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© A.C. Ayena, M. Agassounon Djikpo Tchibozo, V. Chegnimonhan, T.C. Guidi, L.A. Udochkina, S.L. Baba-Moussa, 2016
DIVERSITY OF PLANT RESOURCES USED IN SOUTHERN BENIN IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTROENTERITIS (DIARRHOEA, VOMITING AND ABDOMINAL CRAMPS)
Ayena A.C., Laboratory Standards and Microbiological, Nutritional and Pharmacological Quality Control (LNCQmnp), Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST); University of Abomey Calavi (UAC), 01BP526 Cotonou, 01 / 01BP1636RP Cotonou, Benin; Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, FAST, Cotonou or 01BP526 01.
Agassounon Djikpo Tchibozo M., Laboratory Standards and Microbiological, Nutritional and Pharmacological Quality Control (LNCQmnp), Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST); University of Abomey Calavi (UAC), 01BP526 Cotonou, 01 / 01BP1636RP Cotonou, Benin; Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, FAST, Cotonou or 01BP526 01.
Chegnimonhan V., Laboratory of Process and Technology Innovations (LaPIT), University Institute of Technology Lokossa, BP 133, Benin.
Guidi T.C., Laboratory of Process and Technology Innovations (LaPIT), University Institute of Technology Lokossa, BP 133, Benin.
Udochkina Larissa A., Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head of Department, Astrakhan State Medical University, 121 Bakinskaya St., Astrakhan, 414000, Russia, tel.: (8512) 52-41-43, e-mail: ag-ma@astranet.ru.
Baba-Moussa S.L. , Laboratory of Biology and Microbiology Molecular Typing, FAST, UAC, Cotonou, Benin.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Benin's population has indigenous knowledge that allows using medicinal plants for health care. The objective of this study is to take stock of the species utilized in South Benin to treat gastroenteritis manifested by diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
Materials and Methods: Through an extensive questionnaire, interviews with 180 professional healers have been performed for the collection of ethnobotanical and sociodemographic data in southern Benin. The most credible recipes (herbal preparations) were compiled from recipes frequency (Fr) and citations (quotations) frequency (Fcr).
Results: A total of 28 species belonging to 27 genera and 22 families have been identified to treat diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. The most represented family is that of Euphorbiaceae (10.71 %), followed by Aster-aceae (7.14 %), Leguminosae (7.14 %), Sterculiaceae (7.14 %) and finally Zingiberaceae (7.14 %). Momordica char-antia (12.52 %), Pterocarpus santalinoides (5.66 %), Phyllanthus amarus, Ocimum gratissimum and Mallotus opposi-tifolius (3.66 %) are the most mentioned plants in the constitution of recipes. The plants that have contributed to the development of the most credible recipes are P. amarus and O. gratissimum against vomiting; Momordica charantia and Pterocarpus santalinoides against especially diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. The decoction is the most used dosage form (44.12 %). For the treatment of vomiting only 9 medicinal species divided into 9 genera and 8 families were identified as credible. These are Gomphrena celosioides, Manihot esculenta, Mallotus oppositifolius, Carica papaya, Sansevieria liberica, Musa paradisiacal, Argemone mexicama, Zea mays, Vernonia amygdalina. The most represented family is Euphorbiaceae (22.22 %).
Conclusion: The study reveals the deep local Beninese knowledge about medicinal plants having gastroenteritis properties (diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps) and specifically, plants capable to stop vomiting. This fact deserves an appropriate pharmacological research to be conducted of the identified species to validate scientifically the virtues empirically assigned to them.
Key words: biodiversity, ethno medicine, gastroenteritis, South Benin, sustainable development.
Introduction. Apart from endemic diseases, Africa is the victim of other affections caused by microorganisms including bacteria playing a key role (OMS, 2011). Enteric diseases are often linked to the sanitary state of foods (Cuq, 2007), especially the water used (Taban and Halkman, 2011; Wangensteen et al., 2013). In Benin and in its sub-region, the problems of food poisoning and gastroenteritis due to consumption of unhygienic food have been studied (Baba-Moussa et al., 2006; Adjrah et al., 2011). According to the World Health Organization, 4000 medicinal plants are used in Africa (OMS, 2002). Benin, a country in Sub-Saharan Africa has a traditional expertise in ethno-medicine, supported by a rich biodiversity. Thus the population makes use of plants to treat gastroenteritis (Ayena et al., 2016). Elsewhere in Africa, ethnobotanical studies have been conducted for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery in humans and
animals (Offiahet al., 2011; Gairola et al., 2013; Rokaya et al., 2014). The present study aims at making the biodiversity of plants exploited in South Benin to heal gastroenteritis manifested by diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps available to scientists. Furthermore, the objective is to collect plants treating these disorders and to supplement them with data from scientific publications available in the literature.
