Herbosomes in the Delivery of Phytotherapeutics and Nutraceuticals: Concepts, Applications and Future Perspective

Recent advances in natural products chemistry and phytomedicine research has been aimed at novel lipid based drug delivery systems. Herbosome technology is one of such systems that incorporate phospholipids into standardized active ingredients of herbal extracts, thus effectively enhancing the bioavailability of water-soluble bioactive constituents of phytomedicines such as flavonoids, phenolics and hydrophilic compounds. These phytoconstituents have been established to exhibit a variety of biological activities that have pharmacological benefits. However, poor absorption of these phytoconstituents limits their bioavailability. The poor absorption is principally due to the failure of these constituents to reach their site of action before being degraded as well as their inability to pass through the small intestine due to their multi ring structures and the lipid nature of the intestinal wall. This review chronicles the recent advances made in herbosome technology, highlighting the concepts, applications and future perspective of herbosome use.Key words: Herbosomes, Phytomedicine, Lipid based delivery systems, Phytosomes, Phyto-phospholipid complex

A BIOGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF SACRED GROVES IN UDUNG UKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This work is a Biogeographical analysis of sacred groves in Udung Uko Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design whereby questionnaires, field observation,  and interviews enabled data collection and analysis in line with the study objectives. From the data gathered and analyzed, the study discovered that sacred groves maintain significant identity of location and composition. There were about 17 different plants which were numbered comprising of trees, shrubs, and herbs and were 888 species in their head count, the most dominant of all the species were vovaca pouse (8.5%), switeria mahogoni (6.7%), ipomota obscura (6.7%), urina lobofa (6.3%). Trees were more in the sacred groves. Using chi-square statistic, the hypothesis which stated that the ecological implication of sacred groves is not significant was confirmed, since p˂0.005, and the second which stated that the community-based management and conservation strategies of sacred groves is not significant was confirmed significant since p˂0.005. Although they are natural grounds for conservation of biodiversity, the threat of urbanization and development, human encroachment, population increase, western education, faiths and religious conflict is disadvantageous. The study found that indigenous and local based management with natural characteristics especially the wild nature of the forest and evil outcomes restrict access by many. The need for integrated resources management of sacred groves and proactive strategies with updated technology towards preservation of the quality of sacred groves and sustainable conservation

Herbosomes in the Delivery of Phytotherapeutics and Nutraceuticals: Concepts, Applications and Future Perspective

Recent advances in natural products chemistry and phytomedicine research has been aimed at novel lipid based drug delivery systems. Herbosome technology is one of such systems that incorporate phospholipids into standardized active ingredients of herbal extracts, thus effectively enhancing the bioavailability of water-soluble bioactive constituents of phytomedicines such as flavonoids, phenolics and hydrophilic compounds. These phytoconstituents have been established to exhibit a variety of biological activities that have pharmacological benefits. However, poor absorption of these phytoconstituents limits their bioavailability. The poor absorption is principally due to the failure of these constituents to reach their site of action before being degraded as well as their inability to pass through the small intestine due to their multi ring structures and the lipid nature of the intestinal wall. This review chronicles the recent advances made in herbosome technology, highlighting the concepts, applications and future perspective of herbosome use.Key words: Herbosomes, Phytomedicine, Lipid based delivery systems, Phytosomes, Phyto-phospholipid complex

Assessment of policies and legislation that affect management of Wetlands in Nigeria

The beneficial ecosystem services provided by wetlands in Nigeria are continuously subjected to considerable stress that has consequences for human wellbeing. An understanding of the policies and legislation governing wetland can help enhance their management. Therefore, this paper reviews existing policies and legislation that affect management of wetlands in Nigeria. It draws upon the contents of the laws and policy documents acquired from government and non-governmental organizations. The paper assesses the level of attention given to wetlands and identifies some informal measures, together with 35 federal legislative acts, six international conventions, and voluntary measures relevant to wetlands management. Results indicate that the existing legislation gives little attention to wetland management. This led the authors to conclude that the reason for wetland degradation is not the lack of laws or policy documents, but weak enforcement of existing ones. In this light, the paper calls for an integration of wetland management strategies and a strict enforcement of existing laws whilst stressing that effort should target a comprehensive national wetland policy of a holistic approach. © Society of Wetland Scientists 2012