ABSTRACT
Aim: Asthma is a condition that affects the airways in human lungs. It causes its (lungs) inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Conventional therapies used in its management are expensive and have been found to come with undesirable side effects. The use of herbal remedies in treating the disease is widespread especially in local communities with little or no access to primary health care. This indigenous knowledge on the cure of asthma is gradually being lost among the populace. This study is aimed at documenting local remedies used in the management of asthma. Methodology: Ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Federal Capital Territory (FCT)- Abuja and surrounding communities, among Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs), Herb’s sellers and elderly in the community using semi-structured questionnaire and interview methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ethnobotany index. Results: 80 respondents were interviewed, 58 of them laid claims to knowledge about medicinal plants used in asthma management. Majority of the respondents are Traditional Medicine Practitioners (48%). 59 plants species belonging to 38 plant families was documented with most belonging to the Moraceae plant family (10%). The recipes mentioned were mostly prepared as decoctions which are taken orally with a case of two being by smoking and inhalation. Conclusion: This study has shown that the Federal Capital Territory and settlements within its environ are blessed with medicinal plants used in the management of asthma which serve as a cheap and alternative source of remedy for the local populace and as well, being a repository for scientific inquest that may lead to yet another drug discovery from plant origin used in the management of asthma.
ABSTRACT
Grewia gum has been evaluated as a binder in paracetamol tablet formulations. Compressional properties of the formulations were analyzed using density measurements and the compression equations of Heckel and Kawakita as assessment parameters. Formulations containing Grewia gum as a binder show a slower onset and lower amount of plastic deformation than those containing PVP. The Db values for formulations containing Grewia gum; increased with increased concentration up to 4w/w. Formulations containing Grewia gum were also found to exhibit higher degree of packing than those containing PVP. Yield values for formulations containing Grewia gum was found to be at variance with the binder concentration. The values increased between 1 and 2w/w and decreased between 2 and 4w/w. A linear relationship was found to exist between N/C and N for formulations containing Grewia gum at all concentrations. Grewia gum was found to improve the fluidity of paracetamol granulation better than PVP. This study suggests that Grewia gum compares favorably with the standard binder PVP used hence could be a useful substitute binder in paracetamol tablet formulations