Traditional plant-based remedies to control gastrointestinal disorders in livestock in the regions of Kamina and Kaniama (Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo)

Inventory of the best-selling medicinal plants on the Lubumbashi markets (DR Congo) and authentication of samples from the 3 most popular species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Knowledge of the high-sale medicinal plants and their authentication are essential parameters to ensure the safety of people using herbal medicine and to plan the safeguarding of medicinal species threatened with extinction.

AIMS

The present study, carried out in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed to geolocate medicinal plant sales points, list the best-selling species, and authenticate samples of the most popular species on the market.

METHODS

A survey was conducted among the medicinal plant sellers in Lubumbashi's markets and other public spaces, to identify the best-selling species. Samples of the species reported as the most sold were purchased for sales unit weight measurement, and authentication. For the 3 most popular plant species, the identity of 92 samples, purchased from some 25 herbalists, was assessed by combining the microscopic characteristics of powdered drugs with the HPTLC fingerprints of methanolic extracts; for each species, these samples were compared with 1 or 2 botanically authenticated reference samples. As abundant starch granules were detected by microscopy, some samples were suspected of heavy flour contamination, which was confirmed by an enzymatic determination of their starch content.

RESULTS

A total of 108 herbalists (48.1 % women) with a median age of 37 years (range, 20-67 years), and a median seniority of 5 years (0.7-30) were interviewed. From a total of 514 purchased samples, 396 (77.0 %) corresponded to 56 species that could be identified, including 92 samples representing the 3 most frequently sold plant species. The identities of 118 samples (having 82 different vernacular names), could not be determined, due to the lack of voucher specimen. Roots were the most sold organ (56.0 %; n = 514), mainly in powder form (78.7 %), and the median price was 21 USD/kg, at the time of the survey (January to May 2021). The identified specimens were, predominantly, the roots of Terminalia mollis M.A.Lawson (33.3 %), Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen (28.7 %), and stem barks of Nauclea pobeguinii Hua ex Pobég. (23.1 %); from the recorded sales figures, the amounts of material annually sold for these 3 species are estimated at about 5.7, 6.0, and 3.1 tons, respectively. Some sellers reported problems in identifying and/or preserving S. longepedonculata and T. mollis. Among the 92 samples analyzed for the three species, 18.5 % raised problems, including species substitutions (14/17), dilution with flour (1/17), dilution with flour and species substitution (1/17), and detection of a phytochemical variant (1/17), that could arise either from contamination by another species, a particular plant growth environment, or poor storage conditions.

CONCLUSION

The confusion/adulteration rate measured here for highly popular species is quite alarming (18.5 %); but, indeed, roots, especially as powders, are often difficult to differentiate based on the coarse organoleptic examination practiced by herbal traders. Microscopic and phytochemical characteristics reported in this study, quite easy to obtain with basic laboratory equipment, should be systematically applied by the health products regulatory authorities to control the quality of herbals and ensure that patients get the drug desired for their treatment.

Ethnomedical knowledge of plants used in alternative medicine to treat hemorrhoidal diseases in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga province, Southern Democratic Republic of Congo

BACKGROUND

A variety of medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine in Lubumbashi for the management of hemorrhoidal diseases. However, no investigation has been conducted to gather the knowledge required for this type of management in the region. The present study was conducted to inventory the plants used in Lubumbashi to treat hemorrhoidal diseases and to relate their ethnomedical characteristics.

METHODS

This study was conducted between March 2022 and February 2023 by interviews using semi-structured questionnaire with households (n = 1520), herbalists (n = 25), and traditional healers: THs (n = 59).

RESULTS

The 1,604 respondents (sex ratio M/F = 0.9; mean age: 56 ± 3 years; experience: 12 ± 3 years) provided information on 100 taxa, 84 of which are used against internal hemorrhoids, Phyllanthus amarus being the most cited (Citation Index, CI: 0.76). Most of them are trees (38%) or shrubs (32%), belonging to 90 genera and 45 families dominated by the Fabaceae (10%) and Asteraceae (9%). They are indicated in 76 other pathologies, dominated by gastrointestinal disorders (GID), wounds and sexually transmitted infections (CI > 0.57). From these 100 taxa, 117 anti-hemorrhoidal formulations were derived, 11 of which combined more than one plant. In all these recipes, the leaf is the most commonly used part (> 60%) and the liniment (> 45%) is the most popular form of application. For the first time, this study reports 14 taxa as plants used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Among these taxa, Ficus stuhlmannii, Ficus laurifolia, and Ocimum centraliafricanum are listed as medicinal plants for the first time. Khaya nyasica, and Syzygium cordatum, each with 11 uses, have the highest traditional medicinal value.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that a significant number of medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine in Lubumbashi for the treatment of hemorrhoidal diseases. Some of these plants are endemic to the biodiversity area, while others are shared with other cultures and regions. A series of pharmacological studies is currently underway with the objective of validating the anti-hemorrhoidal properties of these plants and in order to identify phytochemical compounds responsible of this activity.

