Abstract
BackgroundCandidiasis, an opportunistic cosmopolitan disease is nowadays like bacterial infections which is a real public health problem. In view of the emergence of Candida strains resistant to existing antifungal agents, alternative solutions should be considered. This is the purpose of this ethnobotanical survey, which aims to identify the medicinal plant species traditionally used to treat candidiasis in traditional markets of southern Benin.MethodsThe study was performed from October 2015 to January 2018 in the traditional markets of Southern-Benin. Data were collected by two complementary methods: triplet purchase of medicinal recipes (ATRM) from herbalists markets and semi-structured interview (ISS) from traditional healers.ResultsA total of 109 species of medicinal plants belonging to 44 families have been listed and identified. The most frequently cited species were Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. & Diels, Lantana camara L., Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob, Ocimum gratissimum L. and Lippia multiflora Moldenke with respectively 43.84, 39.73 and 34.25% citation frequencies for the last three species respectively. Leguminosae (20.18%), Euphorbiaceae (5.50%) and Apocynaceae (5.50%) were the most represented botanical families. Leafy stems were more used than other plant organs. The decoction and the oral route were the most appropriate methods of preparation and administration reported by traditional healers.ConclusionBenin’s plant cover is made up of a wide variety of medicinal plant species used in the traditionnal treatment of candidiasis and which may constitute new sources of medicines to be developed.
Highlights
Candidiasis, an opportunistic cosmopolitan disease is nowadays like bacterial infections which is a real public health problem
Sociodemographic characteristics of responders The recipes were provided by seventy-three (73) informants, fifty-one (51) market herbalists and twenty-two (22) traditional healers with an average age of 52 ± 14.65 years
More than half of them (63%) had more than twenty years’ experience (Fig. 2) but traditional healers seem to be less experienced than market herbalists
Summary
Candidiasis, an opportunistic cosmopolitan disease is nowadays like bacterial infections which is a real public health problem. Invasive fungal infections are reported to kill more than tuberculosis and malaria and in 90% of fungal deaths, candidiasis ranks second behind cryptococcosis and ahead of aspergillosis and pneumocystis [12–14] They are fatal in 40% of hospital sepsis cases according to letter No 72 from the Pasteur Institute [15] and are the leading nosocomial fungal disease [9, 16, 17]. Candida spp. resistance even extends to amphotericin B [23], one of the last used antifungals [24, 25] This emergence of strains resistant to common molecules is, like the emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, of a great public health concern for which sustainable alternative solutions must be found very quickly. Some research carried out on plants has shown in vitro their antifungal potential [37–40] and could constitute new sources of bioactive molecules [31, 41]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
