Health
Bitter leaf, moringa can increase malaria drug effectiveness —Experts
Worldwide, the greatest fear is that the malaria parasite might develop resistance to the drug of choice, Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT). In fact, health experts are worried that more people may become ill or die due to the rapid speed of these drug-resistant malaria parasites, especially in the season when malaria cases are on the rise.
Scientists have been working for years to target increasing partial resistance to the top anti-malaria drug, artemisinin. The focus has been on identifying herbs that can boost the effectiveness of artemisinin, as a treatment for malaria.
In a new study, scientists found bitter leaf as a partner drug of artemisinin for treating malaria. Its different extract in combination with artemisinin had a very strong antimalarial effect. The scientists tested the antimalarial effect of bitter leaf extract and its fractions in combination with artemisinin against malaria parasites under laboratory conditions.
This 2020 study aimed at exploring the interaction of Vernonia amygdalina (Delile) Leaf Extract with Artesunate and Amodiaquine for treating malaria was published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International.
The advocacy for Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies (ACTs) such as artesunate-amodiaquine as the standard practice in malaria chemotherapy has globally reduced estimates of malaria cases and related deaths.
However, recently, the detection of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to artemisinin in Southeast Asia, is threatening the gains recorded in combating malaria
For the study, various doses of aqueous bitter leaf extract (100-500 mg/kg/day), Amodiaquine (2-10 mg/kg/day) and Artesunate (0.8-4 mg/kg/day) were administered orally to malaria-infected Swiss albino mice to determine their sub-therapeutic doses.
These doses were subsequently used to investigate the chemotherapeutic interactions of the bitter leaf with Amodiaquine and/or Artesunate in both early and established malaria infection test models.
The survival of animals with established infections that received different drug/herb treatments were determined.
The chemosuppressive effect of Amodiaquine or Artesunate was significantly increased when administered in combination with the bitter leaf extract. Similarly, a combination of bitter leaf extract with Amodiaquine or Artesunate resulted in significant parasite clearance when compared to the effects of the herb or the conventional drugs administered separately.
The average survival period of animals with established infection was also significantly enhanced by the bitter leaf alone or with Amodiaquine (or Artesunate) compared to placebo.
They wrote, “Overall, concurrent administrations of V.amygdalina with amodiaquine and/or Artesunate result in significant enhancement of the efficacies of these orthodox antimalarial drugs.
This may be an approach towards overcoming development of resistance to malaria parasites by these drugs.”
Moreover, scientists also found a combination of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Asofeyeje in Yoruba), or Moringa oleifera (Ewe Igbale or drumstick tree)leaf extracts can also increase the antimalarial effect of artesunate, and as such a low dose of artesunate will be required in treating malaria.
In 2016, Thai scientists tested the effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum or Moringa oleifera leaf extracts on the effectiveness of artesunate in treating malaria.
In animals under laboratory conditions, the combination with G. pentaphyllum leaf extract was more effective than the combination that had Moringa oleifera leaf extract.
Additionally, artesunate combined with these extracts had a higher antimalarial activity, compared to extract treated along with G. pentaphyllum leaf extract of M. oleifera leaf extract.
Written in the Journal of Tropical Medicine, the scientists concluded: “the addictive effect of these extracts with artesunate is important in the context that offers opportunities to further standardise new ACT as possible antimalarial combination.”
In addition, experts in 2016 in the Malaria Journal found that herbs such as Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (paran pupa in Yoruba) can also boost the effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapy.
The aqueous or water root extract of C. sanguinolenta is patronised in rural West Africa as a herbal extract in the treatment of malaria even for patients who are on prescribed artemisinin derivatives.
Its combination produced a significant reduction in the level of the malaria parasite in the blood from days one to six.
At all doses, it also ensured higher malaria organism suppression in the first three days compared to the herbal extract only.
According to them, “This indicates a possible rapid onset of antimalarial or antiplasmodial activity when Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract is used in combination with ART compared to each of the drugs used alone.
