Medicinal Plants In Nigeria Research Articles

Cytotoxic Flavonoids from Lannea egregia Engl. & K. Krause

Background: Lannea egregia Engl. & K. Krause (family: Anacardiaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant in Nigeria whose various parts have been shown to elicit several biological activities. This study specifically explored the leaf of L. egregia for potential cytotoxic compounds. Methods: n-Hexane, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of the leaf were prepared using the Soxhlet apparatus and concentrated using the rotary evaporator. Compounds were isolated by reversed-phase preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, and the structures were determined by spectroscopic means. The methanolic extract and the isolated compounds were screened for cytotoxicity against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, using the MTT assay. Results: Three flavonoids, myricetin (1), myricetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (2) and quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (3), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the leaf of L. egregia. The methanolic extract and compound 3 showed the most potent inhibition profiles against the cells, with IC50 values (Mean ± SEM) of 45.3 ± 1.5 µg/mL and 57.5 ± 0.4 µg/mL for the methanolic extract, and 36.5 ± 2.0 µM and 57.9 ± 10.1 µM for compound 3, against HeLa and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Conclusion: Conclusion: This work shows that L. egregia leaf is moderately cytotoxic, and rich in flavonoids, and the cytotoxicity of the extract is, at least partially, due to the presence of cytotoxic flavonoids. This is the first report on characterized isolated compounds from the leaf of L. egregia and the occurrence of flavonols in the leaf.

Study on Medicinal Forest Plants in Ifo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and Factors Shaping Usage Patterns

The utilization of medicinal plants in Nigeria is not solely associated with availability and accessibility but also reflects cultural heritage and local knowledge regarding natural resources. This research addresses the pressing issue of the medicinal utilization of selected forest plants in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Commencing with a succinct presentation of the identified problem, the study aims to explore solutions to formulated research questions and test hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05 alpha. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study involves one hundred respondents randomly selected from Ifo Local Government Area, including forest and herbal operators, civil servants, and farmers. Five communities, i.e., Alagbole, Lambe, Ibogun, Onihale, and Igbusi, were purposively sampled, with 20 randomly chosen respondents. Data collection utilized a self-structured questionnaire to gather pertinent responses on the variables central to the study. Analysis methods included simple percentages, tables, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC), and independent Student's T-test statistics, applied to test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The research findings highlight, among other insights, the frequent use of forest plant-derived herbs for treating or preventing various health issues in the study area. As a recommendation, the study suggests the need for effective legislation to regulate the harvesting and trade of medicinal plants.

Architectural Framework for Development of Fuzzy Integrated Data Repository (FIDR) for Medicinal Plants in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a tropical country known to be home to a vast array of plants, most of which are plants that have been found to be medicinal and have been used in traditional healthcare delivery for centuries. Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) have been the major custodians of the knowledge of herbal medicine in Nigeria. It is noted that there is lack of documentation of the practice of herbal medicine which has resulted in the loss of a vast majority of the knowledge. The absence of a centralized digital data repository on medicinal plants and their uses in Nigeria hampers the drive for standardization, scientific validation and quality control of herbal medicine products in Nigeria. This consequently undermines the health and wellbeing of those dependent on traditional herbal medicine for their primary health care needs. Much of the claims on the efficacy of herbal medicine are found to be based on traditional beliefs and myth and have not been subjected to scientific evaluation. This accounts for the introduction of fuzzy logic into the design of an architectural framework for design of Fuzzy Integrated Data Repository that will allow access to information using sharp and fuzzy queries. This will be a resource platform that will resolve the information impasse by providing adequate and correct information to all stakeholders in the traditional herbal medicine healthcare delivery as well as foster synergy between orthodox medicine and herbal medicine practitioners, improve research that will lead to standardization and quality control of herbal medicine products in Nigeria.

Diversity, molecular phylogenetics, and antibiotic biosynthetic potential of endophytic Actinobacteria isolated from medicinal plants in Nigeria.

