Scientifically known as Treculia Africana, African breadfruit which is similar to the breadfruit eaten in the Caribbean and South Pacific is used either singly or in combination with other herbs in the traditional herbal preparation by different communities to treat various diseases.
From its leaves, fruits, stem to other parts of the tree such as the root, experts have found African breadfruits and its other variants present in other parts of the world, immensely useful in the treatment of many chronic ailments such as diabetes and hypertension.
For instance, researchers at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences in a series of studies on the efficacy of breadfruit leaves (Artocarpus Altilis) reported that its extract could inhibit platelet aggression, reduces blood viscosity, and protect the heart from acute ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart).
Their results found that the extracts of its leaves can prevent the thickening of the walls of blood vessel supplying the heart (atherosclerosis) by inhibiting fat accumulation in these blood vessel walls as well as lower blood cholesterol levels significantly.
In addition, toxicity tests on important organs in the body such as the heart, kidneys, liver and the blood profile indicated that this extract was safe. At varying doses, the functioning of these organs was not affected.
Similarly, a 2012 study in the Pharmaceutical Biology tried to explain how water extract of leaves of a variant of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) can help to low blood pressure in healthy individuals.
The study, which was carried out in Sprague–Dawley rats with normal blood pressure, provided scientific evidence for the use of the breadfruit in the treatment of hypertension.
It was a collaborative research involving Nigerian-born experts such as Chukwuemeka R. Nwokocha and Daniel U. Owu and their foreign counterparts at University of the West Indies.
Moreover, Nigerian researchers have found that extracts of African breadfruit could be the next best natural sedative without side effects, thereby making it useful in the treatment of mental illness. This study was published recently in Ethnobotanical Leaflets entitled “Central Nervous System Depressant Properties of Treculia Africana Decne.”
The researchers from the Faculties of Pharmacy Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State were A. O. Aderibigbe, I. O. Adeyemi and O. I. Agboola.
They found that the crude extract possessed sedative effects, which may be through increase in the activity of GABA in the brain.
GABA is Gama amino butyric acid, and is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is essential for the proper functioning of the brain and the central nervous system, and has the effect of reducing excessive brain activity and promoting a state of calm.
The researchers, who set out to verify the claim by local herbalists that the plant was useful for the treatment of mental illness wrote, “The crude extract possessed sedative effect, which may be through increase in the activity of GABA in the brain.”
In addition, researchers advocate African breadfruits for diabetics. According to researchers at the Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, who conducted a study using a breadfruit seed diet on rats, found that it significantly lowered blood lipid levels and blood glucose levels in these rats compared to rats fed on normal diet.
Many people take advantage of leaves of this breadfruit variety to cope with various health problems. Taiwan society has traditionally used the roots and stems for the treatment of heart disease and hypertension. In the West Indies, the yellowing leaf is brewed into tea and taken to reduce high blood pressure and to relieve asthma.
In addition to lowering blood cholesterol levels, some people are making it as a solution to save the kidney and ensure the daily routine is still running. To treat kidney disease, breadfruit leaves and drink boiled enough water every day on a regular basis.
Breadfruit tree preparation has also been studied to treat taeniasis (a digestive tract infection caused by tapeworms) diabetes, sore eyes, sciatica, enlarged spleen, skin infections, boils, burns, fractures, gout, and rheumatism.
Leaf extracts of the breadfruit tree have been used to treat toothaches and diarrhoea. Crushed leaves are commonly used to treat skin ailments and fungus diseases such as ‘thrush’.
Diluted latex is taken internally to treat diarrhoea, stomach-aches, and dysentery. The sap from the crushed stems of leaves is used to treat ear infections or sore eyes. The root when macerated is used as a poultice for skin ailments. The bark is also used to treat headaches in several islands.
The nutritional value of breadfruit is undeniable. Along with rich amounts of energy, breadfruit also contains high amounts of fibre. Research revealed that fibre helps in reducing the triglycerides and bad cholesterol levels, thus increasing the consumption of breadfruit lowers bad cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol levels. In this way this fruit is protecting the body from heart attacks and heart diseases.
Research studies reveal that the fibre present in breadfruit can reduce glucose absorption from the food we consume, so making it helpful in controlling diabetes. It also helps in efficient functioning of intestines and bowels because its consumption can regulate bowel movements and the clearing of the built up waste from the intestines, thus making it protective against colon cancer.
It contains good amounts of thiamine, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, phosphorous and iron. These vitamins and minerals offer essential nutrients to the body.
Breadfruit is also made in the form of flour which is richer in lysine and many other essential amino acids. It is healthier than wheat flour and helpful for the body’s growth and development.
source:tribune.com.ng
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