STUDIES ON CERTAIN NIGERIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH POTENTIAL ANTINEOPLASTIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

As part of a search for new and active antineoplastic agents from some Nigerian plants, a survey of various herbal folk remedies for cancer was undertaken. Because the recorded Nigerian folklore medicine does not elaborate specifically on cancer remedies, it became necessary to widen the survey to include herbal folk remedies for several diseases which might have some similarity to neoplastic growth, and which had been successfully (allegedly) treated by herbal remedies.

The present investigation is, therefore, part of a systematic examination of the botanical and phytochemical elements of several Nigerian folk medicines for possible anticancer agents. The investigation was conducted in three stages: Stage 1 - Extensive preliminary screening of concoctions and plant materials for potential anticancer agents. Stage 2 - Systematic screening of compounds showing good and reproducible activities. Stage 3 - Purification, structural elucidation and chemical identification (where possible) of the active agents.