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14 May 2019 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Tsepo Moeketsi
Prof Ashafa
Prof Ashafa’s research documents plants used by the Basotho in the management of different ailments.

The Phytomedicine and Phytopharmacology Research Programme (PPRP) in the Department of Plant Sciences on the Qwaqwa Campus researches the biological effects of medicinal plants used in the folkloric medicine of the Eastern Free State, particularly to explore the values and contribution of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) towards broader scientific research. This is according to the programme’s principal investigator and researcher, NRF C2-rated researcher, Professor Anofi Ashafa. 

 “Our research is mainly aimed at documenting plants used by the Basotho in the management of different ailments and to further discover, isolate, and purify active phytoconstituents that are responsible for disease curation or amelioration, thereby assisting in the global promotion of accessible and affordable medication in developing countries,” said Prof Ashafa. 

Since 2012, the PPRP has worked extensively on Basotho medicinal plants (BMP) used as antimicrobials, antioxidants, antidiabetics, antitubercular, anticancer, anthelmintic, and antidiarrheal agents, starting from biological activities up to the  evaluation of the toxicity of these plants for the kidney, liver, and heart functions in order to establish safe dosage parameters. These activities have led to the discovery of four potent antidiabetic biomolecules that are awaiting the processes of patency and commercialisation. Additional outputs include 104 published peer-reviewed articles , 7 postdoctoral fellows, 6 PhDs, 9 master’s, and 16 honours graduates. 

“Our research informs teaching and the development of expertise in ethnobotany, 
phytomedicine, and phytopharmacology in order to contribute to the National Development Plan (NDP) through human capacity development, skills, and knowledge transfer.

The group is also investigating some medicinal plants on the endangered red list of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), through micropropagation and field trials as well as proposing conservation strategies to preserve these valuable species.

The PPRP consists of postdoctoral fellows, PhD, master’s, and honours students and research is done in collaboration with several local and international universities as well as the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa. 


News Archive

Four Kovsies to Rugby World Championships in Japan
2009-05-28


Robert Ebersohn

Lionel Cronje

Coenie Oosthuizen

Sias Ebersohn

 

Four students of the University of the Free State (UFS) were included in the SA U/20 group of rugby players that will leave on Sunday, 31 May 2009 for Japan to participate in the International Rugby Board’s U/20 World Championships. Robert Ebersohn, Sias Ebersohn, Coenie Oosthuizen and Lionel Cronjé of the UFS form part of the group of 26 players that were selected by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to represent South Africa. Robert, Springbok Sevens star and Vodacom Free State Cheetahs centre was elected as captain of the group.

The SA team will play against Fiji on Friday, 5 June and against Italy on Tuesday, 9 June. On Saturday, 13 June, they will take on France.

In preparation for the championship the South African U/20 team played against the Boland Cavaliers Absa Currie Cup team, beating them 33-14. Sias Ebersohn was the chief points scorer of the match.

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