Actinobacteria that are found in nature have enormous promise for the growth of the pharmaceutical sector. There is a scarce report on the antimicrobial activities of endophytic Actinobacteria from Nigeria. As a result, this study evaluated the Actinobacteria isolated from Nigerian medicinal plants in terms of their biodiversity, phylogenetics, and ability to produce antimicrobial compounds. Following accepted practices, Actinobacteria were isolated from the surface-sterilized plant parts. They were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing, microscopic, and morphological methods. The cell-free broth of Actinobacteria isolates was subjected to antimicrobial assay by agar well diffusion. Molecular evolutionary and genetic analysis (MEGA) version X was used for phylogenetic analysis, and the interactive tree of life (iTOL) version 6.0 was used to view the neighbour-joining method-drawn tree. A total of 13 Actinobacteria were recovered, belonging to three genera including 10 strains of Streptomyces, 2 strains of Saccharomonospora, and only 1 strain of Saccharopolyspora. They showed inhibitory activity against several bacterial pathogens. The phylogenetic tree generated from the sequences showed that our isolates are divergent and distinct from other closely related strains on the database. Further, optimization of the antibiotic production by selected Saccharomonospora sp. PNSac2 was conducted. It showed that the optimal conditions were the ISP2 medium (1-2% w/v salt) adjusted to pH of 8 at 30-32℃ for 12-14days. In conclusion, endophytic Actinobacteria dwelling in Nigerian soils could be a promising source of new antibiotics. Future research is warranted because more genomic analysis and characterization of their metabolites could lead to the development of new antibacterial medicines.

Lupeol: A Triterpenoid Isolated from the Stem Bark of Hymenocardia Acida (tul.) Exhibits a van der Waal Antagonism on the Alpha Subunit of Gastric H+K+Atpase - A Promising Antiulcer Principle.

Hymenocardia acida (HA) is one of the numerous medicinal plants in Nigeria with ethnomedicinal history of usage in the treatment of ulcer. The study aimed at isolating antiulcer principle(s) from the stem bark of HA as well as the mechanism of action determination. Antiulcer screenings of the crude extract, aqueous fraction, and bulked VLC fractions were performed using in vivo and in vitro models. Docking was carried out by using PyRx. Crude extract (HA; 1 mg/mL) and the aqueous fraction of H. acida (HAA; 1 mg/mL) showed an acid neutralizing capacity (MEq) of 0.3948 and 0.4035, respectively which is significantly different from 0.431 MEq showed by negative control (distilled water) at p<0.05. BVLC 3 (1 mg/mL) showed a significant value of 0.4049 MEq. However, HA showed a dose-dependent decrease in activity across doses examined, with 100 mg/kg showing an ulcer index of 10.00±2.89 (61.50%) and cimetidine (positive control; 100 mg/kg), also showed the highest ulcer index of 3.67±0.88 (85.9%), which is significantly different from ulcer index of 26.00±6.35 (0.00%) p<0.05 observed in the negative control (5% dimethylsulphoxide). The highest ulcer index of 8.00±1.32 (65.10%) was noted in BVLC 3. Bioactive BVLC 3, resulted in an isolated compound (BF3B2A). The compound was suggested to be lupeol, with a docking score of -7.7. It showed a van der Waal interaction with some key amino acid residues in the vonoprazan binding site. The experimental studies justify the ethnomedicinal claim of usage among locals.

Phytochemical and Nutritional Constituents of Leaf Extracts of Two Edible Medicinal Plants in Nigeria: A Comparative Appraisal

Phytochemical and Nutritional Constituents of Leaf Extracts of Two Edible Medicinal Plants in Nigeria: A Comparative Appraisal

In silico pharmacology and bioavailability of bioactive constituents from Triclisia subcordata (Oliv), an underutilized medicinal plant in Nigeria

Medicinal plants are rich sources of traditional medicines from which many modern medicines are made. Triclisia subcordata Oliv. is one among the underutilized medicinal plants in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. Therefore, this study was designed to present comprehensive data from the literature on pharmacological uses of T. subcordata and its phytochemistry, and to predict the pharmacology and bioavailability of the phytoconstituents isolated so far from Triclisia subcordata through an in silico approach. T. subcordata has high antioxidant activity and so it isthus used to treat oxidative stress-related diseases such as inflammation and diabetes. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial and smooth muscle relaxing properties. It is a potent inhibitor of enzymes such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. It has also traditionally been used in cancer treatment. One of the bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids isolated from this plant, cycleanine, showed selectivity for ovarian cancer cell lines. The presence of phytochemicals such as cyanogenic glycosides and tannins in low concentrations in T. subcordata has also been reported to make it edible to humans. The results of predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity was analyzed on the webserver ’ADEMTLab 2.0‘ . Prediction of activity studies for the four bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated so far from this plant supported anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antimalarial activities as well as muscle relaxant effect. Moreover, new activities including stimulation of leukopoiesis, inhibition of membrane permeability , inhibition of kinase and nicotinic alpha4beta4 receptor agonist properties were also predicted through in silico investigation. From our findings, these phytoconstituents could be lead candidates in drug discovery, since this plant is safe for human consumption.

