Plant and natural product based homemade remedies for veterinary uses by the Peul community in Benin

Ethnoveterinary survey of trypanocidal medicinal plants of the beninese pharmacopoeia in the management of bovine trypanosomosis in North Benin (West Africa)

Cattle breeding is of great socio-economic importance for Benin's cattle farmers in general and those of North Benin in particular. The objective of this study is to inventory the natural products of medicinal plants of the Beninese pharmacopoeia for the management of trypanosomes in cattle in North Benin. The methodology consisted of individual and semi-structured interviews with cattle farmers on the use of medicinal plants. A total of 360 cattle farmers were selected and interviewed in twelve villages in four municipalities (Tchaourou, N'dali, Bembèrèkè and Gogounou) in northern Benin. Different quantitative ethnobotanical indices were calculated to determine the level of use of plant species. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF = 0.918) and the Generic Coefficient (Rg = 1.04) were evaluated. The knowledge of medicinal plants was influenced by the level of education and the main activity of those who practiced animal husbandry. The results yielded 48 medicinal plants for veterinary use belonging to 46 genera and 28 families. The Leguminosae family (12.50%) was the most represented. The most cited plants with a RFC above 10% were K. senegalensis, P. africana, K. africana, M. inermis, S. latifolius, M. polyandra. The parts used were leaves (46.15%); barks (24.62%) and roots (15.38%). Decoction (53.23%), plundering (32.26%) and maceration (11.26%) were the main methods of preparation. The administration was mainly by oral route. The calculated indices show a high diversity of medicinal plants with trypanocidal properties in the control of cattle trypanosomosis in the Sudanese and Sudano-Guinean zones of northern Benin. Plant species with high citation and RFC values should be selected for comprehensive pharmacological and phytochemical research to validate this ethnomedical knowledge in the management of cattle trypanosomosis.

A survey on ethnoveterinary medicines used by the tribal migratory shepherds of Northwestern Himalaya

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tribal migratory shepherds (Gaddi) living in the Northwestern Himalayan region are well known for their nomadic lifestyle in which tribal migratory shepherds along with their livestock which mainly include sheep and goat migrate seasonally in the Northwestern Himalayan region from high hills to low hills for the survival of their livestock from cold winters and hot summer. Due to harsh environmental conditions, heavy snowfall, heavy rainfall, wild animal attacks, no medical facilities, no transportation, and no electricity facilities tribal migratory shepherds mostly rely on plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use to treat livestock disease.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of our study is to conduct ethnoveterinary survey for the first time to document the contemporary oral ethnoveterinary knowledge of Gaddi shepherds living in Northwestern Himalayan region.

METHODOLOGY

The documentation of plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use was executed through extensive field surveys from 2017 to 2019. Data were collected through direct interviews by administrating questionnaire among tribal migratory shepherds.

RESULTS

A total of 181 plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use belonging to the same or different families were documented during the seasonal migration of shepherds from Northwestern Himalayan region. Most frequently occurring family of plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary was Poaceae, leaves and roots were reported to be the most frequently used plant parts. Most frequently documented plant species for ethnoveterinary use were Cynodon dactylon, Chenopodium album, Zanthoxylum armatum, Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica and Cannabis sativa. Chrysopogon serrulatus, Cynodon dactylon, and Vitex negundo were reported with high use reports. Some of the endemic species of Northwestern Himalayan region such as Elymus himalayanus and Euphorbia pilosa and one endangered species Picrorhiza kurrooa were reported in current study.

CONCLUSION

It is observed that there is a need to raise awareness among the tribal migratory shepherds about the sustainable use and conservation of some of the plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use. This study provided an inventory of plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use having significant ethnoveterinary potential, however there is need of scientific evaluations by in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies.

An ethnoveterinary study of wild medicinal plants used by the Kyrgyz farmers

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In their centuries-old nomadic life, since their livestock was the backbone of their lives, the Kyrgyz people used a variety of wild medicinal plants for ethnoveterinary practices. However, the plants used for the treatment of livestock ailments never have been recorded, except rarely in local publications. In this study, we present the HSHR (homemade single species herbal remedy reports), their methods of preparation and application, and the livestock ailments for which these remedies were used.

AIMS

The collect data from the five different high-altitude valleys of the Kyrgyz Republic on common HSHR used for the treatment of the livestock ailments and describe their preparation procedure, administration, and target animal species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use were collected from five different high-altitude valleys (pastures) in the Kyrgyz Republic during 2016 and 2018. Data were gathered with the help of dialog partners (experienced local shepherds, farmers and veterinarians) through semi-structured interviews. In total, 166 dialog partners were interviewed. The special characteristics of HSHR mentioned for ethnoveterinary use and practices were documented. Plant samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification, and preserved for future reference.

