{"id":44121,"date":"2026-10-07T10:26:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T10:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=44121"},"modified":"2026-10-08T08:36:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T08:36:38","slug":"vut-phd-study-investigates-african-medicinal-plants-for-uterine-fibroid-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/nso\/vut-phd-study-investigates-african-medicinal-plants-for-uterine-fibroid-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"VUT PhD study investigates African medicinal plants for uterine fibroid treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

“VUT PhD student Gcobisa Manzane presented promising research showing how selected African medicinal plants may help address biological processes associated with uterine fibroids.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

06 October 2026 | Story by:<\/strong> Sadiki Siphiwe<\/strong> | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \n
\n Mrs Gcobisa Valencia Manzane presents findings from her PhD research exploring the potential of selected African medicinal plants in relation to uterine fibroids.\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Promising research by a Vaal University of Technology (VUT) PhD student has explored the potential biological properties of selected African medicinal plants in relation to processes associated with uterine fibroids, a common condition affecting millions of women worldwide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings were presented by Mrs Gcobisa Valencia Manzane during a postgraduate research presentation session hosted at VUT’s Auditorium 100 on 22 September 2026. Her PhD Exit Talk, titled “Ameliorative Effect and Phytochemical Constituents of Selected African Medicinal Plants in Relation to Uterine Fibroid Pathophysiology”, explored how indigenous medicinal plants could contribute to future research on women’s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus and can cause symptoms such as prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and fertility complications. Although various conventional treatment options are available, their use may be associated with substantial costs, treatment-related adverse effects, and limited accessibility, particularly in resource-constrained settings. These challenges, together with the continued impact of uterine fibroids on the quality of life of many women, highlight the need for ongoing research into safe, accessible, and evidence-based complementary and alternative approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Manzane’s study focused on two African medicinal plants, Gunnera perpensa and Albizia tanganyicensis. The two plant species are traditionally combined by traditional health practitioners (THPs), who report that their combination may enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, the two plant species were combined (ratio 3:1) to prepare as a third sample, referred to as AGMix. The research investigated the biological properties of the combined formulation in comparison with the individual plant preparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explaining the motivation behind the study, Mrs Manzane noted that although medicinal plants have long been used in traditional healing practices, scientific evidence explaining their mechanisms of action remains limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There is limited scientific evidence supporting their mechanisms of action in relation to uterine fibroid pathophysiology,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study sought to characterise the plants’ phytochemical profiles, evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, assess their potential to modulate oxidative stress; and investigate their effects on cell viability and cellular responses relevant to uterine fibroid pathophysiology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an effort to bridge traditional knowledge and scientific inquiry, the plants were identified with the assistance of traditional health practitioners before being analysed at VUT’s Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenting her findings, Mrs Manzane reported the presence of several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, alkaloids and tannins. These compounds have previously been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the study’s notable findings, Gunnera perpensa demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity, while the AGMix formulation showed enhanced activity in inhibiting LPS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in laboratory models. In cell-based assays, the extracts showed differential effects on cell viability, with AGMix exhibiting lower cytotoxicity toward the tested normal cells while producing greater effects on the viability of the HeLa cancer cell line. These findings suggest potential selective antiproliferative activity and provide a basis for further investigation of the biological properties of the combined formulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Gunnera perpensa, Albizia tanganyicensis, and AGMix demonstrated phytochemical and biological properties relevant to uterine fibroid pathophysiology,” Ms Manzane said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She emphasised, however, that the findings represent preliminary evidence and that further investigation is required before any therapeutic applications can be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future research will include additional laboratory studies, investigations into hormonal pathways, in vivo testing and, where appropriate, well-designed clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the presentation, Ms Mapula Mofokeng, a Master’s student in the Faculty of Management Sciences, said the session demonstrated how academic research can contribute to solving real-world challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“What stood out for me was seeing how postgraduate research can address real challenges affecting communities while also creating opportunities for new knowledge and innovation,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that research presentation platforms play an important role in developing postgraduate researchers by encouraging knowledge sharing, critical engagement and interdisciplinary learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The postgraduate research presentation forms part of VUT’s commitment to advancing research excellence, innovation and societal impact under Strategy 2033+.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although further validation is required, Mrs Manzane’s research contributes to a growing body of scientific work investigating African medicinal plants and their potential role in addressing pressing health challenges. It also highlights the value of integrating indigenous knowledge with modern scientific methods to generate new insights that could benefit society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch the full experience on Flickr <\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“VUT PhD student Gcobisa Manzane presented promising research showing how selected African medicinal plants may help address biological processes associated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":44231,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-vaal-university-of-technology","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t