2 Inventory of Medicinal Plants Used in The

Shehu et al., Nig. Journ. Pharm. Sci., March, 2018, Vol. 17 No.1, P68-75

INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF EYE AILMENTS IN ZARIA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

*Shehu, S. and Dauda, B

Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.

*Author for correspondence: [email protected];[email protected]; +2348134924454;

ABSTRACT

In Nigeria, modern health-care services are inadequate and majority of population especially in rural areas still rely on traditional methods including the use of medicinal plants to treat various eye ailments. This study is aimed at documenting medicinal plants used as traditional eye medicines in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna State. Information in the study was sourced by face-to-face interview with the informants guided by a semi-structured questionnaire. 80 respondents from the predominantly Hausa-Fulani tribe mostly males (87.5%) and herbalist (70%) by occupation who are knowledgeable in traditional medicines participated in the study. Most of the informants are within the age of 21-40 (45%) followed by the older population (≥60 years) representing 37.5% of the population. Twenty four herbal remedies which included powders mixed with antimony (33.33%), infusions (45.83%), fresh sap (8.33%), and decoction (12.5%) were listed by the informants. The liquid preparations are usually prepared with water and applied as eye drop. The herbal recipes which all contain a single herbal component comprised 24 different plant species belonging to 17 plant families, with Fabaceae (23.53%), Polygalaceae (11.76%) and Acanthaceae (11.76%) as the frequently cited families. The principal plant cited included Dyschoriste pedicellata (31.25%) which is used in the treatment of eye allergens, Costus spectabilis (18.75%) used for the treatment of cataract and Phonix dactylifera (12.5%) used for the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Several plant species have been mentioned for treatment of conjunctivitis while Albizia chevalieri and Commiphora africana were shown to be employed for the treatment of presbayopia and eye cancer respectively. The findings of this study has provided a data base of medicinal plants used traditionally for the treatment of various eye ailments in Zaria metropolis.

Key words: Ethnobotanical, Eye ailments, Herbal remedies, Plant species, Semi-structure

INTRODUCTION increasing prevalence of ophthalmic ailment and its related cases. There is a growing The world health organization, WHO need to develop an integrated approach (2014), had estimated about 285 million toward the management and prevention of people worldwide are suffering from some eye disorders by exploring the potentials degree of visual impairment (meaning low offered by indigenous traditional folk vision or blindness). Ninety percent of the medicines (which are mostly herbal in world's blind population live in developing nature). Since the use of some of these countries, out of which about 1.2 million plants may be associated with some ocular people live in Nigeria (Kyari et al., 2009). toxicities (Maregesi, et al., 2017), Advancing age has been recognized as the documenting and conserving their folkloric major risk factor for blindness and visual information would enable quick search for impairment worldwide, because more than further scientific research to prove their 82% of all blind people are 50 years or older efficacy and safety. (Chukwuka et al., 2014). In view of the

Shehu et al., Nig. Journ. Pharm. Sci., March, 2018, Vol. 17 No.1, P68-75

Zaria metropolis is situated between indication to insinuate that majority of the latitudes 11˚00' to 11˚ 10' N of the equator people of this region (as it is in most African and longitudes 7˚ 36' to 7˚ 45' E of the settings) use herbal medication solely or in Greenwich meridian, as shown in Figure 1. combination with orthodox medicine for the It is situated in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Its treatment of several disease, with eye area covers Zaria and Sabon Gari Local ailment inclusive. Governments. The 2006 Census of Zaria This study is aimed at documenting the gave an estimated inhabitant population of medicinal plants used as traditional eye 698,348 people (NPC,2006). The main medicines in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna identifiable ethnic groups living in this study State, Nigeria. The findings of the research area are Hausa and Fulani tribes of Northern are expected to stimulate research in Nigeria, who are predominantly farmers and standardization, safety evaluation of the herders. The low socio-economic standing herbal medicines, identification and of the latter as well as the poor primary development of useful bioactive compounds health care system in the country is a major into ophthalmic medicines.

Fig. 1: Map of Zaria metropolis (2013 Satellite Image)

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METHODS collected during a walk through the forest accompanied by the traditional healers, I. ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY herbalists or rural dwellers.