A Comparative Study on GC-MS Profiles and Effect of Ethanolic Extracts of Stem-Bark and Leaves of Daniellia oliveri on Cerebral Sodium Pump and Thiols Status in Fenton Reaction Treated Rat Organs In-vitro

Daniellia oliveri is one of the most extensively utilized medicinal plants in Nigeria and some West African countries for the treatment of various ailments. In the present study, the GC-MS profiles and effect of ethanolic extracts of stem bark and leaves of Daniellia oliveri on lipid peroxidation, Na+/K+-ATPase activity and thiols status in H2O2 and Fe2+ (fenton reaction) assaulted cerebral and hepatic tissue homogenates was investigated. The stem bark and leaves were extracted with absolute ethanol for 72hrs and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. Wistar rats were euthanized and the brains and livers were removed, homogenized, centrifuged and the supernatants were used for lipid peroxidation, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and thiol assays in the presence of prooxidants (1mM H2O2 or 10μM Fe2+ or H2O2 and Fe2+).The results revealed that ethanol extract of both the leaf and stem-bark inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by H2O2, Fe2+ and combination of H2O2 and Fe2+ and this was evident in the reduction of lipid peroxidation adducts formation in rat liver and brain homogenates with the stem-bark possessing more efficacy. Furthermore, the results of Na+/K+-ATPase and thiol assays revealed that H2O2 and Fe2+ inhibited the activity of cerebral Na+/K+-ATPase, while H2O2/Fe2+ caused a marked reduction in the levels of both protein and non-protein thiols in the tissues homogenates. However, the ethanolic extract of Daniellia oliveri extirpated this anomaly by increasing the activity of cerebral Na+/K+-ATPase as well as the thiol level in the rat hepatic and cerebral tissues. Finally, GC-MS analysis was carried out on the ethanolic extracts of the stem bark and leaves of Daniellia oliveri and results revealed the presence of 21 compounds including 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3-amine, 1H-Indole-2-carboxylic acid, 2-Ethylacridine, Ethyl 2-(2-chloroacetamido)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(3-fluoroanilino) propionate and trans-1-Butyl-2-methylcyclopropane in the stem bark and 10 compounds including Methylthio-acetonitrile, 2-Methyl-Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienol, Desulphosinigrin and 4H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diamine in the leaves, justifying the observed biological activities of Daniellia oliveri and the higher potency of the stem bark may be attributed to the presence of more bioactive constituents found in it. This study therefore justifies the medicinal usage of leaves and stem-bark of Daniellia oliveri and suggests its consideration in the treatment and management of degeneration diseases with etiology associated with oxidative stress.

Ameliorative effect of Cassia singueana extract against acute ketamine induced cognitive impairment in murine models of schizophrenia

Introduction: In the quest for search of novel pharmacotherapy from medicinal plants for psychiatric disorders, it has progressed appreciably for the past few decades and their therapeutic potential has been evaluated in a variety of murine models. Cassia singueana Del. is a commonly used medicinal plant in Nigeria for management of insanity and as lactation enhancer. Aim: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the cognitive potential of Cassia singueana extract against ketamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Methods: The phytochemicals and elemental minerals present in the extract were determined using standard protocol and antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated using TBA-TCAA protocols, while its oral median lethal dose (LD50) in mice was estimated by OECD protocol. The effect of Cassia singueana extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on neurobehavioral deficit was evaluated in mice using behavioural paradigms: Y- maze, novel object recognition, forced swim test, open field test and catalepsy test. Results: The phytochemical constituents of Cassia singueana were alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and triterpenes. The extract also significantly decreased the level of MDA and increased the level of SOD and GSH. Oral LD50 was estimated to be &gt;5000 mg/kg. Cassia singueana extract significantly (P&lt; 0.05) increased the exploration time of novel object and percentage recognition index during the retention phase of the NORT. In Y-maze test, the extract significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the number of actual alternation and the percentage spontaneous alternation. It also significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased the duration of immobility in forced swim test. The extract also significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the number of central and peripheral square cross in open field. The extract also did not prolong the duration of catalepsy induced by haloperidol in glass bar test. Conclusion: Cassia singueana extract contained phytochemicals that could ameliorate cognitive impairment and negative symptoms of schizophrenics.

