AN ETHNO-BOTANICAL
SURVEY OF PLANTS
USED IN RHEUMATOID
ARTHRITIS
Abstract
Background and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is known as the most prevalent type
of polyarticular inflammatory arthritis with a variety of features, including continual synovial inflammation,
bony erosions, and progressive destruction with varying physical disability and degrees of pains. The aim of this
study is to provide the knowledge about plants used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment by people residing in
Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The survey was carried out using an electronic questionnaire to obtain information
about plants used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The plants that were used, part of the plant(s), mode
of preparation, and transferability of knowledge were documented.
Results: About 12 plant species, i.e. Allium sativum Linn., Curcuma longa Linn., Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal)
A. Rich., Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f., Moringa oleifera Lam., Eleusine indica
(L.) Gaertn., Vernonia amygdalina Del., Momordica charantia Linn., Persea americana Mill., Vitellaria
paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., and Nigella sativa Linn. Were reported in a different frequency, with 16.83% of the
respondents reporting herbal mixtures without a knowledge source of the plants. The plant parts used in
rheumatoid arthritis treatment were roots, leaves, bulbs, fruits, and stems prepared in different forms like
grinding, decoction, infusion, herbal mixture, and blending.
Conclusion: There is a great level of transfer of these medicinal plants' knowledge to friends and family
members. This ethnobotanical survey has shown these plants' local uses in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in
Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Ethnobotanical survey, Gusau, Medicinal plants, Nigeria, Rheumatoid arthritis
1
, Ojetunde et al. Plants Used in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Gusau
Introduction arthritis characterized by continual synovial
inflammation, bony erosions, and
progressive Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease is destruction with varying physical
disability and degrees the most prevalent type of polyarticular inflammatory of pains (1).
Herbal Medicines Journal. 2021; in press
The whole body, including internal organs such as the lungs, heart and eyes, might be affected by this disease. Hence, it
could be considered a systemic disease.
Although, quantities of manufactured medications are being utilized as standard remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, they
have antagonistic impacts that can reduce the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment (2).
Ethnobotany depends on the information on plants by native people, and their efficacy as perceived by the members of
a particular ethnic group since data concerning a specific plant fluctuates starting with one ethnic gathering then onto
the next (3, 4).
Unfortunately, no effective restorative treatment capable of fixing rheumatoid arthritis has been developed to date as
current medications can just get the disease side effects to soothe or relieve pain and aggravate the joints (1).
Several researchers have carried out ethnobotanical investigations among several tribes of the African continent and
other parts of the world (5-11). Herbs and plants could be utilized in different forms to relieve the pain and inflammation
in the joints. Several medicinal herbs have exhibited antirheumatoid arthritis properties. Examples of such plants include
Acteae racemosa, Zingiber officinale Roscoe (1), Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal, Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle,
and Psidium guajava Linn. (12). These plants are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In an ethnobotanical
study by Ogbole et al. (2010) (13), the decoction of Garcinia kola Heckel, Zingiber officinale Roscoe., and Allium
sativum Linn. with water/ soda has been reported for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis inflammation. In the same
study, decoction or concoction of Alstonia boonei De Wild. bark, Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus
paradise fruit, Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Allium sativum Linn., and Allium cepa Linn. have been reported to relieve
rheumatoid arthritis inflammation. This comprehensive study would provide more information about medicinal herbs
that could relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain or possibly treat the disease. The long-term advantage of ethnobotanical
research may lead to modern drug production with no or less adverse effects.
This research seeks to find answers to research questions such as (i) How much do people know about medicinal plants?
(ii) Which plants are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in Gusau LGA?, (iii) What parts of these plants are being used?,
(iv) How available are the plants used in treating rheumatoid arthritis in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria?, (v) Are residents
with this knowledge (of the medicinal plants) ready to transfer it to another person and whom they are ready to transfer?
Therefore, this study contributes to the advancement of knowledge about medicinal plants used in the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods
Study Area
The study area is Gusau located in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State in the Northwestern region. The majority
of the residents speak the Hausa language. The town lies between latitude 12.1628̊ N and longitude 6.6745 ̊ E with an area
of 3,364km. According to the 2006 census, the population of the town is 383,162 (14). Gusau site is just north of a line
attracted from Kebbi to Kano, and its populace is generally Hausa with certain Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Igala, and Nupe
likewise lives there.
