Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology

Ethnobotanical study of plants used against malaria in Selingue subdistrict, Mali

3^rd World Congress on Pharmacology

August 08-10, 2016 Birmingham, UK

Nouhoum Diarra

Universite des Sciences des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Mali

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Exp Pharmacol

Abstract:

Plants have contributed to food security and disease treatments to rural populations in sub Saharan Africa for many centuries. These plants occupy a significant place in the treatment of diseases, such as malaria. In Mali, malaria is the leading cause of medical consultation and death. This infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children under 5 years. The general aim of this research is to collect data on the knowledge of traditional health practitioners on malaria in the Selingue area, particularly to document how traditional healers conceptualize and diagnose malarial disease and to collect and identify medicinal plants or other substances used for their health and well-being. To this end an ethnobotanical survey was conducted on simple and complicated malaria in six villages in Selingue sub-district in a period of two months. The ethnobotanical data were collected by means of semistructured interviews and questionnaires. In total 50 traditional healers were interviewed. Two concepts of malaria (simple and complicated malaria) were cited and 97 plants used to treat malaria were identified. Traditional healers had many terms corresponding to uncomplicated malaria, but few seemed to know the true symptoms and signs of severe malaria. Decoctions and bathing (whole body) proved to be the most commonly used mode of application. Food attitudes and mosquitoes are perceived to be the most important causes of the disease. Trichilia emetica, Mitragyna inermis, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Cassia sieberiana, Cochlospermum tinctorium, Anogeissus leiocarpa, Guiera senegalensis and Entada africana were quoted as the most used plants in the treatment of malaria. Knowledge about malaria and traditional treatment practices exist in Selingue subdistrict. Herbal remedies are commonly used by people for the treatment of malaria because they are believed to be cost-effective and more accessible. This ethnomedical evidence will help to prioritize which of the recipes and plants should be studied in greater detail, with the aim of developing new improved traditional medicine.

Biography :

Email: nouhoumdiarra2002@yahoo.fr