CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
In the developing countries such as Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and Cameron over
80% of the population, especially in the rural areas rely on traditional/ herbal medication
for their health care delivery (Singh, 2004). Sofowora (2008) pointed out that dependence
on herbal drugs for treating different ailments in rural areas was caused by the absence of
orthodox medical doctors, low cost of the services rendered by the herbalists, and above
all, the herbalists quickly attend to their patients, unlike in the hospitals where protocols
bore down the patients before they (Patients) are given attention. Sofowora (1982)
reported that every ailment has a cure in plants. The author further reported that in
traditional medicinal practice, different parts of the plants are used either singly or in
combination with other plant parts (The same plant or some other plant species) (Singh,
2006).
The appraisal of the roles of herbal drugs in health care delivery resulted in
several declarations which led to the acceptance and encouragement of the development
and use of herbal/ medicinal plants of known ethno-botanic origin by the World Health
Organization (Paridhavi and Agrawal, 2007). Since the recognition of herbal drugs in
treating diverse ailments, many advanced countries like; India, China, Prince Edward
Island, etc. have documented the medicinal plants in their forests. Most of the identified
medicinal plants have been biotechnologically exploited in the production of various
types of drugs in the forms of concoctions, balms, powders, syrups, tablets, capsules and
injections (Kannaiyan, 2005; Singh, 2006 and Paridhavi and Agrawal, 2007).
Singh (2004) and Singh (2006) reported that twenty best selling drugs developed
and marketed globally by the United States of America were derived from plant
bioactives. Currently, countless herbal drugs produced in developed countries like India
and China are massively exported to the developing countries.
Nigeria is endowed with numerous medicinal plant species locally used in treating
diverse ailments (Carlson et al., 1987; Adjanaboun et al., 1993; Okafor and Ham, 1999;
Carlson and King, 2000; Sofowora, 2008). Several authors have reported some of the
ailments/diseases that can be cured with herbal drugs (Khwaja et al 1986; Kleijnen and
Knipschild, 1994; Newal et al., 1996 and Swanson-Flatt et al., 1989).
. These include: high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcer, constipation, rheumatism,
hemorrhage, chest pain, blindness, acute headache, wounds, sore throat, cough, eczema,
venereal diseases, infertility, low sperm count, arthritis, etc. (Osadebe and Ukwueze,
2004; Awono and Obot, 2008; Sofowora, (2008). Carlson and King (2000) revealed that
plant parts used in traditional medicine include leaves, bark, wood, root and flowers.
Carlson and King (2000) also reported that plant parts used in traditional medicine could
be obtained from one plant or a combination of different parts of plant species. Sofowora
(2008) reported that the effectiveness of the plant parts largely depends on the period and
manner of collection. Several reports have shown that some plants have wide spectrum
effects, thus can be used in curing many diseases. Some of such plants include; mistletoe
(Osadebe and Ukwueze, 2004; Anon, 2005; Osadebe et al., 2012), Moringa oleifera
(Onwuliri and Dawang, 2006) etc.
Following the contribution of medicinal plants to the socio-economy of nations,
the advanced countries that biotechnologically exploited their medicinal plants have
identified, documented and conserved their medicinal plants to ensure that they
(Medicinal plants) can sustain industrial activities. Moran et al.,(2001) reported that
biotechnological exploitation of medicinal plants and disposal of their products contribute
significantly in generation of substantial revenue to nations as well as the rural dwellers
on whose land the plants are found, and also to the companies that biotechnologically
process the plants. Kannaiyan (2005) and Singh (2006) reported that exploitation of the
medicinal plants creates a lot of job opportunities, helps to assemble intellectuals from
different disciplines, and provides training opportunities for young intellectuals. It is
expected that the developing countries like Nigeria can also benefit like the advanced
countries when the medicinal plants in their forests are fully identified, documented,
conserved, well researched upon and biotechnologically exploited. Of all the medicinal
plant species in Nigerian forests that urgently need proper and extensive research
attention for its biotechnological exploitation, drum stick/mistletoe (Loranthus
micranthus),reported to be medicinally multipotential (Osadebe and ukwueze, 2004;
Obatomi et al.,1996; Nzekwe et al.,2009; Omeje et al., 2011) quickly comes to mind
hence has been chosen for this study.
