A group Nigerian researchers have verified that African cherry and its plant have medicinal purposes.
A new study by a group of Nigerian researchers shows that extracts of the leaves and stem bark of African cherry could be used effectively to treat drug-resistant infections and may hold the key to new, effective antimalarial medicine.
A study titled "Biocidal effects of stem bark extract of Chrysophyllum albidium G. Don on vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus" which was recently published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine has established the possibility of developing antimicrobial agents of natural origin to manage possible infection from vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) that are now developing multi-resistance against many antibiotics.
The study was carried out by a group of Nigerian researchers from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State, Nigeria.
The researchers explained saying: "The bactericidal activities exhibited by C. albidium extract against VRSA used in this study revealed a significant therapeutic potential of this plant and supported its usefulness in folklore remedies for the management of infections caused by pathogens. The ability of the plant extract fractions obtained from C. albidium to kill VRSA in this study at low concentration and minimal contact time has established the potential of the plant as a template for future drugs that could be formulated to combat infections caused by VRSA; such drug would be useful in combating the menace of VRSAs in human and animal health."
The use of Chrysophyllum albidium in traditional treatment of malaria was evaluated for efficacy against the Plasmodium berghei infected mice and the usefulness of this medicinal plant may hold the key to new and effective alternative antimalarial medicine.
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How does this research help in the fight against malaria?
Until now, there has been a high level of treatment failure to conventional antimalarial drugs. Despite significant progress in the treatment of malaria, this disease has staged a huge comeback in large areas of the world, due to the development of drug-resistant parasites.
According to the researchers, there is an urgent need for an alternative approach. Thus, Chrysophyllum albidium used in traditional treatment of malaria was evaluated for efficacy against the Plasmodium berghei infected mice.
"The findings of this study support the use of this plant in the traditional treatment of malaria in Nigeria," said the Nigerian researchers.
The researchers in their study concluded that the usefulness of this medicinal plant may hold the key to new and effective alternative antimalarial medicine. With this new study, it will help in the advancement of medicine in the fight to eradicate malaria in African countries.