ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF THE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN IBADAN,OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Plants have been used locally and traditionally in the treatment and management of some ailments. The use of medicinal plants is in combination with the several cultural beliefs and traditional practices and has a long history in therapeutic success because many drugs used clinically today are developed directly or indirectly from plants. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are sets of venerable diseases that are rampant in Nigeria contributing to its high morbidity and mortality rate. Ethnobotanical studies of the available local medicinal plants used for the management of STDs will lead to the discovery of better antimicrobials to treat STDs.

The ethnobotanical survey of plants used in treatment of Sexually transmitted diseases was carried out in Ibadan city. The study was aimed at documenting the use of traditional medicines in treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the people of Ibadan. The specific areas of study were Bode Market in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Oje Market in Ibadan North East Local Government Area and Olunde area in Oluyole Local Government Area. The respondents interviewed included herb sellers, herbalist and herbal therapists. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from them and communication was done verbally in Yoruba. Medicinal plants recommended were collected and taken to Forestry Research institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Jericho, Ibadan for proper Identification.

From the survey, 52 Species of plants representing 34 families were reported by 80 traditional medicine practitioners as remedies for treating Sexually transmitted diseases. The families that were highly used include Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae. The plants commonly used were Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad, Plumbago zeylanica L., Citrus aurantifolia Christm., Mangifera indica L., Senna alata L. Roxb, Erythropleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan and Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel. The plant Citrullus colocynthis had the highest frequency of use.

The high frequency of use of these plants suggests their efficacy and potency against Sexually transmitted disease. The further analysis of these plants can help to develop new, effective therapeutic medicinal drugs (antimicrobials) that would be useful to control Sexually transmitted diseases thereby reducing their morbidity and mortality impact on Global health.