Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has been known for many centuries. The first pandemic, or global epidemic, was recorded in the 19th century. Since then, six pandemics have killed millions of people worldwide. The current (seventh) pandemic started in south Asia in 1961 and continues to affect populations globally.
Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, which can be fatal within hours if untreated. Most people infected with V. cholerae do not develop symptoms but can spread the bacteria through their faeces for 1–10 days. Symptoms appear 12 hours to 5 days after infection. The number of cholera cases reported to World Health Organization (WHO) has continued to rise in recent years. In 2023, 535,321 cases and 4,007 deaths were reported to WHO from 45 countries. The discrepancy between these figures and the numbers estimated by researchers is likely due to limited surveillance systems and cases not being recorded out of fear of repercussions for trade and tourism.
For cholera treatment it is an easily treatable disease. Most people can be treated successfully with prompt oral rehydration solution (ORS) administration. Severely dehydrated patients are at risk of dying from dehydration and need rapid intravenous fluids. They also receive oral rehydration solution and antibiotics. Furthermore, the long-term solution for cholera control lies in economic development and universal access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and good hygiene practices.
Recently cholera has been occurred at Thailand’s border with Myanmar in Tak province. A cholera outbreak has been reported in Shwe Kokko township in Kayin state in Myanmar, where about 300 people are reported to have fallen sick. Two have died. Moreover, three Myanmar nationals working in Tak’s Mae Sot district were infected with cholera and treated at a Mae Sot hospital. One remains hospitalized, while the other two have been discharged. With this severe situation Thailand’s border with Myanmar in Tak province will be temporarily closed for a month to prevent the spread of cholera, which is currently spreading in the adjacent city of Shwe Kokko in Myanmar.
Because of its effect Thai herbs for avoiding/curing cholera is briefly presented in this article. There are many Thai herbs, which announcing to prevent/treat cholera such as black pepper, plu kaow, hopheaded barleria (phaya yo), thong pan chang.
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit (the peppercorn), which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. One tablespoon (6 grams) of ground black pepper contains moderate amounts of vitamin K (13% of the daily value or DV), iron (10% DV), and manganese (18% DV), with trace amounts of other essential nutrients, protein, and dietary fibre. The biological role of this specie can be used as antiapoptotic, antibacterial, anti-colon toxin, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory and many other effects.
Plu kaow, called as Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata) in scientific name, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous, and perennial plant widely distributed in Asia. It has multiple chemical constituents, such as alkaloids, essential oils, phenolic acids, and flavonoids used against various health problems. The essential oils and flavonoids are the main components of H. cordata that play an essential role in disease treatment and traditional health care.
Hopheaded barleria is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is also known by the common names belalai gajah (Malay), phaya yo (Thai), Sabah snake grass, ki tajam (Sunda), and dandang gendis (Jawa). This plant is used in the traditional herbal medicines of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and China.
Thong pan chang (white crane flower) is endemic to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Madagascar, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is both an auspicious and therapeutic plant. The ancient Thai medicinal recipe is thought to be an elixir that may heal eczema, rashes, skin problems, inflammation, high blood pressure, and rheumatoid arthritis. Flavonoids, benzenoids, coumarin, glycosides, sterols, rhinacanthin, oxymethylanthraquinone, quinone, and rutin are the principal chemical elements of thong pan chang.
References:
1) https://www.who.int
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4) Fard, S.Y., Marashi, S.M.A., Fard, S.Y., Mirzaii, M., Moosavi, S.E. (2015) The Effect of (Aqueous-Alcoholic) Extracts and Black Pepper Essence on Vibrio cholerae and Staphylococcus aureus, Int J Enteric Pathog. 3(1): e21969.
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6) ซิลเวอร์ วรรฌมุข, การศึกษาพืชสมุนไพรไทยต่อการยับยั้งการเข้าสู่เซลล์และการแบ่งตัวของไวรัสอหิวาต์สุกรในเซลล์เพาะเลี้ยงจากไตสุกร (SK-6) (2556) วิทยานิพนธ์สำหรับหลักสูตรปริญญาวิทยาศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาเทคโนโลยีชีวภาพ บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย มหาวิทยาลัยแม่โจ้
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8) Rafiq, S., Hao, H., Ijaz, M., Raza, A. (2022) Pharmacological Effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata): A Comprehensive Review, Pharmaceuticals. 15: 1079.
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