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Medicinal plants for diabetes mellitus treatment in Nigeria

1,3 1,2 1,2
Moses Z. Zaruwa , Aranya Manosroi , Jiradej Manosroi
1 2
Faculty of Pharm acy, Chiang Mai University; Natural Products Research and Development Center (NPRDC), Institute of Science
and Technology Research and Development (IST), Chiang Mai University, 50200. Thailand;
3
Department of Chemistry, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria
e-mail address: moseszira@yahoo.com

Rationale: The importance of herbal medicines in developing countries especially Nigeria cannot be underscored.
This is because majority depends on it as a first line primary health care (WHO, 1999). Like most parts of Africa,
a significant population of Nigerians is still faced with lack of adequate health care services and infrastructure. The

rise in poverty levels and drug safety considerations has become factors militating against the use of conventional
orthodox medicines. Hence, the use of medicinal plants is increasing, especially for ailment like diabetes mellitus
(DM) which require long time treatment and a high cost. The survey of medicinal plants for DM in Nigeria will
give some information which can contribute to the improvement of health care in Nigeria.

Objective: To survey the medicinal plants in Nigeria which have significant anti-diabetic activity.

Methodology: Medicinal plants found effective for DM during the years 2000-2008, from three major geographi-
cally diverse regions (North, South East and South West) of Nigeria, were surveyed. The information obtained was

reviewed, analyzed and tabulated. The 12 medicinal plants were identified and presented with all details in various
aspects.

Results: Medicinal plants for DM are found in a wide variety of plant families. Some are known to be used in
other parts of the world, such as Zingiber officinale Rosc. and Allium sativum L., while those unique to Nigeria
are Vernonia amygdalina L. and Garcinia cola Heckel. Most medicinal plants are prepared by decoction, macera-

tion and infusion. Some medicinal plants were found in more than one region of Nigeria, such as Colocythis
citrullis L., Vernonia amygdalina L., and Capsicum frutescens L. while others were unique to their specific regions.

Conclusion: There are over one hundred medicinal plants for DM in Nigeria. People have been either using them
alone or in combination with orthodox medicines. There were more reports on the research of medicinal plants for
DM from the south western part of Nigeria. This is probably because the uses of traditional medicinal plants have

been subjected to more scientific research in this area than others. Therefore, there is a need for further research
and development in the other areas of Nigeria, in order to provide alternative treatment that would be affordable
and safe which can constitute the main constrains in the use of orthodox medicines in Nigeria. The information

from this study can be applied for medicinal plants usage in Nigeria more efficiently.