1.1 Background to the Study
The population of developing countries
worldwide continue to rely heavily on the use of traditional medicines
as their primary source of healthcare. Ethnobotanical studies carried
out throughout Africa confirm that native plants are the main
constituent of traditional African medicines (Sandhu and Heinrich,2005;
Gupta et al., 2005). With 70-80% of Africa's population relying on
traditional medicines, the importance of the role of medicinal plants in
the health care system is enormous (Mander and Breton,2006). Medicinal
plants are now being given serious attention, as is evidenced by the
recommendation given by the World Health Organization in 1970
(Wondergem et al., 1989) that proven traditional remedies should be
incorporated within national drug policies, by recent moves towards a
greater professionalism within African medicine (Last and Chavunduka,
1986) and also by the increased commercialization of pharmaceutical
production using traditional medicinal plants with known efficacy
?Sofowora, 1981).
In Nigeria, many indigenous plants are
used in herbal medicine to cure diseases and heal injuries. Aspilia
afticana is not an exception. It is a perennial herb which belongs to
the Asteraceae family. It has been classified among substances with low
toxicity with an LD 50 averaging 6.6g/kgb.at (Taziebou et al.,2007).
Traditional African medicinal uses includes its ability to stop bleeding
fresh wounds (Okoli et al.,2007). It has anti-malaria (Woako et al.,
2005) and anti viral (Chepkwony et al., 2007) properties. The juice of
the leaves is reported to be hemostatic and Vasco constrictive
(Achonye,1976). The decoction if the root is a remedy for lumbago and
sciatica neuralgia (Watt and Breyer- Brandwijk,1962).
The plant Aspilia African a enjoys a
folk reputation in Africa for its ability to stop bleeding even from
severed artery as well as promote rapid healing wounds and sores and for
the management of problems related to cardiovascular diseases. The
decoction of the leaves is used to wash face to relieve febrile
headaches. The infusion of the leaves is given as tonic to women after
delivery. The leaf juice with little salt and lime juice is applied to
eyes for corneal opacities and other foreign bodies in the eyes.
Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins and tannins as
the most abundant compounds in the plants while flavonoids were the
least (Obadoni and Ochuko,1998).
1.2 Problem Statement
Natural products have been and have
remained, the cornerstone of healthcare. Present estimates show that 80%
of the world's population still rely on traditional medicine for their
health care needs (Duraipandiyan et al.,2006). In order to have standard
natural plant products, preliminary studies have to be done in order to
evaluate possible risks such as undesirable effects, overdose or
poisoning.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The major objective of the study is the
morphometric study of the teratogenic effect of aqueous extract of
Aspilia Africana on wistar rats.
1.4 Research Questions
(1) what is Aspilia Africana?
(2) what are its economic importance?
(3) what are its shortcomings?
(4) why the need to conduct a study of the teratogenic effect of aqueous extract of Aspilia africana?
1.5 Significance of the Study
In order to have a standard natural
plant products, preliminary studies such as morphometric study of the
teratogenic effect of aqueous extract of Aspilia Africans on wistar rat
have to be done in order to evaluate possible risks such as undesirable
effects, overdose or poisoning. The findings of this research will serve
as a preliminary study to help establish the possible effect it will
have on man.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This research focuses on the Morphometric study of the teratogenic effect of aqueous extract of Aspilia Africans on wistar rat.
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