Preliminary Studies on the Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Properties of Four Medicinal Plants in Nigeria

Abstract&#x0D; Purpose: The innumerability of un-researched medicinal plants has occasioned their exceptional and unlimited study. Without a continuous study, the importance and use of many medicinal plants will be spuriously occluded and hence marshal untold limitations to their medicinal value. This research therefore was conducted to unravel the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of Petiveria alliacea L, Hoslundia opposita Vahl, Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze, and Solanum erianthum D. Don.&#x0D; Methods: Standard laboratory procedures were dutifully followed and ensued data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23, 32 and 64 bit.&#x0D; Results: The four analyzed plants were rich sources of major phytochemicals like: tannins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. All the plants also demonstrated high antioxidant activity in DPPH, Fe2+ Chelation, FRAP and Peroxides assays. The best antioxidant activity and IC50 values were obtained from S. erianthum which may be attributed to the highest quantity of phenols and flavonoids it contained in comparison to the rest evaluated plant samples.&#x0D; Conclusion: It was inferred that the observed high antioxidant activity of all the plant samples may be predicable to their plentious quantified phytochemicals. The plants were thenceforth recommended for further study on their acute toxicity (LD50) and with special emphasis on S. erianthum.

Clerodane Diterpenoids from an Edible Plant Justicia insularis: Discovery, Cytotoxicity, and Apoptosis Induction in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Objectives: The toxicity of chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs is a serious issue in clinics. Drug discovery from edible and medicinal plants represents a promising approach towards finding safer anticancer therapeutics. Justicia insularis T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is an edible and medicinal plant in Nigeria. This study aims to discover cytotoxic compounds from this rarely explored J. insularis and investigate their underlying mechanism of action. Methods: The cytotoxicity of the plant extract was evaluated in human ovarian cancer cell lines and normal human ovarian surface epithelia (HOE) cells using a sulforhodamine B assay. Bioassay-guided isolation was carried out using column chromatography including HPLC, and the isolated natural products were characterized using GC-MS, LC-HRMS, and 1D/2D NMR techniques. Induction of apoptosis was evaluated using Caspase 3/7, 8, and 9, and Annexin V and PI based flow cytometry assays. SwissADME and SwissTargetPrediction web tools were used to predict the molecular properties and possible protein targets of identified active compounds. Key finding: The two cytotoxic compounds were identified as clerodane diterpenoids: 16(α/β)-hydroxy-cleroda-3,13(14)Z-dien-15,16-olide (1) and 16-oxo-cleroda-3,13(14)E-dien-15-oic acid (2) from the Acanthaceous plant for the first time. Compound 1 was a very abundant compound (0.7% per dry weight of plant material) and was shown to be more potent than compound 2 with IC50 values in the micromolar range against OVCAR-4 and OVCAR-8 cancer cells. Compounds 1 and 2 were less cytotoxic to HOE cell line. Both compounds induced apoptosis by increasing caspase 3/7 activities in a concentration dependent manner. Compound 1 further increased caspase 8 and 9 activities and apoptosis cell populations. Compounds 1 and 2 are both drug like, and compound 1 may target various proteins including a kinase. Conclusions: Clerodane diterpenoids (1 and 2) in J. insularis were identified as cytotoxic to ovarian cancer cells via the induction of apoptosis, providing an abundant and valuable source of hit compounds for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria.