Ethnomedical Knowledge of Plants Used in Nonconventional Medicine for Wound Healing in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, DR Congo

Medicinal plants used for wound healing in Lubumbashi have yet to be discovered. Inventory or profile of their taxa has yet to be established. The present study was carried out to survey the plants used in traditional medicine in Lubumbashi to treat wounds and to define their ethnomedical characteristics. The study was conducted between March 2021 and August 2022, using semistructured interview surveys of households (n = 2730), herbalists (n = 48), and traditional practitioners: TPs (n = 128).The 2,906 interviewed (sex ratio M/F = 0.9; mean age: 56 ± 3 years; and experience: 17 ± 4 years) provided information on 166 taxa, 130 used against chronic wounds, among which Securidaca longepedunculata was the top cited. Most of these taxa are shrubs (33%), belonging to 48 botanical families dominated by the Fabaceae (16%). They are indicated in 70 other pathologies. From these 166 taxa, 198 healing recipes are obtained, 11 combining more than one plant. In all these recipes, the leaf (>36%) is the most used part, and the poultice (>36%) is the most popular form of use. Twelve taxa are cited for the first time as medicinal plants, of which Agelanthus zizyphifolius has the highest consensus and Erigeron sumatrensis has the highest usual value. For the various plants used to treat wounds, some of which are specific to the region, further studies should focus on validating this traditional use.

Ethnobotanical knowledge on native Brazilian medicinal plants traditionally used as anthelmintic agents - A review

Intestinal helminthiasis is a neglected disease that affects a significant portion of the global population, specifically in developing countries, where medicinal plants are widely used for therapeutic purposes. With the purpose to identify the native species used in traditional Brazilian medicine for the management of helminthiasis, ethnopharmacological books edited in Brazil documenting the folk use of medicinal plants were analyzed. The native species cited in at least three studies were selected, and bibliographic research was performed using electronic databases to identify their scientifically validated anthelmintic properties. The search retrieved 133 native species belonging to 88 genera and 43 families from all six Brazilian biomes. Fabaceae (14 Genera and 25 Species) and Asteraceae (7 Genera and 8 Species) were the most frequently cited families. The most reported native species were Baccharis crispa Spreng., Hymenaea courbaril L., Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, Carapa guianensis Aubl., Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) Vahl, Annona glabra L., Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne, Spigelia anthelmia L., Simarouba versicolor A.St.-Hil. and Anacardium occidentale L. Bark (19%) and leaves (17%) were the most commonly used plant parts, and decoction (27%) was the most preferred method of preparation. Evidence of the anthelmintic properties of most species was confirmed using in vitro assays for key human and animal parasites, including Haemonchus contortus, Hymenolepis diminuta, Schistosoma mansoni and Trichostrongylus spp. The species S. alata, S. occidentalis, A. occidentale, and S. anthelmia have been the subject of many biological studies, supporting their use as vermicides. The overall results obtained in this review revealed that Brazil is rich in traditional herbal medicines used to manage helminthiasis; however pharmacological investigations are lacking to confirm their therapeutic properties. Thus, this study could serve as a baseline to validate their use and encourage further clinical investigation of their vermifuge potential.

