

Leveraging the Power of Traditional Herbs to Create Drugs Fitting for Combating Infectious Diseases in Ghana

Principal Investigator

- Prof.
  YAMAOKA Shoji
  Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

ODA Recipient Country

Republic of Ghana

Research Institutions in Japan

Tokyo Medical and Dental University / Nagasaki International University

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) / Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM)

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2009

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Finding substances in Ghanaian herbs that are effective against infectious diseases
Understanding and availability of advanced healthcare are still limited in Ghana, and lack of modern therapies is driving the spread of HIV, malaria, and other diseases. To address this problem, we are seeking to isolate substances effective in suppressing the replication of viruses and multiplication of parasites from herbs native to Ghana that have been traditionally used as therapies for infectious diseases. We aim to develop sustainable therapies tailored to Ghana's circumstances by elucidating the mechanisms by which beneficial substances exert their effects.

Effective substances successfully extracted from herbs
We have found several herb extracts that are useful in HIV infection control, and have also pinned down active components capable of suppressing the proliferation of Trypanosoma parasites. The next step is to aim for drug development, including evaluating these components in animal studies and elucidating their working mechanisms. As we do this, we will proceed with technology transfer, in order to ensure that research and development capacities become established and can grow.

Photo gallery

The protozoon parasite Trypanosoma brucei

Young Ghanaian researchers receiving training from Japanese specialists at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research's Parasitology Department