Humans are constantly faced with changing environmental conditions which often lead to the production of various free radicals which must be dealt with in order to ensure their survival. 1 Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals, are natural byproducts of the normal metabolism of oxygen in living cells and they play important roles in cell signaling. These ROS also play an integral function in the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic human diseases including atherosclerosis, ageing, cancer, diabetes, immunosuppression and stroke. 2 The human body is equipped with an inherent antioxidative mechanism with which the deleterious effects of the ROS are waded off. These antioxidants such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase help deactivate the damaging effects of free radicals, thereby rendering them incapable of attacking their targets in biological cells. 3, 4 The lack of balance between ROS and the inherent antioxidant potential of the body has necessitated the use of dietary and/or herbal supplements especially during the occurrence
Background:Diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to pose a major global health threat with serious economic burden in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. This condition is often worsened with accompanying comorbidities, further putting a strain on patient wellbeing. Medicinal plants are not only effective in DM, but some of them are also have beneficial effects on accompanying disease states. Such plants may be appropriate alternatives or adjuncts to available antidiabetic medications. This study aimed at accessing and documenting the medicinal plants used in four local government of southwestern Nigeria for the management of diabetes and its comorbidities.Methods:Semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from traditional medical practitioners, village elders and herb sellers. The data obtained were analyzed and discussed in relation to previously published literature. Fifty-three respondents mostly males (77.4%) provided information on medicinal plants useful for the management of diabetes and its comorbidities.Results:A total of 77 medicinal plants belonging to 76 genera in 44 plant families were mentioned in the survey. In particular, 53 medicinal plants are mentioned for managing diabetes, 35 for hypertension, 28 for stroke, 17 for heart diseases and 25 for obesity. The most frequently cited plant family was Leguminosae (12%), followed by Euphorbiaceae (8%). The frequently used plant species includesVernonia amygdalina, Citrus aurantifolia, Viscum album, Carica papaya, Allium sativum. It is interesting to note that only Citrus aurantifoliawas mentioned severally for the management of the five ailments. The herbal recipes, methods of herbal preparation and administration were also recorded.Conclusions:The survey shows that a significant number ofmedicinal plants are used for the management of diabetes and its comorbidities in the study area. These plants, apart from their hypoglycemic activity, may be useful against the most common complications of DM and may provide strategies for the development of less expensive therapies especially in low income communities.
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to pose a major global health threat with serious economic burden in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. This condition is often worsened as most diabetic patients have other accompanying comorbidities such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease and obesity, further putting a strain on their wellbeing. In spite of the several orthodox medicines for the treatment of diabetes and its comorbidities, complication arising from the use of such agents have limited therapeutic success. It is therefore imperative to search for safer alternative and affordable treatment options from plants. This study aimed at accessing and documenting the medicinal plants used in four local government areas of South-Western Nigeria for the management of diabetes and its comorbidities. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from traditional medical practitioners, village elders and herb sellers. The data obtained were analyzed and discussed in relation to previously published literature. Fifty-three respondents mostly males (77.4%) provided information on medicinal plants useful for the management of diabetes and its comorbidities. A total of 77 medicinal plants used concomitantly belonging to 44 plant families were mentioned by the respondents. 53 medicinal plants are being used for managing diabetes, 35 for hypertension, 28 for stroke, 17 for heart diseases and 25 for obesity. The frequently used plant species were Vernonia amygdalina Delile with use-mention-index (UMi) of 0.208, Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (UMi 0.170), Viscum album L. (UMi 0.151), Carica papaya L. (UMi 0.151) and Allium sativum L. (UMi 0.132). Citrus aurantifolia was the only plant mentioned for the management of the five ailments. Most diabetic patients often have one or more accompanying comorbidities. A safe and efficacious single herbal preparation that can manage both diabetes and its comorbidities may provide scientific breakthrough and relief from the side effects associated with the use of different synthetic drugs that is often experienced by sufferers of DM with accompanying comorbidities.
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