Smallholders' knowledge about healing goat gastrointestinal parasite infections with wild plants in southern DR Congo

Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections control has an important role to play in increasing livestock production from a limited natural resource base and to improve animal health and welfare. This study aimed to collect indigenous knowledge and identify wild plants locally used by goat smallholders of three territories of Haut-Katanga province for treating signs of gastrointestinal parasitism. Ethnoveterinary surveys were conducted by semi-structured interviews and a bibliographic screening of the biological activities relating to cited plants was carried out. Our interviews showed that ethnosemantic diagnoses of GIP diseases are based on signs. Eighty-seven informants reported that 27 plant species from 15 families, dominated by Fabaceae (29.6%) and Lamiaceae (18.5%) were commonly used in their goats treatment. Among these plants, five species with palmately compound leaves were considerably more used. From those, we noted a substitution of Vitex congolensis De Wild. and T. Durand (Lamiaceae) by Oldfieldia dactylophylla (Welw. Ex Oliv.) J. Leonard (Picrodendraceae) and of Vitex mombassae Vatke by Vitex madiensis Oliv. Subsp. Milanjiensis (Britten) F. White. Roots (46.9%), leaves (28.0%) and seeds (12.5%) were the most frequently used plant organs, and maceration is applied for most of the medicinal preparations (62.2%). Recipes were administered by oral route, for GIP 1) prevention (33.3%), by macerating the ground plant material in drinking water for 2 weeks at the start of each season (dry and rainy); and 2) treatment (66.7%). According to the literature, some of these plants have few or no studies investigating their anthelmintic activity. The cited plants are worth investigating further as they could constitute an effective alternative strategy in maintaining animal productivity. Studies on the biological activity of these plants can also provide indications of promising leads for extracts that could be developed into commercial standardized medications.

Microbial and Plant Derived Low Risk Pesticides Having Nematocidal Activity

Microorganisms, virus, weeds, parasitic plants, insects, and nematodes are among the enemies that induce severe economic losses to agrarian production. Farmers have been forced to combat these enemies using different methods, including mechanical and agronomic strategies, since the beginning of agriculture. The development of agriculture, due to an increased request for food production, which is a consequence to the rapid and noteworthy growth of the world's population, requires the use of more efficient methods to strongly elevate the yield production. Thus, in the last five-to-six decades, a massive and extensive use of chemicals has occurred in agriculture, resulting in heavy negative consequences, such as the increase in environmental pollution and risks for human and animal health. These problems increased with the repetition of treatments, which is due to resistance that natural enemies developed against this massive use of pesticides. There are new control strategies under investigation to develop products, namely biopesticides, with high efficacy and selectivity but based on natural products which are not toxic, and which are biodegradable in a short time. This review is focused on the microbial and plant metabolites with nematocidal activity with potential applications in suitable formulations in greenhouses and fields.

Perceptions and use of traditional African medicine in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga province (DR Congo): A cross-sectional study

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the desire of the Ministry of Health to integrate Traditional African Medicine into the Official Health System remains limited by the lack of reliable data on several aspects of this medicine. This study aims to determine the perceptions of the Lubumbashi population towards Traditional African Medicine and the contexts of recourse to these therapeutic modalities. We conducted semi-structured interviews of population samples in each of the 7 Lubumbashi municipalities, which were semi-randomly selected in proportions to each population size, from January to June 2017 and from February to July 2018. A total of 4278 people (average age, 32.1 ± 10.4 years; 36.5% of women) have been surveyed. Among them, 75.8% define "Traditional African Medicine" as "herbal-based treatments"; 79.4% have resorted to traditional medicine, for several pathologies and social problems. This medicine was preferred for efficiency, speed of healing and low cost, as well as the presence of the diseases against which it would be the only one used. Most, (52.1%) have started with Conventional Medicine, then resorted to Traditional African Medicine, 34.7% started directly with Traditional African Medicine, while 13.2% combined these two medicines. From those who have resorted to Traditional African Medicine (n = 3396), 55% declare no concern towards traditional medicine, while 42.5% fear looseness, overdose, intoxication, and lack of hygiene; from those who have not resorted to Traditional African Medicine (n = 882), 78% are fearful of fear looseness, witchcraft, and fetishism. Traditional African Medicine remains an important health care resource for the Lubumbashi people. It is essential that decision-makers consider the importance of this health sector for the population, but also the reported fears and hindrances, and work towards the regulation, sanitization, and control of this medicine to ensure its safe use.

