Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of cryptolepis-based herbal formulations in Ghana
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Date
2015-11-02
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Abstract
Cryptolepine is the first and main alkaloid isolated from the West African
shrub Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta. Cryptolepine has been extensively studied and
scientifically proven to exhibit antimuscarinic, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hypoglycaemic and antimalarial activities. It is also reported to be cytotoxic, being
a DNA intercalator and a topoisomerase II inhibitor. In Ghana, Cryptolepis-based
preparations which are mainly aqueous extracts of whole roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
are used as antimalarials. Currently, there are a number of branded Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta
herbal formulations on the Ghanaian market. The proliferation of these brands calls for
pharmacovigilance to ensure that spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit (SFFC)
brands are identified to ensure the safety and quality of these formulations and hence improve
malaria treatment outcomes.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy Degree in Pharmaceutics,