On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, Nigeria joined other countries in celebrating World Hepatitis Day. However, scientists have demonstrated how extracts of bitter leaf, bitter kola, garlic, phyllanthus amarus, avocado and turmeric prevent hepatitis B and C, writes Chukwuma Muanya. There is.
Scientists have demonstrated how natural remedies provide an inexpensive route to the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B and C, and indeed liver damage in the country. High on the list include bitter leaf, phyllanthus amarus, avocado, turmeric, garlic, and bitter cola.
More than 20 million Nigerians are reported to be living with hepatitis B and C (inflammation of the liver), and more than 5 million already have chronic diseases of cirrhosis or liver cancer. . This viral infection is said to be 100 times more contagious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Previously, the virus could only be contained through vaccination, mass testing, and treatment. However, the government has not been proactive in implementing these life-saving measures, likely due to the prohibitive costs of testing more than 100 million people and treating more than 25 million infected people.
Phyllanthus amarus belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. For Efiks, it is called Oyomokeso Amanke Edem. geeron-tsuntsaayee (bird millet) in Hausa. Igbo (Asaba) Buchi Oro, Igbo (Umuahia) Ngwu. Urbo’s Ieke. and Ehin Olob or Eyin Olob in Yoruba.
Botanically known as Persea americana, the avocado is also commonly known as avocado pear, alligator pear, or yamanashi.
Turmeric is a spice obtained from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, a member of the Zingiberaceae family. In Yoruba, it is called “Atare Chrysalis”. Gangamau in Hausa. Ebony Nwandumo. Off Bobocchi in Enugu (Nkanu East). Gigil of Tiv. Magina of Kaduna. Turi in Niger State. Onjoniho of Cross River (Meo people).
Fr Anslem Adodo of Pax Herbal Clinic in Ewu, Esan Local Government Area of Edo State said, “One unripe pineapple fruit, 10 cashew nut leaves, a handful of cotton seeds and a bottle of water to boil together. Bring 10 bottles. Take 1 glass 4 times a day for 10 days
“Then, grind 20 bitter colas into a fine powder and mix with 1 lime juice and 1 honey. Take 4 dessert spoons 4 times a day for 2 months.
“Third, squeeze 40 bitter leaves into 4 liters of water. Take 1 glass 3 times a day for 2 months (prepare fresh if necessary).”
Researchers have found that regular diets containing spices such as turmeric, garlic, ginger, cabbage, onions, green tea, carrots and other umbelliferous vegetables can lead to complications such as aflatoxin (produced by fungi) poisoning and liver cancer. It has been demonstrated that it can restore the damage caused by the disease. It also reduces the risk of breast cancer in women taking hormone replacement therapy.
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by many species of the fungus/mold genus Aspergillus, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.
In fact, spices have been shown to protect the liver from aflatoxin poisoning and protect the breasts from cancer. Researchers in India have found that food additives such as turmeric, the active ingredients curcumin (diferuloylmethane), asafetida (flavoring agent), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ellagic acid , was found to inhibit mutagenesis induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0.5 g/plate in Salmonella tester strains TA 98 and TA 100).
Researchers in Nigeria have also shown in clinical trials that a polyherbal preparation made primarily from bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) treats chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C co-infections, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and tuberculosis. demonstrated how it can help.
Other ingredients in polyherbal preparations include Sesamum indicatum (sesame), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Aloe barbadensis (commonly known as aloe vera), Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane), Allium sativum (garlic), and Amaranthus caudatus ( Green amaranth (inine in Igbo and tete abalae in Yoruba).
Avocado photo: Tampabay.com
According to HM Burkill’s The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Phyllanthus amarus is a weed of cultivated and vacant land. It is said to have the property of making sand stick.
“It is a common medicinal plant. In Yorubaland, it appears in the spell “against disease.” It is an ingredient in the Agbo formula in Lagos. A decoction of the leaves is used in the Ibadan area to treat hemorrhoids. ”
A recent study published this year in Biomedical Research found that treatment with Phyllanthus amarus increases antioxidants and reduces lipid peroxidation in liver cells and intracellular membranes, leading to free radical liver damage in hepatitis C. It is strongly suggested that the protection of
Another study published in the International Journal of Biology and Medical Research found that treatment with Phyllanthus amarus increased antioxidants and reduced lipid peroxidation in liver cells and intracellular membranes, leading to free radical-induced hepatitis in hepatitis B. Found to protect against damage.
This study focused on the effect of Phyllanthus amaranth therapy on liver protection in hepatitis B by investigating liver profile enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant vitamins, and lipid peroxidation. The study consisted of 65 clinically diagnosed hepatitis B patients ranging in age from 25 to 60 years. The control group included 65 age- and gender-matched normal healthy individuals.
“Plasma LPO levels were significantly higher in hepatitis B, whereas SOD, GPx, catalase activity, and vitamin E and vitamin C levels were significantly reduced compared to controls,” the study said. I am. In hepatitis B, plasma lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced and SOD, GPx, catalase, vitamin E and vitamin C activities were significantly increased after 4 and 8 weeks of Phyllanthus amarus therapy. ”
Scientists also suggest that extracts from the nutritious avocado fruit (botanically known as Persea americana) may reduce liver damage caused by hepatitis viruses.
A study conducted at Japan’s Shizuoka University and published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry suggests that the avocado fruit may have potential. They gave rats a chemical that causes liver damage similar to the hepatitis virus and then fed them 22 different fruits to see if it made a difference.
Researchers found that five compounds extracted from the fruit had beneficial effects, the most potent of which was obtained from avocados.
Scientists are not yet sure whether the same effect is seen in humans and say more research is needed. They also don’t know what effects avocado extract actually has.