Gastrointestinal, metabolic, and nutritional disorders: A plant-based ethnoveterinary meta-analysis in the Catalan linguistic area

Veterinary care is fundamental for animal wellbeing, and so is achieving a comprehensive understanding of traditional ethnoveterinary applications. However, little attention has been paid to it so far in industrialized countries, and in particular in Western Europe. In this context, the present work aims to make a contribution to this issue in the Catalan linguistic area, focusing on the study of plants used, at a popular level, to treat and deal with gastrointestinal, metabolic, and nutritional disorders, which are among the most important issues that affect animals. Data obtained in this study come from the popular knowledge about plants for veterinary purposes from 599 informants, who jointly provided 1,405 reports of use from 148 plant taxa. The most cited species have been Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip. (9.04%), Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. europaea (6.26%), and Euphorbia lathyris L. (6.26%). At higher taxonomic levels, the botanical families with more ethnoveterinary applications were Asteraceae (24.48%), Euphorbiaceae (8.33%), and Oleaceae (7.12%). Among the total use reports, 95.02% refer to disorders of the gastrointestinal system, 4.34% to nutritional disorders, and 0.64% to metabolic disorders. Antidiarrheal (18.01%), digestive (16.51%), and laxative (15.80%) have been the most reported veterinary uses. The most used plant parts have been the aerial part (40.50%), the fruit or the infructescence (18.65%), and the flower or inflorescence (16.01%). The main preparation and administration forms reported were tisane (58.69%), followed by direct use (without any specific pharmaceutical form; 21.77%). The global corpus of ethnoveterinary knowledge for the gastrointestinal system disorders in the territory of study is diverse, with some species having a very high cultural value, as indicated by an informant consensus factor very close to 1. Some reported uses were also confirmed after consultation of encyclopedic pharmacological works, although few of these works are specifically devoted to veterinary uses. The results of this study are relevant to preserve the ethnoveterinary knowledge, but also represent an important contribution to be taken into account in research for future development of new plant-based drugs for animals.

Ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and evidence-based pharmacological properties of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.: extensive overview

Background

The Chenopodium genus is a plant family widely spread worldwide that includes various plant species reputed to possess several medicinal virtues in folk medicines. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is among the most used plants in traditional medicines worldwide. This review aimed to highlight ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical status, and pharmacological properties of C. ambrosioides L.

Main body of the abstract

The analysis of relevant data highlights various ethnomedicinal uses against human and veterinary diseases in forty countries. Most indications consisted of gastrointestinal tract dysfunctioning troubles and worms parasitemia. Around 330 chemical compounds have been identified in different plant parts, especially in its essential oil fractions (59.84%). However, only a few compounds—mainly monoterpenes and glycosides—have been isolated and characterized. Experimental pharmacological studies validated a large scale of significant health benefits. It appeared that many monoterpenes are antioxidant, insecticidal, trypanocidal, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, acaricidal, amoebicidal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antifertility, antifungal, anti-leishmanial, antimalarial, antipyretic, antisickling, antischistosomal, antiulcer, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, molluscicidal, and vasorelaxant agents.

Short conclusion

Thus, the Chenopodium ambrosioides species necessitates further chemical studies to isolate and characterize new bioactive secondary metabolites and pharmacological investigations to precise the mechanisms of action before clinical trials.

Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray as a medicinal plant: A comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacotoxicology and clinical relevance

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tithonia diversifolia (TD) is widely valued in several cultures for its medicinal properties. A comprehensive review of the current understanding of this plant species is required due to emerging concerns over its efficacy, toxicity and allergenic potential.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

We critically summarized the current evidence on the botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety of TD, with the view to provide perspectives for developing more attractive pharmaceuticals of plant origin, but also to lay a new foundation for further investigations on this plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A preliminary consultation of search engines such as Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect and other published/unpublished resources provided an overview of extant literature on TD. Then, we meticulously screened all titles, abstracts and full-texts to establish consistency in the application of inclusion criteria. Studies were considered for inclusion if they dealt with taxonomy, global distribution, local and traditional knowledge, phytochemistry, toxicity and biological effects.

RESULTS

1856 articles were retrieved among which 168 were revised and included. Several studies conducted on cell lines and animals provided supporting evidence for some ethnomedicinal claims of extracts from TD. Short-term use of Tithonia extracts were effective and well-tolerated in animals when taken at lower doses. Both the toxic and therapeutic effects were attributed to bioactive principles naturally occurring in this species including sesquiterpene lactones, chlorogenic acid and flavonoids.

CONCLUSIONS

T. diversifolia is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic implications and favourable safety index. However, more rigorously designed investigations are needed to recommend the whole plant or its active ingredients as a medication, and should focus on understanding the multi-target network pharmacology of the plant, clarifying the effective doses as well as identifying the potential interactions with prescribed drugs or other chemicals.

