Ethnopharmacological survey of plants used against diabetes in Kisangani City (DR Congo)

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in Kisangani City (Democratic Republic of Congo) in order to make an inventory of plant species used in folk medicine for the management of diabetes and their different modes of preparation.

Materials and methods: Fifty-five traditional practitioners from different ethnic groups were interviewed about the plants they use against diabetes in folk medicine in Kisangani. All cited plants were collected and identified at the herbarium of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani.

Results: Thirty-one plant species were collected out of which phanerophytes predominate (18 species). Eighty-three percent of herbal remedies are prepared by aqueous decoction. Ninety-seven percents of recipes are administered to patients by oral route. All plant parts are used fresh with water as the sole solvent. Leaves are the most used parts and the treatment lasts one to two weeks.

Conclusion: Herbal remedies used against diabetes in Kisangani City, DR Congo are widely administered as aqueous decoctions. Chemical and pharmacological studies of these preparations are in progress and might lead to interesting antidiabetic remedies.