Ethno-Medicinal Plants and Methods used by Gwandara Tribe of Sabo Wuse in Niger State; Nigeria; to Treat Mental Ilness

The Gwandara people of Sabo Wuse in Niger State; Nigeria are the original inhabitants of Wuse in Abuja Municipal Area Council. They were resettled at this present location of Sabo Wuse from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja when the seat of government moved from Lagos to Abuja 30 years ago. Sabo Wuse still remains relatively a remote settlement and their lifestyle unchanged. They still depend to a large extent on their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants to treat ailments. Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to identify and document methods traditionally utilized for treatment of mental illness and to expand the quality and quantity of information for research and development especially in the area of new drug discovery and development. About sixty seven (67) Traditional Medicine Practitioners were interviewed orally with use of questionnaire. From our survey; various methods were found to be used by the traditional medicine practitioners to treat mental illness and associated disorders. These include music; incantations and medicinal plants in various formulations - decoction; powder; infusion - which are administered in various ways like fumigation; inhalation; bathing; steaming and drinking. Eighteen plant species belonging to twelve different families were documented to be included in these therapies. In conclusion; there is an array of plants used locally to treat mental illness and it is recommended that such surveys should be funded and leads for drugs to treat mental illness obtained from such; at the same time documenting our indigenous knowledge

Ethno-Medical Plants and Methods Used by Gwandara Tribe of Sabo Wuse in Niger State; Nigeria; to Treat Mental Illness

The Gwandara people of Sabo Wuse in Niger State; Nigeria are the original inhabitants of Wuse in Abuja Municipal Area Council. They were resettled at this present location of Sabo Wuse from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja when the seat of government moved from Lagos to Abuja 30 years ago. Sabo Wuse still remains relatively a remote settlement and their lifestyle unchanged. They still depend to a large extent on their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants to treat ailments. Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to identify and document methods traditionally utilized for treatment of mental illness and to expand the quality and quantity of information for research and development especially in the area of new drug discovery and development. About sixty seven (67) Traditional Medicine Practitioners were interviewed orally with use of questionnaire. From our survey; various methods were found to be used by the traditional medicine practitioners to treat mental illness and associated disorders. These include music; incantations and medicinal plants in various formulations - decoction; powder; infusion - which are administered in various ways like fumigation; inhalation; bathing; steaming and drinking. Eighteen plant species belonging to twelve different families were documented to be included in these therapies. In conclusion; there is an array of plants used locally to treat mental illness and it is recommended that such surveys should be funded and leads for drugs to treat mental illness obtained from such; at the same time documenting our indigenous knowledge

Anti-Trypanosomal potential of momordica balsamina Linn Fruit Pulp extract against Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection

The search for new trypanocides has not been keenly pursued due to high cost of design and development with no promise of financial returns. Momordica balsamina fruit pulp extract was screened for antitrypanosomal activity in experimental T. brucei brucei infection in rabbits. The extract was administered prior to parasite inoculation; 24 hours post parasite inoculation and on establishment of infection. The treatment was by oral administration of the extract at 500 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Parasitaemia was monitored daily while body weight and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined before commencement of studies and subsequently at weekly intervals for 28 days. TThe result showed a significant (P0.05) delay in the establishment of T. b. brucei infection in rabbits treated at 24 hours post parasite inoculation. Packed cell volume also increased significantly (P0.05) in all treated groups when compared to the untreated group (control). This was less in the group treated on establishment of infection. Administration of the extract to the curative group resulted in body weight gain. The other groups suffered weight loss. The infected but not treated group died at day 39 post infection while those treated before parasite inoculation; 24 hours post parasite inoculation; and on the establishment of infection survived for 45 days;53 days; and 61 days respectively. We conclude that M. balsamina pulp extract reduces anaemia in experimentally infected rabbits