African medicinal plants

Kola nut (Cola nitida) is chewed in many West African cultures and it is used ceremonially, industrially, medicinally and economically. The aim of this study was to assess the phytochemical properties and antibacterial activity of Cola nitida seeds. The seeds were purchased, dried and then powdered for phytochemical screening and extraction. Ethanol and aqueous (hot water) extracts were used for this study. The antibacterial activity of each extract at 30 mg/ml and 60 mg/ml was tested on four bacterial isolates; Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli using the disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. The results revealed the presence of various potent phytochemicals such as alkaloids, polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids and glycosides. The zones of inhibition ranged from 0.0 mm to 28.0 mm for both concentrations of the ethanol extract and from 0.0 mm to 31.0 mm for both concentrations of the aqueous extract. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranged from 7.5 mg/ml to 30.0 mg/ml for the ethanol extract and 3.75 mg/ml to 30.0 mg/ml for the aqueous extract. No minimum bactericidal concentration was recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) performed on the data showed that there were significant differences in the zones of inhibition for each concentration of the extracts (P<0.05). The purified extract of Cola nitida seeds can be used to treat infections caused by these selected bacterial species.

The use of synthetic additives has some safety risks, residues, and consumer dissatisfaction. This has led Poultry farmers to prefer the rearing of healthy birds using natural growth and health-promoting natural feed additives. Azadirachta indica (neem leaf and bark) has good potential as feed additives. This study assessed the effect of graded levels of neem leaf and bark meal on the performance and carcass characteristics of ISA Brown cockerels. The study used two hundred and seventy (270) day-old ISA Brown strain cockerels. The birds were randomly allotted to nine dietary treatments of thirty birds each, replicated thrice with ten birds per replicate. The treatments were 0 g Neem leaf meal (NLM) and Neem bark meal (NBM) as control, 2.5 g, 5.0 g, 7.5 g, and 10.0 g NLM/kg feed -1 , 2.5 g, 5.0 g, 7.5 g and 10.0 g NBM/kg -1 feed in a Completely Randomized Design. Birds were fed the experimental diets from 1st week to 20th week of age. Daily feed intake (DFI), Daily Weight Gain (WG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and carcass weight were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the General Linear Model at p = 0.05. Cockerel chickens fed 2.5 g/kg -1 NLM exhibited significantly higher Final Weight (FW), DWG, and ADG during the starter phase compared to the control. In the grower phase, birds fed 5.0 g/kg -1 Neem Bark Meal (NBM) showed significantly heavier FW, DWG, and ADG. Carcass features like wings, thighs, drumsticks, back, breast, head, and neck were similarly affected. At the finisher phase, neem bark meal up to 5.0 g/kg -1 of feed enhanced growth performance. Based on the outcomes of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: Feeding cockerels with neem bark meal at a rate of up to 5.0 g/kg -1 of feed improved final body weight and resulted in a better feed conversion ratio. However, supplementation with 7.5 g/kg -1 neem leaf meal enhanced carcass characteristics in cockerel chickens.

This study aimed to assess the impact of aged palm sap-enriched activated biochar (AC+APS) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass yield, haematological parameters and biochemical indices of broilers. Two hundred and forty (240) male day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatment groups with six (6) replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group was fed a basal diet (A0) containing no additives. Groups A1 and A2 were fed a basal diet containing activated biochar (AC) at 0.50 and 1.00 %, respectively, while groups A3 and A4 were fed a basal diet containing 0.50 and 1.00 % activated biochar enriched with aged palm sap (AC+APS), respectively during an experimental period of 6 weeks. The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in growth performance in 0.50 % AC+APS-supplemented broilers compared to those in the AC-supplemented or control group during the finisher and overall production stages. The effect of AC and AC+APS inclusion on average daily feed intake was pronounced (p < 0.05) only during the finisher (22-42 days) period. All the test groups exhibited similar (p > 0.05) carcass traits to those of the control group and the treatments had no deleterious effects on organ development. Moreover, the AC+APS additive improved (p < 0.05) haematopoietic processes / parameters, serum protein profiles, glucose synthesis, and decreased serum enzyme activities while increasing mineral retention in broilers compared to those in the control or AC-supplemented broilers. The 0.50 % AC+APS therefore proved to be the most beneficial additive for improving productive and physiological functions in broilers and could be a useful substitute for antibiotic growth-promoting additives in poultry diets.

