Ethnopharmacological Survey on Treatment of Hypertension by Traditional Healers in Bukavu City, DR Congo.

Félicien Mushagalusa Kasali,Christian Ahadi Irenge,Pacifique Murhula Hamuli,Pius Tshimankinda Mpiana,Jean De Dieu Mangambu Mokoso,Justin Ntokamunda Kadima,Patient Birindwa Mulashe,Delphin Murhula Katabana,Keturah R Faurot

doi:10.1155/2021/6684855

Abstract

Background Ethnopharmacological studies are relevant for sustaining and improving knowledge of traditional medicine within the framework of complementary/alternative therapeutic practices based solely on experience and observation across generations. Hypertension is a common cardiovascular disorder affecting more than 50% of older people in Africa (PLoS One. 2019; 14 (4): e0214934; published online on April 5, 2019, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214934). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey from October 2014 to August 2015 with 18 renowned traditional healers from the city of Bukavu to capture botanical plant species and remedies used by herbalists to manage hypertension in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Results Respondents cited 41 plant species belonging to 25 botanical families. The ten most common plants are Allium sativum, Galinsoga ciliata, Moringa oleifera, Bidens pilosa, Persea americana, Piper capense, Catharanthus roseus, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Sida rhombifolia, and Vernonia amygdalina. The parts used are primary leaves (48.8%) formulated as oral decoctions (65.9%). Conclusion The literature review validated the use of 73.2% of the plants listed. Plants of high local use-value not supported by other studies deserve in-depth chemical and pharmacological studies.

Highlights

Hypertension (HT) is a permanent rise in blood pressure with systole > 140 mmHg and diastole > 90 mmHg, resulting from arterial disturbance of the vascular tree [1, 2]
We conducted a cross-sectional survey from October 2014 to August 2015 with 18 renowned traditional healers from the city of Bukavu to capture botanical plant species and remedies used by herbalists to manage hypertension in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Respondents cited 41 plant species belonging to 25 botanical families. e ten most common plants are Allium sativum, Galinsoga ciliata, Moringa oleifera, Bidens pilosa, Persea americana, Piper capense, Catharanthus roseus, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Sida rhombifolia, and Vernonia amygdalina. e parts used are primary leaves (48.8%) formulated as oral decoctions (65.9%)

Summary

Introduction

Hypertension (HT) is a permanent rise in blood pressure with systole > 140 mmHg and diastole > 90 mmHg, resulting from arterial disturbance of the vascular tree [1, 2]. HT represents the most growing component of the burden of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine cardiovascular disease (CVD). In poor rural communities in Africa, herbal remedies remain an essential part of traditional medicine, which is part of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) [7,8,9]. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from October 2014 to August 2015 with 18 renowned traditional healers from the city of Bukavu to capture botanical plant species and remedies used by herbalists to manage hypertension in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plants of high local use-value not supported by other studies deserve in-depth chemical and pharmacological studies

Methods

Results

Conclusion