Collection of Information II. Plant Authentication and Data The method of Jovel et al, (1996) was Analysis adopted for this work. The study was Collected plant samples used as herbal conducted between April and July 2017. The remedy against eye ailments were purpose of the study was explained, and authenticated by comparison with informed consent was obtained from each of appropriate voucher specimens. This was the participants. With the aid of semi- achieved with the assistance of Mal. Namadi structured questionnaire, direct oral Sunusi from the herbarium unit of the interviews and general conversation with the Botany Department, Ahmadu Bello participants was conducted in Hausa (local University, Zaria-Nigeria. Tables and language) to obtain reliable information. descriptive statistical tool of frequency Eighty people (80) comprising of herbalists, distribution tables for grouped and traditional healers, farmers, nomads and ungrouped data were utilized to analyze data elderly rural dwellers from the study area obtained. were consulted. General questions on the local names of the plants, the parts used, methods of preparation, mode of RESULTS administration, dosage, other medicinal values of the plants and the perceived Personal Information of Respondents efficacy of the remedies on eye problems A total of 80 respondents, majority of which were asked, either directly or was obtained are herbalist (70%) were interviewed in the through the questionnaire tool. The plants process. The detail of their demographic used for the treatment of eye ailments were data are as presented in Table 1. obtained directly from the groups of people listed above. However, others were also

Table 1: Demographic Data of Respondents Parameter Specification Number of respondents (%)

Gender Female 11 (12.5%) Male 70 (87.5%) Age 1-20 3 (3.75%) 21-40 36 (45%) 41-60 11 (13.75%) 60 and above 30 (37.5%) Occupation Herbalist 56 (70%) Farmer 6 (7.5%) Nomads 4 (5%) House wife 3 (3.8%) Others 11 (13.75%)

Language Hausa 46 (58%) Fulani 34 (42%)

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Surveyed Medicinal Plants frequently cited plant species recorded include: Costus spectabilis (18.75%), used A total number of 24 different plant species for the treatment of Cataract; Phonix belonging to 17 families and represented by dactylifera (12.5%), use for the treatment of 24 genera were collected from the survey glaucoma and cataracts; Mitracarpus scabar (Table 2). Plants frequently cited were found (8.75%), used for the treatment of cataract in the Fabaceae (23.53%), polygalaceae and Securidaca longipedunculata (8.75%), (11.76%) and Acanthaceae (11.76%) used for the treatment of conjunctivitis. The families, while, the most frequently used results of the recorded surveyed plant are as plant is Dyschoriste pedicellata (31.25%), presented in Table 2. used for the treatment of eye allergins. Other

Table 2: Surveyed Medicinal Plants of Zaria Metropolis used against Ophthalmological Ailments Plant Specie Family Voucher No. Part used Hausa Name Frequency

Albizia chevalieri Harms Fabaceae 90010 Root Katsarii 1 (1.25)% Solanum incanum L. Solanaceae 648 Fruit Gawa 1 (1.25)% Phonix dactylifera L. Palmae 2201 Seed Dabino 10 (12.5)% Alchornea sp Schumach. &Thonn. Euphorbiaceae 60093 Leaf Banbami 1 (1.25)% Eugenia jambolana Lam. Myrtaceae 90231 Root Malmoo 1 (1.25)% Ficus platyphylla Delile Moraceae 6042 Stem bark Gamji 1 (1.25)% Chrozophora senegalensis Lam. Euphorbiaceae 554 Leaf Damagii 2 (2.5)% Defarium microcarpum Guill. Fabaceae 6124 Stem bark Tauraa 1 (1.15)% &Perr.

Tamarindus indica L. Fabaceae 900121 Fruit-peel Tsamiya 2 (2.5)% Ficus sphenophylla Moraceae 20041 Stem bark Shirinya 3 (3.75)% Standl.

Strychnos innocua Loganiaceae 9000217 Root Kokiya 1 (1.25)% Delile Entada africana Guill. &Perr. Fabaceae 60031 Seed Taawatsa 5 (6.25)% Dyschoriste pedicellata C.B.Clarke Acanthaceae 498 Seed Fiddahakukuwa 25 (31.25)%

Commiphora africana (A.Rich.) Burseraceae 2848 Stem bark Dashii 5 (6.25)% Endl. Nelsonia canescens Acanthaceae 1181 Leaf Tsamiyankasa 3 (3.75)% (Lam.) Spreng. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Balanitaceae 12063 Seed Aduwaa 2 (2.5)% Ficus glumosa Delile Moraceae 900153 Stem bark Kawarii 1 (1.25)% Amorphophallus abyssinicus Araceae 90034 Root Kuninjakii 1 (1.25)% (A.Rich.) N.E.Br

Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae 571 Stem bark Zogale 1 (1.25)%

Spondias mombin L. Anacardaceae 2484 Leaf Tsada 3 (3.75)%

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Mitracarpus scaber Zucc. Rubiaceae 2484 Leaf Gogamaasu 7 (8.75)%

Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) Zingiberaceae 2099 Root Takalminzoomo 15 (18.75)% Schumann Allium ascalonicum P.Renault Liliaceae 11039 Seed Fararalbasa 5 (6.25)%

Securidaca longipedunculata Polygalaceae 90012 Root Sanya 7 (8.75)% Fresen.

