AReviewof Selected Medicinal Plantswith Potential Health Benefitsin South-Eastern Nigeria
AReviewof Selected Medicinal Plantswith Potential Health Benefitsin South-Eastern Nigeria
AReviewof Selected Medicinal Plantswith Potential Health Benefitsin South-Eastern Nigeria
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Review Article
A Review of Selected Medicinal Plants with
Potential Health Benefits in South-Eastern Nigeria
I. Elekwa*, AE. Ugbogu, SC. Okereke and E. Okezie
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu. Abia State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants and plant-derived medicines are widely used in treatment of various diseases all over
the world. Medicinal plants are of socio-economic importance to the rural population both as a source
of raw material for health care remedies and as a source of income. They are equally growing popular
in modern societies as natural alternatives to synthetic drugs. Today, it is estimated that more than
three quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for better health care.
Increase in population, inadequate supply of orthodox drugs, prohibitive cost of treatments, side and
toxic effects of many synthetic drugs, resistance of some diseases to synthetic drugs have led to
increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as main sources of medicine for a wide variety of
human diseases. Most medicinal plants are used as hypolipidemic, anti-ulcerogenic, abortifacient,
contraceptive, antihypertensive, treatment of skin diseases, wound healers, antimicrobial, anti-cancer
and anti-diabetics etc. This review therefore highlights the health benefits of selected medicinal plants
used mainly in South-Eastern Nigeria for treatment of various ailments.
activities and the plants thus find their agricultural produce available in large
medicinal importance due to presence of the quantities in Western Africa. It is found grown
respective phytochemical constituents (Zeb et in the rain forests and served in almost all
al. 2014). For instance saponins have the Nigerian homes as adjunct or supplement to
ability to treat different disease conditions and the true kolanuts in ceremonies, occasions
serve as antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and complimentary visits. Bitter kola is used in
antitumor, antioxidant, antiplasmodiasis and as the treatment of cough, diarrhoea, tuberculosis
antihelminthic. Plants also contain other and other bacterial infections as it has very
compounds such as morphine, atropine, potent antibiotic features (Obute, 2005). It
codeine, steroids, lactones and volatile oils, helps to detoxify the system and can be
which possess medical values for the chewed immediately after eating any
treatment of different diseases. In recent suspected bacteria contaminated food.
years, these active principles have been Bitter kola has an anti-poison property. The
extracted and used in different forms such as plant has a hypoglycaemic effect as it reduces
infusions, syrups, concoctions, decoctions, plasma glucose level by aiding the beta cells
infused oils, essential oils, ointments and of Islet of the Langerhans of the pancreas
creams. perform its hypoglycaemic function. Garcina
The clinical success of quinine and quinidine kola contains some bioactive compounds like
isolated from the Cinchona tree bark and terpenes and saponins which have also been
recently artemisinin from Artemisia annuain noted to be effective in the treatment of
used in the treatment of malaria, which have inflamed or ulcerated tissues.
rekindled interest in medicinal plants as
potential sources of novel drugs (Igoli et al. Gongronema latifolium (Utazi)
2005). Today artemisinin based combination Gongronema latifolium is a climbing shrub with
therapy is recognized as drug of choice for a broad, heart-shaped leaf and its leaves are
treatment of malaria (WHO, 2006). Also, the bitter in taste. It is commonly called ‘Utazi’ and
numerous advantages of herbal medicine such ‘arokeke’ in South Eastern and South Western
as low-cost, affordability, ready availability, parts of Nigeria respectively. It is a tropical
accessibility, acceptability and low toxicity are rainforest plant primarily used as a spice and
ready sources of medical power. However, the vegetable in traditional folklore medicine. It has
various disadvantages of the practices which been used traditionally in South Eastern part of
include; lack of adequate scientific proof, Nigeria for the management of diseases such
imprecise diagnosis and dosage, as diabetes and high blood pressure.
unstandardized medicines and occultic Phytochemical analysis of the leaf extract of
practices can also be resolved. the plants shows the presence of essential oil,
Medicinal plants play vital roles in disease saponins, and alkaloids, while the minerals
prevention and their promotion and use fit into estimation reveals calcium, phosphorous,
all existing prevention strategies. However, magnesium, copper and potassium.
