More herbs for treating rheumatism

Until now, several medicinal plants including Zingiber officinale (ginger), Citrus aurantifolia (lime) and Psidium guajava (guava) have shown anti rheumatoid arthritis properties.

But researchers from the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria have endorsed more medicinal plants used for the treatment of rheumatism by Amahor people of Edo State.

The team of researchers led by Erhenhi A. H. in a study published in International Journal of Plant Research has endorsed Spondias mombin, Dysphania ambrosioides formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides and Pterocarpus soyauxii for treating rheumatism.

Commonly called Hog plum, Ashanti plum, Spanish plum, mombin or monbin; Spondias mombin is of the plant family Anacardiaceae. To the French, it is mombin, or monbin. In Nigeria, it is kechibo in Bokyi; ogheeghe (the fruit) in Edo; nsukakara in Efik; tsadar masar in Hausa; ijikara, ogogo, ngwu or ungwu in Igbo; aginiran in Ijaw; kakka in Tiv; ogghighen in Urhobo; iyeye (the fruit) or akika (the tree) in Yoruba.

Commonly called Indian wormseed, sweet pigweed, Mexican tea, Jesuit’s tea, Chenopodium ambrosioides belongs to the plant family Chenopodiaceae. It is called ewe imí (leaf of excreter) in Yoruba.

Commonly called barwood; redwood; African coral wood; African padauk, or Gabon padauk, Pterocarpus soyauxii, is a species of Pterocarpus in the family Fabaceae, native to central and tropical West Africa, from Nigeria east to Congo-Kinshasa and south to Angola.

It is called bois rouge in French. In Nigeria, it is called ìgbìlhà in Abua; ídúòt in Anaang, boku in Bokyi; akumẹ in Edo; ídúòt in Efik.

Parts of Spondias mombin are used for the treatment of rheumatism were leaves, stem, bark and root, which are prepared in different forms with addition of other materials like native chalk and fresh palm fruits before administration.

Qualitative screening of the plants collected showed the presence phytochemicals such as alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, phenol, tannin, terpenoid, steroid and anthraquinone at moderate concentration.

Preliminary results report a wide range of antibacterial and antifungal properties. The chemistries of this plant has been reported, recommended its use for pregnant woman but only after five months of pregnancy. The results indicate that the cytotoxic effects of the plant may have some benefits in protecting the foetus from foreign pathogens. High levels of cytotoxicity are believed to be a good indicator of analgesic properties. The use to ease pain during childbirth supports this evidence. The results of antibacterial and antifungal bioassays demonstrate growth inhibition.

Nigerian researchers have studied the sedative, antiepileptic and antipsychotic effects of Spondias mombin in mice and rats. Infusion of fresh leaves is used for the treatment of short sightedness and Infusion of fresh leaves plus lime juice is used for the treatment of cataract. The fresh leaves are squeezed in water and filtered and also fresh leaves are squeezed in water plus lime juice; and taken one cup thrice daily.