Characteristics of Medicinal Plants used in Traditional Medicine for Oral Diseases Treatment in Southern Benin

Background of the Study: In the oral health field, dental caries and periodontal diseases are the most frequent pathologies that affect all population to different degrees. In Benin, oral diseases constitute a serious public health problem. Care, whether curative or preventive, requires an investment that many cannot afford in developing countries like Benin. Because of oral diseases extent, appropriate solutions must be found to improve oral health in Benin. Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected through ethnobotanical surveys in the districts of Allada, Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-Novo from May to August 2021. Aim: This study aims to identify the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat oral diseases. Methodology: Prior to the ethnobotanical study itself, we proceeded to locate the markets where medicinal plants are sold in the study area. Then, in order to ensure a high objectivity degree of the data obtained during our study, the survey is carried out used a preestabilished questionnaires. The questionnaire focused on the following main points: (1) Profile of the respondent (surname, first name, age, gender, education level and experience in the field), (2) informations on the recipe (oral uses, vernacular and scientific names, parts used, preparation method, route and mode of administration, contraindications and side effects). The medicinal plants vendors were selected based their availability displays size and frequency level of displays. Results: One hundred and three (103) medicinal plants species were identified, divided into forty-four (44) families and ninety-one (91) genera. The most used plants are Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (11.72%), Ocimum americanum (4.88%), Ocimum gratissimum (4.39%), Lantana camara (2.93%), Bridelia ferruginea (2.93%), Moringa oleifera (2.44%), Lippia multiflora (2.44%), Mangifera indica (2.44%), Dialium guineense (2.44%), Pseudocedrela kotschyi (1.95%), Justicia flava (1.95%), Uvaria chamae (1.95%) and Xylopia aethiopica (1.95%). The most commonly plant parts used were leaves and roots. The decoction of these parts in mouthwash or gargle is most used for oral diseases treatment. Conclusion: The flora of Benin contains a rich diversity of plants. Many of which are used in traditional Beninese medicine and have the potential to provide pharmacologically active natural products. In order to know the different plants used to treat oral diseases, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in southern Benin (district of Allada, Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-novo).

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus in Sidi Bel Abbes region (North-west Algeria) / Estudio etnobotánico de plantas medicinales utilizadas para el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus en la región de Sidi Bel Abbes (noroeste de Argelia)

An ethnobotanical study was conducted with the aim to identify the medicinal plants used for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus (DM) in Sidi Bel Abbes region (Northwest Algeria). Sidi Bel Abbes, known for its diverse ecological habitats, such as mountains, steppe, lake, and fertile plains with diverse medicinal plants. The data was collected through questionnaire and interviews with inhabitants and traditional healers. The results obtained revealed that 33 plant species distributed in 20 genera belonging to 21 families for the treatment of DM were used. The most represented families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae and Lauraceae. Medicinal plants commonly used were Trigonella foenum-graecum, Olea europaea, Cinamomum cassia, Artemisia herba-alba, Lupinus albus, Juniperus communis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus dulcis and Berberis vulgaris. The study revealed that, leaves, followed by seeds and stem bark were mostly used parts. Also, decoction and infusion were the most frequently used method of preparation. This study confirms that most people with Diabetes mellitus in the study areas rely on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs.

Se realizó un estudio etnobotánico con el objetivo de identificar las plantas medicinales utilizadas para el tratamiento de la Diabetes mellitus (DM) en la región de Sidi Bel Abbes (noroeste de Algeria). Sidi Bel Abbes, conocida por sus diversos hábitats ecológicos, como montañas, estepas, lagos y fértiles llanuras con plantas medicinales. Los datos se recopilaron mediante cuestionarios y entrevistas con habitantes y curanderos tradicionales. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron que 33 especies vegetales distribuidas en 20 géneros pertenecientes à 21 familias fueron utilizadas para el tratamiento de DM. Las familias más representadas fueron Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae y Lauraceae. Las plantas medicinales comúnmente utilizadas fueron Trigonella foenum-graecum, Olea europaea, Cinamomum cassia, Artemisia herba-alba, Lupinus albus, Juniperus communis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus amygdalus y Berberis vulgaris. El estudio reveló que las hojas, seguidas de las semillas y la corteza de tallo, eran en su mayoría partes usadas. Sin embargo, la infusión y la decocción son el método de preparación más utilizado. El estudio reveló que las hojas, seguidas de las semillas y las partes del área, eran en su mayoría partes utilizadas. Tambien, la decocción y la infusión fueron los métodos de preparación más utilizado. Este estudio confirma que la mayoría de las personas con Diabetes mellitus en las áreas d'estudio dependen de la medicina tradicional para sus necesidades d'atenciónn primaria de la salud.

Levantamento preliminar sobre plantas medicinais utilizadas no bairro Salobrinho no município de Ilhéus, Bahia / Preliminary survey on medicinal plants used in the district of Salobrinho in the city of Ilhéus, Bahia

Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o levantamento etnobotânico das principais espécies utilizadas para fins medicinais pela comunidade Salobrinho, no município de Ilhéus (BA). Foi realizada entrevista com aplicação de questionário semi-estruturado juntamente com a coleta de material vegetal para identificação das espécies citadas. Apesar do elevado número de citações de plantas nas residências dos entrevistados apenas 51 espécies são cultivadas, as quais estão distribuídas em 32 famílias e 42 gêneros, sendo a família Lamiaceae a mais representativa, seguida por Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Verbenaceae e Poaceae. A maioria destas espécies é de porte herbáceo ou arbustivo e são plantas introduzidas. A parte mais utilizada para o preparo de remédios foi a folha (86%), sendo o chá a forma de preparo mais comum (70%). Dentre 86 diferentes indicações de uso terapêutico, as mais citadas foram relacionadas à problemas gastrointestinais com 308 citações, seguida por 171 citações referente a afecções respiratórias. A espécie com maior índice de concordância de uso corrigido foi a Lippia alba, indicada para o tratamento de dor de barriga e como calmante. Conclui-se que a localização afastada do bairro em relação aos espaços construídos da cidade, a origem rural dos seus moradores, e sua condição sócio-econômica, possivelmente contribuíram para o acúmulo de conhecimento sobre o tratamento de diversas enfermidades utilizando preparados feitos à base de plantas medicinais.

This study aimed to conduct an ethnobotanical survey of the main speciesused for medicinal purposes by the Salobrinho community in Ilhéus (BA). Several interviews were conducted wit theh application of a semi-structured questionnaire and the collection of plant material for identification. Despite the high number of cited plants, only 51 cultivated species were found in the households of the respondents which are distributed into 32 families and 42 genera, with Lamiaceae as the most representative family, followed by Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and Verbenaceae. Most of them were herbaceous or shrub introduced plants. The leaves were the most used portion of the plant to prepare medications (86%) and the tea was the main use (70%). There were 86 different indications and the most cited ones were related to gastrointestinal problems, with 308 citations, followed by 171 indications relating to respiratory diseases. The species with the highest corrected concordance use index was Lippia alba, indicated for the treatment of stomachache and as a tranquilizer. It was concluded that the remote location of the district in relation to the built areas of the city, the rural origins of its inhabitants, and their socioeconomic status possibly contributed to the accumulation of knowledge about the treatment of various diseases using medicinal plants.