ABU Professor Develops Herbal Antimalarial Pills

Umar Katsayel, a professor at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has developed two antimalarial drugs which would be a great competitor with other relevant drugs in the treatment of the malaria parasite.

The Don disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Sandamu, near Daura, on Monday, adding that the drugs were produced from the roots of cissampelos mucronata plant and the stem-bark of plumeria rubra plant, which are said to be common herbs found around the vicinity.

He said the development of the drugs was a product of years of hard academic research and investigations, stating that the drugs will be set for consumption as soon as it undergoes various laboratory tests to determine their efficacy and toxicity.

“We would soon make the drug’s public after certifying the obvious certification process with the relevant regulatory bodies.

“We would redouble our efforts to develop as many drugs as possible,”

The Professor urged other academic staff to intensify efforts on research in order to have a speedy socio-economic development in the nation.

Meanwhile, Katsayel lauded the management of the University and the federal government for giving him the enabling environment to achieve the goal and promoting academic research and investigations.