Undeterred by the
insecurity in their immediate community due to Boko Haram insurgency in
Borno State, a team of seven Nigerian scientists from the Faculty of
Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, has made progress in a groundbreaking
research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy.
The team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte
Hussaini, is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the
cancer therapy research.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has called on the
Presidency to create the office of Chief Adviser to Government as a
proactive way of promoting research and enhance science funding in the
country.
President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, who made this assertion
in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National Conference came
up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything that
was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with
what they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the
government to take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the
whole report away. Take a look at the report to see if there is anything
useful in it and make use of such.”
Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research
and Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work
with the scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials.
Prof. Hussaini, who presented the study to the Nigerian Academy of
Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54
plants so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used
in the treatment of cancer.
He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive anti-cancer
activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour.
He said: “We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using
Nigerian medicinal plants. We have characterised and identified some
plants. We have tested them and they are very effective. Eight out of
the 54 that we have are better than even the current drugs that are used
in the treatment of cancer. We are trying to identify some of those
active compounds that are responsible for this anti-cancer activity.
Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will do animal and
even pre-clinical studies.
“The team is made up of medical doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical
chemists and pharmacognosists, and then medicinal herbalist – a
consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several papers that we have
published. We have some papers ready for publication.”
He tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists
to enable them compete favourably.
“Science should be number one in terms of funding, and we need lots of
money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200 million
would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted.
Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised funding through
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to secure more
funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States.
“If we want Nigeria to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge
research that the present government should fund and it should be a
priority,” he noted.
He spoke further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of
all possible plants used in the former North Eastern State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second
phase is to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using
established cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem
cells and animal models of cancers, which will be followed by
identification of active principles in the plants using
Guardian
Continue reading at: http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the
insecurity in their immediate community due to Boko Haram insurgency in
Borno State, a team of seven Nigerian scientists from the Faculty of
Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, has made progress in a groundbreaking
research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy.
The team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte
Hussaini, is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the
cancer therapy research.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has called on the
Presidency to create the office of Chief Adviser to Government as a
proactive way of promoting research and enhance science funding in the
country.
President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, who made this assertion
in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National Conference came
up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything that
was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with
what they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the
government to take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the
whole report away. Take a look at the report to see if there is anything
useful in it and make use of such.”
Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research
and Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work
with the scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials.
Prof. Hussaini, who presented the study to the Nigerian Academy of
Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54
plants so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used
in the treatment of cancer.
He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive anti-cancer
activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour.
He said: “We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using
Nigerian medicinal plants. We have characterised and identified some
plants. We have tested them and they are very effective. Eight out of
the 54 that we have are better than even the current drugs that are used
in the treatment of cancer. We are trying to identify some of those
active compounds that are responsible for this anti-cancer activity.
Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will do animal and
even pre-clinical studies.
“The team is made up of medical doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical
chemists and pharmacognosists, and then medicinal herbalist – a
consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several papers that we have
published. We have some papers ready for publication.”
He tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists
to enable them compete favourably.
“Science should be number one in terms of funding, and we need lots of
money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200 million
would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted.
Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised funding through
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to secure more
funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States.
“If we want Nigeria to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge
research that the present government should fund and it should be a
priority,” he noted.
He spoke further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of
all possible plants used in the former North Eastern State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second
phase is to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using
established cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem
cells and animal models of cancers, which will be followed by
identification of active principles in the plants using
Guardian
Continue reading at: http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/
Undeterred by the insecurity in their immediate community
due to Boko Haram insurgency in Borno
State, a team of seven Nigerian
scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Maiduguri, has made progress in
a groundbreaking research into the use of local herbs for cancer therapy. The
team, led by Professor of Pharmacology at the university, Isa Marte Hussaini,
is currently exploring different Nigerian plants for the cancer therapy
research. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS) has called on the Presidency to create the office of Chief
Adviser to Government as a proactive way of promoting research and enhance
science funding in the country. President of the Academy, Prof. Oyewale Tomori,
who made this assertion in an interview with The Guardian noted: “The National
Conference came up with some very interesting recommendations. It is not everything
that was done there that is sensible. But I was really very impressed with what
they came up with in the area of science. We are all asking the government to
take a look at that. This government shouldn’t throw the whole report away.
Take a look at the report to see if there is anything useful in it and make use
of such.” Already, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRID) have applauded the research, promising to work with the
scientists to conduct pre-clinical trials. Prof. Hussaini, who presented the
study to the Nigerian Academy
of Science (NAS), told The Guardian yesterday that eight out of the 54 plants
so far identified showed more promise than the current drugs used in the
treatment of cancer. He highlighted how three of the plants showed impressive
anti-cancer activities against both breast cancer and brain tumour. He said:
“We are working to develop effective cancer therapy using Nigerian medicinal
plants. We have characterised and identified some plants. We have tested them
and they are very effective. Eight out of the 54 that we have are better than
even the current drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. We are trying
to identify some of those active compounds that are responsible for this
anti-cancer activity. Afterwards, in partnership with NAFDAC or NIPRID, we will
do animal and even pre-clinical studies. “The team is made up of medical
doctors, surgeons, pharmaceutical chemists and pharmacognosists, and then
medicinal herbalist – a consultant. I am a pharmacologist. We have several
papers that we have published. We have some papers ready for publication.” He
tasked government to provide adequate support to Nigerian scientists to enable
them compete favourably. “Science should be number one in terms of funding, and
we need lots of money, billions really. For this project, N100 million–N200
million would complete it. To go to pre-clinical and clinical trial requires
money,” he noted. Hussaini added that his team received institutionalised
funding through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and was trying to
secure more funding, especially from the National Institute for Health in the United
States. “If we want Nigeria
to move forward, this is the kind of cutting edge research that the present
government should fund and it should be a priority,” he noted. He spoke
further: “The first task is to establish a robust database of all possible
plants used in the former North Eastern
State of Nigeria.
We have increased our database to approximately 200 plants. The second phase is
to screen these plants for their anticancer properties, using established
cancer cell lines, patient cancer specimens, cancer stem cells and animal
models of cancers, which will be followed by identification of active
principles in the plants using Guardian
Continue reading at:
http://thebusinessdispatch.com/nigerian-scientists-make-progress-in-herbal-therapy-for-cancer/