Diversity and Ethnobotany of Traditional Plants used in the Management of Heart Diseases in Nasarawa State

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major public health challenge globally, particularly in developing regions where access to modern healthcare is limited. Traditional medicine remains an integral part of healthcare systems, especially in rural communities. This study investigates the diversity and ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants used in the management of heart diseases in Nasarawa, Nigeria. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted through semi-structured interviews with local herbalists, traditional healers, and knowledgeable community members. A total of 32 plant species belonging to 25 families were documented, with Moringa oleifera, Carica papaya, and Allium sativum identified as the most frequently cited plants for managing hypertension, heart palpitations, and related ailments. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Fidelity Level (FL) were used to assess the importance of each species. The study highlighted the rich ethnobotanical knowledge of the Nasarawa community, emphasizing the need for further pharmacological studies to validate the efficacy and safety of these plants. The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed that all the three most used plants has alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compound, tannins and saponins although with exemption of resin which is present in Allium sativum but absent in the other two plants. The quantitative phytochemical revealed that Moringa oleifera has the highest concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and phenol compared to Allium sativum and Carica papaya. The antioxidant activity of the plants demonstrated a concentration dependent increase in inhibition, the higher the concentration the higher the inhibition. The presence of phytochemicals and their antioxidant activity which are known for their cardio-protective properties confirmed the efficacy of the plants for ethnoboptanical use in the management of heart diseases. Therefore, conservation efforts and the integration of traditional medicine into primary healthcare systems are recommended to preserve this valuable knowledge.