Measles is a deadly viral disease that impacts vulnerable children around the world, many of whom do not have access to healthcare. The World Health Organization(WHO) estimated that more than 20 million individuals are affected each year by measles worldwide, of whom about 17 million are children.
Tragically, it has been reported that more than 600 children die daily as a result of measles infection. This leaves measles as a leading cause of death among young children, especially in the developing countries of the world.
The measles disease begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
In Nigeria, many plant-based drugs are used to treat measles. The list varies from one region to another, but it includes leaves of Calotropis procera, bitter leaf, Citrus aurantifolia (lime) and Hibiscus cannabinus, as well as Allium cepa (onion), Allium sativum (garlic) and succulent fruits of Nauclea latifolia (African peach).
The leaves of Calotropis procera, commonly called giant milkweed, bomu bomu (Yoruba) and Tumfatiya (Hausa), are used as a soup ingredient, in making an alcoholic drink and as an antidote for snake bites, sinus fistula, rheumatism, mumps, burn injuries, and body pain.
The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter leaf, are used to treat many ailments, from malaria, stomach aches, typhoid, diabetes, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, gallstones and kidney disease to the prevention of cancer and lowering of hypertension.
Now, researchers in an ethnobotanical survey involving native doctors, farmers, herbalists and the medicinal plant dealers revealed that Calotropis procera and bitter leaf were commonly used to treat measles in Osun State.
The survey in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews had involved Aasa-Sadique Amudat Dupe, Abiona Mujidat Ayobami and Aboderin Elizabeth Adewumi, all at the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun.
The list of medicinal plants for treating Ondo and Ogun States is quite different. In Ondo state, this includes alligator pepper, Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo forest), Bryophyllum pinnatum (Abamoda in Yoruba), pigeon pea, Calotropis procera (Bomubomu or Sodom apple), Caesalpinia bonduc (Ayoo in Yoruba) and Xylopia aetiopica (Guinea pepper) plants.
The Baphia nitida (Camwood), Bambusa vulgaris, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Pigeon pea, Caesalpinia bonduc, Lagenaria breviflorus (Tagiri in Yoruba) and Bitter leaf are used in the management and treatment of measles disease at Abeokuta.
The research, which focused on identifying and comparing the active ingredients in the leaves of Calotropis procera and Bitter leaf, recommended the use of both Calotropis procera and Bitter leaf for their effectiveness against measles in Osun State.
Based on the results, the study said Calotropis procera is more potent for treating measles because it contains more tyranon, a substance noted for its cytotoxic effects against human viral infections, supporting the traditional knowledge surrounding these plants.
Usually, leaves of bitter leaf are squeezed, and the extract collected is mixed with palm oil and gunpowder. Children will lick it and use it to rub their bodies, while adults will put it in small quantities of water and drink it.
They also recommended further research to explore the full range of chemical substances in these plants and their potential applications in modern medicine to help bridge the gap between traditional herbal practices and scientific validation.
The identification of Tyranton as a potent chemical substance in Calotropis procera could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs derived from natural sources, contributing to the pharmaceutical industry and public health.
Previously, preliminary studies also suggested Xylopia aethiopica leaf and Uvaria chamae root as possibly leading to anti-measles virus drug discovery and development. The study, in the British Microbiology Research Journal, evaluated 10 medicinal plants against the measles virus.
Ten parts of seven plants (Diospyros barteri leaf, Xylopia aethiopica leaf and stem bark, Picralima nitida stem, Cajanus cajan, Argemone Mexicana, Morinda lucida (Ejinrin in Yoruba), and Uvaria chamae leaf, stem and root bark) were tested.
This showed that the wild serves as a reservoir of plants used in the treatment of measles disease, and there is a need to pay more attention to cultivating some of these useful medicinal plants for easy access, availability and continuous use.
Read Also: 5 unique fish species that can survive without water
The most common route of administration of recipes is orally by drinking. The measurements of dosages are different for adults and children but are not standardized.
Traditional remedies have deep roots in Nigerian culture, with many communities relying on herbal medicine for generations. These remedies are often passed down through generations and are deeply intertwined with cultural beliefs and practices.
Many Nigerians perceive traditional remedies as effective and safe, particularly for treating measles. A study in Northern Nigeria found that leaves are the most common plant part used for measles treatment, likely due to their secondary metabolites.
Another study in Lokoja revealed that mothers of child patients often use herbal remedies, perceiving them as safe and effective for their children. However, concerns about the safety and standardization of these remedies persist, as highlighted by studies showing microbial contamination in some traditional herbal formulations.
