Waterleaf, Star Apple, Antidote To Stroke.

IT’S well known that physical activity is good for heart’s health, as it reduces the risk of stroke.
In addition, researchers have hinted that regular consumption of waterleaf may be an adjunct to other measures individuals could adopt to fight stroke.
Vegetables such as waterleaf serve as
indispensable constituents of human diet
which supplies the body with minerals,
vitamins, certain hormone precursors as
well as protein and energy. Several
vegetable species abound in Nigeria and
most West African countries, where they are
eaten partly as condiments or spices in
human diets.
In a new study that looked at the chemical
substances in Talinum triangulare (water
leaf), researchers found waterleaf was a
rich source of chemical substances
(flavonoids, alkanoids and tannins) helpful
in the management of cardiovascular
diseases such as stroke and obesity.
The study entitled “Phytochemical
Composition of Talinum triangulare
(Waterleaf) ” was carried out by P.M. Aja,
A.N.C. Okaka, P.N. Onu, U. Ibiam and A.J.
Urako from Ebonyi State University,
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
They said in the 2010 Pakistan Journal of
Nutrition that “its high levels of flavonoids
showed that the vegetable is good for the
management of cardiovascular diseases
and oxidative stress, since flavonoids are
biologic antioxidants.”
Antioxidants are compounds that protect
cells against the damaging effects of
reactive oxygen species, such as singlet
oxygen, super oxide, peroxyl radicals,
hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrile. An
imbalance between antioxidants and
reactive oxygen species results in oxidative
stress, leading to damages in the cells of the
body.
Oxidative stresses have been linked to
cancer, ageing, atherosclerosis (hardening
of blood vessels), inflammation, ischemic
injury and neuro-degenerative diseases
(Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s).
Epidemiological studies have shown that
flavonoids and carotenoids intake is
inversely related to cases of deaths arising
from coronary heart diseases and to the
incidence of heart attacks.
A preliminary screening of some plant
extracts for molluscidal activity by
Professor E. A Sofowora and Professor A. O
Adewunmi also mentioned water leaf as
medically useful in the management of
cardiovascular diseases like stroke and
obesity.
Meanwhile, experts have reiterated the
importance of lowering blood cholesterol
level in the prevention or reduction of
cardiovascular diseases, the major ones
being coronary heart diseases, stroke and
hypertension.
Blighia sapida is a medicinal plant which
experts have suggested, could help to
significantly reduce the levels of total
cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-
cholesterol. This is of clinical importance to
individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Blighia sapida is commonly known as Ackee
in Nigeria, it is called Gwanja Kusa in Hausa,
Isin in Yoruba and Okpu in Igbo. Extracts of
Blighia sapida are commonly employed in
folk medicine to treat a wide range of
disease conditions, especially in developing
countries. In folk medicine practice, its pulp
and leafy parts are used as eye drop in
ophthalmic and conjunctivitis.
In Brazil, repeated small doses of an
aqueous extract of its seed have been
administered to expel parasites.
Pharmacological screenings have shown
that it is also useful in the prevention of
diarrhoea.
According to a study that set out to
investigate the validity or otherwise of the
use of the plant extract in atherosclerotic
conditions in folk medicine, the researchers
found that both its water and methanolic
extracts caused a significant reduction in
the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides
and LDL-cholesterol levels, while
significantly higher values were observed
for the HDL-cholesterol in all the treated
groups when compared with the control.
The authors of the study attributed the
reduction in the level of the bad cholesterol
in the blood to the effect of saponin, a
chemical substance, which reduced the
uptake of cholesterol from the intestine into
the blood stream.
According to them, “the observed increase
in HDL-cholesterol concentration upon the
administration of the extract indicates that
the extract doses have HDL-cholesterol
boosting effect; this effect is concentration-
dependent for aqueous extract.
“This study shows that the plant extract
could be useful in the improvement and
management of complications associated
with patients suffering from cardiovascular
diseases.”
The researchers involved in this 2010 study
entitled “Changes in Lipid Profile of Aqueous
and Ethanolic Extract of Blighia sapida in
Rats” and published by Asian Journal of
Medical Sciences were O.A. Owolabi, D.B.
James, A.B. Ibrahim, O.F. Folorunsho, I. Bwalla
and F. Akanta from Ahmadu Bello University,
Samaru, Zaria.
In addition, another plant, which experts
are suggesting to be helpful in keeping
stroke and other cardiovascular problems at
bay is Phyllanthus amarus. The medicinal
plant, whose whole plant is usually soaked
in hot water or cooked in locally brewed
alcohol and drank as tea, has attained the
status of a miracle plant because of its
ability to cure several ailments as claimed
by its proponents. For example, it is used
for the treatment of malaria, jaundice and
diabetes.
In clinical research over the years, experts
said in the journal, “Phototherapy
Research,” that the plant has demonstrated
its usefulness as a liver protector, pain
reliever, in the control of high blood
pressure and as a good contraceptive.
Another candidate for preventing stroke is
Chrysophyllum Albidum, which is often
called the white star apple. In South-western
Nigeria, the fruit is called “agbalumo” and
popularly referred to as “udara” in South-
eastern Nigeria.
C. albidum is a popular tropical fruit tree
whose roots, barks and leaves have been
employed in folk medicine for the treatment
of several diseases. The bark is used for the
treatment of yellow fever and malaria, while
the leaf is used for the treatment of skin
eruption, stomachache and diarrhea.
A study that provided information on the
effects of the ethanolic leaf extract on
biochemical and haematological parameters
in albino Wistar rats and carried out by A. H.
Adebayo, A. O. Abolaji, T. K. Opata and I. K.
Adegbenro from College of Science and
Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun
State, authenticates that the leaf extract of C.
albidum can help to thin the blood
(antiplatelet effect) as well as regulate the
sugar level in blood sugar.
Platelet activity may play a major role in the
development as well as in the stability of
atherosclerotic plaques and as a
consequence, antiplatelet agents have been
used clinically in patients at risk for
myocardial ischemia, unstable angina and
acute myocardial infarction.
No doubt, findings and appropriation of
plants that are clinical and nutritional
relevant to prevention of stroke are worth
the trial.