Medicinal plants are so called because they contain various biologically active components which are largely products of plant secondary metabolism usually referred as phytochemicals or natural products. These bioactive compounds can be used to treat chronic as well as infectious diseases. Some research findings have revealed that the use of ethnopharmacological knowledge is one attractive way to reduce empiricism and enhance the probability of success in new drug finding efforts.According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80% of the world’s population depends on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.Most plant materials contain fiber and the fiber content of fruits have been reported to possess certain blood cholesterol lowering action and aid in the prevention of large bowel disease reported that fruits are low in calorie and can as well help reduce one’s calories intake as part of a weight loss diet. Cola lepidota is mostly consumed fresh and it has a very short life span probably due to its high moisture content and its hard texture which limits its consumption particularly among the vulnerable group (i.e., children and aged) due to poor dentition. Cola lepidota is a selected specie for this study because of its traditional use in some parts of Abia State as a weight reducer and research findings have shown that it contains significantly higher phytochemical constituents than other species and it is more widely distributed.

The high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the developing countries is attributable to the increasing incidence of atherosclerotic diseases, perhaps due to urbanization and higher risk factor levels (such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, etc. With urbanization, changing lifestyles, diminished assess/availability of fresh vegetables as well as increased consumption of processed foods, the number of people with obesity tends to increase. Therefore, a critical management of traditional medicinal plant resources has become a matter of urgency . For the sake of this investigation, standard drugs such as orlistat, simvastatin, and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) will be used to monitor the weight reducing effects of the seed extract. The Cola lepidota fruit was identified at Forestry Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. The below are the pictures of Cola lepidota fruits and seeds.

Thanks & Regards
David Johns
Journal Coordinator
American Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Therapeutics
WhatsApp- +44-118-3150-749