Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 44-55, 2008.

 

 

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Botanicals Used in Treating Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ekiti State, Nigeria

 

J. Kayode1,3 and G.M. Kayode2

 

1Department of Plant Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

2Department of Adult Education, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

3Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: josmodkay@yahoo.com

 

Issued 29 January 2008

 

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on the botanicals used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The authors identified 49 plants belonging to 30 angiosperm families that were being used by the natives of Ekiti State for the cure of sexually transmitted diseases. Most of the wild species were rare or not very abundantly distributed in nature. The proportion of cultivated to wild species, however, was relatively low. Species that were under cultivation by the natives were being grown largely for reasons other than medicinal value. The methods of extraction were mostly predatory and annihilative. Considerable proportions of the identified botanicals were obtained from the forest. The need for the conservation of most of the species cannot be over emphasized. Strategies towards the attainment of this goal were proposed.

 

INTRODUCTION

               There has been an increase in worldwide realization of the use of medicinal plants in various traditional health systems of developing countries.  For example, recent estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that about 80% of the population in Africa relies on traditional medicine of which the botanicals constituted greater components.  It is estimated that about 30,000 botanical species are now recorded for their medicinal properties.

               These botanicals had over the years been subjected to wide and unsustainable use (Kayode 2002). They are now diminishing at an alarming rate. Although studies on the ethnomedicinal utilization of botanicals abound in Nigeria, these studies were conducted on scattered basis usually based on the ethnic composition of the country. Presently, a gross dearth of documentation abounds on the ethnomedicinal utilization of botanicals among the Ekiti, a distinct Yoruba tribe that constitutes over 98% of the 1.6 million inhabitants (EKSG 1997) of Ekiti state.  At present sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are perhaps the most devastating diseases in the state. The diseases include Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Chlamydial infection, Syphilis and, more recently, the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The aim of this study therefore is to identify botanicals used traditionally in the management of sexually transmitted diseases in Ekiti State, and propose sustainable strategies for the conservation of these species.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

               The study was conducted in Ekiti State, which is situated in the southwestern part of Nigeria. Ekiti has a land area of about 7000km2, and is situated between latitude 7025’ and 8020’ North and longitude 5000’ and 6000’ East. The state has a population of about 1.6 million (EKSG 1997), 75% of whom are farmers who live in rural areas.  There are two climatic seasons in the state, a dry season from November to February and a rainy season from March to October. The  annual rainfall is about 1150mm (Kayode and Faluyi 1994).  According to Smith and Montgomery (1962), the soil is overlying metamorphic rocks of basement complex, which shows greater variations in size and mineral composition. 

 

METHODS

               A combination of social surveys and direct field observation (Kayode 2002) was used in the study.  The entire state was divided into three zones based on the existing political delineation.  These zones are Ekiti Central, Ekiti South and Ekiti North. In each zone, three major markets were selected, the major criterion for selection being the level of patronage by residents from both rural and urban centers in the zone.  In each of these markets, vendors of medicinal plant species were identified and interviewed with the aid of a semi-structured matrix. The interviews focused on plant species used in curing sexually transmitted diseases. 

The botanical species were identified by the vendors; the part(s) of the species used and methods of application during utilization were identified and recorded. Voucher specimens of the species were obtained and taken to the herbarium of the Department of Plant Science, University of Ado-Ekiti, for scientific identification and preservation.

The abundance of the species identified was determined in the study area.  For this purpose, five rural communities, which were far from urban influence, were selected in each zone. In each of these communities, the abundance of each of the identified species was determined within 5 kilometers radius from the center of each community using the abundance scale defined by Kayode (1999) as follows: Rare when the number of the individual species found available within the defined area was less than 5; Occasional when between 5 and 10 individuals were found; Frequent when between 11 and 30 individuals were found; Abundant when between 31 and 100 individuals were found; And, very abundant when more than 100 individuals were found. Also in each community, ten elderly respondents were randomly selected and interviewed on their knowledge of the utilization of the identified botanical species.

