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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

Ranks of NRF researchers at Qwaqwa Campus strengthened
2014-11-03



From the left are: Profs Birhanu Dejene, Oriel Thekisoe, Drs Aliza le Roux and Geofrey Mukwada. (Prof Riaan Luyt was absent due to being abroad.)
Photo: Thabo Kessah
The list of researchers at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF) was strengthened with the addition of Dr Geofrey Mukwada, who will have recognition as established researcher (C) from 2015.

Mukwada is working in the Department of Geography. His research focus is rural livelihoods, sustainable rural livelihoods, conservation of natural resources and climate change.

A total of 119 UFS researchers currently have evaluation and rating status from the NRF, says Nico Benson, Deputy Director: Research Development. Currently (October 2014) 29 researchers are still waiting for response from the NRF regarding applications submitted. A total of 16 ratings are already known. Ratings are valid for a period of six years and researchers are invited to apply for re-evaluation in the fifth year.

On the Qwaqwa Campus, Profs Riaan Luyt and Birhanu Dejene enjoy status as established (C) researchers – Prof Luyt in polymer nano-composites and polymer compounds and Prof Dejene in solar energy (photovoltaic).

Dr Aliza le Roux and Prof Oriel Thekiso are recognised as promising young (Y) researchers. Dr le Roux’s research focus is behavioural ecology, predator-prey interaction, spatial cognition, cognitive ecology, communication, zoology, individual-based modelling, animal behaviour (primates, carnivore biology) and socio-biology (mammals).  

Prof Thekisoe is conducting research on applied molecular diagnostics, ectoparasites, blood parasites, helminthology, molecular parasitology, entomology and parasitology, veterinary parasitology, parasitological techniques, host-parasite interaction and zoonosis.

These researchers are proud export products of the University of the Free State.


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