RESULTS

A total of 2388 HSHR referred to 66 plant species mentioned for ethnoveterinary use belonging to 27 families and 49 genera. According to the data, species of the family Asteraceae were most frequently used HSHRs in the Kyrgyz ethnoveterinary practice (599 HSHR, 25%), followed by Polygonaceae (166 HSHR, 7%), Lamiaceae (141 HSHR, 6%), Ranunculaceae (121 HSHR, 5%), Nitrariaceae (119 HSHR, 4.9%), Apiaceae (113 HSHR, 4.7%), Cupressaceae (111 HSHR, 4.6%), Urticaceae (100 HSHR, 4.2%), Gentianaceae (92 HSHR, 3.8%), Amaranthaceae (87 HSHR, 3.6%). A total of 2785 UR (use reports) were collected for the 2388 HSHR. Infection diseases (572 UR, 20.5%), parasitic diseases (531 UR, 19%), gastrointestinal disorders (523 UR, 18.77%) and wounds (522 UR, 18.74%) were almost evenly reported indications. The largest number use reports (UR) were for cattle (967 UR, 34.7%) and horses (919 UR, 33%), followed by 607 UR (21.8%) for sheep and 292 UR (10.48%) for other domestic animals, including dogs (106 UR, 3.8%), goats (103 UR, 3.69%) and donkeys (83 UR, 2.98%).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we identified the folk ethnoveterinary knowledge of the HSHR used by the Kyrgyz farmers in their daily veterinary practice. All the characterized HSHR are of value to the local animal breeders. This knowledge has previously been limited to local shepherds, farmers and vets. Many of these need scientific confirmation using modern methods of phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Ethnoveterinary study of galactogenic recipes used by ruminant breeders to improve milk production of local cows in Benin Republic

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Benin, traditional recipes are used to improve livestock dairy performance, but they are not sufficient documented. The study aimed to inventory the galactogenic recipes used by herders to improve production in cow farming.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to inventory the galactogenic recipes used by herders to improve production in cow farming.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews among 65 peuls camps, 4 bioclimatic zones, and 565 farmers dialogue partners, including agro-pastoralist, healers and pastoralists from the rainy season April and May 2019. Detailed information about homemade herbal remedies of galactogenic recipes (plant species, plant part, manufacturing process) and the corresponding use reports (dialogue partner, category of use and route of administration) was collected. Then other to classify the various recipes identified into homogeneneous groups according to their effectiveness in stimulating milk, a numerical classification was carried out on the recipes taking into account the milk gain.

RESULTS

They showed that Peuls and Gandos sociocultural groups have a better knowledge of galactogenic recipes. Of the 295 recipes inventoried, 102 frequently cited recipes were divided into two groups. Group 2, consisting of 16 recipes, had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher milk yield than group 1. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. and Arachis hypogaea L. were the main ingredients of the recipes (respectively 56 and 31% of incorporation rate). The composition of the recipes varied according to the agro-ecological zones. Herders in Northern Benin used more recipes based on Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Harms) J.H.Kirkbr. & Wiersema, Saba comorensis (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon and Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton. Those in Southern Benin mainly used recipes based on Gardenia aqualla associated with Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp or Arachis hypogaea L.. To improve the effectiveness of galactogenic recipes, socio-cultural and magical-religious practices are used when procuring the plant material to be used, preparing the galactogen and administering the recipe to the animals. These include pronounced incantations or recited Koranic verses. The most commonly used route of administration is the oral route with an average treatment duration not exceeding 5 days.

CONCLUSION

The study reveals that the majority of breeders (90%) opt for the use of galactogenic plants rather than synthetic products to improve milk production.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge of sheep and goat farmers in Benin (West Africa): effect of socioeconomic and environmental factors

Sheep and goats are two of the main animal species raised in Benin and one of the main sources of income for people living in rural areas. Faced with the inaccessibility of synthetic veterinary products and their low purchasing power, the majority of breeders use ethnoveterinary practices to treat small ruminants diseases. The specific objectives of the current study were (1) to document the traditional knowledge regarding the disorder groups treated and the medicinal plants used in the health and zootechnical management of small ruminants in Benin and (2) to assess the effect of gender, ethnicity, agro-ecological zone and herd size associated with them. To achieve these objectives, an ethnoveterinary survey was conducted in different agro-ecological zones from September 2018 to February 2019. A questionnaire was administered to 506 breeders. The data were analyzed through calculation of the Fidelity Level (FL), Cultural Importance Index (CI) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Ten disorder groups were treated by the people surveyed. These were mainly digestive disorders (D) and reproductive disorders (W), both presenting a ICF value of 0.8. A total of 101 medicinal plants belonging to 42 families and 90 genera were recorded. Spondias mombin, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Khaya senegalensis were the most important plants with CI values of 0.208, 0.125 and 0.121, respectively. Gender, ethnicity, agro-ecological zone and flocks size were the socioeconomic and environmental factors that significantly influenced the level of ethnoveterinary knowledge. Chemical and biological analysis are needed on less studied plants such as, Striga hermonthica, Crossopteryx febrifuga, Elaeis guineensis and Momordica charantia.