Study Design, Population, and Sample Size
2 Herbal Medicines Journal. 2021; in press
SURVEY OF PLANTS
USED IN RHEUMATOID
ARTHRITIS
Abstract
Background and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is known as the most prevalent type
of polyarticular inflammatory arthritis with a variety of features, including continual synovial inflammation,
bony erosions, and progressive destruction with varying physical disability and degrees of pains. The aim of this
study is to provide the knowledge about plants used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment by people residing in
Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The survey was carried out using an electronic questionnaire to obtain information
about plants used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The plants that were used, part of the plant(s), mode
of preparation, and transferability of knowledge were documented.
Results: About 12 plant species, i.e. Allium sativum Linn., Curcuma longa Linn., Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal)
A. Rich., Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f., Moringa oleifera Lam., Eleusine indica
(L.) Gaertn., Vernonia amygdalina Del., Momordica charantia Linn., Persea americana Mill., Vitellaria
paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., and Nigella sativa Linn. Were reported in a different frequency, with 16.83% of the
respondents reporting herbal mixtures without a knowledge source of the plants. The plant parts used in
rheumatoid arthritis treatment were roots, leaves, bulbs, fruits, and stems prepared in different forms like
grinding, decoction, infusion, herbal mixture, and blending.
Conclusion: There is a great level of transfer of these medicinal plants' knowledge to friends and family
members. This ethnobotanical survey has shown these plants' local uses in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in
Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Ethnobotanical survey, Gusau, Medicinal plants, Nigeria, Rheumatoid arthritis
1
, Ojetunde et al. Plants Used in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Gusau
Introduction arthritis characterized by continual synovial
inflammation, bony erosions, and
progressive Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease is destruction with varying physical
disability and degrees the most prevalent type of polyarticular inflammatory of pains (1).
Herbal Medicines Journal. 2021; in press
The whole body, including internal organs such as the lungs, heart and eyes, might be affected by this disease. Hence, it
could be considered a systemic disease.
Although, quantities of manufactured medications are being utilized as standard remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, they
have antagonistic impacts that can reduce the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment (2).
Ethnobotany depends on the information on plants by native people, and their efficacy as perceived by the members of
a particular ethnic group since data concerning a specific plant fluctuates starting with one ethnic gathering then onto
the next (3, 4).
Unfortunately, no effective restorative treatment capable of fixing rheumatoid arthritis has been developed to date as
current medications can just get the disease side effects to soothe or relieve pain and aggravate the joints (1).
Several researchers have carried out ethnobotanical investigations among several tribes of the African continent and
other parts of the world (5-11). Herbs and plants could be utilized in different forms to relieve the pain and inflammation
in the joints. Several medicinal herbs have exhibited antirheumatoid arthritis properties. Examples of such plants include
Acteae racemosa, Zingiber officinale Roscoe (1), Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal, Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle,
and Psidium guajava Linn. (12). These plants are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In an ethnobotanical
study by Ogbole et al. (2010) (13), the decoction of Garcinia kola Heckel, Zingiber officinale Roscoe., and Allium
sativum Linn. with water/ soda has been reported for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis inflammation. In the same
study, decoction or concoction of Alstonia boonei De Wild. bark, Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus
paradise fruit, Zingiber officinale Roscoe., Allium sativum Linn., and Allium cepa Linn. have been reported to relieve
rheumatoid arthritis inflammation. This comprehensive study would provide more information about medicinal herbs
that could relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain or possibly treat the disease. The long-term advantage of ethnobotanical
research may lead to modern drug production with no or less adverse effects.
This research seeks to find answers to research questions such as (i) How much do people know about medicinal plants?
(ii) Which plants are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in Gusau LGA?, (iii) What parts of these plants are being used?,
(iv) How available are the plants used in treating rheumatoid arthritis in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria?, (v) Are residents
with this knowledge (of the medicinal plants) ready to transfer it to another person and whom they are ready to transfer?
Therefore, this study contributes to the advancement of knowledge about medicinal plants used in the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods
Study Area
The study area is Gusau located in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State in the Northwestern region. The majority
of the residents speak the Hausa language. The town lies between latitude 12.1628̊ N and longitude 6.6745 ̊ E with an area
of 3,364km. According to the 2006 census, the population of the town is 383,162 (14). Gusau site is just north of a line
attracted from Kebbi to Kano, and its populace is generally Hausa with certain Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Igala, and Nupe
likewise lives there.
Study Design, Population, and Sample Size
2 Herbal Medicines Journal. 2021; in press
