1.1 Introduction
Ficus sycomorus, “Baure” (Hausa) or “Epin” (Yoruba), is a medicinal plant belonging to Moraceae, consisting of about 40 genera and over 1000 species of trees, shrubs, vines and herbs usually found near streams in the Savannah area (Burkil, 1995). Ziziphus abyssinica is a fiercely thorny, semideciduous plant, varying in habit from an erect shrub; a scrambling plant that clambers into other vegetation for support; or a tree with drooping branches that form a heavy, rounded crown. It usually grows from 3 - 12 metres tall. The bole is usually straight; the plant is harvested from the wild as a local source of food, medicines and other materials. It is sometimes cultivated as a stock-proof hedge.
Malaria, a disease caused by Plasmodium species, is one of the oldest and greatest health challenges affecting 40% of the world’s population. It affects 300–500 million people and kills 1.5–2.7 million people annually. World Health Organization has estimated mortality rate of children less than 5 years in Nigeria to be 729 children per 100,000 children (Government in action report).
The disease is a major obstacle to economic advancement of many developing and tropical nations posing people to poverty and disease. One of the areas for the search of new antimalarial is the use of traditionally claimed antimalarial plant from the African flora. Ficus platyphylla Del belongs to the family Moraceae; its common name is broad leaf fig. The stem bark of Ficus platyphylla is used traditionally to treat malaria in Africa and in treating tuberculosis. The extracts of Ficus platyphylla have also been reported to inhibit gastrointestinal motility. It has been reported to possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-conceptive activities. Previous reports have shown that Ficus sycomorus L possesses antimalaria potentials against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Medicinal plants have been the focus for the search of new antimalaria drugs in various parts of the world and the present global situation indicates a recent resurgence in the severity of malaria, due to the resistance of malaria parasites to mainstay antimalaria drugs. Hence, there is need to intensify research in the development of new, cheap and effective antimalaria drugs from medicinal plants. We began to investigate in rodent malaria models the antimalarial activity of Ficus platyphylla used experientially as ingredients in the traditional remedies for malaria in Africa and have evaluated the in vivo antimalarial effect of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Ficus platyphylla Del in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems, objectives of the study, research hypothesis, significance of study, scope of the study, limitations of the study, and definition of terms.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation by this study reveals the following challenges:
- A lot of people lacks information about the chemistry of ficus sycomorus food and nourishment for man and animal
- Lack of appropriate information of the nutritional value of ficus sycomorus.
- Lack of knowledge of the Pathogenic Bacteria in ficus sycomorus.
- Lack of information about the Antimalarial Activity of organic extracts from leaves and roots of ficus sycomorus.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main Objective of this study is to do a comparative analysis (quantitative analysis) in vitro antimalarial activity of ficus sycomorus (baure) plants. In other to eradicate the existing problem the following processes was achieved;
- Provision of information about the chemistry of ficus sycomorus food and nourishment for man and animal
- Provision of appropriate information of the nutritional value of ficus sycomorus.
- Provision of information about the Pathogenic Bacteria in ficus sycomorus.
- Provision of information about the Antimicrobial Activity of organic extracts from leaves and roots of ficus sycomorus.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
The hypotheses addressed in this study are:
- Closer to an ficus sycomorus tree, barley yield and soil properties are affected positively and
- Ficus sycomorus based land use systems are associated with low intensity agricultural land use types. The study may, therefore, assist policy development on food security, particularly with respect to the enhancement of agricultural productivity in resource poor smallholder farmers in the tropics.
1.5 Justification / Significance of Study
This study when completed, it will help provide adequate information about most the vitro antimalarial activity of ficus sycomorus (baure) plants. This project will be beneficial to individuals such as;
- Subsequent researchers,
- Lab Scientist, and
- Technologist
By providing accurate and complete information about each activity of Ziziphus Abissinica and Ficus Sycomorus, it will also serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.6 Scope of the study
This research work will concentrate on vitro antimalarial activity of ficus sycomorus (baure) plants. The proposed study will only provide information like vitro antimalarial activity of ficus sycomorus (baure) plants.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Antimalarial: This is a type of antiparasitic chemical agent, often naturally derived, that can be used to treat or to prevent malaria, in the latter case, most often aiming at two susceptible target groups, young children and pregnant women.
Plant: a living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses, typically growing in a permanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances through its roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment chlorophyll.
Ziziphus abissinica: Ziziphus abyssinica is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae. It is endemic to dryer habitats across tropical Africa, south of the Sahel and north of the southern African deserts.
Ficus sycomorus: Ficus sycomorus, called the sycamore fig or the fig-mulberry, sycamore, or sycomore, is a fig species that has been cultivated since ancient times.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-cell organisms that are neither plants nor animals.
Knowledge: facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