Methodological Approaches. Through ethno-medicinal surveys, review of medicinal plants exploited in southern Benin in the traditional treatment of diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps was conducted. Literature searches were made on ethno medicinal, microbiological, pharmacological and phytochemical properties of the recorded species.
Study Area. Benin is located in West Africa. South Benin has 6 departments (Fig. 1) with a high population density, where the use of herbal medicine is remarkable. The surveys were conducted among sworn professionals of traditional medicine (traditional healers, herbalists) operating in the study area and also with other resource persons.
Fig. 1. Map of the South of Benin showing the study area
Determination of sample size. Prior to the survey, a preliminary survey conducted on a sample of 80 people in the study area showed that 50% of respondents have knowledge of medicinal plants used in the treatment of gastroenteritis. This fact allows the application of the following expression of Dagnelie (1998) to obtain the size of the total sample to investigate:
N = U-a x p(1 - p),
where N is the sample size considered in this study; u1-a/2 is the value of the standard normal variable
with a value of probability a = 0.05; U1-a/2 = 1.96; "p" is the percentage obtained with the exploratory study
with the respondents who use medicinal plants to treat gastroenteritis, (p = 0.5) and the parameter "d" represents the margin of the expected error. The value of "d" is rounded up to 0.08. Then the size of the sample which is equal to 176 respondents was rounded up to 180 people. The interviews were conducted in the local languages of the respondents.
Conduct of Investigations. using completed questionnaires, individual and grouped interviews with at least eight people have been made (Bognon, 1991). Twenty five to thirty or more people of both sexes have been contacted by the Department. The data collected concerned sociocultural attributes of respondents,
their knowledge on gastroenteritis and the phytotherapy exploited against diarrhoea and vomiting. The data collected on each plant concern the vernacular names, the plant parts used and their preparations. The species indicated were sampled, photographed; their authentication was completed and compared to the specimens of the National Herbarium of the University of Abomey (Benin), then registered under numbers. The raw data recorded on the cards were transferred into a database and processed by the Statistica version 6 software.
Statistical analysis of data. The medicinal knowledge level of the surveyed professionals was assessed by calculating the rank correlation coefficient of Spearman to verify the presence of a potential relationship between age and indigenous knowledge related to the use of plants at a statistical threshold (a) of 5%. It was calculated according to the following formula:
, 6liN1d2
rs = 1--==-,
N3 - N
where "d" is the difference between the ranks of two variables, and "N" - the number of individuals sampled. Here N = 180, the rs value was distributed as the statistical value Student t with a degree of freedom N - 2. The meaning of rs is that of t. When the absolute value of t is less than its value set at a = 0.05 threshold, the correlation is not significant and it is concluded that there is no link between age and the level of endogenous knowledge. Otherwise, there is obviously a presence of relationship.
The floristic diversity was determined through the richness, the number of families and species richness of families. The importance of plants was evaluated according to the three parameters suggested by Akoegninou et al. (2006). The latter are the frequency of recipes (Fr), the recipes quotation (citations) frequency (Fcr) and the contribution of each plant in the constitution of recipes (Cpr). Recipes having the highest values of Fr and Fcr are considered credible. The following formulas were used to calculate the values of parameters:
N
F x100,
r N
where "Nr" is the number of quotations of a recipe treating a disease or a particular symptom and "N" the total number of quotations of all recipes treating the disease;
N
F = —^ x100,
cr Nt
where "Ncr" is the number of quotations of a recipe treating a given disease and "Nt" the total number of quotations of all recipes treating all diseases;
N
Cpr x 100,
pr Nt
where "Nr" is the number of recipes seeking the plant and "Nt" is the total number of recipes.
A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of variables was performed using Statistica version 6 software to study the relationships between the variables "symptoms of gastroenteritis" and "species used".