1.1 INTRODUCTION
In the developing countries such as Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and Cameron over
80% of the population, especially in the rural areas rely on traditional/ herbal medication
for their health care delivery (Singh, 2004). Sofowora (2008) pointed out that dependence
on herbal drugs for treating different ailments in rural areas was caused by the absence of
orthodox medical doctors, low cost of the services rendered by the herbalists, and above
all, the herbalists quickly attend to their patients, unlike in the hospitals where protocols
bore down the patients before they (Patients) are given attention. Sofowora (1982)
reported that every ailment has a cure in plants. The author further reported that in
traditional medicinal practice, different parts of the plants are used either singly or in
combination with other plant parts (The same plant or some other plant species) (Singh,
2006).
The appraisal of the roles of herbal drugs in health care delivery resulted in
several declarations which led to the acceptance and encouragement of the development
and use of herbal/ medicinal plants of known ethno-botanic origin by the World Health
Organization (Paridhavi and Agrawal, 2007). Since the recognition of herbal drugs in
treating diverse ailments, many advanced countries like; India, China, Prince Edward
Island, etc. have documented the medicinal plants in their forests. Most of the identified
medicinal plants have been biotechnologically exploited in the production of various
types of drugs in the forms of concoctions, balms, powders, syrups, tablets, capsules and
injections (Kannaiyan, 2005; Singh, 2006 and Paridhavi and Agrawal, 2007).
Singh (2004) and Singh (2006) reported that twenty best selling drugs developed
and marketed globally by the United States of America were derived from plant
bioactives. Currently, countless herbal drugs produced in developed countries like India
and China are massively exported to the developing countries.
Nigeria is endowed with numerous medicinal plant species locally used in treating
diverse ailments (Carlson et al., 1987; Adjanaboun et al., 1993; Okafor and Ham, 1999;
Carlson and King, 2000; Sofowora, 2008). Several authors have reported some of the
ailments/diseases that can be cured with herbal drugs (Khwaja et al 1986; Kleijnen and
Knipschild, 1994; Newal et al., 1996 and Swanson-Flatt et al., 1989).
. These include: high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcer, constipation, rheumatism,
hemorrhage, chest pain, blindness, acute headache, wounds, sore throat, cough, eczema,
venereal diseases, infertility, low sperm count, arthritis, etc. (Osadebe and Ukwueze,
2004; Awono and Obot, 2008; Sofowora, (2008). Carlson and King (2000) revealed that
plant parts used in traditional medicine include leaves, bark, wood, root and flowers.
Carlson and King (2000) also reported that plant parts used in traditional medicine could
be obtained from one plant or a combination of different parts of plant species. Sofowora
(2008) reported that the effectiveness of the plant parts largely depends on the period and
manner of collection. Several reports have shown that some plants have wide spectrum
effects, thus can be used in curing many diseases. Some of such plants include; mistletoe
(Osadebe and Ukwueze, 2004; Anon, 2005; Osadebe et al., 2012), Moringa oleifera
(Onwuliri and Dawang, 2006) etc.
Following the contribution of medicinal plants to the socio-economy of nations,
the advanced countries that biotechnologically exploited their medicinal plants have
identified, documented and conserved their medicinal plants to ensure that they
(Medicinal plants) can sustain industrial activities. Moran et al.,(2001) reported that
biotechnological exploitation of medicinal plants and disposal of their products contribute
significantly in generation of substantial revenue to nations as well as the rural dwellers
on whose land the plants are found, and also to the companies that biotechnologically
process the plants. Kannaiyan (2005) and Singh (2006) reported that exploitation of the
medicinal plants creates a lot of job opportunities, helps to assemble intellectuals from
different disciplines, and provides training opportunities for young intellectuals. It is
expected that the developing countries like Nigeria can also benefit like the advanced
countries when the medicinal plants in their forests are fully identified, documented,
conserved, well researched upon and biotechnologically exploited. Of all the medicinal
plant species in Nigerian forests that urgently need proper and extensive research
attention for its biotechnological exploitation, drum stick/mistletoe (Loranthus
micranthus),reported to be medicinally multipotential (Osadebe and ukwueze, 2004;
Obatomi et al.,1996; Nzekwe et al.,2009; Omeje et al., 2011) quickly comes to mind
hence has been chosen for this study.
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