Also in each zone, five key informants who were knowledgeable in the use of botanical species were identified and interviewed. These included herbalists and community development officers. Secondary information on the active principles present in the identified species was obtained from the literature, especially Oliver (1960), Gbile (1986) and Gill (1992).  

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

               The following 49 plant species belonging to 30 families were identified as being used for curing sexually transmitted diseases in the study area:

 

Alliaceae

Allium cepa                                                               

Local Name: Alubasa

Parts used: Leaves, bulb                                                                     

Major source: Market

Abundance at source: Very abundant

Active Principle: Riboflavin, n-prophyl disulphide

 

Allium ascalonicum                                                  

Local Name: Alubasa

Parts used: Whole plant                                                                   

Major source: Household farms

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Riboflavin

 

Amaranthaceae

Amaranthus spinosus                                                 

Local Name: Tete elegun

Parts used: Leaves, stem                                                                    

Major source: Farms

Abundance at source: Abundant

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin, hydrocyanic acid

 

Cyathula prostrata                                                   

Local Name: Shawere pepe

Parts used: Leaves, stems                                                                  

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin

 

Annonaceae

Haxelobus monopetalus                                          

Local Name: Lapawe

Parts used:  Roots, Stems, Leaves                                                   

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponin, inulin, essential oil

 

Apocynaceae

Landolphia owariensis                                            

Local Name: Ibo-akitipa

Parts used: Leaves, roots, stem bark, seeds                                   

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponin, tannins

 

Asclepiadaceae

Secamone afzelii                                                    

Local Name: Alu

Parts used: Stems, Leaves                                                                

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Alkaloids

 

Bignoniaceae

Kigelia africana                                                    

Local Name: Pandoro

Parts used: Leaves, roots, stem bark, fruit                                     

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponin, tannins, inulins, B-amyrin (Msonths 1986)

 

Sterospermum kunthianum                                   

Local Name: Akoko-igbo

Parts used: Leaves, roots, stem bark, fruits                                    

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin

 

Burseraceae

Canarium schweifuthii                                          

Local Name: Origbo

Parts used: Stem bark                                                                    

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponin, tannins,resin, amyrin, limonene phellandrina (Gill 1992).

 

Cactaceae

Opuntia dillenii                                                   

Local Name: Oro

Parts used: Stem, roots                                                                 

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin

 

Caesalpiniaceae

Afzelia africana                                                             

Local Name: Apa

Parts used:  Root                                                                                   

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Alkaloid, Tannins

 

Cassia podocarpa                                                

Local Name: Asunrin

Parts used: Leaves                                                                       

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Anthraquinones

 

Macrolobium macrophyllum                                       

Local Name: Aba

Parts used: Stem bark                                                                     

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin

 

Mezoneuran benthamianum                                     

Local Name: Ajuju

Parts used:  Leaves, stem, roots                                                        

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponins, mucilage

 

Caricaceae

Carica papaya                                                     

Local Name: Ibepe

Parts used: Leaves, fruits, roots                                                  

Major source: Household farms

Abundance at source: Abundant

Active Principle: Carpaine, saponin, tannins, nicotinic acid, tocopherol, papain

 

Colchicaceae

Gloriosa superba                                                        

Local Name: Ewe-aje

Parts used: Leaves                                                                              

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle:Superbin, colchicin,gloriosine, gloriosol, phytosterils, stigmasterin

 

Combretaceae

Terminalia catapa                                               

Local Name: Odan

Parts used: Stem bark                                                                  

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins

 

Terminalia glaucescens                                      

Local Name: Odan

Parts used: Stem bark, roots                                                        

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Alkaloids, tannins

 

Connaraceae

Cnestis ferruginea                                                           

Local Name: Omu-aje

Parts used: Leaves, roots, fruits, seeds                                                  

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Glycosidea

 

Dilleniaceae

Tetracera alnifolia                                                        

Local Name: Opon

Parts used:  Leaves, roots                                                                    

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Glycoside – syringin, tannis

 