This study aimed to assess the impact of aged palm sap-enriched activated biochar (AC+APS) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass yield, haematological parameters and biochemical indices of broilers. Two hundred and forty (240) male day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatment groups with six (6) replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group was fed a basal diet (A0) containing no additives. Groups A1 and A2 were fed a basal diet containing activated biochar (AC) at 0.50 and 1.00 %, respectively, while groups A3 and A4 were fed a basal diet containing 0.50 and 1.00 % activated biochar enriched with aged palm sap (AC+APS), respectively during an experimental period of 6 weeks. The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in growth performance in 0.50 % AC+APS-supplemented broilers compared to those in the AC-supplemented or control group during the finisher and overall production stages. The effect of AC and AC+APS inclusion on average daily feed intake was pronounced (p < 0.05) only during the finisher (22-42 days) period. All the test groups exhibited similar (p > 0.05) carcass traits to those of the control group and the treatments had no deleterious effects on organ development. Moreover, the AC+APS additive improved (p < 0.05) haematopoietic processes / parameters, serum protein profiles, glucose synthesis, and decreased serum enzyme activities while increasing mineral retention in broilers compared to those in the control or AC-supplemented broilers. The 0.50 % AC+APS therefore proved to be the most beneficial additive for improving productive and physiological functions in broilers and could be a useful substitute for antibiotic growth-promoting additives in poultry diets.

In Africa, medicinal plants have been traditionally used as a source of medicine for centuries. To date, African medicinal plants continue to play a significant role in the treatment of wounds. Chronic wounds are associated with severe healthcare and socio-economic burdens despite the use of conventional therapies. Emergence of novel wound healing strategies using medicinal plants in conjunction with nanotechnology has the potential to develop efficacious wound healing therapeutics with enhanced wound repair mechanisms. This review identified African medicinal plants and biogenic nanoparticles used to promote wound healing through various mechanisms including improved wound contraction and epithelialization as well as antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. To achieve this, electronic databases such as PubMed, Scifinder® and Google Scholar were used to search for medicinal plants used by the African populace that were scientifically evaluated for their wound hea...

The use of synthetic additives has some safety risks, residues, and consumer dissatisfaction. This has led Poultry farmers to prefer the rearing of healthy birds using natural growth and health-promoting natural feed additives. Azadirachta indica (neem leaf and bark) has good potential as feed additives. This study assessed the effect of graded levels of neem leaf and bark meal on the performance and carcass characteristics of ISA Brown cockerels. The study used two hundred and seventy (270) day-old ISA Brown strain cockerels. The birds were randomly allotted to nine dietary treatments of thirty birds each, replicated thrice with ten birds per replicate. The treatments were 0 g Neem leaf meal (NLM) and Neem bark meal (NBM) as control, 2.5 g, 5.0 g, 7.5 g, and 10.0 g NLM/kg feed-1 , 2.5 g, 5.0 g, 7.5 g and 10.0 g NBM/kg-1 feed in a Completely Randomized Design. Birds were fed the experimental diets from 1st week to 20th week of age. Daily feed intake (DFI), Daily Weight Gain (WG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and carcass weight were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the General Linear Model at p = 0.05. Cockerel chickens fed 2.5 g/kg-1 NLM exhibited significantly higher Final Weight (FW), DWG, and ADG during the starter phase compared to the control. In the grower phase, birds fed 5.0 g/kg-1 Neem Bark Meal (NBM) showed significantly heavier FW, DWG, and ADG. Carcass features like wings, thighs, drumsticks, back, breast, head, and neck were similarly affected. At the finisher phase, neem bark meal up to 5.0 g/kg-1 of feed enhanced growth performance. Based on the outcomes of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: Feeding cockerels with neem bark meal at a rate of up to 5.0 g/kg-1 of feed improved final body weight and resulted in a better feed conversion ratio. However, supplementation with 7.5 g/kg-1 neem leaf meal enhanced carcass characteristics in cockerel chickens.

