Title : Alternative therapies used by traditional practitioners for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and arterial hypertension in the Dja et Lobo department of Cameroon
Abstract:
Introduction: Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia, with a dysregulation of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, resulting from a defect in insulin secretion and/or action. In 2017, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that 425 million people worldwide were living with diabetes. It is estimated that by 2045, 629 million adults will have diabetes. In Cameroon, prevalence was recorded at 5.59% in 2018, regardless of gender. In the Department of Dja and Lobo, an ethnopharmacological study has been carried out to identify and characterise the medicinal plants used in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
Material and methods: The studies involved 135 participants. Data on medicinal plant preparation used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and obesity were collected according to a standardised design. The plant specimens cited were collected and identified at the National Herbarium of Cameroon and characterised. Phytochemical screening was done on each species.
Results and Discussion: A total of 135 indigenous people from six different villages were interviewed about the plants used in the management of metabolic syndrome in the Department of Dja et Lobo. The study identified 85 species in 49 families. Each of the fabaceae, asteraceae and flacourthiaceae families had at least five species cited by the participants in our study. The medicinal plants inventoried accounted for a total of 7 biological types. A total of 41 species were involved in the treatment of diabetes. The most commonly used preparation methods were decoction and trituration. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, polyphenols, tannins and saponins in almost all the extracts collected. Anthocyanins were extremely abundant in almost all extracts.
Conclusion: Dja et Lobo is a area rich in medicinal plants. The establishment of a local pharmaceutical cluster specialising in pharmaceutical R&D and the production of plant-based medicines is a considerable development opportunity for Cameroon.
Audience Take Away:
- Three main families of plants are used by the indigenous people of Dja et Lobo to treat metabolic diseases: fabaceae, asteraceae and flacourthiaceae.
- It's an opportunity for advanced research in this region and to list the botanical medicinal riches through a project to create a medicinal botanical garden and a centre for research and local production of traditional enhanced medicines.
- The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Ebolowa in Sangmelima has a project for a botanical garden in Sangmelima and is open to any scientific collaboration. This work is part of that project.
- Traditional medicinal plants, healing practices, and natural remedies are widely used in Africa to treat a wide range of illnesses and ailments. However, despite their proven effectiveness, these practices are not adequately studied, documented, and integrated into modern healthcare systems. Southern Cameroon, with its rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge of natural medicine, has enormous potential to become a centre for research and development of plant-based medicines. By harnessing these local resources, Cameroon could not only improve access to healthcare for its population but also create economic opportunities for local communities.
- It is essential for the government, researchers, and healthcare stakeholders to work together to promote alternative medicine in Africa, focusing on research, regulation, and training. By recognising the value of traditional practices and integrating them into modern healthcare systems, Africa can enhance its ability to provide quality healthcare to its population while preserving and valorising its cultural heritage.