Results. Socio-cultural profiles of the interviewees. The total of 180 professionals surveyed consists of traditional healers, herbalists and other knowledge holders of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Some received their herbal knowledge by the family bias, but others during training at therapists associations. The professionals are men and women, school instructed or not, ranging in age from 25 to 86 years. The languages are: Fon, Adja, Mina, Gun, Yoruba andNago.
Knowledge about the symptoms and diversity of medicinal plants identified. All of respondents were aware of the cause and manifestations of gastroenteritis by health workers in local hospitals, through the media and their associations. They have knowledge to discern stomach aches, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting and fever. Some raised their diagnosis on the basis of consultation of booklets in hospitals.
Twenty-eight (28) medicinal species belonging to 27 genera and 22 families were identified for the simultaneous treatment of diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Table 1 shows the list of used plants with their families, their common local names, the scientific quotations related to ethno-medicinal properties, pharmacological or phytochemical studies.
The most represented families are Euphorbiaceae (10.71 %), followed by Asteraceae (7.14 %), Legu-minosae / Papilionoideae (7.14 %); Sterculiaceae (7.14 %) and Zingiberaceae (7.14 %). Leaves, fruits, whole
plants and seeds are especially exploited. Decoction (44.12 %), trituration (20.60 %), the tincture (14.70 %), the powder (5.88 %), chewing (5.88 %), roasting (5.88 %) and maceration (2.94 %) are the pharmaceutical forms of use.
Constitution of credible recipes against the three symptoms. Taking into account the contribution
of plant species, Momordica charantia is involved in recipes, followed by santalinoides P. and P. amarus and Ocimum gratissimum. The least used or low contribution plants (1.89 %) include: Elaeis guineensis and Picralima nitida, etc. (Table 1). The frequency of recipes (Fr) is 100 % for O. gratissimum in the treatment of vomiting, while it reaches 94 % for M. charantia in the treatment of diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. The citations frequency values of recipes (Fcr) range from 1 to 15 % for the treatment of vomiting and abdominal cramps with Calotropis procera and for the treatment of diarrhoea with P. amarus. The rank correlation coefficient of Spearman obtained is significant at a = 5 % threshold (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.812; t = 2.122; t > 2.021). This shows a link between age of respondents and the number of herbal preparations (recipes) from each interviewee. The citation frequencies of plant organs indicate that the leaves are the most exploited parts (53.34 %), followed by fruits (16.67 %), then whole plants (13.33 %) and finally seeds (6.67 %).
Credible species against only vomiting. Considering vomiting, 9 medicinal plants, divided into 9 genera and 8 families were identified. Table 2 shows the list of plants with their families, common local names, and scientific citations related to ethno-medicinal, pharmacological and phytochemical studies of species. Euphorbiaceae are the most represented families (22.22 %). Leaves, fruits, seeds, whole plants and the roots are cited for the preparation of herbal medicines. The fresh plant organs are most exploited by professionals of traditional medicine. Five methods of preparation are cited: decoction (40 %), trituration (30 %), fermented milling (10 %), infusion (10) and powder (10 %) The administration form remains orally.
The rank correlation coefficient of Spearman obtained is significant at a = 5 % threshold (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.812, t = 2.122; t > 2.021), indicating a link between age of respondents and the number of recipes from each interviewee. The citation frequencies of plant parts shows that the leaves are the most utilized parts (50 %), followed by fruit (10 %), grains (10 %), seeds (10 %), whole plants (10 %) and finally roots (10 %).
Note, apart from vomiting (Table 2), these species are also sought by 15 % of professionals for the traditional treatment of other ailments (Table 3).