conscious efforts need to be made to properly Gongronema latifolium exhibits the following
identify, recognise and position medicinal herbal actions:- Analgesic, anti-tumour, broad
plants in the design and implementation of spectrum antimicrobial (antibacterial,
these strategies. This present reviews antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral),
therefore shows the already identified and well antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
documented Nigerian medicinal plants, the antiulcer, anti-sickling, anti-asthmatic, mild
benefits and limitations associated with their expectorant, hypoglycaemic , hypolipidemic,
usage as they portend great promise for the hepatoprotective, digestive tonic and laxative
treatment of several diseases. properties. It stimulates the flow of bile and
Medicinal plants are known to contain appetite for food and enhances the activities of
substances which could be used for treatment the pancreas, regulates plasma glucose and
purposes or used to produce drugs (Sofowara, promotes the detoxification actions of the liver
1999). Many of such plants are known to be (Alagwu et al. 2014).
used primitively to alleviate symptoms. The In Southern part of Nigeria, especially among
medicinal value of some plants lie in some the people of Southeast and south-south, the
chemical substances that produce definite leaves of these herbs are used commonly for
physiological actions in the human body. nutritional purposes, including spice and
Examples of these most important medicinal vegetable to garnish some special local
plants are discussed below. delicacies, such as ‘Isiewu’, ‘Nkwobi’,
‘Abacha/ugba’ (African Salad), ‘Ofe Nsala’
Garcina kola (Henkel) (White Soup), unripe plantain porridge etc,
It is commonly called bitter kola and in Igbo because of its sharp-bitter and sweet taste. In
language as ‘akilu’. This is a popular many local ‘joints’, where people enjoy Isiewu,
Nkwobi and African Salad with palm wine or Papaya is a power house of nutrients and is
beer, the leaves are usually added to these available throughout the year. It is a rich
delicacies to help prevent drunkenness or source of three powerful non enzymic
hangover. antioxidants;-, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and
The leaves are believed to neutralize the Vitamin E; the Minerals include;-, Magnesium
intoxicating properties of alcohol and its and Potassium; the B vitamin include;,
harmful effects on the liver. Medicinally, its Pantothenic acid and folate, and fibre. In
leaves and stems infusion or decoction is addition, it contains a digestive enzyme
used in the home treatment of digestive papain, aids in remedying causes of trauma,
problems, such as loss of appetite, dyspepsia, allergies and sport injuries. All the nutrients of
colic and stomach ache, constipation, papaya as a whole improve Cardiovascular-
dysentery and intestinal worms. It lowers system i.e. protects against heart diseases,
plasma glucose level and high blood pressure heart attacks, strokes and prevent Colon
in diabetic and hypertensive patients Cancer. The fruit is an excellent source of beta
respectively. It can also be employed in the Carotene that prevents damage caused by
cleansing of the womb and treating of free radicals that may cause some forms of
abdominal pain after child birth. It prevents cancer by its trigger of the oncogenes. It is
liver damage associated with alcoholism and reported that it helps in the prevention of
viral hepatitis. It is also helpful in treating diabetic-heart disease. Papaya lowers high
malaria, releases cough, wheezing and cholesterol levels as it is a good source of
asthmatic attacks. dietary fibre (Yogiraj et al. 2014).
Papaya effectively treats and improves all
Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) types of digestive and abdominal disorders. It
The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina are green is a medicine for dyspepsia, hyperacidity,
with a characteristic odour and bitter taste. dysentery and constipation. It helps in the
Vernonia amygdalina is a valuable medicinal digestion of proteins as it is a rich source of
plant that is widespread in West Africa. It is proteolytic enzymes. Papain found in papaya
known as bitter leaf due to its characteristic acts as a meat tenderizer. This papain
bitter taste and flavour and can be used as an (digestive enzyme) is extracted, dried as
active anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-malarial powder and used as an aid in digestion. It is
and anti-parasitic agent. This plant contains reported that papaya prevents premature
complex active components that are aging. This may be attributed to poor digestion
pharmacologically useful in a living system. In which impairs nutrients from being distributed
ethnomedicine, the roots and leaves are used evenly in our body. The fruit is regarded as a
to treat fever, hiccups, kidney problems and remedy for abdominal disorders. The skin of
stomach discomfort. Many West African papaya works as a best medicine for wounds
countries like Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria (Yogiraj et al. 2014).
use the stem and root as chewing sticks The nutritional values of papaya help to
(Burkill, 1985). It is also documented that V. prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Papaya is
amygdalina has been traditionally used in rich in iron and calcium; a good source of
blood clotting and has elicited a substantial Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The extract of
reduction in the level of glucose in the blood at unripe Carica papaya contains terpenoids,
post- prandial time examination. Fasola et al. alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates,
(2011) reported that V. amygdalina has glycosides, saponins and steroids.
