Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics
Open Access

Abstract

The prevalence of gynaeacological disorders worldwide has given rise to increased female infertility, morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to establish a regional profile of the indigenous knowledge on the treatment of various gynaeacological disorders in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using oral and semi-structured interview methods, 100 local informants from five local government areas of Lagos State, Nigeria were interviewed. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures. Fifty (50) plant species belonging to 35 families were identified for the treatment of different gynaeacological disorders in the study area. Family Fabaceae had the highest number of plant species (10 %) followed by Euphorbiaceae (8 %). Ethno botanical uses of 16 plant species for amenorrhea, 9 species for aphrodisiac, 7 species for vaginal infections and 6 plant species for sexually transmitted diseases were discovered in the study area. The most commonly used plant parts were the leaves (29.03 %) while decoction (48.08 %) was the most commonly used mode of preparations. The highest percentage of occurrence was observed in trees (52 %) followed by the herbs (20 %) while shrubs and creepers were 16 % and 12 % respectively. Phenols and flavonoids were present in all the plants while phlobatannins were present only in ten (10) plant species. The identification and documentation of medicinal plants used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of gynaeacological disorders in Lagos State, Nigeria would be useful for the conservation of the plant species, also the plants can serve as precursors in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of various gynaeacological disorders. Keywords: Gynaeacological disorders, Lagos State, Ethnobotanical survey, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals.

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