Table 1
Medicinal plants used in the treatment of diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps in the South of Benin __ (vernacular names: 1 - Adja; 2 - Fon or Gun)___
Families Species Vernacular names References Frequency of family (%) Citation Nbrs Organs Mode of preparation Previous citations
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Anacardiace-ae Spondias mombin (L.) Koukortchi1 Akikontin2 DGB_8 3.57 124 Leave s, bark Decoction/ trituration Ayoka et al., 2005
Annonaceae Xylopia aethi-opica (Dunal) Essô1 kpédjrétin2 1293 3.57 82 Fruit Tincture Karou et al., 2011
Apocynaceae Picralima nitida (Stapf.) Yokpè1 Danyè2 2382 3.57 120 Seed Powder Karou et al., 2011
Arecaceae Elaeis guineensis (Jacq.) Detchi1 Detin2 2568 3.57 9 Kernel Chewing Rajoo et al., 2013
Asclepiada-ceae Calotropis procera (Aiton) Wagachima n1 1973 3.57 64 Leave s, roots Decoction/ tincture Abbassi et al., 2004
Asteraceae Acanthosper-mum hispidum (DC.) Kpavihou1 DGB_9 7.14 155 Leave s Decoction/ tincture Chakrabor ty et al., 2012
Blactuca ta-raxacifolia (Willd.) Schum. ex Hornemann Ontou1 DGB_10 69 Leave s Chewing Codjia et al., 2009
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Bignoniaceae Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) Aflaman1 Dé-srégué2 DGB_10 3.57 147 Leaves Decoction Akerele et al., 2011
Bombacaceae Adansonia digitata (L.) Lagba1 Zizon2 DGB_11 3.57 43 Leaves Decoction Assogbadjo et al., 2012
Boraginaceae Heliotropium indicum (L.) Clokosoudé1 Koklosu denpaja2 DGB_13 3.57 97 Leaves Trituration Begum, 2014
Crassulaceae Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Dordouwe1 Tesuma2 DGB_16 3.57 24 Leaves Juice Sharma et al., 2014
Cucurbitaceae Momordica charantia (L.) Djouké1 Nyen-sinken2 1809 3.57 171 Entire plants Trituration Husna et al., 2013
Euphorbiaceae Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. et Thonn.) Avovlo1 Kamanla2 1585 10.71 46 Leaves Decoction Kouakou-Siransy et al., 2011
Jatropha curcas (L.) Gbododoui1 Nyikpotin2 DGB_18 66 Leaves Trituration Pirot and Hamel, 2012
Phyllanthus amarus. (Schumach & Thonn) Tchedji1 Hen-lenwe2 DGB_19 149 Entire plant Decoction Patel et al., 2011
Lamiaceae Ocimum gra-tissimum (L.) Gnadodoui1 Chao 2 2413 3.57 162 Leaves Trituration/ decoction Karou et al., 2011
Leguminosae / Papilionoideae Pterocarpus santalinoides (L'Her. ex De.) Assouin-man1 Gbegbetin2 DGB_21 7.14 177 Leaves Decoction Ayéna et al., 2016
Senna alata (L.) Madonsohomé1; Amasu 2 yovoton 400 76 Leaves Decoction Owoyale et al., 2005
Meliaceae Azadirachta indica (A. Juss.) Sablegbé1 Kininutin2 1555 3.57 71 Leaves Trituration Kausik et al., 2002
Menispermaceae Triclisia sub-cordata (Oliv.) Viaka1 dovo2 1696 3.57 94 Entire plant Trituration Abo et al., 2011
Pediliaceae Sesamun indicum (L.) Agboma or og-bo2 2897 3.57 62 Leaves Decoction Shah, 2013
Rutaceae Citrus au-rantiifolia (L.) Gbodonoutchi1 klé2 2512 3.57 147 Fruit Juice/ decoction Karou et al., 2011
Sterculiaceae Cola acuminata (P. Beauv) Evi1, Vi2 2147 7.14 89 Fruit Maceration/ Tincture Loto et al., 2012
Cola nitida (Schott et Endl.) Golo1 Gbandja2 2145 36 Fruit Decoction Karou et al., 2011
Solanaceae Capsicum annuum (L.) Yébéssi1 Gbagbatakin2 DGB_25 3.57 48 Fruit Powder Dassou et al., 2014
Tiliaceae Corchorus oliturus (L.) Démi1 nenoun- wi2 1560 3.57 78 Entire plant Decoction Akoegninou et al., 2006
Zingiberaceae Aframomum melegueta (Roscoe) Takun1 atakoun2 DGB_27 7.14 39 Seed Tincture Chinaka et al., 2014
Costus afer Tétégoun-goun2 61 54 Leaves Decoction Akpan et
(Ker Gaw) al., 2012
Table 2
Medicinal plants used in the treatment of vomiting (Vernacular names: 1 - Adja; 2 - Fon or Gun)
Families Species Vernacular names N° references Frequency of family (%) Citation Nbrs Organs Mode of preparation
Amaranthaceae Gomphrena celosioides (Mart.) Gnonho - taii1 DGB_7 22 Entire plant Decoction Sangaré et al., 2014
Asparagaceae Sansevieria liberica (hort.) Anya1 Kpogn-onanyan2 4448 65 Leaves Trituration Ikewuchi et al., 2011
Asteraceae Vernonia amygdalina (Delile) Aloma1 Ama- vivè2 2517 57 Leaves Infusion/ Trituration Agassounon et al., 2007; Ogbulie et al., 2007
