Ethnobotanical survey of toxic plants used in herbal medicine in the Rif, Morocco

Medicinal plants played an important role in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases since antiquities. The aim of the study is to carry out an ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used traditionally in cancer treatment in the region of Greater Casablanca-Morocco, and to enhance the traditional herbal medicine knowledge. 110 traditional healers in the study area were interviewed face to face to response a survey questionnaire including the names of plants used in cancer treatment, used parts, methods of preparation, and route of administration. Indices of Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated to identify the most effective plants used for cancer treatment. Eight species were specified including Aristolochia baetica, Aristolochia paucinervis, Bryonia dioica, Aquilaria malaccensis, Marrubium vulgare, Lavandula maroccana, Ephedra alata, and Euphorbia resinifera belonging to 7 families. Aristolochiaceae, Aquilariaceae, and Cucurbitaceae were the most useful families in cancer treatment with high significant indices of UV, FL, and RFC with values of 1, 100%, and 1, respectively. Roots and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts. Decoction and powder mixed with honey were the frequently used method for remedies preparation. The present study showed that the people living in Morocco’s economic capital are still highly dependent on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, it seems that herbal medicine still plays a crucial role in the primary healthcare system for the local population. During this survey, it was reported that even some plant families are highly toxic for humans like Aristolochiaceae that are frequently used in cancer treatment in the study area. As many people still rely on natural traditional medicine considering (it is safe with no side effects), so combined effort between all social categories including scientists and traditional healers should be established for involving the scientific validity of the used plants in the treatment of diseases.

Download Full-text

Ethnobotanical survey of toxic plants and plant parts in Ogun State, Nigeria

International Journal of Green Pharmacy ◽

10.4103/0973-8258.104926 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 174 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

AdediwuraA Fred-Jaiyesimi ◽

KolaK Ajibesin

Keyword(s):

Ethnobotanical Survey ◽

Plant Parts ◽

Ogun State ◽

Toxic Plants

Download Full-text

The Traditional Medicine Practitioner’s Concept of Cancer, Herbal medicine use and the Patients Perceived benefits (Clinical outcomes) in Selected Districts of Central Uganda: An Exploratory Study Protocol

10.21203/rs.3.rs-952577/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Prakash B. Nagendrappa ◽

Esther C. Atukunda ◽

Grace Nambozi ◽

Casim U. Tolo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herbal Medicine ◽

Traditional Medicine ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Late Presentation ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

Medicine Use ◽

Ethnobotanical Survey ◽

Cancer Symptoms

Abstract Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, herbal medicine for cancer is dispensed by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) to a large extent, who may not have adequate knowledge about the disease and this has been found to contribute to the late presentation of cancer patients to clinics and hospitals leading to poor patient outcomes.Aim: This study will investigate the traditional medicine practitioner's concept of cancer, its care, herbal medicine use, and the patients' perceived benefits (clinical outcomes) in selected districts of Central Uganda.Methods: This study will use a convergent parallel mixed-method design. TMPs claiming to treat cancer, with at least 10 years of experience will be recruited and interviewed about their understanding of cancer as a disease (grounded theory design) and the herbs used in cancer treatment (ethnobotanical survey). We will also conduct a prospective observational study to obtain the data on the perceived clinical outcomes of using herbal medicine. Adult patients (>18years) with a medical diagnosis of cancer signposted by TMPs will be recruited and followed up at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Study outcomes will include a change in the quality of life score, cancer symptoms score, perceived benefits score, and adverse reactions. The researcher will analyze qualitative data using Open, axial, selective coding techniques. We will analyze the quantitative data using descriptive statistics and results presented in frequencies, percentages and measures of central tendency (mean) where applicable. Additional analyzes such as bivariate (paired t-test and one-way repeated measures ANOVA), and multivariate (linear mixed effects model) analysis for the repeated measures data shall be undertaken to analyze the prospective observational data. P- Values of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.Discussion: This study will aid researchers in further understanding the TMPs' conceptualization of cancer, how that links to the treatment dispensed to their patients, and ultimately the patient-perceived outcomes.

Download Full-text

New Indices for Ethnotoxicological Assessment of Medicinal Plants: Example of Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Current Drug Safety ◽

10.2174/1574886314666190206184436 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 127-139

Author(s):

Mohamed Eddouks ◽

Mohammed Ajebli ◽

Morad Hebi

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Traditional Medicine ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Ethnobotanical Survey ◽

Toxic Species ◽

Toxic Plants ◽

Stratified Sample ◽

Toxic Plant ◽

The Relationship

Background:Several botanical species are poisonous and are used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine. In fact, a relationship between toxicity and phytotherapeutic potential of medicinal plants exists. Objective:Until now, there is no ethnopharmacological indices evaluating mathematically the toxic property of any medicinal plant used traditionally. Consequently, it is important to find this link through the establishment and development of novel indices that put into consideration the relationship between toxicity and phytotherapy. Two essential objectives were targeted in the present investigation: firstly, we aimed to establish novel indices which permit researchers to evaluate data obtained in any ethnobotanical survey targeting toxic plants. Secondly, we aimed also to collect data and information about toxic species, mainly those used traditionally for therapeutic purposes in the region of Tafilalet (southeast of Morocco). Methods:The total informant interviewed in our study was 1616 (where 1500 were simple local inhabitants and 116 were herbalists). This inquiry was carried out through semi-structured and structured interviews and the sampling technique used was the stratified sample (9 stratums). Data obtained was analyzed using 3 new indices: Degree of Taxonomic Toxicity (DT), Degree of Botanical Families Toxicity (DFT) and Relative Link of Toxicity (RLT). Results:47 toxic species belonging to 38 botanical families were quoted in our survey. The highest value of DT was observed for Atractylis gummifera L. (DT=24.67). According to the calculated value of DFT, the most toxic plant family in the region of Tafilalet was Asteraceae (DFT=143.90). Nervous system disorders are the main ailment caused by the toxicity of poisonous species used in the traditional medicine in Tafilalet (RLT=1.44). Conclusion:Novel indices established in this investigation (DT, DFT and RLT) have been demonstrated to be useful for interpreting data collected in Tafilalet region and could serve for other ethnopharmacological surveys of toxic medicinal plants.

Download Full-text