Abstract

ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF THE BRAZZAVILLE POPULATION ON PLANTS USED IN THE TRADITIONAL TREATMENT OF DIABETES IN THE AREPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Pembe Issamou Mayengue*, Mayela Nkouka Santou Haydée Josiane*, Elenga Michel, Tamba Sompila Arnaud Wenceslas Geoffroy

ABSTRACT

Diabetes remains a major public health problem in the Republic of the Congo. Despite modern treatments, people still turn to medicinal plants. Several plants are used in the Congolese pharmacopoeia to treat various diseases, including diabetes. The aim of this study was to identify the plants used in the Congolese pharmacopoeia to treat diabetes. The methodology adopted enabled us to conduct an ethnobotanical survey among medicinal plants vendors between February and March 2022 using a structured survey form. The survey was carried out in ten markets covering all of Brazzaville's districts. A total of 44 plant species belonging to 30 families have been identified. The most represented families were Asteraceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae, with 3 species each. A total of 39 recipes were prepared from 44 plant species, including 27 (69.23%) single-plant recipes, 7 (17.95%) 2-plant recipes, 4 (10.25%) 3-plant recipes, and one (2.56%) 4-plant recipe. The plants most frequently cited were Nauclea latifolia smith, Momordica charantia, Sapium cornutum, Trilepisium madagascariense, and Thomandersia laurifolia. Leaves were the main organ used, while decoction was the main method of preparation, and oral administration the only route. The Republic of the Congo abounds in a good biodiversity of antidiabetic plants. Furthermore, the physicochemical characterization and evaluation of the hypoglycemic activity and toxicity of all identified plants are awaited in order to carry out a better screening of the plants to be promoted.

Keywords: Diabetes, medicinal plants, pharmacopoeia, Brazzaville.