Posted by admin on May 31, 2024 in |
Medicinal plants have been used as therapeutic relief agents in many Zambian societies. Up to date, it has been statistically approximated that more than 70% of the Zambian population still relies heavily on medicinal plants as sources of pain relief, mainly because of shortage of medications in hospitals and the limited access to health care facilities. These medicinal plants are effective in the management of various illnesses owing to the secondary metabolites that offer defensive mechanism against pathogens. Aside from the fact that most medicinal plants indigenous to Zambia are yet to be profiled to affirm they potency experimentally, there still remains a limited compilation of the very few that have been profiled. This study thus, aimed to review the scientific literature on Phytochemistry, pharmacologic studies conducted and while also reviewing in detail the ethnobotanical studies carried out on some of the medicinal plants. This knowledge is of tremendous importance to future and current Zambian researchers in drug development, in their effort to identify lead or novel plant-based drugs...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2024 in |
Irvingia gabonensis is a plant popularly used for both medicinal and dietary purposes. The planthave been used to treat various diseases like diabetes, inflammation, alopecia, fever and ulcers. The study was aimed at evaluating some pharmacognostic fingerprints and molecular DNA barcoding of the stembark. The pharmacognostic fingerprint analysis of the stembark was carried out using standard procedures while the molecular DNA barcoding was done using automated DNA extraction and barcoding by the polymerase chain reaction machine. The organoleptic evaluation showed that the greyish brown stembark of I. gabonensis has a strong bitter taste, acrid odour and slightly coarse to the touch. Chemomicroscopic evaluations reveal the presence of cellulose, suberin, lignin, mucilage, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and tannins. The transverse section of the stembark showed bicollateral vascular bundle, beaded hexagonal shaped cork cells, fibre sclereids with wide cell lumen, non-striated eccentric oval shaped aggregate starch grains, and wide pith as observed under the scanning electron microscope. The moisture content was 5.13 ± 0.11 w/w %, total ash was 18.58 ±...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2024 in |
Since ancient times, natural plants have been a key source of pharmaceuticals. The therapeutic elements found in plants are crucial in the management of a wide range of illnesses. They provided a plentiful supply of the active phytochemical components needed to produce a range of biological activities. One of the valuable therapeutic plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family is the watery rose apple, scientifically known as Syzigium aqueum. The plant is indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia. Because the fruit of the plant has a high water content, it is also known as water cherry, water apple, and water jamboo, among other names. The phytochemical elements found in abundance in the plant’s parts are primarily responsible for producing a range of biological activities. The herb is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat a range of illnesses. Therefore, the primary goal of this review is to highlight the many sections of the Syzigium aqueum plant and its origin, distribution, phytochemical ingredients, nutritional value, traditional uses, health advantages and pharmacological...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2024 in |
Ficus racemose linn is a popular medicinal plant in India, which has long been used in Ayurveda, the ancient system of Indian medicine, for various diseases/disorders including diabetes, liver disorders, inflammatory conditions, respiratory and urinary diseases. Ficus species possessed a broad range of biological properties including antiepileptic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, Natural radioprotector, memory enhancing, antiulcer, antipyretic, antifertility, antitumorigenic, anti-thyroid, antiobesity, antinociceptive activities. A wide range of phytochemical constituents have been identified and isolated from various parts of Ficus...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2024 in |
Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus spp.) or pitaya, belonging to the family Cactaceae is an exotic fruit known for its prominent flavour and versatility of its health benefits. With a wide variety of its species, this tropical fruit stands out for its low maintenance, higher yield, and remarkable resilience, making it a lucrative option for cultivation. It’s a rich source of antioxidants, exhibiting a spectrum of nutritional profile comprising of essential nutrients and phytochemicals like proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibres, vitamins, minerals, alkaloids, oils, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and steroids. Consumption of dragon fruit offers numerous health benefits including regulation of blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes, bolstering heart health, strong bones and immune system, accelerated wound healing and improved carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, dragon fruit has also shown antibacterial, antifungal, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and antiplatelet activity with significant results. This comprehensive review delves into the medicinal benefits and myriad nutraceutical value of dragon fruit. In addition, the review also portrays the history, biological source, geographical habitat, collection, cultivation of pitaya along with...
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