Research projects

Development of Herbal COVID-19 Antiviral Interventions from Local Medicinal Plants and their Endophytes

There is an urgent need to develop effective vaccine and/or antiviral therapeutics to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A plethora of local medicinal plants have been used in the indigenous management of viral epidemics, and some have demonstrated in vitro and in vivo efficacy against viral candidates comparable to COVID-19. These local herbal antivirals require testing against the novel coronavirus to drive local, innovative drug discovery. Deriving interventions from easier-to-propagate endophytes inhabiting medicinal plants also guards against over-exploitation of the target plants.

Objectives

• To extract and screen secondary metabolites from selected medicinal plants and their endophytes for antiviral activity against COVID-19.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of selected extracts against COVID-19.
• To formulate effective COVID-19 herbal management products from the selected extracts.

Expected outputs

• Medicinal plants and their associated endophytes with antiviral activity against COVID-19 identified.
• Effective and safe herbal-based antiviral products for managing COVID-19.
• Policy briefs and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Development of Immune Regulatory Supplements from Indigenous Edible Herbs and Vegetables for Prevention and Management of COVID-19

In the absence of a cure and widely available vaccine candidates, concerted efforts should focus on strengthening the human immune system's ability to fight infection. Some herbs and indigenous vegetables possess natural immune-boosting properties due to phytochemicals, nutrients, minerals and antioxidants. This project harnesses those resources to produce natural, affordable supplements that improve community health.

Objectives

• Document the immune-boosting claims of herbs and indigenous vegetables in Kilifi, Kirinyaga and Bungoma communities.
• Assess levels of zinc, selenium, iron, copper and vitamins A, C, D & E in promising herbs and vegetables.
• Investigate phytochemicals with antioxidant activity and those that bind SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins.
• Determine the immune-modulating properties of selected herbs and vegetables in vitro.
• Formulate affordable immune-boosting supplements and natural products.

Expected outputs

• Documented indigenous knowledge on immune-boosting herbs and vegetables.
• Nutrient and phytochemical profiles supporting product formulation.
• Natural, affordable immune-boosting supplement products.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Potential Herbal Formulations and Standardisation for Integration into COVID-19 Prevention and Management in Kenya

The therapeutic activity of herbal formulations depends on their phytochemical constituents and quality. Reliable analytical methods to authenticate formulations and assure their quality, efficacy and phytochemical composition are largely unavailable. This project develops those methods and generates the evidence needed to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream care, as required by the Health Act 2017 Part X, the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Vision 2030.

Objectives

• Conduct an ethnobotanical and ethno-medical survey of traditional approaches used by communities to prevent and manage COVID-19.
• Develop biological, phytochemical, physicochemical and chromatographic fingerprints for standardising quality.
• Assess safety and conduct preliminary trials on the safety and efficacy of selected herbal formulations.
• Design and disseminate sustainable, evidence-based community-level interventions for integration into mainstream healthcare.

Expected outputs

• At least ten medicinal plants/formulations documented.
• Chromatographic, macroscopic, microscopic and microbial standardisation parameters.
• Safety and efficacy profiles of selected phytotherapeuticals.
• At least four publications and patents.

Antimicrobial Spray Formulations and Biocidal Binding Agents for PPE: Towards Effective Control of the Spread of SARS-CoV-2

Common biocides used in human spray tunnels — including benzalkonium chloride, glutaraldehyde, alcohols, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite — are harmful to health and the environment. Copper has surface biocidal properties, and combining it with plant extracts from neem, tea tree, lemon balm, garlic and marigold produces more potent, safer antimicrobial agents. This project develops an affordable antimicrobial spray for disinfecting surfaces and PPE.

Objectives

• Obtain plant extracts, synthesise and characterise copper-derived biocides with selected bioactive components.
• Evaluate the efficacy of the synthesised agents against bacterial and fungal agents and SARS-CoV-2.
• Formulate antimicrobial/virucidal sprays with plant-derived bioactive agents for disinfecting surfaces.
• Determine the effectiveness of the spray on disinfecting PPE (cloth masks, gowns).

Expected outputs

• Extracted bioactive plant components and copper-plant antimicrobial agents.
• Antimicrobial spray and non-woven fabric impregnated with bioactive compounds.
• At least three publications and patents/tangible products.

Developing Functional Food Products from Activated Edible Mushrooms to Mitigate SARS-like Conditions

COVID-19 weakens patients, causing high temperatures, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. In quarantine, emergency and refugee facilities, nutritious ready-to-administer meals are ideal. This project develops hygienic, easy-to-distribute, mushroom-based functional foods that boost immunity and improve general health — turning a challenge of vulnerable populations into a proactive dietary intervention.

Objectives

• Develop infrastructure necessary for production of medicinally activated mushrooms.
• Develop protocols to produce medicinally activated mushrooms.
• Develop at least six functional (Smart®) food products.
• Commercialise the developed functional food products.
• Initiate restoration programmes for selected forest sites that are sources of medicinal plant species.

Expected outputs

• Protocols and at least six functional food products for dietary interventions.
• Registration and patents for functional mushroom-based products with statutory agencies and KIPI.
• At least four research articles and research support for postgraduate scholars.

Ethnopharmacological Study of Natural Products with Potential for Management of COVID-19

Leveraging the principle of home-grown solutions — "African solutions to African problems" — this project establishes the efficacy, safety and sustainable use of natural products in a well-regulated environment that recognises the contribution of all stakeholders. It review existing policies and guidelines and proposes harmonised legislation for integrating herbal-based management into the national healthcare system.

Objectives

• Conduct rapid reviews of policies, legislation, regulations and institutional arrangements for herbal-based management of COVID-19 and related diseases.
• Document and establish a repository of herbal remedies, medicinal plants, concoctions and vegetables.
• Evaluate the in-vitro efficacy and safety of medicinal plants, concoctions and vegetables against Kenyan SARS-CoV-2.
• Establish research partnerships and policy dialogue between traditional and conventional health practitioners and key stakeholders.
• Secure sustainable exploitation, utilisation, conservation and management of medicinal plants.

Expected outputs

• Policy briefs to guide regulation, management and use of herbal-based interventions.
• A national repository of remedies and a sustainable conservation strategy.
• Partnerships and policy dialogue across the health ecosystem.

Beyond individual projects, the consortium delivers shared outputs that link everything together:

• A mobile application to aid integration of quality, evidence-based natural products into mainstream healthcare — connecting clinicians who may prescribe the products with the public who use them.
• A database of herbal products and data-capturing technologies to support research and value addition.
• A review of fragmented guidelines and policies for harmonisation and legislation into law.
• A national platform for natural product research and commercialisation.