The use of herbal medicines is common in Africa, and patients often use a combination of herbs and drugs. Concurrent herbal and pharmaceuticals treatments can cause adverse effects through herb-drug interactions (HDI). This study evaluated the potential risk of HDI for five medicinal plants, Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, Moringa oleifera, Azadirachta indica, and Picralima nitida, using in vitro assays. Patients with diabetes and some other disease conditions commonly use these medicinal plants in Nigeria, and little is known regarding their potential for drug interaction, despite their enormous use. Crude extracts of the medicinal plants were evaluated for reversible and time-dependent inhibition (TDI) activity of six cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes using pooled human liver microsomes and cocktail probe-based assays. Enzyme activity was determined by quantifying marker metabolites' formation using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. The drug interaction potential was predicted for each herbal extract using the in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values and the percentage yield. O. gratissimum methanol extracts reversibly inhibited CYP 1A2, 2C8, 2C9 and 2C19 enzymes (IC50: 6.21 µg/ml, 2.96 µg/ml, 3.33 µg/ml and 1.37 µg/ml, respectively). Additionally, V. amygdalina methanol extract inhibited CYP2C8 activity (IC50: 5.71 µg/ml); P. nitida methanol and aqueous extracts inhibited CYP2D6 activity (IC50: 1.99 µg/ml and 2.36 µg/ml, respectively) while A. indica methanol extract inhibited CYP 3A4/5, 2C8 and 2C9 activity (IC50: 7.31 µg/ml, 9.97 µg/ml and 9.20 µg/ml, respectively). The extracts showed a potential for TDI of the enzymes when incubated at 200 µg/ml; V. amygdalina and A. indica methanol extracts exhibited TDI potential for all the major CYPs. The medicinal plants inhibited CYP activity in vitro, with the potential to cause in vivo HDI. Clinical risk assessment and proactive monitoring are recommended for patients who use these medicinal plants concurrently with drugs that are cleared through CYP metabolism.

Antimicrobial Importance of Medicinal Plants in Nigeria.

Despite the success of antibiotic discovery, infectious diseases remain the second leading source of death worldwide, while the resistance to antibiotics is among the significant problems in the twenty-first century. Medicinal plants are very rich in phytochemicals which can be structurally optimized and processed into new drugs. Nigeria enjoys a diverse collection of medicinal plants, and joint research has ascertained the efficacy of these plants. Plants such as guava (Psidium guajava), ginger (Zingiber officinale), neem (Azadirachta indica), and moringa (Moringa oleifera) have been found to exhibit broad range of antimicrobial activities. Studies on Nigerian plants have shown that they contain alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenes, glycosides, and others with possible therapeutic potentials. The antimicrobial activities of some new compounds such as alloeudesmenol, hanocokinoside, orosunol, and 8-demethylorosunol, identified from medicinal plants in Nigeria, are not yet explored. Further investigation and optimization of these compounds will facilitate the development of new sets of pharmacologically acceptable antimicrobial agents. This review study revealed the efficacy of medicinal plants as an alternative therapy in combating and curtailing the development and survival of multidrug-resistant pathogens coupled with the toxic effects of some antibiotics. Due to enormous therapeutic possibilities buried in medicinal plants, there is a need for more research into unique fingerprints and novel compounds that can provide cure to the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) of humans and animals facing Africa, especially Nigeria.

In vitro Studies on Antioxidant Potential of Aqueous Extract of Bridelia ferruginea Stem Bark in Brain and Liver of Wistar-albino Rats using Sodium Nitroprusside as Pro-oxidant

Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assay was used to study the antioxidant potential of Bridelia ferruginea, a widely used medicinal plant in Nigeria, sub-tropical Africa and parts of Asia. The aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark showed inhibition against the formation of TBARS induced by the pro-oxidant, sodium nitroprusside, in the liver and brain tissue homogenates of the locally bred male and female albino-Wistar rats. The inhibition of TBARS is an indication of the antioxidant potential of the plant extract. The extent of antioxidant potential depends on concentrations, showing varying degrees of inhibition with different concentrations. It showed a 54.16% inhibition in the liver and 60.65% in the brain, both at a concentration of 0.33 mg/ml, with IC50 values of 3.00 ± 1.58 mg/ml and 2.99 ± 1.59 mg/ml for the liver and brain homogenates respectively. The results suggest the effectiveness of the aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark in reversing the effect of lipid peroxidation that may result from sodium nitroprusside overload.