Context: The flora of the Bouhachem Regional Natural Park has been studied by many botanists and ecologists, but the analysis of the medicinal and economic values of these plants is still weak and poorly documented. Within the framework of this study, further investigations will be carried out into the value of indigenous medicinal plants and the documentation of their ethnopharmacological knowledge. In addition, due to their important socio-economic role as a second source of income after agriculture, the evaluation of the commercial activity of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) will also be taken into account. Aims: To evaluate the ethnobotanical and commercialized medicinal plants in north region of Morocco in which traditional medicine is widespread. Methods: The uses of medicinal plants in traditional phytotherapy were researched through 700 question cards, in Bni-Leit and Al-Oued districts, which are a part of the Naturel Regional Park of Bouhachem. A series of ethnobotanica...

The comparative study on the antimicrobial activity of Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) and kola nut (Cola nitida) extracts on some clinical isolates was carried out on four organisms Staphylococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Helicobacter pylori, and Bacillus spp. Ethanol and water extract of the plant were obtained and using the agar disc diffusion method, the zone of inhibition in millimeters of ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (18mm), Helicobacter pylori (30mm), Bacillus spp(18mm), Salmonella spp(20mm). while the aqueous extract of bitter kola showed inhibition on three bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (12mm), Helicobacter pylori (16mm), and Salmonella spp(20mm). Kola nut (Cola acuminate) ethanoic extract was the only extract that showed inhibition on the test organisms Staphylococcus aureus (12mm), Helicobacter pylori (16mm), Salmonella spp(20mm). The water extract of kola Kola nut (Cola acuminate) showed no inhibition on the clinical isolates.  Synergistically, both extracts showed a high level of inhibition on all the test isolates in the range of 8-15mm. The bitter kola extract also showed a low level of MIC and MBC when compared with the kola nut extract on the selected bacteria. This result showed that Garcinia kola provided scientific evidence for its use in herbal medicine. Hence these plant extracts could be used by pharmaceutical industries in the production of drugs.

Bioactivity directed fractionation of the chloroform extract of the root bark of Maytenus senegalensis resulted in the isolation and characterization of the quinonemethide triterpene, (20α)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-24-nor-friedela-1(10),3,5,7-tetraen-carboxylic acid-(29)-methylester (pristimerin). The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the isolated compound against chloroquine-resistant strain (Dd2) of Plasmodium falciparum was IC 50 = 0.5µg/ml and its in vitro antileishmanial activity performed on promostigotes of Leishmania major was IC 50 = 6.8 ± 0.8 µg/ml while the cytotoxicity on lymphocyte proliferation model was detected at IC 50 = 6.8 ± 0.8 µg/ml.

Aim: To assess the population&#39;s knowledge of COVID-19 in order to guide future scientific research on the alternative management of this pandemic by Traditional Pharmacopoeia. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in Lisala city (province of Mongala, Democratic Republic of the Congo), from 26 July to 10 August 2020. Methodology: The surveys consisted in drafting a questionnaire beforehand to apprehend the knowledge of COVID-19among the surrounding population. The interview was conducted in Lingala language using stratified proportional random sampling method. Results: A total of 200 people were interviewed in Lisala city. The majority were men (63.0% vs. 37.0%). The majority of the respondents were aged between 26-45 years (51.5%). The majority of the respondents were Ngombe people (43.5%), followed by Budja (21.5%), Mongo (13.0%) and Lokele (7.0%) respectively. The best source of information on the pandemic in Lisala city was the radio (72.5%), followed by the m...

Context: The flora of the Bouhachem Regional Natural Park has been studied by many botanists and ecologists, but the analysis of the medicinal and economic values of these plants is still weak and poorly documented. Within the framework of this study, further investigations will be carried out into the value of indigenous medicinal plants and the documentation of their ethnopharmacological knowledge. In addition, due to their important socio-economic role as a second source of income after agriculture, the evaluation of the commercial activity of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) will also be taken into account. Aims: To evaluate the ethnobotanical and commercialized medicinal plants in north region of Morocco in which traditional medicine is widespread. Methods: The uses of medicinal plants in traditional phytotherapy were researched through 700 question cards, in Bni-Leit and Al-Oued districts, which are a part of the Naturel Regional Park of Bouhachem. A series of ethnobotanica...

BackgroundThe treatment inadequacy and toxicity associated with conventional anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs has called for the search of alternatives from medicinal plants, particularly, their phytochemicals with inherent pharmacological properties. In the present study, purified fraction ofM. senegalensisleaf was evaluated for antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.MethodAntimalarial study was conducted againstPlasmodium chabaudiandPlasmodium bergheiusing 4 days suppressive test, while anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were conducted using egg albumin induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced pain model respectively. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed using serum biochemical parameters following 3 weeks administrations of the purified fraction.ResultsThe purified fraction ofM. senegalensisleaf shows dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with percentage curative effects of 15.24 ± 0.89, 45.70 ± 3.43 and 48.50 ± 4.56 at 75, 150 and 300 mg/...

