Ethnomedicinal plants used for snakebite treatments in Ethiopia: a comprehensive overview

Abstract

Traditional medicine plays an important role in the daily lives of people living in rural parts of Ethiopia. Despite the fact that Ethiopia has a long history of using traditional medicinal plants as an alternative medicine source, there is no checklist compiling these plants used for snakebite treatment. This review collected and compiled available knowledge on and practical usage of such plants in the country. A literature review on medicinal plants used to treat snakebites was conducted from 67 journal articles, PhD dissertation and MSc theses available online. Data that summarize scientific and folk names, administration methods, plant portion used for treatment and method of preparation of recipes were organized and analyzed based on citation frequency. The summarized results revealed the presence of 184 plant species distributed among 67 families that were cited for treating snakebite in Ethiopia. In this literature search, no single study was entirely dedicated to the study of traditional medicinal plants used for the treatment of snakebite in Ethiopia. Most of the species listed as a snakebite remedy were shrubs and climbers (44%) followed by herbs (33%) and trees (23%). Fabaceae was the most predominant family with the greatest number of species, followed by Solanaceae and Vitaceae. Remedies are mainly prepared from roots and leaves, through decoctions, infusions, powders and juices. Most remedies were administered orally (69%). The six most frequently mentioned therapeutically important plants were Nicotiana tabacum , Solanum incanum , Carissa spinanrum , Calpurnia aurea , Croton macrostachyus and Cynodon dactylon . Authors reviewed the vegetal substances involved in snakebite management and their action mode. In addition to screening the biologically active ingredients and pharmacological activities of these plant materials, future studies are needed to emphasize the conservation and cultivation of important medicinal plants of the country.

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“…In contrast, generative parts such as fruits, seeds, buds, bulbs and flowers which are known for accumulating phytochemicals are not often used and this is in congruence with reports from other countries [105,106]. The regular use of roots and leaves in antivenom preparations is a characteristic feature of traditional antisnake venom therapy [34,105,107]. The frequent use of roots could also be related to the fact that snakebites' effects are internal to the body, is hidden, and so are the roots of plants below the ground.…”

“…The herbal remedies are primarily from roots (47.4%) and leaves (27.7%) (Figure 2) of herbs (117 species, 33%), trees (114 species, 32%) and shrubs (102 species, 29%) (Figure 3). In contrast, generative parts such as fruits, seeds, buds, bulbs and flowers which are known for accumulating phytochemicals are not often used and this is in congruence with reports from other countries [105,106]. The regular use of roots and leaves in antivenom preparations is a characteristic feature of traditional antisnake venom therapy [34,105,107].…”

Antivenin plants used for treatment of snakebites in Uganda: ethnobotanical reports and pharmacological evidences

“…Schltr [42] Asparagaceae Sansevieria dawei Stapf [38] Asparagaceae Sansevieria trifasciata var. trifasciata [10] Asteraceae Bidens pilosa L. [42] Asteraceae Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, and Myricaceae were cited in Kenya [17] and Tanzania [77], Meliaceae in Ghana [78], Fabaceae in Rwanda [79], Asparagaceae, Leguminosae, and Menispermaceae in Sudan [80], Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Capparaceae, Cariaceae, Combretaceae, Convulaceae, Ebenaceae, Eurphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, and Poaceae in Ethiopia [81] and Pakistan [82], Fabaceae, Aristolochiaceae, and Lamiaceae in Djibouti [83] and Nigeria [84], Melastomataceae and Menispermaceae in Cameroon [85]. Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, and Rutaceae were cited in India [86,87], Bangladesh [88,89], and Central America [90].…”

“…The regular use of roots and leaves in antivenin preparations is a characteristic feature of traditional antivenin therapy [17,81,86,99,100], no wonder some of these plants are named "snakeroot" in some rural communities [101]. Comparatively, embryonal plant parts such as fruits, seeds, buds, bulbs, and flowers which have reputation for accumulating certain compounds are less frequently used, concordant with reports from other countries [17,81]. Majority of the plants reported grow in the wild (82%), 14% are cultivated while 4% are semi-wild (occurs in the wild but can also be cultivated).…”

Diversity and knowledge of plants used in the treatment of snake bite envenomation in Benin

“…Part of the plant and extraction solvent are likely to influence active substances extraction, its effectiveness, and its toxicity (Yirgu & Chippaux 2019). The dominant use of roots in antivenom remedies preparation is thought to be due to the capacity of roots to concentrate active principle of the plant (Kunwar et al 2006, Phumthum et al 2018.…”