Diversity of Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease in the Ketou District
Fagbohoun Constantin
Bioscience and Applied Ethnobotany Unit of the Laboratory for Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies (LARBIMEP), Benin.
Assongba Yédjanlognon Faustin *
Applied Ecology Laboratory, UAC, Benin.
Kpogniwe Zouvèou Joel
Bioscience and Applied Ethnobotany Unit of the Laboratory for Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies (LARBIMEP), Benin.
Tobada Plechakov
Bioscience and Applied Ethnobotany Unit of the Laboratory for Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies (LARBIMEP), Benin.
Djego M.G. Julien
Applied Ecology Laboratory, UAC, Benin.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Peptic ulcer disease is a persistent public health problem, particularly in rural areas where traditional medicine remains predominant. The present study aims at the diversity of medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of peptic ulcer disease in the district of Ketou, with a view to contributing to the valorization and conservation of endogenous knowledge.
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted using individual interviews with 391 people composed of 245 practitioners of traditional medicine, 145 people who have suffered from the ulcer or having family members who have suffered from it and who have treated themselves with medicinal plants. It is also made with the herbalists of the Ketou district. The survey is conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and direct focus group interviews. The plant species mentioned were collected during a forest hike in habitat (natural, garden of medicinal plants). They have been identified and authenticated. Ethnobotanical indices (citation frequency, use value, etc.) were used to analyze the therapeutic importance of the listed plants.
The results made it possible to identify a varied diversity of medicinal plants. A total of 113 species distributed in 105 genera and 57 families were identified. The most used are Ocimum gratissimum L. (5.89%), Cocos nucifera L. (5.64%), Paullinia pinnata L. (5.38%), Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss. (5.38%), Spondias mombin L. (5.38%), Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. (4.87%), Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich (03.59%) and Senna occidentalis (L.) Link (2.82%). Leaves (51.53%) are the most used plant organs in the form of decoction (53.15%) and are administered orally. The calculated ethnobotanical indices prove a varied use of plants and a gender distribution of plant knowledge by category of people. Some species have a high frequency of quotation, reflecting their importance in the traditional management of peptic ulcer disease.
This study highlights the richness of the ethnomedicinal heritage of the Ketou district, and emphasizes the plant resources as sources of bioactive molecules. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies are necessary for the conservation of medicinal plants and the promotion of improved traditional medicine.
Keywords: Peptic ulcer, plant diversity, endogenous knowledge, phytotherapy, Ketou (Benin)