Joakin Chidozie Nwaokoro

Evaluation of the nutritive and electrolyte values of edible plants is currently essential for human nutrition and safety. This work assessed the proximate and mineral composition of the leaves of Chaya plant (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) consumed in Niger Delta Nigeria for medicinal and nutritional purposes. Chaya is commonly known in this southern area of Nigeria as ‘hospital is too far’ or ‘ogwu obala’. The study showed that the dried leaves of the plant contain 47.03 ±1.02% of nitrogen free extract; 33.04± 3.14% of crude fibre; 7.03±0.23% of crude fat; 4.03±0.67% of crude protein, while moisture and ash made up 6.10±1.10% and 3.04±0.32%, respectively. A gram of the dried leaves yielded (in mg) 10±1.2, 20±1.6, 0.01±0.1, 100±5.3, 85±4.32, 18±2.1 and 50±2.3 of Iron, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese and Calcium, respectively. The energy yield of the leaves was 258±4.5kcal/100 mg. These results suggested the comparative richness of the leaves in fibre, high nitrogen free extract (carbohydrate) and essential minerals. Properly prepared leaves are therefore recommended for daily consumption in order to supplement the recommended daily intake of nutrients and minerals and hence prevent nutritional and electrolyte deficiency disorders.

The leaves of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) and Vernonia amygdalina (VA) had been of medicinal interest mainly due to their respective antioxidant and antihyperglycaemic properties. A daily dose of 0.5gKg-1 body weight aqueous leaf extracts of OG, VA and 50:50 (OG+VA) was orally administered to three different rabbit groups for 28 days, fed ad libitum. The control group was given only 2mlKg-1 of normal saline daily. Fasting blood glucose concentration was monitored with a digital glucometer. From the SPSS (version 15) multivariate analysis (p=.05), results showed that the mean fasting blood glucose concentrations of normal rabbits used was 5.98±0.5 mMolL-1. Only VA lowered fasting blood glucose within 24 hours and maintained the hypoglycaemia for 72 hours; VA potentiated OG after 72 hours and later synergistically lowered fasting blood glucose concentration. This study suggested that VA and (OG+VA) were time-dependent hypoglycaemic: while consumption of VA had acute effect, (OG+VA) could preferably be used for longer prophylaxis of diabetes. Therefore, further researches are recommended on the efficacy of this herbal combination therapy.