RMRDC has developed herbal compositions to enhance health care delivery and foreign exchange earnings that are geared towards boosting the Nigerian economy. BINTA SHAMA reports.
About herbals
Herbal medicines have been used to cure ailments from the beginning of human civilization. A large number of higher plants have been used as sources of drugs by mankind for several thousands of years. It is estimated that 35,000 to 70,000 plant species have, at one time or another been used in different cultures for medicinal purposes. In China alone, 5,000 of 35,000 indigenous species growing are used as drugs in Chinese traditional medicine. The Chinese system of medicine which derives 80 per cent of its medicaments from higher plants is also popular in Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.
A similar situation exists in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. China is the biggest producer as well as exporter of medicinal plants, accounting for 30% of total world trade (by value), followed by Korea, USA, India and Chile. Singapore and Hong Kong are the main re-exporters of medicinal plants in Asia. Japan, USA, Germany, France, Italy, Malaysia, Spain and US are the major markets.
Global herbal medicine market
According to the report published by Business Fortune Insight in February 2022, the global herbal medicine market size was $185.86 billion in 2020 and it is projected to grow from $230.03 billion in 2021 to $430.05 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.32 per cent during the period. Likewise, a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), tagged “Herbal Medicine Market Information by Distribution Channel, Category, Source, Form, Type of Medicinal Plants, and Region – Forecast till 2030″, the market size was valued USD 145 billion in 2021 and it is expected to reach USD 356 Billion by 2030. Likewise the WHO has indicated that global trade in herbal medicine will to reach US $ 5 trillion by 2050.
The increase in the number of cases of harmful side effects of synthetic drugs have created a radical change in perception and interest of people resulting in the tilt towards increased intake of herbal medicine. According to the World Health Organization, WHO, about eighty per cent of the world population relies on traditional medicines, largely plant based, for their primary health care needs. The upward trend in herbal medicine intake is also predicated on population explosion and upswing in the increasing demand for natural-based environmental friendly products. Increasing trend towards self-medication, reduction in costs of subsidized health care, EEC legislation improving the status of herbal medicine industry, renewed interest of companies in isolating useful compounds from plants, and marketing strategies employed by the companies dealing in herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine intake
In view of the increasing trend in herbal medicine intake, the World Health Organization, (WHO), has evolved guidelines to support the member states in their efforts to formulate national policies on traditional medicine and to study their potential usefulness including evaluation, safety and efficacy. WHO has set specific guidelines for the assessment of the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines as a prerequisite for global harmonization.
It has been estimated that 1/4th of all prescriptions dispensed in the USA are likely to contain one or more constituents derived from higher plants and about 95 plant species have been listed as sources of 121 clinically useful prescription drugs derived from higher plants. In general, the main components of any herbal formula are active constituents and the excipients. The active constituents are responsible for therapeutic actions to alleviate symptoms, and to treat/manage disease conditions. The formulations of herbal medicines are designed to support and strengthen the body in an ongoing capacity and due to their high efficacy and less dependency little or complications have been recorded compared to synthetic medicines. Research and Development have shown that herbal products are efficient in causing balance of biochemicals such as Serotonin, GABA, 5HT etc. in the body. As a result, many herbs are being processed into various products such as capsules, syrups, powders, ointments, creams, soap.
COVID-19 pandemic era
The increasing global dependency on herbal medicine was further demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic era when there was global surge in the production and use of herbal formulations across the globe. Various countries developed traditional herbal medications against COVID-19. For instance, Thailand, promoted immune-boosting herbal capsules and Bolivia and Tunisia promoted herbal medicines against coronavirus. The India’s Ministry of AYUSH issued a statement on “Ayurveda’s immunity-boosting measures for self-care during the COVID-19 crisis which includes the recommendation to take a Chyavanprash formula (containing a range of wild plant ingredients) daily. There are also reports of Cameroonians taking a herbal COVID-19 cure, and the President of Madagascar has been promoting a herbal drink as a treatment. There is also a reported rapid increase in the demand for traditional Chinese remedies for respiratory and other ailments in the US.
Collaboration of RMRDC to boost health sector
In order to promote improved health care delivery in Nigeria, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council has been collaborating with the relevant Research Institutes and the some private sector operatives to develop a number of herbal products locally. Among the products already developed is Gasca D medicinal herbal composition for managing diabetes. This is important as despite many decades of research in diabetes mellitus curative medicines the disease still remains a serious cause of morbidity and mortality, causing devastating personal suffering and huge economic cost.
It affects more than 425 million people worldwide. Research in the treatment of diabetes has centered on attempts to normalize fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels by aggressively controlling hyperglycemia through insulin sensitization, secretion or overcoming resistance and decrease in endogenous glucose production. Attaining near normal blood glucose level is a major aim in the treatment of diabetes. Greater understanding of the complexity and multifactorial nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has informed the development of several new classes of glucose-lowering therapies, but several of these drugs fail to significantly alter the course of diabetic complications and have limited use because of undesirable side effects.
Gasca D is developed by GreenLeaf Herbal Product in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council from natural plants to treat patients with diabetes mellitus. The invention helps to control the blood sugar level, provides herbal health protection and serves as a supplement to manage the general health of people living with diabetes. NAFDAC has registered the product with the number: A7-2639L and the invention has been patented.
Greenleaf Herbal Product
Likewise, the Council in collaboration with Greenleaf Herbal Product have developed Gasca N, a medicinal herbal composition for Stress and Blood pressure Control. The herbal compositions is developed from the fruit pulp of Hyphaenae thebaica (Duom palm) and powdered Gum Acacia. The formulation has been registered by NAFDAC after necessary tests. The registration number is A7-2638L and the invention had been patented.
Extensive Research and Development have also led to the development of Phytoherb 5-VIT which is a medicinal herbal composition for boosting immunity. Phytoherb 5-VIT is developed from Tamarindus indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Adansonia digitata, Ziziphus jujube, Hyphaenae thebaica extracts. The formulations are non-toxic and easy to digest. It has health protective and immune boosting potential. After nessesary tests and procedures, NAFDAC has registered the product with the No: A7-100003. The invention has also been patented.
Closely allied to the above is the development of Phytoherb phytobiotic which is a medicament for treating bacterial infection. Phytoherb phytobiotic is a stable herbal composition developed by Greenleaf Herbal Product in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council. It is useful for the treatment of bacterial infections, and other conditions requiring therapeutic intervention. Its composition comprises of Azadiracta indica, Guiera senegalensis, Parkia biglobosa and Vernonia amygdalina extracts in combination with Gum acacia. The formulation is non-toxic, easy to digest, have anti-microbial potential. Animal and human trials have been concluded and NAFDAC has registered the product with the NO: A7-100004. The invention has also been patented.
