MBARARA/UGANDA: Members of the Ugandan Parliament were amazed at the weekend to learn that Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Western Uganda, is conducting research in herbal medicine, which includes works on erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.
In a Tweet, the university reported: “The committee (of MPs on the National Economy) also visited the Pharmbiotrac botanical garden, where various plant species used in the manufacture of herbal medicine are conserved. These included ”Katimboro” which is conserved for producing medicine for erectile dysfunction among men.”
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is a medical condition characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It can be a temporary or chronic problem and can affect men of all ages. ED can be caused by various factors, including psychological and physical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, and side effects of medications.
The Pharmbiotrac Project
The Pharmbiotrac Project at the university is a research and training program aimed at improving the capacity of African scientists to develop and produce affordable biologic drugs. The project, which began in 2015, is funded by the European Union and is a collaboration between Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda, the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
According to ground sources that ResearchFinds News has spoken to, Pharmbiotrac has achieved several significant accomplishments over the years. One of the project’s main objectives is to provide training for African scientists in the biotechnology field, and it has trained over 100 researchers and students to date. The project has also developed several research initiatives, including developing a diagnostic tool for tuberculosis and producing a low-cost recombinant protein for use in vaccines.
MPs’ Visit
The MPs who sit on the Committee on National Economy paid a visit to the project to acquaint themselves with what the university is doing to advance high-level research for economic development.
In subsequent tweets, the University reported that the MPs visited Pharmbiotrac- MUST project which holds a state-of-the-art Pharmbiotrac Laboratory housed at the main campus at Kihumuro, in Mbarara City South. The committee also visited the Pharmbiotrac Museum where they were briefed about various products made from herbs. The state-of-the-art laboratories at Pharmbiotrac are used to standardize herbal medicine to meet the international market.
”Through Pharmbiotrac, a total of 167 research publications in different disciplines have been supported, and these have been internationally recognized’,’ said Eng. Anke Weisheit, Chair of Innovations and Business Management at Pharmbiotrac.
According to Prof. Robert Tamukongo, the Pharmbiotrac project has trained, mentored, and graduated 13 PHDs and 48 Masters, 149 exchange programs with other institutions have been carried out and 253 scientists have participated in short courses.
“During the visit, Mr. Issa Nkondo, a herbalist from Makenke in Mbarara, revealed to the parliamentarians that he works on herbal medication for mental illness. Nkondo clarified that he treats hereditary mental illnesses, not those caused by other factors like drug /alcohol abuse,” another tweet reported.
Previous Research on Impotence in Uganda
In 2005, a study by researchers- Kamatenesi-Mugisha and Oryem-Origa, published in African Health Sciences Journal 2005, explored the traditional herbal remedies used in western Uganda to manage sexual impotence erectile dysfunction.
The study titled: Traditional herbal remedies used in the Management of sexual impotence and erectile dysfunction in Western Uganda, highlighted that despite the widespread use of traditional herbal remedies in managing sexual impotence and erectile dysfunction in Uganda, there is limited scientific evidence to support their efficacy and safety. The researchers collected data through interviews with herbalists, traditional healers, and men who had used these remedies. They also conducted laboratory tests on selected plant species to determine their potential to enhance male sexual function.
The Research Findings
The study found that a range of herbal remedies are used in western Uganda for managing sexual impotence and erectile dysfunction, and the most commonly used plant species were Moringa oleifera, Mondia whitei, and Trichilia emetica. The study also identified potential side effects of using these remedies, including adverse interactions with conventional drugs and liver damage. In a list of 33 herbal plants the study identified, ‘Katimboro’ was mentioned.
Study Area:
The study was conducted in western Uganda between April 2000 and March 2003, and aimed to document indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants used to treat male reproductive health issues, particularly erectile dysfunction. The study used indirect methods, such as informal conversations, discussions, interviews, and field visits, to collect data from traditional healers, herbalists, and other knowledgeable individuals. The sampling sites included fishing villages and parishes around the Queen Elizabeth Biosphere Reserve and other sub-counties in the region. The data collected was analyzed, and the medicinal plants used for treating erectile dysfunction were listed, along with the methods of administering the herbal drugs. The study interviewed about 160 traditional healers, mainly old men, male traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, and young women.
The data was supplemented with information on plant names, plant parts used, and the conservation status of these medicinal plants.
Kamatenesi-Mugisha and Oryem-Origa’s revealing study can be accessed here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Uganda’s Erectile Dysfunction Data:
There is limited data on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in Uganda. However, studies suggest that ED is a common problem in Uganda, particularly among older men.
One study published in the African Journal of Urology in 2017 found that the prevalence of ED among men attending a urology clinic in Kampala, Uganda was 54.4%. Another study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2014 found that the prevalence of ED among men aged 40 to 70 years in a rural community in southwestern Uganda was 21.3%. However, it’s important to note that these studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes and potential selection bias, and more research is needed to accurately determine the magnitude of ED in Uganda.
EDITOR: All Photo credits: Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Is a longtime journalist in Uganda who has served as a cab reporter, Bureau Chief, Managing Editor, and Digital Media Editor at the country's prominent publications such as Daily Monitor, Red Pepper, and now, Research Finds News since 1999.
Rugyendo is currently a Ph.D. Fellow in Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, a Desmond Tutu Fellow, Crans Montana New Leader, and Chairman of Young Engineers Uganda and Uganda Premier League.