Knowledge on plants used traditionally in the treatment of tuberculosis in Uganda

abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity andmortality globally. The disease is especially important because of increasing drug resistant strains andco infection with human immune virus (HIV) and acquired immune disease syndrome (AIDS). Because ofthis there is need to identify new leads that can be developed into new drugs. The objectives of this studywere to (1) document plant species commonly used by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) to treatTB, methods of preparation and administration of drugs (2) document disease recognition by TMPs and(3) document medicine preservation and packaging practices by TMPs.Materials and methods: We interviewed 40 TMPs from Mpigi and Butambala districts using a guidedquestionnaire.Results: A total of 90 plant species, distributed within 44 families were documented. Priority plantsidentified include Zanthoxylum leprieurii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Albizia coriaria and Rubia cordifoliawhich were most mentioned by TMPs. TMPs had knowledge of how TB is transmitted and they admittedthat it is closely associated with HIV. Decoctions of multiple plant species were commonly used. Plantparts frequently used were leaves followed by the stem bark and root bark. The TMPs had insufficientknowledge about packaging and preservation techniques.Conclusion: Plant based therapies for treating TB have been identified in this study and further investiga-tion of these plants is appropriate as these, may be developed into new drugs to curb the resistantstrains of TB.& 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.