Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat HIV, cancer and diabetes in some communities of Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundMedicinal plants play important roles in primary healthcare in Ghana, where many are used to treat chronic diseases including HIV, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. However, there is little or no documentation on the medicinal uses of many of these plants. AimThis study sought to document plants used to treat HIV, diabetes, and cancer in some communities of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Materials and methodsApproximately 107 herbalists were interviewed using validated questionnaires, and the data were duly analysed. The plants cited in the study were identified using a combination of approaches including local names, field photo guides, and voucher specimens. ResultsThe results showed that 44 plant species belonging to 26 families were used to treat the three diseases. The predominant families were Solanaceae, Dioscoreacea, Fabaceae, and Cucurbitaceae, with the major growth form being herbs. The herbalists used similar plant compositions for each disease, irrespective of the local community of practitioners. Most of the plants were prepared in the form of decoctions (84%) and infusions (11%). Only a few herbalists (21%) have documentation on their medicinal plants. Informant consensus factor (ICF) for diabetes was the highest, followed by cancer and then HIV. Fidelity level (FL) was highest in Morinda lucida (diabetes), Momordica balsamina (HIV), and Brassica oleracea (cancer). The authors claim the first documentation of nine plants with anti-cancer, anti-HIV, and anti-diabetic uses in Ghana. ConclusionThis study has inventoried plants used to manage cancer, HIV, and diabetes mellitus in nine communities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.