“With the current three-day anti-malarial treatment, a combination of CPE, an extract from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, with ART may offer a better choice for rapid clearance of parasites in the blood compared to any of the two agents used alone. Again, the long duration of action of this combination will ensure efficient parasite clearance. “
Previously in 2013, researchers at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State also said that extracts of the stem bark of Khaya grandifoliola potentiated the antimalarial activity of Artemisinin. This was in the European Journal of Medicinal Plants.
The Federal Government has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Hospital and four private institutions to enhance the capacity of the healthcare workforce.
The participating institutions include Nile University, Cosmopolitan University, Yangongwo College of Nursing Sciences, and Concerned Medix Foundation.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun on Friday.
Alaba revealed that during the signing ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized that the MoU aligns with the administration’s policy to expand training capacities.
Prof. Pate further highlighted that this initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to increasing the training of health workers, addressing workforce gaps, and maintaining professional standards through the Regulatory and Professional Schools Division of the Hospital Services Department of the Ministry.
He stressed the government’s responsibility to tackle multiple challenges, including infrastructure, equipment, and human capital development, noting that Nigerian health workers are highly sought after due to their excellent training.
“Thankfully, because they are well-trained, we are very proud of them. If we weren’t training them, they wouldn’t have been attractive to other countries.
“Unfortunately, that has implications on the service delivery at home. So as a government, we took a progressive stance to say, look, let’s train more.
“So that even if those who are trained leave, some will stay. And even those who have gone away might come back to serve. And, that is the driving force behind this policy approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the Coordinating Minister pointed out.
Prof. Pate also underscored the crucial role of the private sector in achieving the government’s objectives, noting that Nigeria’s healthcare system operates as a mix of public and private institutions.
“So, the private sector has a space, and I am very pleased that you have joined hands with the National Hospital to be able to really see how the capabilities of the hospital can help you train more clinicians”, he said.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Raji Mahmud, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing improvements in the healthcare system.
He affirmed that the collaboration and signing of the MoU between the National Hospital and private institutions would significantly expand healthcare workforce training.
Prof. Mahmud further noted that three out of the four institutions are primarily training centers focused on medical and nursing education in partnership with the National Hospital, Abuja.
In a bid to enhance medical care for Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed six new Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for Federal Hospitals across the country.
Among those appointed is Dr. Ikrama Hassan, who will now serve as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Dr. Hassan, a seasoned consultant physician, previously served as the Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital before its elevation to a teaching hospital.
The full list of newly appointed CMDs includes:
Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo – Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State.
Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi (Reappointed) – Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum – Federal Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State.
Dr. Ikrama Hassan – Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat – National Orthopedic Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu – Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
Each appointment is for a four-year term, effective from the date of assumption of duty.
President Tinubu congratulated the appointees, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service delivery. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving medical infrastructure and ensuring quality healthcare access for all Nigerians.
Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Maidoki has called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre to be situated in Zuru to cater for the health needs of the District and its environs.
The lawmaker in the 10th National Assembly made the call during a public hearing on the Bill to establish Federal Medical Centre in Zuru organized by the Senate Committee on Health.
In a memorandum presented at the hearing by the lawmaker, he explained that the aim is to provide tertiary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru in Kebbi State in the North West Nigeria.
He further noted that the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services.
According to him, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The lawmaker stated that the large population and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services, necessitates the establishment of FMC in the state.
“In Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities”, he lamented.
Senator Maidoki charged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, saying healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
The lawmaker who is the sponsor of the bill told journalists during a chat that the Federal Medical Center, when established will not only cater for the tertiary healthcare needs of Kebbi State, but will also serve the adjoining states like Niger and Zamfara.
-
Security6 days agoNew Commissioner of Police in Niger, Elleman sends strong warning to criminals
-
News5 days agoAbia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
-
News6 days agoKogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo salutes Tinubu at 74
-
News3 days agoKogi government bans rallies ahead of Natasha’s homecoming slated for Tuesday
-
News6 days agoPlateau LP stakeholders endorses Barr Gyang Zi’s defection to APC
-
News4 days agoIran may secure a deal before Trump’s deadline – or face Israeli strikes in Tehran – analysis
-
News6 days agoAkpabio pays historic visit to office of SA to President on Senate Matters
-
Business6 days agoFCT Minister reveals how he would aggressively pursue revenue collection, tours infrastructure