dc.description.abstract | The use and acceptance of nutritional and herbal supplements is popular in Kenya as is
the case in other developing countries. Ginseng containing products, for example, are
herbal formulations that are available as hard and soft gelatin capsules, dried roots,
tinctures and tea or beverage additives. These products are used based on the specific
indications for which they are promoted such as, adaptogenic effects, antioxidant, antidiabetic,
anti-hypotensive, immune stimulatory and anti-cancer effects. Despite advances
made in understanding medicinal and toxic properties of many herbs, the consumer today,
is confronted with several unproven claims concerning the quality, efficacy and safety of
herbal preparations including ginseng containing products.
The main objective of this study therefore, was to evaluate the quality of ginseng
containing products and their use through retail outlets in Nairobi County, Kenya. Forty
commercial products labeled as coiitaining ginseng were obtained through a structured
systematic random sampling technique from 76 retail outlets in Nairobi, Kenya. Seventy
six store attendants (one from each" store) were assessed for their knowledge about
properties of ginseng based on their Imderstanding of schedule or classification of ginseng
containing products, conditions for ~hich they are prescribed and side effects.
The mean knowledge score, of the attendants, on ginseng products was 3.2 (± 1.8 SD)
ranging between 0 and 8. Approximately one-third of the attendants (32.9%) had
adequate knowledge on ginseng products. The highest level of education attained was not
significantly associated. with knowledge on ginseng products (P=O.823). However, the
type of professional training was significantly-associated with knowledge on ginseng
products (P<O.OO1). An attendant with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (Pharmacist) was
3.11 times more likely to have adequate knowledge on ginseng products compared to an
attendant with Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology (Pharmaceutical Technologist).
The likelihood was equally high among attendants trained in other unspecified
professions (3.22-folds). A trained nutritionist attendant was 16.92 times more likely to
have adequate knowledge on ginseng products compared to an attendant who is a
pharmaceutical technologist.
Out of 40 ginseng products 41.5% were 80 - 100 % compliant to all labeling
requirements with 4.9% being fully compliant, 36.6% being 80 - <100 % compliant, 39%
being between 60 - <80% and 19.5% being <60% compliant.
All the products (100%) were compliant to microbial load requirements. Mean Total
Aerobic Microbial Count (AV.TAMC) was 6.5 (± 6.0 SO) ranging between 0 and 29x
101 while Mean Total Combined Yeast and Mould Count (AV.TYMC) was 2.3 (± 3.1
SO) ranging between 0 and 10;):,(i._1..~'. Mean Total Viable Aerobic Microbial Count
(TVAMC) was 8.9 (± 7.1 SO) ranging between 0 and 29 x 10'. However 22.0% of the
samples did not meet pharmacopoeia requirements for absence of high-risk microbes
(Salmonella species and Escherichia coli).
Of the 40 samples, 90 % (36) samples were analyzed for presence of ginseng, using a
Shimadzu Cs-9000 densitometer. Thirty (83.3%) of them tested positive for either RbI or
Rg1 groups of ginsenoside(s).
From this study, it is recommended that herbal or nutritional supplements containing
ginseng should be subjected to guided registration requirements and pharmacovigilance
programs. Special emphasis should be put on microbial contamination, especially
microbial identification, to avoid high risk micro~bes. Fu.rthermore, assay for ginsenosides
should be carried out to establish levels of compliance to active ingredients. It is also
recommended that attendants selling these products should have basic training in herbal
and nutritional supplements and the pharmacy curriculum for Bachelor of Pharmacy
degree and Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology should be reviewed in order to
empower the graduates to offer proper services in complementary medicines. | en |
dc.description.department | a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya | |