Are scientists barking up the wrong tree to “scientifically validate” traditional medicines?

Abstract

In South Africa it is estimated that at least 70% of South Africans consult one of the more than 200,000 Traditional Healers in the country. Clearly traditional health practitioners in South Africa play a crucial role in providing primary health care to the majority of the population. This knowledge system together with South Africa's unique biodiversity provides valuable resources for scientists to undertake research in search of new pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Scientists often refer to this as “scientific validation of traditional medicines” which can be misleading to holders of the traditional knowledge since traditional health practitioners treat their patients holistically using traditional medicines consisting of one or more plant species. Four case studies i.e. appetite suppressant form Hoodia gordonii, monatin from Sclerochiton ilicifolius, mosquito repellent from Lippia javanica and the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness from Elephantorrhiza elephantina which were either commercialized or close to commercialization are described and in all cases these have followed the classical drug discovery or product development route. These case studies have led to the realization that the traditional use of the plants were not exactly the same as the commercialized use. Often the scientists select plants based on traditional use and through scientific intervention discover similar biological activities or different biological activities of the plant species or constituents thereof. The scientific discoveries are further developed and the route to commercialization requires huge investment, time and resources. Hence it could be concluded that the approach has not been to scientifically validate the traditional uses of plants or traditional medicines. As scientists we need to be responsible when utilizing traditional knowledge in our research approaches and it is important to share benefits with the owners of indigenous knowledge.