Herbal Recipes for Eye Ailment most indigenous medicinal plant information Twenty four herbal remedies which included were obtained from the herbalist. The latter powder mixed with antimony (33.33%), group accounted for about 70% of the data infusions (45.83%), fresh sap (8.33%), and documented, mainly due to the fact that they decoction (12.5%) were listed by the are skilled personnel in the field (Table 1). informants for treating eye ailments in Zaria Most of the informants (87.5%) were male metropolis. The liquid preparations are population because of the major tradition (of mostly prepared in water and applied as eye Hausa/Fulani) in the area, where females are drop. The indication and method of not allowed to freely interact with other sex preparing these herbal recipes is as on Table in open places like herbal markets. This 3. significantly limit their participation in the practice. Majority of the respondents are DISCUSSION youths within the age of 21-40 (45%) (Table Plants have been a major source of medicine 1). In recent times, many of the youths for human kind. The demand for traditional consider the practice and sale of herbal herbs is increasing very rapidly, mainly medicines as one the fastest means of because of the harmful effects of synthetic getting income. Several plant species have drugs and the search for better and cheaper been mentioned for the treatment of various alternatives. Ethnomedical information on eye illnesses in the study (Table 2), among some of these medicinal plants keeps on these is Dyschoriste pedicellata the most fading with time, because many of the frequently cited (31.25%). It is locally herbal practitioners die with their tangible known in Hausa language as knowledge without disclosing it. Earlier ‘fiddahakukuwa”. The high number of researchers have emphasized the need for citation of this plant may likely be as a result ethnobotanical surveys of medicinal plants of its efficacy, reliability for the treatment of knowledge of indigenous societies reputed eye allergen or its tolerability (i.e. minimum with great wealth to be carried out for the side effect) among users, because majority exploration of their potentials of the respondents claimed that; the plant is (Viswanadhan, 2004; Kumar and Tewari, safe when used within the prescribed period 2003 and Singh, 2004). Consequently, it has of treatment. Another important plant become imperatively important to document mentioned in the study is Costus spectabilis the medicinal plant use in Zaria metropolis locally called against some ophthalmological ailments. "takalminzoomoo/tabarmarzoomoo" in The ethnobotanical study of Zaria and Hausa. SabonGari LGAs carried out revealed that

Shehu et al., Nig. Journ. Pharm. Sci., March, 2018, Vol. 17 No.1, P68-75

Table 3. Therapeutic indications of Herbal Recipes use for Ophthalmological Ailments in Zaria Metropolis Plant Specie Herbal Recipe Type of Therapeutic indication Preparation Albizia chevalieri The root powder mixed with Antimony and applied to Powder Presbyopia Harms the eye Solanum incanum L. Fruit soaked in water and applied as Eye drop Infusion Conjunctivitis Phonix dactylifera L. Powdered seed mixed with Antimony Powder Glaucoma and cataract Alchornea sp Schumach. Leaves are boiled with water. The cool extract then Decoction Conjunctivitis &Thonn. used as Eye drop Eugenia jambolana Lam. root powder soaked in water and the extract applied to Infusion Conjunctivitis the eye Ficus platyphylla Delile Stem bark powder soaked in water and the extract Infusion Conjunctivitis applied to the eye Chrozophora senegalensis Prepared Water infusion of the leaf powder applied Infusion Conjunctivitis Lam. topically Defarium microcarpum Stem bark powder soaked in water and the extract Infusion Conjunctivitis and Guill. &Perr applied to the eye cataract Tamarindus indica L. Powdered Fruit (peel) mixed with Antimony Powder Cataract Ficus sphenophylla Stem bark powder of boiled with water and the cool Infusion Conjunctivitis Standl. extract applied to the eye Strychnos innocua Root powder soaked in water and the extract applied Infusion Conjunctivitis Delile to the eye Entada africana Guill. The seed powder mixed with Antimony Powder Conjunctivitis &Perr. Dyschoriste pedicellata Seeds soaked in water and then applied as Eye drop Infusion Eye allergens C.B.Clarke Commiphora africana Stem bark powder boiled with water and the cool Infusion Eye cancer (A.Rich.) Endl. extract applied to the eye Nelsonia canescens Leaves are boiled with water. The cool extract taken Decoction Conjunctivitis (Lam.) Spreng. orally or as eye drop Balanites aegyptiaca(L.) Seed powder mixed with Antimony, applied to the eye Powder Cataract Delile Ficus glumosa Delile Stem bark powder boiled with water and the cool Infusion Cataract extract used orally or as eye drop Amorphophallus Fresh root expressed and the sap applied as eye drop Fresh sap Eye infections abyssinicus (A.Rich.) N.E.Br. Moringa oleifera Lam. Stem bark powder boiled with water and the cool Infusion Conjunctivitis extract applied to the eye Spondias mombin L. Prepared Water infusion of the leaf powder applied to Infusion Conjunctivitis the eye Mitracarpus scaber Zucc. Powdered leaves mixed with Antimony Powder Cataract Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) Fresh sap from the rhizome of or water extract of the Fresh sap Cataract Schumann dried powder applied as eye drops Allium ascalonicum Seeds are boiled with water. The cool extract applied Decoction Conjunctivitis P.Renault to the eye Securidaca Powdered root mixed with Antimony Powder Conjunctivitis and longipedunculata Fresen. improve vision

