Since the outbreak in December 2019, in Wuhan (China) of COVID-19, approved drugs are still lacking and the world is seeking effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the medicinal plants with potential to be used as complementary therapies against COVID-19. Bibliographic information was searched in several databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PROTA, ResearchGate and GLOBEinMED), to retrieve relevant papers on (1) plants used to manage common symptoms of COVID-19, (2) plant secondary metabolites with confirmed inhibitory effects on COVID-19 and (3) plants exhibiting pharmacological activities of relevance for COVID-19 management. A total of 230 species was recorded as potential source of ingredients for the fight against the 2019 novel corona virus. Of these species, 30 contain confirmed antiCOVID-19 secondary metabolites, 90 are used traditionally to manage at least 3 common symptoms of COVID-19, 10 have immunostimulant activity, 52 have anti-inflamatory activity, 14 have antiviral properties and 78 species are documented as used to treat malaria. A PCA analysis showing cluster formatting among the recorded species indicates 4 groups of species and an array of possibility of using individual species or a combination of species for their complementary effects. The authors argue that Cameroonian medicinal plants can be of potential contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Further applied research is needed to provide more scientific evidence for their efficacy, to establish standard formulations and clinical studies as part of efforts to develop therapies for COVID-19.

Protected areas are important for biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services, including climate regulation through carbon storage. Yet, there is little knowledge of their carbon storage potential. This study assesses the above‐ground carbon stock and the congruence between carbon stock and tree diversity in the Kom‐Mengamé forest conservation complex (KMFCC) in South‐Cameroon, based on an inventory of trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm in 1,366 plots (100 × 5 m each) covering 63.8 ha, established in different land use types (terra firma forest, swamp forest and cultivated areas). Above‐ground carbon was estimated using generic allometric equation and species‐specific wood density derived from wood density databases. Results showed high carbon stock in KMFCC with values ranging from 143.29 ± 124.37 Mg/ha‐1 in swamp areas to 240 ± 204.35 Mg/ha‐1 in terra firma forests. Mean carbon stock in managed areas differed from that of terra firma forests. Petersianthus macrocarpus showed the greatest carbon stock. The study demonstrates the need for integrated approaches for carbon management in secondary forests where agroforests might be important to maintain biodiversity associated with high carbon storage. These approaches are particularly relevant to the Congo basin region where protected areas are threatened by poor management of their periphery.

Dans les hautes terres de l'Ouest du Cameroun, l'étude est centrée sur la présence et la diversité des espèces de Loranthaceae dans neuf localités du groupement Bafou. Elle apporte une nouvelle contribution à la valorisation et à la gestion durable des ressources biologiques d'écosystèmes forestiers profondément dégradés dans le bassin du Congo. L'étude a été réalisée au moyen d'observations de terrain et en recourant à la méthode active de recherche et de planification participative (Marpp). Elle repose essentiellement sur des interviews et des enquêtes semi-structurées individuelles conduites auprès des populations locales, paysans agriculteurs et tradithérapeutes, tous supposés détenir des connaissances sur la valorisation traditionnelle des Loranthaceae. Les enquêtes ont permis de recenser six espèces de Loranthaceae parasites de neuf espèces de fruitiers appartenant à sept familles végétales. Ces mêmes espèces, communément regroupées sous l'appellation locale de gui, font partie intégrante de la pharmacopée traditionnelle et sont utilisées sous la forme de plusieurs potions et/ou lotions, soit isolément, soit en association avec d'autres plantes ou d'autres drogues pour soigner plus d'une vingtaine de pathologies. Au terme de ce travail, des approches de gestion durable ont été proposées en remplacement des coupes trop destructrices sur hôtes pratiquées par les paysans. Ce système de contrôle, courant dans la région, compromet la régénération et la productivité des arbres fruitiers en particulier et la diversité des populations d'arbres en général. (Résumé d'auteur)

The Mandara Mountain eco-region is one of the most important mountain areas of Cameroon. It is often considered as a refuge for several plant and wildlife species. This area is fragile and vulnerable, and faces severe threats from land use change, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, desertification and climate change. Recent studies in sacred groves portrayed these land use types as indigenous strategies which can help to address these environmental problems. Understanding the plant diversity and carbon storage of these land use types in Mandara Mountain can be a good step towards their sustainable management for the delivery of diverse ecosystem services. In this perspective, we established a total of 10 nested circular plots of 1257 m 2 each, in the sacred grove of the Mouhour village in Mandara Mountain, and all trees and shrubs with average diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 2.5 cm were counted. Tree biomass was estimated on the basis of DBH and understory biomass using destructive method. A total of 182 woody plants were measured, belonging to 21 species, 18 genera and 12 families. The richest family is Combretaceae with 5 species, followed by Caesalpiniaceae and Mimosaceae (3 species each). The analysis of species diversity indexes shows a relative important biodiversity and the vegetation structure showed a high occurrence of small-diameter of plant species. Mean aboveground carbon stock of 31.13 ± 10.8 tC/ha was obtained in the study area. Isoberlinia doka showed the greatest carbon stock (5.7 tC/ha) followed by Boswellia dalzielii (3.9 tC/ha), Acacia senegal (3.5 tC/ha), Anogeissus leiocarpus (3.3 tC/ha) and Terminalia laxiflora (3.1 tC/ha). These results suggest that the sacred groves of Cameroon dry lands need to be taken into account in national environment protection policies as an alternative to respond to international agreements related to biodiversity conservation, combatting desertification and climate change.

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