Medicine is a field of science that is always changing and promoting new ideas and innovations. Throughout history, medicine has been an important factor in the lives of people around the world since the beginning of civilizations. This study focused on the literature of medicine as it relates to the Spanish Golden Age period. By looking at the history and critical studies in medicine during sixteenth and seventeenth century Spain as well as during the pre-colonial period in America, this thesis overviews the effects and influences in regards to health and illness in Spain and the Americas during the Spanish Golden Age era. iii DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this thesis to my amazing and loving parents, Luis and María Cruz, whose endless and unwavering support and love drive me to do all I can do to make them proud. I would especially like to acknowledge my thesis chair and mentor, Dr. Martha García, who has believed in me from the very beginning and whose support has illuminated in me a passion to achieve my highest goals. I cannot thank her enough. Last but not least I have to thank and acknowledge my two best friends in the entire world, Jessica and Elouisa Hewkin, who have been a part of my life and have been there for me like sisters. I will always look up to them. v

Use of synthetic pesticides in developing countries is not only limited by their being expensive but also the small (uneconomic) fields whose limited production costs cannot offset costs of agricultural implements like agro-chemicals. Subsistence farmers, therefore, have no choice but to use local methods of controlling pests, one of which is the use of traditional and of late introduced pesticidal plants' extracts. In this study, whose main objective was to record all pesticidal plants used in Southern Uganda, Masaka district, it was established that thirty four species belonging to eighteen families are currently used in traditional plant production. Most useful species were Azadirachta indica and Tagetes minuta while the most frequently cited families were Meliaceae and Euphorbiaceae. It was noted that of the plant species recorded, some plants like A. indica, Melia azedarach, and T. minuta are already scientifically established pesticidal plants whereas others like Euphorbia tirucalli, Bidens pilosa, Vernonia amygdalina may be known for other uses but not for this purpose and hence the need for their efficacy evaluation. Some important pesticidal plants like Abrus precatorius, Euphorbia candelabrum and Phoenix reclinata were reportedly becoming increasingly rare and would need conservation. The need to carry out such surveys in order to obtain inventories was observed and recording this knowledge before it disappears with the aging farmers was seen as urgent.

Skin is the largest sense organ of our body, hence the caring of skin sunlight from the essential to gallic acid is used which is obtained from the grapes, banana and straw berries. The gallic acid is a type of phenolic acid and it is capable of blocking the UV rays, functions as antioxidant, moreover as a skin protectant. The peculiarity of polyphenolic compounds, those having limited penetration to the skin so to improve the penetration by forming the chelation with the phosphatidylcholine. The solvent evaporation technique was used for the preparation of GA-PC chelate (Gallic acid-Phosphatidylcholine). Optimization was performed using the ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:3(Gallic acid: Phosphatidylcholine) and 1:1was chosen as the best ratio due to its better entrapment efficiency of 85.56 ±. 0.11 %..It was incorporated into a suitable cream is base. The pH of the cream was found to be 5.5, which makes to compatible with skin. The in vitro permeability study was carried out giving a flux of 4....

Context: The flora of the Bouhachem Regional Natural Park has been studied by many botanists and ecologists, but the analysis of the medicinal and economic values of these plants is still weak and poorly documented. Within the framework of this study, further investigations will be carried out into the value of indigenous medicinal plants and the documentation of their ethnopharmacological knowledge. In addition, due to their important socio-economic role as a second source of income after agriculture, the evaluation of the commercial activity of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) will also be taken into account. Aims: To evaluate the ethnobotanical and commercialized medicinal plants in north region of Morocco in which traditional medicine is widespread. Methods: The uses of medicinal plants in traditional phytotherapy were researched through 700 question cards, in Bni-Leit and Al-Oued districts, which are a part of the Naturel Regional Park of Bouhachem. A series of ethnobotanica...

