Biodiversity and phytochemistry of medicinal plants used against diarrhea in Benin

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases are still a public health problem in developing countries and for this, it is essential to take care of them with the use of traditional medicine because for its effectiveness and character in using natural molecules. In this work, 140 people including traditional healers, sellers of medicinal plants, herbal healers, were identified and chosen at random in the 4 major cities of Benin, namely: Porto-Novo, Cotonou, Abomey and Parakou. For information collection the method of individual semi-structured interviews was used and took into account the names of the plants, the conditions treated, the parts of plants used, the methods of preparation, and the therapeutic and traditional use against diarrhea. Phytochemical analysis of plants was carried out using the method based on coloring and precipitation reactions. The results showed that 40% were respondents are traditional healers, 45% were medicinal plant dealers, 10% were herbal healers and 5% represented mothers with babies. The survey carried out indicated a list of 14 species divided into 13 genera and 11 families, among which Combretaceae and Fabaceae (27.27%) are the most represented families. The leaves (85.71%) were the most used with the decoction (71.42%) as the frequent mode of preparation. The preparations were administered orally (67.38%) in the form of a drink. The phytochemical profile showed the presence of 13 chemical groups for all species. The most common being steroids, tannins, reducing compounds, mucilages, saponosides and alkaloids. The tannins and saponins justify preliminary the antidiarrheal properties attributed to these plants. This study was showed the chemical characterization of diarrheal Beninese species.