Traditional plants used for the treatment of gynaecological disorders in Vedaranyam taluk, South India - An ethnomedicinal survey

Gynaecological disorder is one of the most severe conditions under reproductive health. So we investigate and collect information from traditional practitioners on the use of medicinal plants for treatment of Gynaecological disorder in Vedaranyam taluk, Nagappattinam district of South India. The field study was carried out for a period of January 2014-January 2015 in Vedaranyam taluk, Nagappattinam district of South India. This is the first traditional medicine study in which statistical calculations about plants are done by RFC, CI, UV and ICF in the study area. The ethnomedicinal information was collected through interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions and overt observations with semi-structured questionnaires among traditional practitioners. A total of 66 species of plants distributed in 62 genera belonging to 44 families were identified as commonly used ethno medicinal plants by traditional practitioners in Vedaranyam taluk for the treatment of 36 ailments based on the reproductive systems treated. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of paste and administrated orally. We know the most important species according to their use value such as Moringa oleifera, Smailax zeylanica and Achyranthes aspera were recorded. The present study, we have highlighted some claims which are high use in the study area. Further pharmacological studies of these plants may provide some important drugs for the treatment of common gynaecological disorders.

Ethnoveterinary medicinal plant knowledge and practice among the tribal communities of Thakht-e-Sulaiman hills, west Pakistan

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pastoralist tribal communities inhabit Thakht-e-Sulaiman hills since centuries. In this remote and geographically isolated area, local people mainly rely on their natural environment for ethnoveterinary care. The area is therefore of special interest for the documentation and analysis of ethnoveterinary plant use and efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field work was conducted from 2010-2012 and 86 informants were interviewed. First, detailed unstructured interviews and group discussions were done with key informants, and second, successive oral freelisting and semi-structured interviews were performed. The veterinary diseases as described by the informants were categorized according to the symptoms they cause and the organs they affect. Information on the cited plants, informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) were calculated based on use reports.

RESULTS

A total of 22 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species, belonging to 21 genera and 20 families with 559 use reports were recorded from two different ecological zones. More species were documented from the foothills but total use reports were higher for mountain species. Mainly leaves are used to prepare decoctions which are administered orally. Most use reports concerned skeleto-muscular problems followed by gastrointestinal ailments, but ritual uses and dermatological illnesses got highest ICF. Most often cited species were Pinus gerardina, P. wallichiana and Daphne papyracea while highest FL was obtained for Salix tetrasperma, Berberis calliobotrys and Litsea monopetala. Interestingly, 50% of the species have the same or similar use for humans.

CONCLUSION

According to the local people, the most often mentioned species have high medicinal potential. They show a wide acceptance, broad application, multiple ways of preparation and administration. There is a need to conserve the knowledge of medicinal plant use in the Thakht-e-Sulaiman hills for future generations and to incorporate it into existing livestock health care services.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for pregnant women׳s health conditions in Menoua division-West Cameroon

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Cameroon, most women use traditional medicine for the treatment of pregnancy and childbirth complaints. In order to identify some of the medicinal plants locally used to alleviate these complaints, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in five villages of Menoua Division (West-Cameroon).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Interviews were conducted through structured questionnaires among 24 traditional healers and 179 women living either in the town of Dschang or in 4 neighboring villages. After having recorded the interviewee personal information on issues related to medicinal plants utilization, a literature investigation on their therapeutic or pharmacological effects and phytochemical composition was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 88 medicinal plants species used to treat 24 conditions occurring during or after pregnancy and belonging to 70 genera or 34 families were recorded. Maximum medicinal uses of plants are reported for the treatment of the following ailments: swelling of legs and ankles (23%), facilitation of delivery (22%), cleaning of the baby (12%). Most herbal remedies are prepared with the leaves (30%), leaves+stems (28%) and whole plant (23%) as maceration (76%). The majority of women who used medicinal plants were very satisfied (75 %) and it is reported that most of these plants are used in the treatment of women health conditions.

CONCLUSION

Many herbal remedies used for the treatment of pregnant women׳s health conditions in Menoua division-West Cameroon have been revealed. It would therefore be judicious for our government and research institution to evaluate the therapeutic and toxicological potentials of these plants in order to valorize their use.