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic across Nigeria and the 1897 Smallpox Epidemic in Epe Health is Wealth, so goes the popular saying. Over the last few months, the entire world has been thrown into bedlam over the infiltration of the "Corona Virus" code-named COVID-19. The virus which has flu-like symptoms was first detected by scientist in China in December 2019, and in the succeeding months, has spread like wildfire to places distant from China, including infiltrating the shores of our beloved Nigeria. This is not the first time our land has been ravaged by a pandemic or an epidemic. One thing History has taught us is that a time like this would come, but we will definitely overcome and survive the situation. The 1918 Influenza pandemic was one of the deadliest in world History. It was caused by an H1N1 Virus with a gene of avian origin. It spread worldwide between 1918 and 1919. The total number of deaths of the pandemic was at least 50 million worldwide. According to the Public Record Office London, influenza hit Lagos on the 14th of September 1918, four years after the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by Lord Fredrick Lugard. The spread in Lagos was fast and devastating such that in the first two months the causality figure was enormous-Lagos lost 1.5% of its 81,941 population. Inhabitants around the seaports of Marina and Apapa, especially seamen working on ships docked at harbour ports were one of the first set of people to be infected with this virus and from that point, it spread to the hinterland and the majority of people on Lagos Island. The Colonial government swung into action by creating different means of spreading information and educating people on how to best stay healthy during that period. House-to-house disinfection was also done to ensure the safety of the people of Lagos. Still, people from Lagos reportedly fled the infested town to other parts of the country. Since the train was the major means of transportation back then, it was a little shocking that in no time the virus spread to Abeokuta,

Background: The treatment inadequacy and toxicity associated with conventional anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs has called for the search of alternatives from medicinal plants, particularly, their phytochemicals with inherent pharmacological properties. In the present study, purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf was evaluated for antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Method: Antimalarial study was conducted against Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei using 4 days suppressive test, while anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were conducted using egg albumin induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced pain model respectively. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed using serum biochemical parameters following 3 weeks administrations of the purified fraction. Results: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf shows dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with percentage curative effects of 15.24 ± 0.89, 45.70 ± 3.43 and 48.50 ± 4.56 at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg bw against Plasmodium chabaudi and % curative effects of 44.25 ± 3.21, 72.74 ± 6.54 and 76.30 ± 8.32 respectively against Plasmodium berghei. The purified fraction exhibited 53.16 ± 4.09 and 60.76 ± 7.54 anti-inflammatory effect, 43.35 ± 4.98% and 44.83 ± 3.86% analgesic effect at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw respectively. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of 20α)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-24-nor-friedela-1(10),3,5,7-tetraen-carboxylic acid-(29)-methylester, 2(4H)-Benzofuranone, 5,6,7, 7a-tetrahydro-and 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol and a terpenes (phytol) as the major antimalarial compounds in the fraction. The purified fraction increases the serum total proteins and transaminases concentrations but had no effect on serum levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride and glucose in the mice. Conclusion: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf exhibited promising antimalarial, analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. Thus, could serve as a template for the synthesis of new drug.

Background: The treatment inadequacy and toxicity associated with conventional anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs has called for the search of alternatives from medicinal plants, particularly, their phytochemicals with inherent pharmacological properties. In the present study, purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf was evaluated for antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Method: Antimalarial study was conducted against Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei using 4 days suppressive test, while anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were conducted using egg albumin induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced pain model respectively. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed using serum biochemical parameters following 3 weeks administrations of the purified fraction. Results: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf shows dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with percentage curative effects of 15.24 ± 0.89, 45.70 ± 3.43 and 48.50 ± 4.56 at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg bw against Plasmodium chabaudi and % curative effects of 44.25 ± 3.21, 72.74 ± 6.54 and 76.30 ± 8.32 respectively against Plasmodium berghei. The purified fraction exhibited 53.16 ± 4.09 and 60.76 ± 7.54 anti-inflammatory effect, 43.35 ± 4.98% and 44.83 ± 3.86% analgesic effect at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw respectively. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of 20α)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-24-nor-friedela-1(10),3,5,7-tetraen-carboxylic acid-(29)-methylester, 2(4H)-Benzofuranone, 5,6,7, 7a-tetrahydro-and 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol and a terpenes (phytol) as the major antimalarial compounds in the fraction. The purified fraction increases the serum total proteins and transaminases concentrations but had no effect on serum levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride and glucose in the mice. The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf exhibited promising antimalarial, analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. Thus, could serve as a template for the synthesis of new drug.

