Diversity and knowledge of plants used in the treatment of snake bite envenomation in Benin

Abstract

Background: Ophidian envenomation is a public health problem in the tropics and subtropics. Expensive cost of antivenoms forces most of the population to resort to medicinal plants as a first-line treatment. The present study aimed to contribute to a better knowledge of medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenomation in Benin.Methods: Ethnobotanical information was collected from 339 people (hunters and traditional healers) across various sociolinguistic groups using a structured interview and the snowball technique. Knowledge was quantitatively assessed using the Relative Citation Frequency. The R software (cran.rproject.org) and Microsoft Excel were used to produce graphs and/or charts.Results: A total of 109 plants species belonging to 51 botanical families were reported as being used in the treatment of snakebite envenomation. Distribution of these species by family showed that Leguminosae (20.18%), Euphorbiaceae (9.17%), Asteraceae (4.59%), Annonaceae (3.67%) were mentioned the most. The dominant life forms were herbs and shrubs collected mainly from savannas and fallows. Roots and leaves were the most used plant parts in the preparation of remedies. Conclusion:In-depth pharmacological and toxicological studies must be carried out to validate reported medicinal plants, to contribute to the wellbeing of local communities in developing countries.

Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology and Treatment of Snakebite Envenomation in West Africa: Case of Benin

“…Financial constraints and cultural beliefs [ 13 ] compel more than 80% of snakebite victims to turn to traditional healers [ 29 ]. While it is true that few specific studies have been carried out on the use of plants in the management of SBE in Benin, a recent study ( Table 4 ) [ 38 ] emphasized the need for ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies to increase the potential of discovering leading antivenom compounds. Securidaca longepedunculata, Annona senegalensis, and Trichilia emetica are, for instance, are used to prevent SBE in Benin [ 47 ].…”

A scoping review of the use of traditional medicine for the management of ailments in West Africa

“…On screening the full articles, 13 articles were excluded either because full articles were not available, the focus of the study was not Africa, or the study was not related to health, leaving 46 articles [ 14 – 59 ]. Three articles were also identified through peer review [ 60 – 62 ], making up to 49 articles for this review. Fig 1 shows the flow diagram of the publication screening process.…”

“…Of the 17 West African countries, only nine have publications on traditional medicines. These countries include Nigeria, which accounts for 25 (51.0%) of the publications [ 14 , 16 – 18 , 20 – 26 , 30 , 31 , 33 – 36 , 38 , 41 – 43 , 48 , 49 , 53 , 56 ], Ghana accounting for nine (18.4%) of the publications [ 27 – 29 , 39 , 40 , 45 , 50 , 52 , 54 ], Mali [ 15 , 37 , 47 , 57 ] and Togo [ 19 , 46 , 51 , 59 ] accounting for four (8.2%) publications each, Benin accounting for three (6.1%) publication [ 51 , 60 , 62 ], Cote d’Ivoire accounting for two (4.1%) publications [ 44 , 55 ], and Sierra Leone [ 32 ], Guinea Bissau [ 58 ] and Gabon [ 61 ], each having one (2.0%) publication. A publication was produced by Togo and Benin [ 51 ].…”

Diversity of plant species with ethnomedicinal potential for treating arterial hypertension and gastric ulcers, two chronic diseases: an ethnobotanical assessment in Benin

“…The Relative Frequencies of Citation (RFC) of plants used in remedies for AHT and gastric ulcers were calculated according to the formula: (Dossou et al 2021, Vitalini et al 2013;…”

“…Thus, people suffering from chronic diseases search for alternative medications, such as herbal remedies for the treatment necessary to relieve symptoms. Literature is full of studies on herbal medication (Adomou et al 2006, Adomou et al 2012, Bio et al 2015, Dassekpo et al 2017, Dossou et al 2021. Obviously, the use of herbal remedies is not astonishing, given that they contain active ingredients with known therapeutic properties (Al Disi et al 2016, Pan et al 2013.…”