Worried bydearth of dataon the safety of Morinda lucida in the treatment of many ailments in the community, experts have indicated that the decoction of this multipurpose herb could be relatively safe as oral remedy if not taken beyond 21 days.Scientists in a new study found that ethanolic root extract of Morinda lucida is unlikely to affect the functions of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular risk) as well as organs of the body such as the liver and kidney when repeatedly consumed on a daily basis for 21 days.In the study, the scientists investigated the toxicological effect of the ethanolic root extract of the plant at 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight on the blood, kidney and liver function parameters in Wistar rats for 21 days. They found that the extract did not exhibit any significant effect on red blood cells (RBCs), volume of whole blood (hematocrit), hemoglobin (Hb) as well as platelet distribution width (PDW) among others factors.The non-significant effect of the extract on RBCs might be an indication that the balance between the rate of production and destruction of the blood corpuscles (erythropoiesis) was not altered.It also caused a significant reduction in the levels of white blood cells, platelets, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Similarly, the extract at all doses led to significant increase in the body and absolute organ weights of the animals but no effect on the liver, kidney, heart and lungs body-weight ratios.The reduction in the levels of lipid profile (cholesterol, especially the bad cholesterol) at all the doses investigated suggest that the extract at 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight may not predispose the animals to heart related problems but protective of the heart.Morinda lucida is a tropical West Africa rainforest tree also called brimstone tree. The plant has several names like Oruwo in Yoruba; njisi in Igbo or marga in Hausa. It leaves are widely used in the treatment of malaria, typhoid fever, jaundice and dressing of wounds to prevent infections. A weak decoction of the stem bark is used for the treatment of severe jaundice, cancer, poor low sperm count and diabetes.Despite these profound therapeutic advantages possessed by various parts of this species, little or no information is available scientifically before now on the safety/toxicity of the root extract. Meanwhile, one of the basic criteria set by World Health Organisation (WHO) for the use of herbs as medicines is that they should be shown to be non-toxic.The 2011 study entitled 'Toxicological evaluation of ethanolic root extract of Morinda lucida in male Wistar rats' and published in the Journal of Natural Pharmaceuticals was carried out by Anofi Omotayo Tom Ashafa from the University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa in collaboration with Olugbenga Olatunde Olunu from the Lagos State University, Lagos.Meanwhile a previous study on reputable anti-diabetic plants in five districts of Lagos State listed this in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology to include bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), black jack (Bidens pilosa), pawpaw (Carica papaya), lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum), Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and Morinda lucida (brimstone tree).The study, titled 'Inventory of antidiabetic plants in selected districts of Lagos State, Nigeria,' was authored by Gbolade A. Adebayo of Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu campus, Ogun State.One hundred respondents comprising traditional medical practitioners, herb sellers and herbalists having formal education (95 per cent) and mainly from the Yoruba tribe (95 per cent) were interviewed in the survey. 76 per cent of the respondents were males.The study listed 50 herbal recipes for treating diabetes mellitus in Lagos State. Some of the recipes include: 'Bitter leaves should be squeezed till the juice comes out and mixed with salt. Cut into pieces Momordica charantia bark and leaf, then boil in cold water. Allium cepa (onion) dried leaf, Carica papaya root and Aframomum melegueta leaf are ground and taken with hot pap. Citrus aurantiifolia leaves and powder of cascara are squeezed with water and the juice is taken.Vernonia amygdalina leaves should be squeezed with water and drunk twice daily. Leaves of sugarcane and Morinda lucida are squeezed till the juice comes out, then mix with water and take a glassful twice daily. Bidens pilosa fruits and bitter leaves are soaked in water. One glass cup is taken three times daily. The dried roots of Bidens pilosa ground into powder, mixed with hot pap and honey. Two teaspoonfuls are taken twice daily.Leaves and roots of Vernonia amygdalina, Momordica charantia, Carica papaya, Bidens pilosa and Ocimum gratissimum are soaked in alcohol. One glass cup is taken thrice daily. Vernonia amygdalina leaves and Allium cepa (onion) bulb are soaked in water for five days and one glass cup drunk daily. Dried bulb of Allium cepa, dried root of Carica papaya and dried seeds of Aframomum melegueta are ground into powder and taken with hot pap. Leaves of Allium sativum (garlic), Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, and potash are boiled with water. One glass cup is taken daily.
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