Herbal medicine is an important age-long resource for healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine the development of herbal medicine in relation to compliance to regulatory guidelines and product development in pursuance of the integration of herbal medicine into the healthcare system in Nigeria. Using Imo State as a case study, a cross-sectional investigation was conducted among the Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) using questionnaires. One Hundred TMPs were administered with questionnaires to determine relevant demographic details, information relating to regulatory guidelines and the quality of finished products. Ninety-eight of the questionnaires were returned completed. Of these, 72% of the TMPs were male. The dominant age of the TMPs was between 25 to 65 years. Over 80% of the TMPs were literate having a minimum of secondary school education. About 86% of the TMPs are herbal medicine practitioners. All the TMPs claimed knowledge of the existence of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as the regulatory authority for herbal medicine. Only 5% had any contact with the agency in relation to product registration, while only 1% of the products owned by the TMPs had NAFDAC registration number. Also, 97% of the TMPs produced only extemporaneous products for their patients, and only 6% have any knowledge on the formulation of some conventional dosage forms. Of the 300 herbal medicines owned by the TMPs, only 8% were presented in conventional dosage forms with appropriate packaging. The few number of herbal medicines registered with NAFDAC reflects the low level of development of herbal medicine in Nigeria. This makes the products unsafe for integration into the healthcare system at the present stage.

Background: The treatment inadequacy and toxicity associated with conventional anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs has called for the search of alternatives from medicinal plants, particularly, their phytochemicals with inherent pharmacological properties. In the present study, purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf was evaluated for antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Method: Antimalarial study was conducted against Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei using 4 days suppressive test, while anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were conducted using egg albumin induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced pain model respectively. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed using serum biochemical parameters following 3 weeks administrations of the purified fraction. Results: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf shows dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with percentage curative effects of 15.24 ± 0.89, 45.70 ± 3.43 and 48.50 ± 4.56 at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg bw against Plasmodium chabaudi and % curative effects of 44.25 ± 3.21, 72.74 ± 6.54 and 76.30 ± 8.32 respectively against Plasmodium berghei. The purified fraction exhibited 53.16 ± 4.09 and 60.76 ± 7.54 anti-inflammatory effect, 43.35 ± 4.98% and 44.83 ± 3.86% analgesic effect at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw respectively. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of 20α)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-24-nor-friedela-1(10),3,5,7-tetraen-carboxylic acid-(29)-methylester, 2(4H)-Benzofuranone, 5,6,7, 7a-tetrahydro-and 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol and a terpenes (phytol) as the major antimalarial compounds in the fraction. The purified fraction increases the serum total proteins and transaminases concentrations but had no effect on serum levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride and glucose in the mice. Conclusion: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf exhibited promising antimalarial, analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. Thus, could serve as a template for the synthesis of new drug.

This study we have conducted an ethnobotanical survey and antimicrobial activity in Tetouan province to identify the use of the famous plant species in traditional medicine : fig tree and Olive and follow-up of antimicrobial activity during three stages for green, pink and black olives and mixing activity of olive and fig extracts. 80 questionnaire sheets were done during April-June 2019, and the method of diffusion was used for the antimicrobial activity.Bacteria and yeasts were used: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli and Candida albicans. The results revealed that 32% of farmers use olive oil for the initial treatment of respiratory diseases, and 22% use it for digestive system problems and 13% use it as a treatment of the nervous system.However, fig tree is used against insect bites, as an inhibitor of the growth of certain cancerous tumors, diabetes and certain viral infections. The ethanol extracts showed good inhibitory effects ag...

Aim: To assess the population&#39;s knowledge of COVID-19 in order to guide future scientific research on the alternative management of this pandemic by Traditional Pharmacopoeia. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in Lisala city (province of Mongala, Democratic Republic of the Congo), from 26 July to 10 August 2020. Methodology: The surveys consisted in drafting a questionnaire beforehand to apprehend the knowledge of COVID-19among the surrounding population. The interview was conducted in Lingala language using stratified proportional random sampling method. Results: A total of 200 people were interviewed in Lisala city. The majority were men (63.0% vs. 37.0%). The majority of the respondents were aged between 26-45 years (51.5%). The majority of the respondents were Ngombe people (43.5%), followed by Budja (21.5%), Mongo (13.0%) and Lokele (7.0%) respectively. The best source of information on the pandemic in Lisala city was the radio (72.5%), followed by the m...

