Canada-Based Nigerian Scientist Advocates Harnessing Local Biodiversity for Affordable Diabetes Therapies

A Canada-based Nigerian scientist, Temitope Aribigbola, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigerian researchers, diaspora scientists, and the global research community to unlock the country’s biodiversity for the development of cost-effective treatments for type-2 diabetes.

Aribigbola emphasized that closer ties with international institutions could accelerate drug discovery by facilitating expertise sharing, technology transfer, and joint research initiatives. He urged diaspora professionals to mobilize funding and contribute to building Nigeria’s research capacity.

He also called on the Nigerian government to invest in computational drug discovery, clinical trials for indigenous medicinal plants, and integration of herbal remedies into official healthcare protocols. In addition, he recommended partnerships with local farmers to cultivate and sustainably harvest medicinal plants to ensure a steady research pipeline.

“By leveraging our biodiversity with modern drug discovery methods, we can identify active compounds that could be developed into effective and affordable treatments for diseases such as type-2 diabetes,” Aribigbola said.

His latest study used computer modelling to examine the n-butanol fraction of Blighia welwitschii (Hiern) leaves. The research revealed several bioactive compounds – including rutin, cyanidin-3-o-glycoside, quercetin-3-o-glycoside, quercetin, 3-rutinoside, isorhamnetin, cyanidin and balan – that bind to and inhibit 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), an enzyme linked to insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels.

According to Aribigbola, these findings represent an opportunity to turn locally available plant resources into globally recognized therapies, provided there is political will, adequate funding, and coordinated action among local and international stakeholders.