Despite the multitude of studies which have shown the use of medicinal plants in the management of parasitic diseases, little data was available on the plants used against onchocerciasis. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out among traditional healers in the Far North region of Cameroon. Studies were conducted from July 2017 to May 2018 through direct interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire taking into consideration the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as their knowledge in the art of onchocerciasis and parasitic infections treatment using plant recipes. A total of one hundred people were interviewed in villages found in the Far North region of Cameroon: 43 were females and 57 males, among which, 71 were recognized as traditional healers. Adults were the most represented (71 respondents). The study identified 96 plant species belonging to 49 genera divided into 29 families among which the most represented was the Fabaceae (20 quotes). The most represented biotope was savannah (98%) and trees (51) were the most used followed by shrub (41). The leaves (40) are the organs which are mostly demanded and the main preparation method is a decoction (69) and 36 diseases and / or symptoms related to onchocerciasis and helminthiases were recorded. The medicinal plants identified, constitute an undeniable asset and a good database for the biological screening of plant-based antiparasitic molecules, which can lead to the manufacture of improved traditional medicines.

Background:The reciprocity in the exchanges between the local populations who hold the authentic traditional knowledge that they share with the conservation biologists was not sufficiently taken into account. For fairness and justice in these exchanges, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing was established. However, there is a lack of information on access and benefit sharing in unfunded ethnobotanical studies in Africa (MS and PhD research). Traditional knowledge on Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. a multipurpose Fabaceae, unfortunately threatened with extinction, exists in Adamawa, Cameroon. Thus, in relation to a Master Research thesis without funding, a study was dedicated to this plant.Methods: Ethnobotanical methods have made it possible to test the following hypothesis: for an equal number of men and women, the points attributed according to gender to the categories of reciprocity experienced during an ethnobotanical study without funding are equal. Thirty available informed consent volunteers (15 men and 15 women) with knowledge on this plant participated in this study.