Medicinal plants with reported anxiolytic and sedative activities in Nigeria: A systematic review

Medicinal plants have been widely used in folklore medicine in the treatment of various diseases such as mental and neurological disorders. Mental disorders like anxiety and depression are very common among Nigerian populace. The purpose of this review was to access and evaluate several articles published on the anxiolytic and sedative properties of medicinal plants in Nigeria and to find out the gaps left for further research and drug development. Eighty-two publications available among Nigerian Universities and Research Institutes between 2008 and 2018 were selected. Seven electronic databases such as Nigerian Plant Database, HerbMed, AGRICOLA, MedlinePlus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer-Link were thoroughly explored from which 226 relevant articles were obtained using Google Scholar, Hotbot and FreeFullPdf as search engines. A number of studies conducted to test for the anxiolytic and sedative activity of medicinal plants in Nigeria were included. Articles published between 2008 and 2018 were selected. The studies were conducted in Nigeria. Research carried out before 2008 was not selected. All publications with authorship outside Nigeria were excluded. Several medicinal plants on which experiments were conducted were reported to have anxiolytic and or sedative properties in Nigeria. Several medicinal plants have shown promise as anxiolytic and sedative agents in laboratory animals’ studies. The majority of these plants were used traditionally in the past to treat anxiety in Nigeria. Further research on the efficacy and safety of these medicinal plants could yield a more cost effective and perhaps safer alternative in the treatment of anxiety among Nigerians.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bio-guided Isolation, Purification and Chemical Characterization of Epigallocatechin; Epicatechin, Stigmasterol, Phytosterol from of Ethyl Acetate Stem Bark Fraction of Spondias mombin (Linn.)

Spondias mombin (Linn.) is a widely cultivated edible plant used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of severe infection and health disorders. This research work was carried out to isolation, purification and chemical characterization the bioactive constituents of the ethyl acetate stem bark fraction of Spondias mombin (Linn.), a medicinally important plant of the Anacardiaceae family. This study revealed the presence of flavonoid and steroids, which have been found to be important hormone regulators which possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties. The chemical investigation resulted in the isolation of (C15H14O6.) 5, 7, 3', 4'-pentahydroxy flavanol (Epicatechin), (C15H14O7.) Epigallocatechin (C29H48O.), Stigmasterol phytosterol. It is here reported isolated from Spondias mombin for the first time, this makes the Spondias mombin very important medicinal plant in Nigeria and west Africa. EGC and EC arts as a strong inhibitor of HIV replication in cultured peripheral blood cells and inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in vitro. EGC binds directly to CD4 molecules with consequent inhibition of Gp 120 binding and inactivate viruses in-vitro by deformation of phospholipids. Stigmasterol phytosterol have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol and this lowering may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The structure was elucidated using two dimensional NMR spectroscopy, NMR (1H,13C) spectroscopy in combination with Infra-red (IR) and Mass spectrometer (MS) spectra data.

Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents of Selected Horticultural and Medicinal Plants in Nigeria

Plants contain several compounds among which are phytochemicals with both beneficial (medicinal, nutritional, antibiotic and environmental) and deleterious (bitter taste, poisonous, chelate) effects on organisms consuming them. Eighteen (18) tropical plants comprising 8 herbaceous plants, 4 trees and 5 shrubs and ornamentals were assayed for their antinutritional factors using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Saponin, tannin, steroid, triterpeniod, cardiac glycoside and phlobatanins were present in all tropical plants examined. Alkaloids used in preparing poison was absent in all samples that were assayed, there were varying quantities of antinutritional factors in all. Saponin content in the plants ranged from (6.22-19.53 g/100 gDM) <i>Adanzonia digitata and Vernonia amygdalina</i> respectively this can be exploited for its nutritional and medicinal benefits for human, animal and environment. Enhancement of protein in form of by-pass protein can be achieved by exploiting tannin which ranged from <i>Morinda lucida</i> (0.53 g/100 gDM) to <i>Talinum triangulae</i> (2.80 g/100 gDM), flavonoids ranged from <i>Newbouldia laevis</i> (0.89 g/100 gDM) to <i>Physalis angulata</i> (10.52 g/100 gDM). Moreover, Phenol is important for its antiseptic action ranged from (0.60 g/100 gDM) in <i>Corchorus olitorium</i> and <i>Morinda lucida</i> to <i>in Talinum triangulae</i> (3.18 g/100 gDM) (p&lt;0.05). All these phytochemicals in tropical plants can be harnessed for their advantages.

