Evaluation of NTD-O2, a Ghanaian herbal medicine, for onchocerciasis and animal African trypanosomiasis

NTD-O2 demonstrated selective antionchocercal and moderate antitrypanosomal activities, validating aspects of its traditional use. However, the presence of phthalate, a compound of known toxicological risks, and the absence of key plant-derived constituents raise concerns about formulation consistency and safety. These findings underscore the need for routine quality control and safety monitoring of herbal medicines to ensure efficacy and public health protection.