Plants Traditionally Used to Manage Malaria in the Guinean Prefecture of Macenta: An Ethnobotanical Survey
Traore MS, Diallo MST, Bah TV, Camara AK, Balde MA, Camara T, Camara A, Diane S, Guilavogui M, Sacko Sitan and Balde AM.
Abstract
The contribution of medicinal plants in malaria treatment is well recognized. This study aimed to identify and review selected plant species used as antimalarials by traditional healers in the Macenta prefecture of Forest Guinea. Traditional healers in the region of Macenta, Guinea guided the collection of samples of ethnomedical and ethnobotanical substances that they used to treat malaria. The collected species were submitted to botanical identification, followed by a literature review of their respective antiplasmodial activity. The sixty (60) traditional healers participating in the study indicated that their local languages had several names for malaria. We identified at least 33 species from 25 botanical families, including 5 species from Fabaceae and 3 each from Apocynaceae and from Compositae The most cited plants were Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels, Alchornea cordifolia (Schum et Thonn.) Mull.Arg, Ageratum conizoides Hieron, Voacanga Africana Stapf ex Scott-Elliot. These findings enrich the database of antimalarial plants used in the Republic of Guinea. Our continuing research will use bio-guided fractionation of the most active plants to specify the active metabolites.
Keywords: Malaria; Guinea; Medicinal plants; Ethnobotany
Traore MS, Diallo MST, Bah TV, Camara AK, Balde MA, Camara T, Camara A, Diane S, Guilavogui M, Sacko Sitan and Balde AM.
Abstract
The contribution of medicinal plants in malaria treatment is well recognized. This study aimed to identify and review selected plant species used as antimalarials by traditional healers in the Macenta prefecture of Forest Guinea. Traditional healers in the region of Macenta, Guinea guided the collection of samples of ethnomedical and ethnobotanical substances that they used to treat malaria. The collected species were submitted to botanical identification, followed by a literature review of their respective antiplasmodial activity. The sixty (60) traditional healers participating in the study indicated that their local languages had several names for malaria. We identified at least 33 species from 25 botanical families, including 5 species from Fabaceae and 3 each from Apocynaceae and from Compositae The most cited plants were Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels, Alchornea cordifolia (Schum et Thonn.) Mull.Arg, Ageratum conizoides Hieron, Voacanga Africana Stapf ex Scott-Elliot. These findings enrich the database of antimalarial plants used in the Republic of Guinea. Our continuing research will use bio-guided fractionation of the most active plants to specify the active metabolites.
Keywords: Malaria; Guinea; Medicinal plants; Ethnobotany