Caricaceae Carica papaya (L.) Douba1 Kpen-tin2 DGB_14 43 Seeds, roots Powder Ayoola and Adeyeye, 2010
Euphorbiaceae Manihot es-culenta (Crantz) Koutou1 Fenye2 DGB_17 27 Leaves Trituration Tsumbu et al., 2011
Mallotus oppositifolius (Geisel.) Müll.-Arg Gnatchivi1 Wuètin2 2557 12 Leaves Decoction Chinaka et al., 2014
Musaceae Musa paradisiaca (L.) Madangan1 Kokowé aloga2 DGB_23 32 Fruit Decoction Imam and Akter, 2011
Papaveraceae Argemone mexicama (L.) Ehonman1 ; Hwècthégon2 2572 89 Leaves Decoction Sanogo et al., 2008
Poaceae Zea mays (L.) Baffo1 Agbado2 86 36 Seeds Fermented Milling Dassou et al., 2014
Table 3
List of plants treating vomiting and other ailments with different information (Fr: Recipe Frequency; Fcr: Cited Frequency of Recipes; Cpr: contribution of each plant _in the constitution of formulas)_
Species Organ Mode of preparation Parameters (%) Other diseases treated
Fr Fcr Cpr
Gomphrena celosioides Entire plant Decoction 12 1 1.89 Hepatoprotective activity
Sansevieria liberica Leave Trituration 34 1 1.89 Dysentery
Vernonia amygdalina Leaves Trituration 30 2 1.89 No indication
Carica papaya Seeds Powder 24 2 1.89 Tuberculosis/deworming
Manihot esculenta Leaves Decoction 12 1 1.89 No indication
Mallotus oppositifolius Leaves Trituration 4 1 3.66 No indication
Musa paradisiaca Leaves Decoction 12 1 1.89 No indication
Argemone mexicama Leaves Dec 46 1 1.89 Dysentery / jaundice
Zea mays Grains Fermented milling 21 2 1.89 Dysentery / malaria / jaundice
Link between gastroenteritis and identified plants. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provides a total inertia of 100 % with 62.14 % for axis 1 and 37.86 % for axis 2 (Fig.2). This inertia threshold indicates that symptoms of diarrhoea and abdominal cramps contribute more to the construction of axis 1. The plant species used to treat diarrhoea are similar to those used to treat abdominal cramp. Finally, vomiting
symptoms negatively contribute to the construction of axis 2.
Fig. 2. Assessment of the relationship between gastroenteritis and identified plants
Discussion. This study on the plant collection used in the treatment of diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps in southern Benin, shows that the profession of herbal medicine is for the age of over 20 years. There is a correlation between age and level of ethno medicinal knowledge (Upadhyay et al., 2011). Furthermore, it is widely accepted in Africa that, it is the older people, who hold more of the ethno-medicinal knowledge than other age groups (Ayantunde et al., 2008; Camou-Guerrero et al, 2008, Hanazaki et al., 2000).
Frequent use of leaves and barks for the constitution of recipes has been reported (Apema et al., 2010). Frequent use of fresh organs for traditional treatment of diseases has already been mentioned (Dibong et al., 2011 a, b, c). Regarding Benin Pharmacopoeia, Agassounon Djikpo Tchibozo et al. (2012) had emphasized that the main problems encountered by professionals of traditional medicine are archiving the knowledge, to determine the amount of water added to prepare decoctions, infusions, and macerations or that of the quantity of local alcohol to use for the tincture and finally the dose to be administered for treatments.
In Togo, a neighbour country, to heal childhood diarrhoea, five species are used including Pupalia lappacea, as also mentioned in this study. The use of M. charantia (12.52 %), against diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and vomiting confirms the anti-diarrhoeal and anthelmintic properties of this plant, as reported by Arbonnier (2009). The acute effects of M. charantia in Sprague Dawley rats showed dizziness and depression (Husna et al., 2013). Ocimum gratissimum is indicated for the treatment of ulcers and infectious diseases (Chaumont et al., 2001). The bark and the rod of Newbouldia laevis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and alkaloids with a total absence of cyanogenic glycosides. Its extract is active against Gram-and Gram + (Akerele et al., 2011).
