Researcher enjoins Nigerians to consume ‘Ewedu’
A biochemist, Prof. Rotimi Arise of the Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, has warned against the practice of taking antibiotics among other drugs with alcohol. The lecturer gave the warning while delivering the 228th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin. He explained that the result of their investigation on the effects of co-administration […]
A biochemist, Prof. Rotimi Arise of the Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, has warned against the practice of taking antibiotics among other drugs with alcohol.
The lecturer gave the warning while delivering the 228th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin.
He explained that the result of their investigation on the effects of co-administration of antibiotics widely used to cure negative infections and ethanol on some biochemical parameters of a rat kidney may be exerting some toxicity on the kidney.
According to him, the result revealed a significant reduction in the kidney lactate dehydrogenase activity as well as elevated serum urea, total protein and cholesterol levels.
“We concluded that concurrent intake of alcohol with antibiotics is toxic to the kidney and the body as a whole.
“These findings also suggest that the prolonged administration of ivermectin and albendazole may be toxic to the liver, kidney and brain cells,” he said.
He said that another result of their investigation provided evidence that vitamin E positively modulated the negative effects of the combined administration of ivermectin and albendazole in rats.
The Don disclosed that his team had also investigated some medicinal plants commonly used for the management of some health conditions in order to provide a baseline safety data about their ability to either positively or negatively modulate metabolic life processes.
“Our common indigenous fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts are very rich in antioxidants, short peptides and micronutrients.
“Studies have also shown that they are good modulators of relevant enzymes with potential to prevent and protect against diseases like diabetes, hypertension and ulcer.
“Ewedu (Corchoris olitorius leaves) have potent blood sugar modulatory and immune boosting activities.
”I therefore recommend its increased, regular and general consumption but advised the general public against the practice of concurrent intake of drugs such as antibiotics with alcohol, the use of galena (tiro) as well as exposure of skin to used lubricating oil because of the danger or harm inherent in the practice,” he said.
Arise also recommended the inclusion of fresh ‘Telfara occidentalis’ (fluted pumpkin (Ugu) fruits and leaves and water melon seeds as components of fresh vegetables salads especially for pre-diabetics and diabetics because of their potent and safe blood sugar modulatory ability.
The professor of Biochemistry, urged the general public to cultivate the regular intake of cashew nuts at home and offices because of its blood sugar and pressure modulatory capacity.
The don urged industries and companies in the pharmaceutical, food and drinks to fund research as part of their corporate social responsibility.
He said that government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, among others should do more in their regulatory efforts to subject new products to standard toxicological evaluation procedures.