hypoglycaemic activity. They observed a close Pharmacological activities include
dependent reduction in fasting blood sugar Dengue fever: Papaya leaf juice
level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats after helps to increase the number of white
treatment with different concentrations of the blood cells, and platelets which
aqueous leaf extracts. Yedjou et al. (2008) normalizes clotting and repairs the
also demonstrated that V. amygdalina leaf liver.
extracts as a DNA-damaging of cancer agent Cancer cell growth inhibition:
in the management of breast cancer. Recent research on papaya leaf tea
extract has demonstrated cancer cell
Carica papaya (paw-paw) growth inhibition. It appears to boost
Papaya, botanical name Carica papaya, is a the production of key signaling
lozenge tropical fruit often seen in orange-red, molecules called T helper 1-type
yellow-green and yellow-orange hues, with a Cytokines, which helps in regulating
rich orange pulp. The fruit is not only delicious the immune system.
and healthy, but whole plant parts, fruits, roots, Antimalarial and antiplasmodal
bark, peel, seeds and pulp are also known to activity: Papaya leaves are made into
have medicinal properties. tea as a treatment for malaria.
Common/vernacular Parts
S/NO Botanical name Medicinal use References
Name use
Acanthus Agameebu (igbo), Leaves are used for treatment of boil on
1 Leaves Obute, 2005
montanus Edule imemein (ljaw) the finger, also used in treatment of cough.
Kutama et al.
The decoction of the leaves is used to treat
2 Acanthus spp Inyinyi ogwu (Igbo) Leaves 2015
boils and chesty coughs.
Used as food spice to boost metabolism,
Afromomum calm indigestion, heartburn, intestinal Obute, 2005
3 Ose oji Seeds
melagueta infection, antihelmintic, Purgative, increase
breast milk and boost fertility.
Sap is used in the preparation of a lotion
4 Agave sisalana Udo-akpa (lgbo) for the treatment of local inflammatory sap ”
conditions.
Decoction of plant is a remedy for
Ageratum Agadi nwanyi isi awo abdominal pains. Leaf juice is used for Obute, 2005
5 Leaves
conyzoides (lgbo), imi esu (Yoruba). dressing wounds, ulcers and other skin
diseases.
Used as a remedy for cough. Leaves used
Kutama et al.
Alchornea Ubu (lgbo), lpa (Yoruba), to relieve drunkenness. Leaf decoction
6 Leaves. 2015
cordifolia Mbom (Efik) used to treat toothache and ulcers. Pulped
root taken for gonorrhoea.
In combination with ginger and uziza, it
Garlic, Aayu (Yoruba), helps to cleanse the blood. It is used in the Kutama et al.
7 Allium sativum Ayo (lgbo), treatment of hypertension. The powder is Bulb 2015
Tafarnuuwa(Hausa). rubbed as counter irritant for the skin and
ulcer.
The bark and leaves are used for malaria,
Stool wood, Eghu (lgbo),
asthma and pains. The root-bark is chewed Leaves Obute, 2005
8 Alstonia boonei Awun (Yoruba), Ukpo
frequently to induce maturity and and bark
(Efik).
development of breast.
Used as tonic for hot/discomforting
Lnine ogwu (lgbo), Kutama et al.
Amaranthus stomach. Roots used for treatment of Leaves
9 Ruku’bu (Hausa), Tete 2015
spinosus STDs. The leaves are used as poultice for and roots
kekere (Yoruba).
boils.
Anarcadium Bark and
10 Cashew The bark and leaves are used as diuretic. Obute, 2005
occidentale leaves
Kutama et al.
Anchomanes Aroids, Akasi- Used for re-conditioning of the health in
11 2015
difformis Okanamgba (lgbo). elderly people.
Asclepsias Whole
12 Okazi (lgbo). Used for treatment of measles in children. ”
lineolata plant.
Extracts of roots and bark are anti-fungal,
anti-bacterial, antihelminthes, leaf Bark,
Azadirachta Nwachukwu et
13 Neem/Dogoyaro decoction and infusion for chicken pox, leaves
indica al. 2010
small pox and malaria. Twig chewed for and roots
toothache.
Decoction of the leaves is taken as a tonic
Majibi (Hausa), Leaves
and also in the treatment of fever. Leaf Nwachukwu et
14 Baphia nitida Abosi(lgbo), Ubara and
juice is applied to sore eyes as drop and al. 2010
(Efik), Otau (Benin). roots.
for constipation.
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