Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of the Mthanolic Root Extract of Cnestis Feruginea Vahl Ex De Candolle

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicines are an important part of the culture and traditions of African people. Today,

most of the population in urban Nigeria, as well as rural communities, rely on herbal medicines for

their health care needs. Epidemiological data suggest that lower incidences of certain chronic

diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

mediated by the human immunovirus, asthma, neoplasia, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular

diseases are associated with frequent intake of fruits and vegetables (Ames et al., 1993; Chu et al.,

2002).

Various factors influence the use of traditional medicine by 80% of developing nation‘s population

which include; accessibility, confidence in treatment, convenience, cost of treatment,

socioeconomic status, education and adverse effects of orthodox medicine. As a consequence,

there is an increasing trend, worldwide, to integrate traditional medicine with primary health care.

Renewed interest in traditional pharmacopoeias has meant that researchers are concerned not only

with determining the scientific rationale for the plant‘s usage, but also with the discovery of novel

compounds of pharmaceutical value. Instead of relying on trial and error, as in random screening

procedures, traditional knowledge helps scientists to target plants that may be medicinally useful

(Cox and Balick, 1994). Already an estimated 122 drugs from 94 plant species have been

discovered through ethnobotanical leads (Fabricant and Farnsworth, 2001).