Don advocates funding research into medicinal plants

Ini Billie, Uyo

Professor of Organic Chemistry, Prof. Bassey Antia has advocated the funding of research into medicinal plants in the country.

Prof Antia, who said it was important for governments or her agencies to fund the research, added that it could result in the production of standardised and verified plant medicines that can cure various ailments.

Speaking during the 105th inaugural lecture of the university titled, “Natural Products Chemistry: Where the Mysteries of the Natural World Manifest in Atoms, Molecules and Ions”, Antia explained that medicinal plants have the potentials to improve health.

“Since Medicinal from plants show enormous potentials to improve the health and well-being of consumers; government or her agencies should support research into our medicinal plants as this might lead to the production of standardized and verified plant medicinals.

“This will assist in increasing the armamentarium of therapeutic agents available in our environment for the alleviation and possible cure of various ailments,” he stated

Antia called for the provision of excellent facilities in universities and research institutions and trained scientists to handle them, saying it would enable researchers to find functions for numerous natural products in the environment

“It is obvious from the research findings that excellent facilities must be provided in our research institutions and universities and competent scientists trained internationally to handle these facilities. That will enable us find functions for the various natural products in our natural environment”, he said.