Popularity and Customer Preferences for Herbal Medicines in Nigeria: A Questionnaire Based Survey

This study was designed to ascertain the availability, affordability, and consumption of medicinal plants in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The age group of individuals interviewed was between 10 - 59 years. Results show that, herbal medicine awareness and usage was 97 % and 82 % respectively. Most respondents (97 %) admitted to having knowledge of medicinal herbs and their sources of information included family members (58 %), friends (21 %), Herbalist (9 %), and Pharmacy (3 %). Majority (54 %) of the participants took these medicinal herbs in liquid form. On sources of procurement, 17 percent of participants prepared these medicinal plants themselves, 19 % from pharmacies and 17 % from herbalists. Twenty three percent engaged in self-medication, while 21 % obtained their preparations from herbalists. Sixty-five percent said the products are safe and effective, while sixty-nine percent had no side effects while using the products. On affordability, 15 - 52 % admitted that herbal medicines are very affordable, while 20 % agreed that they are expensive. Over half of respondents' preferred locally manufactured herbal medicines. Analysis of sources of foreign medicinal goods shows that most (75 %) were from USA. About 78 % of the participants do not take these medicinal herbs with conventional drugs, alcohol (72 %) or cigarette (80 %). Overall, 69 % of our respondents have benefitted from the consumption of medicinal remedies. It is concluded that, the awareness, perception and access to medicinal herbs in Nigeria is increasing which is likely due to dearth of public health facilities. This calls for health administrators to design appropriate programs to implement and ensure the effective monitoring of circulating herbal products.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Curing Some Diseases in Infants in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in curing some diseases in infants in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria was carried out between February and June, 2012. Ethnobotanical data were collected by oral interview with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to fifty (50) respondents made up of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), herbalists and herb sellers. From the survey, a total of 63 plant species belonging to 33 families were found to be useful in the treatment of cold, malaria, fontanel, diarrhoea, typhoid, chicken pox, measles and small pox. Recipes used in the treatment of these ailments were documented. Herbal remedies were either prepared from dry or freshly collected plants while the traditional solvents of choice includes water, pure honey, lime and aqueous extracts from fermented maize. The methods of preparation were decoction and infusion while method of administration ranges from 1 drop to 1 teaspoonful daily. Survey revealed that leaves form the major part of plant for herbal preparations. Residents in the study area find the traditional medicine cheaper as compared to orthodox medicines. It is therefore implicated that efforts should be made on how to improve on documentation, conservation and standardization of the medicinal plants in Nigeria. Also, attention of the scientists and health officials should be drawn to the importance and various uses of the medicinal plants and they should intensify on the research to reveal other concealed values.

Traditional medicinal plants in Nigeria—Remedies or risks

Ethno-pharmacological relevanceSoil pollution due to increasing industrialization is a reality that is taking its toll on mankind today. Considering the population of people that use herbal remedies especially in developing countries and the discharge of industrial waste on surrounding herbal vegetation, it is imperative to determine the heavy metals contamination in some commonly used medicinal plants. Materials and methodsRepresentative samples of five medicinal plants Ageratum conyzoides, Aspilia africana, Alchornea cordifolia, Amaranthus brasiliensis and Chromolaena odorata were collected from Ikpoba-Okha L.G.A, Edo State Nigeria, around a paint company and another set of same plants were collected from a non-polluted source. Dried leaves and roots of collected plants were digested and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for the presence of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn). Soil samples from polluted and non-polluted areas were also analyzed to ascertain the levels of these heavy metals in the environment. ResultsResults show that the concentrations of these heavy metals in the leaves and roots of plants collected from polluted soil were significantly higher than those obtained from unpolluted soil. Correspondingly heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher in polluted than in unpolluted soil samples. ConclusionAs part of continuing effort in the standardization of traditional remedies, environmental contamination control and abatement is evident. The source of medicinal plants/herbs should also be a cause for concern since the toxicity of medicinal plants is sometimes associated with environmental sources of the plants.