This innovation is remarkable in certain respects. First, it resonates with the revival of interest in herbal healing in modern-day health care delivery. Second, the choice of the mass media channels of radio, television and news magazines as opposed to the traditional channel ...

Context: The flora of the Bouhachem Regional Natural Park has been studied by many botanists and ecologists, but the analysis of the medicinal and economic values of these plants is still weak and poorly documented. Within the framework of this study, further investigations will be carried out into the value of indigenous medicinal plants and the documentation of their ethnopharmacological knowledge. In addition, due to their important socioeconomic role as a second source of income after agriculture, the evaluation of the commercial activity of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) will also be taken into account. Aims: To evaluate the ethnobotanical and commercialized medicinal plants in north region of Morocco in which traditional medicine is widespread. Methods: The uses of medicinal plants in traditional phytotherapy were researched through 700 question cards, in Bni-Leit and Al-Oued districts, which are a part of the Naturel Regional Park of Bouhachem. A series of ethnobotanical, economic and sociocultural surveys/interviews were conducted among the local population in the study area, between March 2014 and July 2016. Results: This Ethnobotanical study identified 101 medicinal plant species belonging to 46 families, of which the most abundant are Lamiaceae (FUV: 1.87). This study also revealed that the leaves are the most used parts of the plant (26%) and that the most remedies are prepared as decoction (27%). Digestive disorders rank first among the diseases treated by these plants with a rate of 21%. Conclusions: The present study shows that the traditional use of medicinal plants still persists and constitutes a very rich heritage in the northern of Morocco. Therefore, this important indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants would be exploited in pharmaceutical research. It reveals that urgent action is needed to promote a sustainable and best practices to reduce the increasing scale of exploitation of AMPs for commercial use and to draw the attention of Park managers to the preservation of these plants from genetic erosion by a rational management.

Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson and Maytenus senegalensis (Lam). Exell are two African medicinal plants used to treat painful and inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the in vivo (per os) anti-inflammatory activity of M. heterophylla leaf, stem and root extracts and of M. senegalensis leaf and stem extracts. Additionally, we assessed their in vivo acute and sub-acute toxicities. Anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extracts were determined in Wistar albino rats, by the carrageenan-induced paw oedema method. Acute and sub-acute toxicity screening of the extracts was evaluated in adult male CD-6 mice. Leaf extracts of M. heterophylla and M. senegalensis exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (120 mg/kg, per os), reducing oedema by 51% and 35%, respectively. While M. heterophylla extracts at 1200 mg/kg have shown to be non-toxic, M. senegalensis extracts indicated some toxicity. Our results show a significant anti-inflammatory effect of both M. heterophylla and M. senegalensis leaf extracts in a local model of acute inflammation and suggest the absence of acute and sub-acute toxicity signs of the M. heterophylla leaf extract (but not of M. senegalensis). Ongoing studies will surely shed some light into the mechanism of action of this active extract and establish its chemical fingerprint.

Despite the fact that before the colonial age, medicine across the tropics was almost entirely confined to traditional remedies and practices tailored to local cultures and natural resources, colonial and post-colonial era medicine left a legacy of marginalisation and downgrading of traditional medicine. The colonial powers promoted their values over traditional practices, establishing modern medicine as officially superior. This marginalisation of traditional medical practices was later reinforced through organised healthcare systems and hospitals built on developed countries’ models.

This paper describes how a Nigeria herbal research institute has successfully modernized herbal medicine and reposition it as a model of a healthy and practical integration of indigenous African medicine with modern allopathic medicine, and what lessons policy makers, healthcare reformers and health specialists can learn from it.

In the present study of ethanolic extract of leaf of Thespesia populnea Linn. (malvaceae) was
screened for anti-inflammatory activity an carrageenan induced paw oedema rats. The effect
was assessed by difference in paw cedema volume, before and after the low and high dose
administration of the extract in rats. Ethanolic extract of Thespesia populnea leaf (100mg/kg
body weight) were administered orally. The acute toxicity studies of oral doses of ethanolic
extract of Thespesia populnea leaf in rats revealed that it has a high safety profile, as the extract
(100mg/kg body weight) was well tolerated by the animals. The results of the study suggest that
the extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity.