Polyphenol Rich Nutritional Supplement Derived from the West African <em>Sorghum Bicolor</em> Leaf Sheaths Has Evidence-Based Efficacy and Health Promoting Effects

Abstract

Across different cultures around the globe, human beings have historically depended largely on medicinal plants for managing diseases that have hitherto threatened their optimal health, survival, and longevity. Evidently, the health-derived benefits of medicinal plants can be strongly attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites, particularly polyphenols. The health-promoting effects of Sorghum bicolor supplement Jobelyn&amp;reg; (SBSJ) &amp;mdash;a unique supplement derived from the leaf sheaths of a West African variety of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench&amp;mdash;have also been ascribed to its high levels of polyphenols. This review seeks to gather and synthesize findings from various experimental and clinical studies on the health benefits of SBSJ in arthritis, cancer, chronic viral infections, stroke, anaemia, and aging. SBSJ has been reported to contain potent bioactive polyphenolic compounds with polyvalent biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, chemopreventive, and neuroprotective activities. Moreover, the probable benefits of SBSJ in chronic viral infections (e.g., HIV/AIDS and COVID-19) have been attributed to its potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. As this supplement is increasingly becoming one of the fastest-selling herbal medicines in Nigeria, there is a need for more robust studies (including clinical trials) in order to replicate and validate the prior insights gleaned from experimental studies.

The effects of Sorghum bicolor leaf stalk (SBLS) on the bacterial quality of Ogi produced from maize (Zea mays)

“…While the increase in crude fibre is important as it aids digestions, bowel movement and prevents colon cancer. The presence of high percentage of carbohydrate in both fortified and unfortified Ogi with SBLS agrees with previous studies byOlajuwon et al (2022) which shows that Ogi contains about 77 % of carbohydrate which is a great source for healthy carbohydrate content and is a good source of energy that is beneficial to all age groups.…”

Leveraging human–mouse studies to advance the genetics of hearing impairment in Africa

“…Africa is enriched with pharmacological agents that target various diseases, [82][83][84][85][86][87][88] and they can produce supportive roles for gene therapy treatments to produce precision treatments. Precision medicine aims to tailor treatment specific to an individual, or groups of patients sharing the same disease characteristics, and it relies on the use of diagnostic testing, studies and analysis to find accurate treatments.…”