Ethnobotanical Documentation and Phytochemical Characterization of Anti-Diabetic Medicinal Plants in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study conducted an ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of selected medicinal plants used for diabetes treatment in Sokoto State, Nigeria." The parameters were documentation of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes diseases by local herbalist and Phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants. The data collection was carried out using Interviews and Questionnaires and laboratory screening of selected plants. The results of the study showed that 54 plants from 33 different families were recorded as medicinal plants used in the treatment of various ailments within the study areas and the most mentioned families include; fabacean, Malnaceae, and Meliaceae. However, the Study showed that the flavonoid and tannin compounds were present in all the extracts of the selected plant samples in both solvent and aqueous extract. Based on the study it was concluded that the presence of phytochemical compounds identified in the extracted plant samples showed that the plants have important biological activities used in the treatment of various ailments such as antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular activities, cancer, diabetes, and antimalarial activities etc. and further recommended that, More research should be carried out to investigate the secondary metabolites and identification of compounds present in the plants using qualitative and GCMS analysis for better understanding of their biological role in treating the different ailment.