P. santalinoides is used to treat haemorrhoids, fatigue, dysentery and dystocia (Akoegninou et al., 2006). The anticancer activity of the species was reported by Fadeyi et al. (2013). Its extract containing saponins, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes and steroids is active on bacteria responsible for gastroenteritis (Ayena et al., 2014).
P. amarus and O. gratissimum (3.66%) are utilized in the treatment of fevers and infectious diseases and to treat diabetes and hypertension (Agbonon et al., 2010). P. amarus extracts have antiviral properties, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant and contains flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids (Patel et al., 2011).
The ethanolic extract of P. lappacea revealed the presence of steroids and triterpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds responsible for the antinociceptive and antipyretic activity (Neeharika et al., 2013). S. mombin treats diarrhoea, dysentery, gonorrhoea and vaginal discharge (Akoegninou et al., 2006). The aqueous extract of the leaves of S. mombin caused tremor in rats (Ayoka et al., 2005). Sesamun indicum is a good protector against ultraviolet light, against the wind and solar radiation and skin care (Shah, 2013).
Extracts of Senna alata leaves showed antimicrobial activity against Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus Niger (Owoyale et al., 2005). Triclisia subcordata extracts are active against S. aureus, E. coli, B.
subtilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans.
Some biological and phytochemical studies have been reported regarding only the treatments of vomiting. Based on the work of Sangaré et al. (2014), the aqueous extract of Gomphrena celosioides at doses between 250 and 750 mg / kg body weight (BW), resulted in hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The work of Tsumbu et al. (2011) has shown the ability of aqueous extracts of the leaves of M. esculenta to inhibit the peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion. Its contents of polyphenols and flavonoids have been determined by standard colorimetric methods. The methanol extract of Mallotus oppositifolius has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Chinaka et al., 2014).
The ability of the aqueous extract of rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to protect against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride was studied in Wistar albino rats. The extract was administered to both normal rats and rats treated with carbon tetrachloride dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg / kg. The results showed that the treatment with the extracts of the plant protects the liver against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (Ikewuchi et al., 2011). According to Agassounon Djikpo Tchibozo et al. (2007), the ethanol extracts of the roots of the species offer broad spectrum of action on Gram + and Gram- involved in microbial infections. These extracts lyse VERO ATCC cells at the concentration of 500 mcg / ml; but lack virucidal action on the virus DNA or RNA.
For Imam and Akter (2011), Musa paradisiaca is traditionally used in the treatment of certain conditions such as diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcerative colitis and intestinal lesions, diabetes, uraemia, nephritis, arterial hypertension and heart.
The work of Sourabie et al. (2012) showed that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Argemone mexicana at doses of 250 and 500 mg / kg possesses anti-inflammatory activity and significant analgesic.
Dassou et al. (2014) reported that Zea mays, Vitellaria paradoxa and Capsicum annuum species are exploited in veterinary medicine in the northern region of Benin.
The antimicrobial efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina was demonstrated on strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio spp. These extracts have moderately inhibited the growth of S. aureus and S. pyogenes with a zone of inhibition between 9-15 mm (Ogbulie et al, 2007).
Conclusion. This ethno medicinal study led to identify 28 medicinal species, distributed in 27 genera and grouped into 22 families. But the plants involved in the most credible recipes are P. amarus and O. gratissimum against vomiting and M. charantia and P. santalinoides against diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. These species are susceptible to disappear due to human pressure and activities. To avoid such a disaster, credible species must be promoted through scientific studies at least in vitro culture, and also be preserved in their natural environment to make easy phytochemical and pharmacological investigations for new natural drugs against gastroenteritis.
The search on plants sought to treat vomiting only constitutes a database for researchers in biotechnology, pharmacology and pharmacy to obtain new antiemetic molecules.
Acknowledgements. We thank all the professionals of traditional medicine contacted and express our acknowledgments to Dr. Aristide Adomou, Lecturer at the National Herbarium of Benin and his assistants for their great contribution to the authentication of the plants. We are grateful to the International Foundation for Science (IFS) and the OPCW Organization for Financial Support (under grant No. F / 5550-1).
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