MEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF CHAD: REVIEW AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING

In Africa, hypertension has become a public health problem in recent years. While access to modern treatments remains limited for a large part of the population in several developing countries such as Chad. The present study aims to identify the plant species used by populations in the far south of Chad to treat this condition. To this end, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out among traditional practitioners who treat these illnesses. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the two most frequently cited plants and those less widely studied. The ethnobotanical inventory carried out in four (4) administrative regions among a sample of 46 traditional healers identified 57 plant species, including 31 recipes based on a single plant and 12 recipes composed of at least two plants. The plant organs most frequently used were leaves (31.6%), roots (24.5%) and bark (16.3%). Decoction (73.4%) is the most frequently cited mode of use. The phytotherapeutic citation index ranged from 1.0 to 6.1, and identified the twelve (12) most widely used plants. An inventory of chemical and pharmacological studies was carried out on these plants. Phytochemical screening of two plants least studied on hypertension (Fadogia pobeguinii and Siphonochilus aethiopicus) revealed their richness in phenolic compounds, reducing compounds, mucilages, saponosides, triterpenoids and steroids. Further studies will be carried out on these plants with a view to their valorization.