It was reported by 18.75% of the plant showed that; the stem sap of the plant respondents for the treatment of cataract. has been used to treat eye infections and as Previous ethno medical information on this nose drops to cure headache (Aweke, 2007).

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Other plants mentioned include: Phonix and conjunctivitis respectively (Prooja et al., dactylifera mentioned by 12.5% of the 2014). informants for the treatment of glaucoma The medicinal property of a given plant and cataract. It was previously reported to depends on the type and amount of active exhibit antioxidants, anti-tumor, ingredient it accumulate in its organ and antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti- released during an extraction process. Many inflammatory and smooth muscle relaxation approaches have been utilized to enable the activity (Arshad et al., 2014). Some of these release of these active ingredients in established pharmacological activities may traditional herbal practice. Data presented in likely be responsible for its effect in Table 3, showed that majority of the plants ameliorating cataract and glaucoma. are prepared in form of infusions and Mitracarpus scabar and Securidaca subsequently used as eye drops (45.83%). longipedunculata cited by 8.75% of the Other plants mentioned are prepared in respondents were shown to be useful in the powder mixed with antimony (33.33%) and treatment of cataract and improvement of then applied topically to the eye or are vision respectively. Other potentially obtained as fresh sap and used directly as important plants, although not cited so eye drops. frequently in the study, includes: Albizia chevalieri for Presbayopia, Commiphora CONCLUSION Africana for eye cancer and The findings of this study has provided a Amorphophallus abyssinicus which was data base of medicinal plants used claimed to be useful for the treatment of any traditionally for the treatment various eye eye infection. The use of Commiphora ailments in Zaria metropolis. Importantly, africana for the treatment of cancer in the survey recorded plant species of traditional medicine has been previously Dyschoriste pedicellata, Costus spectabilis reported (Ngulde et al., 2015). In this study and Phonix dactylifera as being the most Solanum incanum was revealed to be useful commonly used, with a percentage (%) for the treatment of conjunctivitis. Previous value of 31.25, 18.75 and 12.5 respectively. report showed that it is used for treatment of The ethnobotanical survey of medicinal 'tearing eye' (Maregesi, et al. 2017). Ficus plant use for eye ailment in Zaria metropolis glomosa reported for the treatment of could be considered first hand, considering cataract in this study was previously non literature records. Consequently, this reported for the treatment of blurred vision inventory represents a documented in traditional medicine (Maregesi, et al. contribution of natural flora of Zaria 2017). Other Ficus species reported in the metropolis to the global data of folk study namely; F. platyphylla and medicine believed to be of complimentary Ficussphenophylla were shown to be used value and widely acceptable in controlling for the treatment of conjunctivitis. The study various ophthalmological illnesses revealed that majority of the plants used for the treatment of eye ailments in Zaria REFERENCES metropolis are from Fabaceae family Arshad H. R., Salah M. A., Habeeb A., Ali Y. B., (23.53%) (Table 2). Previous research has Sauda S. and Amjad A. K ., (2014). Therapeutic identified Butea monospora and Sesbania effects of Date fruit (phonix dactylifera) in the grandifolia (which are both from Fabaceae prevention of diseases. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine;7 (3):483-491 family) useful for the treatment of cataract Aweke, G., (2007). Costus afer Ker Gawl .[Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Schmelzer, G.H. and

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