Anticancer Medicinal Plants Used by the Natives in the Elgon Sub-region, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Medicinal plants have been used to treat several diseases, including cancer in Uganda. However, very few studies have been reported on the anticancer medicinal plants used in the Elgon sub-region. The main aim of this study was to describe the anticancer medicinal plants used to treat cancer, with an emphasis on prostate cancer, in the Elgon sub-region of Eastern Uganda. Methods: Information was gathered using a semi-structured, researcher-administered questionnaire, interview guides, and guided field walks. Quantitative indices such as fidelity level (FL), preference ranking, and informant consensus factor (ICF) were evaluated. To summarize ethnobotanical data, a descriptive statistical analysis and graphs were created by SPSS version 21.0 and GraphPad Prism version 8.125, respectively, and narratives were explained using theories and major hypotheses in ethnobotany. Results: A total of 50 plant species from 36 families were described; of them, 45% were herbs and 10% were parasites. Additionally, 60% of plants were gathered from forest reserves, and 86% of the materials used by herbalists were leaves. The most effective treatment for cancer overall was Tylosema fassoglensis due to its versatility. Hydnora abyssinica A. Br., Hydnora africana, Rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) Wild & R.B. Drumm., Prunus africana, and Kigelia africana, respectively, are used to cure prostate cancer. Herbs make up 45% of all medical plant use, with the fidelity level (FL) for Hydnora abyssinica A. Br being 93.9%, Rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) Wild & R.B. Drumm (89.7%), Hydnora africana (84.8%), and Prunus africana (82.4%). Herbalists predominantly used leaves (86%), and 60% of the plants used as medicines were gathered from peripheral forest areas, according to their preferred ranking. The most popular methods of preparation and administration (86%) were oral routes and concoctions. Hydnora abyssinica A. Br. was the herb that was most sought after for treating prostate cancer. ICF values larger than 0.5 were only attained by plant species used to treat cervical and prostate cancer, indicating that herbalists often lack awareness of herbs used in cancer treatment. Conclusions and recommendation: All the first ten frequently used plants in the treatment of cancer received faithfulness levels more than 50%, suggesting that herbalists have faith in the ability of these plants to treat cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct additional research into their phytochemistry, toxicity, efficacy, and effectively enforced conservation.