Nigerian Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry/Pharmacokinetics, Chinedum Peace Babalola has disclosed that certain plants and foods consumed by Africans serve as immune boosters which are highly effective in the prevention of the deadly corona virus.Babalola who is the first female Professor of pharmacokinetics  from the  University of Ibadan and the current Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University Abeokuta made this known today at a Webinar by Women scientists in Africa themed, ‘Winning The Fight Against Covid-19’, where she talked about ways to mitigate Covid-19 with medicinal plants.

The professor explained that it is Africa’s medicinal and herbal foods  that might have prevented the wide spread of COVID-19 virus on the face of the  African soil against postulations and prophesies, as stated in her introductory message.

“SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of corona virus that triggers the immune response which affects the parts of the body we use in breathing.

“Study shows that symptoms such as the cough, cold, shortness of breath, fatigue, body pain, fever, chills, etc. are the notable symptoms and these symptoms have been reported by above 50 percent COVID-19 patients, with cough showing in 84% of patients, fever 80%, myalgia (muscle pain) 63%, chills 63%, headache 59% and fatigue 62%.”

While highlighting the benefits of local African plants and foods, Prof. Babalola was keen on the health-wise benefits of plants such as mango, cashew, cassava, which have antiviral properties; moringa, bitter leaf and pumpkin

that are immune boosters; others are spices for symptomatic management including onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric which can help manage some of the prevailing symptoms

of COVID-19.

 In her words, “bitter kola has antiviral properties; effective against cough, catarrh, flu and bronchitis and it is an immune booster.”

She stressed that compounds such as: aframomum melegeuta (alligator pepper) a West African spice, (hot and very spicy); Zingiber officinale  (ginger) which has an active compound cis-gingerol are rich in anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.  In addition, Moringa Olifera (Tree of life) leaves have 7 times more vitamin C than oranges and 15 times more potassium than bananas.

The erudite professor asserted that high COVID-19 mortality rates in Europe was correlated with low vitamin D levels, which is obtained better in the African continent. While the mixture of Neem leaf, pawpaw leaf,  garlic, ginger and lime, orange have been acclaimed by many Nigerians to be potent for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms.

However, Prof. Babalola noted that the way forward in combating COVID-19 pandemic in Africa among many others, include adequate screening of potential plants, equipping facilities for anti-viral research and development, clinical trials and  creation of more opportunities for developing in-silico derived compounds.