The West African&nbsp;<em>Sorghum Bicolor </em>Leaf Sheath Extract Jobelyn&reg; and Its Diverse Therapeutic Potentials

Abstract

The West-African variety of Sorghum bicolor leaf sheath (SBLS) Jobelyn® is a natural remedy, which has gained international recognition for its anti-anaemic effect and energy boosting qualities in debilitating diseases. The widespread use of traditional medicine in the region usually confirms its safety, but not its efficacy or deep assessment of their pharmacological properties. The other major issue for herbal-based treatments is the lack of definite and complete information about the composition of the extracts. Despite limitations, efforts have been made in isolation and characterisation of active compounds in this specie of Sorghum showing various subclasses of flavonoids including apigeninidin, a stable 3-deoxyanthocyanidin and potential fungal growth inhibitor, which accounts for 84% of the total extract. Nonclinical in vitro and in vivo studies support previous indications that this variety of Sorghum bicolor possesses several biologically active compounds with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and neuro-protective properties. Clinical studies show that SBLS has the ability to boost haemoglobin concentrations in anaemic conditions and most remarkably to increase CD4 count in HIV-positive patients. The multiple effects and high safety profiles of this extract may encourage its development as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of anemia, chronic inflammatory conditions or in the symptomatic management of HIV infections. This review describes the potential therapeutic aspects of SBLS extract and its potential benefits.

Finding Use for Sorghum Bicolor Leaf Sheath in Coating Technology

“…►Table 1 shows the organoleptic properties of SBLS, which were all in agreement with established findings from reported works. [1][2][3]…”

“…11 Besides, more than half of SBLS powders were approximately 250 µm in size (►Fig. 1), suggesting that the particles of the powders will have more cohesive force than gravitational force and are more bound together. 9 Tableting Properties A summary of the physicochemical/tableting properties of tablets coated with or without 3, 5, 7.5% aqueous solution of SBLS extract is presented in ►Table 2.…”

“…2 Leaf sheath and its extract have a wide range of bioactivities, such as antimalarial, anthelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune booster, hepatoprotective, hematopoietic, nutritional supplement, and insecticide, and acts as a therapy for managing anemia, sickle cell disease, and human immunodeficiency virus. 1 Aside its medicinal use, the intense dark brown color extracted from the leaf sheath is used to dye basket, goat skins, textiles, grass mats, wool, mud houses, and as body paint. 1 It is also used in potteries as a binder in the northern part of Nigeria.…”

“…1 Aside its medicinal use, the intense dark brown color extracted from the leaf sheath is used to dye basket, goat skins, textiles, grass mats, wool, mud houses, and as body paint. 1 It is also used in potteries as a binder in the northern part of Nigeria. S. bicolor leaf sheath (SBLS) is 22% cellulose fiber, and is an agricultural waste that is available all year round.…”

“…It was then transported throughout Africa and through trade routes to the Middle East and India, from where it was carried to Asia along the silk route and introduced to Americas by the slave trade. 1 It is believed to have been in cultivation since 5000 BCE. Sorghum is the fifth most populous grain after rice, wheat, maize, and barley, and is believed to be a source of cereal to over 300 million people globally.…”