A professor of biochemistry, Ademola Ayeleso, from the College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, has advocated commercialisation of medicinal plant plantations in the country.
He made the remarks while delivering the 20th inaugural lecture of the university held recently.
According to him, it has become essential for the government to encourage farmers to explore the advantage of fertile land with which the country is endowed to further boost the export value of the nation in the area of medicinal plants’ commercial production.
Ayeleso identified numerous medicinal plants Nigerian farmers could invest in commercially to increase their source of income locally and in the global markets.
He said research has shown that garlic Red oil, Rooibos tea, monodora tenuifolia seeds, Nauclea latifolia leaves, Taraxacum officinale leaf, parquetina nigrescens leaves and many more are useful for curing various ailments such as diabetes, and many more diseases at an affordable cost because it is locally produced.
Speaking further in his lecture entitled: ‘The good Samaritan effect: medicinal plants oxidative stress modulators in Diabetes management’, Professor Ayeleso stated that his passion for plant-based medicine is rooted in the belief that nature holds the key to unlocking better health outcomes. He added that he had been dedicated to exploring the therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants in combating diabetes and obesity, using animal cell lines and drosophila melanogaster models.
He noted that as he continued to explore the antidiabetic potential of medicinal plants, he also delved into the investigation of the mechanism of exercise as a non–pharmaceutical approach in the management of diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Professor Ayeleso pledged commitment and determination that his research would continue to strengthen the incorporation of plant-based medicine into the healthcare system in Africa and around the world.
The don also vowed to continue to unveil the molecular mechanisms through which medicinal plants exert their therapeutic actions, adding that he would focus on the development of healthcare products from plants, especially against metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
Ayeleso called on the government at all levels, universities, and research institutions in the country to establish a regulatory framework for medicinal plant use and abuse.
He also pleaded for the facilitation of research collaboration between scientists and indigenous people with a strong traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and scientists.
Professor Ayeleso, in the lecture, advocated the provision of funds for research, fellowships, and scholarships in medicinal plants. He also admonished the federal government to allow private universities to have access to TETFUND research grants.
“There is a need for collaboration with healthcare professionals to integrate standardised herbal products into healthcare.
The creation of a more robust National Medicinal plant database to document and conserve Nigeria‘s plant diversity became essential
“I see the need for the establishment of public-private partnerships between industries and research institutions to facilitate the funding, development, and commercialisation of Medicinal plant-based products,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Jonathan Babalola, in his remarks, challenged the federal government to realise the danger of denying private universities access to TETFUND research grants.
According to him, marginalisation of private universities by the federal government in the sharing of the national cake is hindering the contributions of private universities’ research development in the country.
He stressed further that many private universities in the country are research-based Ivory Tower that would need federal government financial support to carry out their research findings and share the same with the industries for national development purposes.
