Medicinal plants used for management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Heliyon
Abstract
Diabetes and hypertension have been declared as a global health menace of the 21st Century.
Thus, the search for potential therapeutic agents from medicinal plants for the management of
diabetes and hypertension is important. This study was undertaken to investigate medicinal
plants being used in the management of diabetes and hypertension by herbalists in Ghana. Data
were obtained from 36 herbalists through questionnaire interviews and conversations. Botanical
specimens were collected, processed and identified following standard ethnobotanical methods.
Data were analyzed using Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). A total of 39
species of plants belonging to 31 families were reported being used for management of diabetes
and hypertension. Eighteen of these plants are used for the treatment of hypertension, 12 species
for diabetes, and 9 species for management of both diseases. Informant consensus factor was
highest for plants used to treat both diseases (IFC = 0.82) followed by hypertension (ICF = 0.31)
and then diabetes (IFC = 0.24). FL values were high for Carica papaya L. Moringa oleifera Lam. and
Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. for the management of both diabetes and hypertension. Of the 14
species used for hypertension, Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. ex. Thonn.) recorded the highest FL
value whiles Momordica charantia L. recorded the highest FL value for antidiabetic plants. Baphia
nitida G. Lodd, Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. and Tapinanthus banguwensis (Engl. & k. Krause) Dancing are
being mentioned for the first time in the management of hypertension. Herbal medicines for
treatments of both diabetes and hypertension were usually prepared from multiple plant pre scriptions by boiling the plant parts, and the decoctions drunk for treatments. The results show
that there is substantial preclinical evidence to support the usefulness of some of these herbs as an
important choice for patients with diabetes and hypertension. However, clinical studies are
important to confirm the efficacy and safety of the herbal medicines prescribed by herbalists.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Diabetes, Hypertension, Ethnobotany, Herbalist, Ghana