title: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the Central Region of Togo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Tem tribe in the Central Region of Togo is a population with an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants. However, little is known about their medical practices, principally the use of plants in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study documented the indigenous medicinal plant utilization for the management of DM and HTN in the Togo Central Region.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March to October 2010, 55 traditional healers were interviewed about their knowledge on the use of plants for DM and HTN treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that 35/55 (63.64%) healers had treated at least one case of DM and/or HTN. They highlighted the use of 64 species belonging to 31 families in the treatment of DM and/or HTN. The most used plants against diabetes were Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A. Bruce (Rubiaceae), Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Phyllanthaceae), and Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalacae), while Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Parkia biglobosa Benth. (Fabaceae), followed by Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. (Rubiaceae), and Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) were the most commonly cited as antihypertensive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The issue revealed that traditional healers of the above mentioned region have basic knowledge regarding herbal medicine for DM and HTN in comparison with previous published reports. Further pharmacological screening of the identified plants should be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of these plants.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche et de Formation sur les Plantes Médicinales-CERFOPLAM, Université de Lomé-ESTBA-UL, BP 1515, Lomé, Togo. simplicekarou@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Simplice Damintoti
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Karou
authors.forename: Tchadjobo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tchacondo
authors.forename: Micheline Agassounon
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Djikpo Tchibozo
authors.forename: Saliou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdoul-Rahaman
authors.forename: Kokou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anani
authors.forename: Koffi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koudouvo
authors.forename: Komlan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Batawila
authors.forename: Amegnona
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agbonon
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simpore
authors.forename: Comlan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014037:Togo; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents