Ethnobotanical Survey on Medicinal Plants Used in Burkina Faso in the Treatment of Breast Cancer, Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activities: Euphorbia poissonii Pax and Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (Euphorbiaceae)

This study presents an ethnobotanical survey, a quantification of polyphenols and antioxidant activities on medicinal plants used in the treatment of breast cancer in the cities of Bobo-Dioulasso and Fada N'Gourma conducted among traditional practitioners. For this purpose, after the survey analyses, Euphorbia poissonii Pax (Euphorbiaceae) and Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (Euphorbiaceae) were chosen. A methanolic extraction with soxhlet was performed on these plants. Then, the quantification of phenolic compounds was done by spectrophotometric method with Folin Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride respectively. Likewise, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by three methods (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP). A total of 103 traditional practitioners were surveyed and 47 species divided into 27 families were obtained. Among the total extracts, the leaves of Flueggea virosa gave the highest content of total phenolics (52.05 ±1.49 mg EAG/100mg extract) and the root gave the highest content of flavonoids (3.30 ±0.32 EQ/100mg extract). The best antioxidant activity was observed at the ABTS method with best results obtained for the total extracts of Flueggea virosa (8413.78±110.16 μmol EAA/g). The results of the different phytochemical and antioxidant activities could partially justify the traditional use of these plants in the management of breast cancer patients.

Ethnomedicinal and Ethnobotanical Survey in the Aosta Valley Side of the Gran Paradiso National Park (Western Alps, Italy)

Most of traditional knowledge about plants and their uses is fast disappearing because of socio-economic and land use changes. This trend is also occurring in bio-cultural refugia, such as mountain areas. New data on Traditional Ethnobotanical Knowledge (TEK) of Italian alpine regions were collected relating to three valleys (Cogne, Valsavarenche, Rhêmes) of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Extensive dialogues and semi-structured interviews with 68 native informants (30 men, 38 women; mean age 70) were carried out between 2017 and 2019. A total of 3918 reports were collected, concerning 217 taxa (including 10 mushrooms, 1 lichen) mainly used for medicinal (42%) and food (33%) purposes. Minor uses were related to liquor making (7%), domestic (7%), veterinary (5%), forage (4%), cosmetic (1%) and other (2%). Medicinal plants were used to treat 14 ailment categories, of which the most important were respiratory (22%), digestive (19%), skin (13%), musculoskeletal (10%) and genitourinary (10%) diseases. Data were also evaluated by quantitative ethnobotanical indexes. The results show a rich and alive traditional knowledge concerning plants uses in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Plants resources may provide new opportunities from the scientific point of view, for the valorization of local products for health community and for sustainable land management.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Background: Knowledge of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers are mostly confined among the locals and the adherents, hence, proper enquiry and documentation can help the ever dynamic scientific world to find permanent cure to the menace of such deadly diseases such as cancer. This study aimed at (1) specifically recording medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, South Africa, and (2) documenting the different methods of preparation and administration of those medicinal plants as recorded during the study. Method: An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 90 willing traditional healers in Hammanskraal and Winterveld area, Tshwane Municipality, South Africa to document plants used for cancer treatments. The study was conducted over a period of six months (July – December, 2018). Descriptive statistics was used to present the obtained data. Results: The study recorded twenty-eight plant species belonging to 18 families for the treatment of different types of cancer. Plant species in the Fabaceae family particularly Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt and J.C. Manning, Senna italica Mill and Trifolium pratense L. were the most prominently mentioned (highest citation frequency) by the traditional healers for lung, and skin cancer treatment. Based on the citation frequency, the most treated cancer by the traditional healers is in the order: skin cancer > lung cancer > breast cancer > prostate cancer > cervical cancer. The method of preparation included decoction(32.3%), infusion (29%), paste (16.1%) and maceration (22.6%). Conclusion: In addition to the documentation of indigenous knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in the traditional management of cancer in South Africa, this study opens a vista for investigations into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the documented plants. Keywords: Cancer; Indigenous plants; Medicinal plants; South Africa; Traditional practitioners.

ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF THE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN IBADAN,OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Plants have been used locally and traditionally in the treatment and management of some ailments. The use of medicinal plants is in combination with the several cultural beliefs and traditional practices and has a long history in therapeutic success because many drugs used clinically today are developed directly or indirectly from plants. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are sets of venerable diseases that are rampant in Nigeria contributing to its high morbidity and mortality rate. Ethnobotanical studies of the available local medicinal plants used for the management of STDs will lead to the discovery of better antimicrobials to treat STDs. The ethnobotanical survey of plants used in treatment of Sexually transmitted diseases was carried out in Ibadan city. The study was aimed at documenting the use of traditional medicines in treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the people of Ibadan. The specific areas of study were Bode Market in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Oje Market in Ibadan North East Local Government Area and Olunde area in Oluyole Local Government Area. The respondents interviewed included herb sellers, herbalist and herbal therapists. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from them and communication was done verbally in Yoruba. Medicinal plants recommended were collected and taken to Forestry Research institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Jericho, Ibadan for proper Identification. From the survey, 52 Species of plants representing 34 families were reported by 80 traditional medicine practitioners as remedies for treating Sexually transmitted diseases. The families that were highly used include Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae. The plants commonly used were Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad, Plumbago zeylanica L., Citrus aurantifolia Christm., Mangifera indica L., Senna alata L. Roxb, Erythropleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan and Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel. The plant Citrullus colocynthis had the highest frequency of use. The high frequency of use of these plants suggests their efficacy and potency against Sexually transmitted disease. The further analysis of these plants can help to develop new, effective therapeutic medicinal drugs (antimicrobials) that would be useful to control Sexually transmitted diseases thereby reducing their morbidity and mortality impact on Global health.

Enquête ethnobotanique sur les plantes utilisées dans le traitement de l’infertilité masculine au Benin

L’infertilité conjugale concerne environ 15% de la population en Afrique subsaharienne. C’est une affection ayant une implication socioculturelle importante puisqu’au Bénin, l’un des objectifs du mariage est la procréation. L’objectif du présent travail est de contribuer à l’étude des principales plantes médicinales utilisées en médecine traditionnelle pour le traitement de l’infertilité masculine dans les départements de l’Atacora et de l’Atlantique au Bénin. Elle s’est déroulée auprès de 80 praticiens dont 60 tradithérapeutes, 11 personnes ressources et 9 vendeuses de plantes. L’étude a permis de recenser 109 espèces de plantes. Ces espèces appartiennent à 101 genres et sont réparties en 54 familles. Les feuilles sont majoritairement utilisées (35,77%) suivies des racines (29,93%) tandis que les autres parties (fruit, écorce, graines, plante entière, tige feuillée…) sont moins utilisées dans la préparation des recettes. La décoction est le mode de préparation majoritairement utilisée soit 33,55% suivie de la macération 27,63 % et de la poudre 25,66%. La trituration et l’infusion sont moins employées à des fréquences respectives de 11,84% et 1,32%. Ces résultats ont permis de montrer la richesse de la flore béninoise en ressources pour la prise en charge de l’infertilité masculine. Englsih title: Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the treatment of male infertility in Benin Couple infertility affects around 15% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a condition with an important socio-cultural implication because in Benin, one of the objectives of marriage is procreation. The objective of this work is to contribute to the study of the main medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility in the departments of Atacora and Atlantic in Benin. It took place with 80 practitioners including 60 traditional therapists, 11 resource people and 9 plant sellers. The study identified 109 species of plants. These species belong to 101 kinds and are divided into 54 families. The leaves are mostly used (35.77%) followed by the roots (29.93%) while the other parts (fruit, bark, seeds, whole plant, leafy stalk, etc.) are used less in the preparation of recipes. The decoction is the method of preparation mainly used, ie 33.55% followed by maceration 27.63% and powder 25.66% Trituration and infusion are used less at frequencies of 11.84% and 1.32%, respectively. These results made it possible to show the richness of the Beninese flora in resources for the management of male infertility.

Floristic diversity and conservation value of the biodiversity refuge area of the Soubré hydroelectric dam (South-West of Côte d'Ivoire)

After the establishment of the biodiversity conservation area of the Soubré hydroelectric dam, scientific studies showing its value as a biodiversity reserve and its importance for the population were not implemented. As a result, no sustainable management strategy has been initiated. this study was conducted to make up for this shortcoming. It aims to assess its conservation value. The data collection methodology combined botanical inventories and an ethnobotanical survey. The analyse of data was based on the plant diversity and the importance of the area for local populations. Investigations show a rich flora of 346 species. There are 38 endemic species, 10 vulnerable and 8 locally threatened with extinction. This flora richness allows to attribute to the conservation area the High Conservation Value of category 1 (HCV 1). Among the species list, 84 are cited by the populations as useful plants. The use categories are, in order of importance, medicinal use, food use, Handicrafted use, timber. The organs sought are mainly the leaves in the practice of traditional medicine, the fruits in food and the stem in crafts, timber and firewood. Among useful species, 13 are very important for local population. Of these, 6 are less abundant in the area such as Ricinodendron heudelotii, Carpolobia lutea G. Don. The capacity for the area to serve as a refuge for useful species gives it the HCV 5. These results will allow the implementation of appropriate management.