Euphorbiaceae

Alchornea cordifolia                                                    

Local Name: Ipa

Parts used: Leaves, stem bark, fruits, roots                                        

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Frequent

Active Principle:  Inulin, tannins, alchornin, alkaloid

 

Alchornea laxiflora                                                        

Local Name: Pepe

Parts used:  Stem                                                                                   

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source:  Frequent 

Active Principle: Alkaloid

 

Manihot esculenta                                                           

Local Name: Ege

Parts used:  Leaves, tubes                                                                

Major source: Household farm

Abundance at source: Very abundant

Active Principle: Alkaloid, saponins, tannins

                   

Phyllanthus niruri                                                       

Local Name: Asasa

Parts used:  Leaves, stem, roots                                                         

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponins, phyllanthin, hypophllenthin

 

Lamiaceae

Ocimum basilicum                                                       

Local Name:  Efinrin-wewe

Parts used: Leaves, stem, roots                                                    

Major source: Household farms

Abundance at source: Frequent

Active Principle: Essential oils, methylcinnamate, thymol, terpenses

 

Malvaceae

Abuilon mauritianum                                               

Local Name: Furu

Parts used: Leaves, roots                                                                    

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin

 

Hibiscus esculentus                                                   

Local Name: Ila

Parts used: Fruits, seeds                                                                

Major source: Household farms

Abundance at source: Very abundant

Active Principle: Essential oils-farnesol

 

Sida cordifolia                                                           

Local Name: Iseketu pupa

Parts used:  Leaves, roots                                                                  

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Abundant

Active Principle: Alkaloid-ephedrine

 

Meliaceae

Trichilia prieuriana                                                 

Local Name: Awe

Parts used: Roots                                                                           

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannins, saponin

 

Moraceae

Ficus asperifolia                                                    

Local Name: Eripin

Parts used: Leaves, stem bark, roots                                            

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Occasional

Active Principle: Tannins

 

Ficus capensis                                                      

Local Name: Opoto

Parts used: Roots                                                                          

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Occasional

Active Principle: Tannins

 

Mimosaceae

Tetrapluera tetreptera                                                

Local Name: Aridan

Parts used: Stem bark                                                                        

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare 

Active Principle: Saponins-Aridanu, essential oils, scopoletin

 

Papaveraceae

Argemone mexicana                                                 

Local Name: Egunarigbo

Parts used: Roots                                                                               

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Alkaloids-berberine, protopine

 

Passifloraceae

Adenia lobata                                                              

Local Name: Dodo

Parts used:  Leaves, stem                                                                       

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Flaviroid

 

Papilionaceae

Desmodium adecendens                                             

Local Name: Epa-ile

Parts used: Leaves                                                                                 

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Tannis

 

Erythrina senegalensis                                               

Local Name: Ologun-sese

Parts used:  Leaves, stem bark, seeds                                                  

Major source:  Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Alkaloid – hypaphorine

 

Polygalaceae

Securidaca longepedunculata                                      

Local Name: Ofodo

Parts used: Leaves                                                                               

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Saponin-glycosides, tannins, valerianate methylsalicylate

 

Rutaceae

Citrus aurantifolia                                                      

Local Name: Osan-wewe

Parts used:  Stem and root barks                                             

Major source: Household farms

Abundance at source: Abundant

Active Principle: Essential oils

 

Fagara macrocarpa                                                   

Local Name: Ata igbo

Parts used: Stem and root barks                                                          

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

Active Principle: Alkaloids-xanthofegarine, erythrofagarin, fagaramide, f-methoyy-dihydronitidine

 

Fagara zanthoxyloides                                              

Local Name: Ata

Parts used: Root and stem barks                                                         

Major source: Forest

Abundance at source: Rare

 

Active Principle: Alkaloi, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxymethyl benzoic acid, vanillic acid, inulin,

    Saponin

 

Sapindaceae

Bligha sapida                                                             

Local Name: Ishin

Parts used: Stem bark                                                       

Major source: Household farms

Abundance at source: Abundant

Active Principle: Saponin, hypoglycin, tannins, steroidal alkaloid

 

Cardiospermum halicacabium