Nigerian Usage of Bark in Phytomedicine

Abstract

Some investigations on the use of bark in phytomedicine were carried out. A comparison of the phytochemicals of re-grown stem bark (after debarking) with those of older bark of the same tree species, revealed that almost all the phytochemicals screened were present in both old and new bark; indicating that the newly-grown bark is also medicinally useful. A taxonomic key that would facilitate the identification of dry bark of 15 frequently used tree species has been constructed. Seven fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Penicillin digitatum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Neurospora crassa, Fusarium flavus, Mucor mucedo and Botryodiplodia theobrome were isolated from bark stored in the market for 1 – 2 years. Some of these saprophytic organisms of stored products may also cause diseases in humans. The implications of these findings for the use of bark in phytomedicine are discussed.