Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the stem bark of Nauclea latifolia

Abstract

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in South-east part of Nigeria. One approach towards control and eradication of this disease is acquiring and conservation of medicinal plant knowledge that helped the past generations survive before emergency of orthodox medicine. To identify and document medicinal plants used as single or in combination in ethno-medical management of malaria in South-east part of Nigeria using randomly selected towns in Nsukka political government areas, Enugu state as case study. The survey was carried out between July and October 2015. The inclusive criteria targeted more of traditional healers that consult and prescribe medicinal plants than herb sellers. Semi-structured questionnaire was employed for the study. A total of 45 indigenous respondents were interviewed. The respondents had good knowledge of symptoms of malaria. A total of 45 plant species belonging to 30 families and 1 unidentified were recorded. The plants were used as mono- and/or poly-herbal therapies. The parts of the plants commonly utilized were the leaves followed by barks and root. Tubers and fruits were rarely mentioned during this survey, while flowers and bulb were not mentioned. Decoctions and infusions were the most popular modes of preparation; however oral route was the principal route of drug administration. Most of the plants have been reported elsewhere for the management of fever, pain and malaria however two plants were mentioned here as possible antimalarial agent for the first time to the best of the authors’ knowledge. The most frequently cited plants in both single and poly herbal recipes were Nauclea latifolia > Uvaria chamae > Cleistopholis patens > Morinda lucida as indicated by the evaluation index used. This study will serve as a step towards conservation of information on antimalarial value of some medicinal plants in South-east country side of Nigeria. Keywords: Nsukka senatorial zone, Enugu State, Malaria, poly-herbal, conservation