Introduction
Because the time immemorial, our ancestors in Africa have been engaged in the use of crops and their diverse elements for treatment method of various ailments, as properly as for as for harmful needs- this sort of as poisons. Frequently, vegetation have been in use throughout the planet in folk medicine and as community cures for prevalent illnesses. Medicinal vegetation in individual has been in use for generations as remedies for human conditions mainly because they comprise factors of therapeutic worth (Okoli et al., 2009) People medication gave rise to regular programs of drugs in a variety of diseases. Diodia scandens Sw has great usefulness and relevance (Essiett et al., 2011).
Description
In accordance to Essiett et al., (2010). Diodia scandens Sw (Rubiaceae) is an evergreen perennial herb, which has an alternate leaf arrangement, petiole is present. It has compound leaves, ovate to lanceolate in shape, reticulate venation, entire in margin, its apex is acute, its base is cuneate, it has glabrous surface area and its texture is charteceous. Diodia scandens Sw has a dim inexperienced coloration, tasteless, odorless and has solitary inflorescence. It is a straggling herb, which has been in use in the Western African method of drugs. It has massive usefulness and great importance complete components of the crops are handy in curing numerous conditions.
Uses
Typically, the plants medicinal value features its use as antidotes (venomous stings, bites, and so on.), painkiller, remedy of veneral diseases and cutaneous and subcutaneous fungal bacterial infections. Nonetheless, the different areas of the plants- sap, leaf, stem and root, are utilised for different medicinal reasons. The leaf is used for dealing with arthritis, rheumatism, cutaneous and subcutaneous parasitic an infection, diarrhea, dysentery and anti-abortifacients the leaf additionally roots are employed for dropsy, swellings, edema, and gout and as lactation stimulants while the sap is utilized for managing ear infections, paralysis, epilepsy, convulsions, spasm and pulmonary problems.
Photochemical houses
In the the latest decades, secondary plant metabolites- recognized as photochemicals have been thoroughly investigated for their potency as medicinal brokers. Scientific studies carried out on some vegetation confirmed that some vegetation have numerous substances such as peptides, tannins, alkaloids, important oils, phenols and flavonoids amongst some others, which could serve as resources for antimicrobial manufacturing (Okoli et al., 2009). D. scandens does not include alkaloids, flavonoids, phobotannins and anthraquinones. Even so, it has saponins, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-yeasts, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-tumor, anti-viral and anti-abortifacient routines had been existing. Tannins, which have astringent and detergent properties were being also present, and can be made use of from diarrhoea. According to Essiet et al. (2011), the photochemistry of the leaf extract disclosed the existence of saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and absence of flavenoides, phlobatannins, alkaloids and anthraquinones.
Antimicrobial houses
D. scandens also has antimicrobial attributes of which considerably is not regarded or documented nonetheless. It is utilised in some localities in Nigeria to deal with cutaneous and subcutaneous fungal bacterial infections. The process consists of squeezing out the sap from the entire plant, freshly gathered and appling the fluid on the infected pores and skin by scrubbing. If carried out regularly for about3- 5times, the antifungal effect is noticed. This agrees with the report of Essiett et al. (2011), who mentioned that in Nigeria, the leaves are used for curing eczema-, which is a fungal infection.
Summary
Generally, vegetation have been in use throughout the earth in people drugs and as community cures for popular conditions and medicinal crops in particular has been in use for hundreds of years as cures for human disorders since they have elements of therapeutic price. Diodia scandens Sw has tremendous usefulness and worth (Essiett et al., 2011). The various elements of the plant Diodia scandens- sap, leaf, stem and root, are employed for different medicinal functions. The plant does not contain alkaloids, flavonoids, phobotannins and anthraquinones but has saponins, tannins and cardiac glycosides. The plant has antifungal attributes evident in its use for dealing with cutanbeous and sub-cutaneous fungal infections these as eczema. It is advised that even more investigation be completed on the plant to adequately assess its antibacterial properties.
References
Akah, P.A., Okogun, J.I. and Ekpendu, T.O. (1993). Antioedema and Analgesic steps of Diodia scandens extract in rats and mice. Phytotherapy Investigate. Vo. 7, Difficulty 4: 317- 319.
Essiett, U.A., Bala, D.N. and Agbakahi, J.A. (2010). Pharmacognostic experiments of the leaves and stem of Diodia scandens Sw in Nigeria. Students Investigate Lirary, Archives of Utilized Science Study. 2(5): 184- 198.
Okoli, R.I., Turay, A.A., Mensah, J.K. and Aigbe, A.O. (2009). Phytochemical and Antimicrobial houses of four Herbs from Edo State, Nigeria. Report and Feeling. 1(5): 67- 73.