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Abstract
Introduction. Prior studies in rural Cameroon have documented between 30 and 289 plant species for oral affections, however, such investigations have not been conducted in urban coastal settings. This study aimed to identify and scientifically validate the medicinal plants used to treat oral diseases in Douala. Patients and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2025 in Douala, Cameroon. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews with traditional healers at major markets and workplaces. Results. Thirty-nine herbalists were interviewed (54% male; mean age 43.5 years). A total of 78 plant species across 38 botanical families were identified, with Lamiaceae and Euphorbiaceae most represented. The most cited species were Acmella oleracea (n=50), Syzygium aromaticum (n=30), and Nicotiana tabacum (n=20). Decoction (42.86%) was the predominant preparation method; mouthwash (61.04%) was the primary mode of administration; and leaves were the most used plant parts (49.35%). Gingivitis was the most cited pathology (41.55%), and the most common treatment duration was 5–7 days (45.45%). Pharmacognostic and phytochemical analyses of Acmella oleracea, Thymus vulgaris, Mentha arvensis, and Vernonia amygdalina confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, sterols/steroids/terpenes, and resins in all four species; coumarins exclusively in M. arvensis; and saponins in A. oleracea and M. arvensis. Conclusion. This study validates urban Cameroonian ethnobotanical practices for oral health, revealing bioactive-rich plants with potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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References
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- 28. Uthpala TGG, Navaratne SB. Acmella oleracea Plant; Identification, Applications and Use as an Emerging Food Source. Food Rev Int. 2021;37(4):399–414.
- 29. Saleem A, Afzal M, Naveed M, et al. HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS Analyses of Thymus vulgaris Phytochemicals. Molecules. 2022;27(23):8512.
- 30. Singh S. A review on some medicinal plant species with the most traditional medicinal usage in India. IJBI. 2023;05(01):52–62.
- 31. Edo GI, Samuel PO, Jikah AN, et al. Biological and bioactive components of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina): A review. Food Chem Adv. 2023;3:100488.
- 32. Telefo PB, Lienou LL, Yemele MD, et al. Ethnopharmacological survey of plants used for the treatment of female infertility in Baham, Cameroon. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;136(1):178–187.
- 33. Mpondo Mpondo E, Ngene JP, Mpounze Som L, et al. Connaissances et usages traditionnels des plantes médicinales du département du Haut Nyong. J App Bioscience. 2017;113(1):11229.
References
1. Petersen PE, Bourgeois D, Ogawa H, Estupinan-Day S, Ndiaye C. The global burden of oral diseases and risks to oral health. Bull World Health Organ. 2005;83(9):661–669.
2. Agbor AM, Naidoo S. Knowledge and practice of traditional healers in oral health in the Bui Division, Cameroon. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2011;7:6. doi:10.1186/1746-4269-7-6
3. Ndenecho EN. Herbalism and resources for the development of ethnopharmacology in Mount Cameroon region. Int J Med Plants Res. 2020;9(7):1–9.
4. Jiofack T, Fokunang C, Guedje N, et al. Ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants of two ethnoecological regions of Cameroon. Int J Med Med Sci. 2010;2(3):60.
5. Agbor MA, Azodo CC. Self-medication for oral health problems in Cameroon. Int Dent J. 2011;61(4):204–209.
6. Agbor AM, Naidoo S, Mbia AM. The role of traditional healers in tooth extractions in Lekie Division, Cameroon. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2011;7(1):15.
7. Focho DA, Newu MC, Anjah MG, Nwana FA, Ambo FB. Ethnobotanical survey of trees in Fundong, Northwest Region, Cameroon. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2009;5(1):17.
8. Vougat R, Foyet H, Garabed R, Ziebe R. Antioxidant activity and phytochemical constituent of two plants used to manage foot and mouth disease in the Far North Region of Cameroon. J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2015;4(1):40.
9. Agbor AM. Methanol Extracts of Medicinal Plants Used for Oral Healthcare in Cameroon. Biochem Pharmacol. 2015;4(2). doi:10.4172/2167-0501.1000164
10. World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on safety monitoring of herbal medicines in pharmacovigilance systems. Geneva: WHO; 2004.
11. WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations. WHO Technical Report Series No. 1010. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
12. World Health Organization. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants. Volume 1. Geneva: WHO; 1999.
13. Mpondo E, Dibong S, Ladoh Yemeda CF, Priso R, Ngoye A. Les plantes à phénols utilisées par les populations de la ville de Douala. J Anim Plant Sci. 2012;15:2083–2098.
14. Dibong S, Etamé Loé G, Okalla Ebongue C, et al. Contribution à l'étude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales traitant les maladies de l'appareil digestif des peuples Bamouns au Cameroun. Ethnopharmacologia. 2020;63:58.
15. Bayaga H, Marie N, Béatrice M, Bathélémy N. Ethno pharmacological knowledge of common medicinal plants used for the traditional treatment of oral pathologies in the Mayo-Kani Division, Cameroon. Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2021;7:508–516.
16. Etamé Loé G, Ngoule C, Mbome B, et al. Contribution a l'étude des plantes médicinales dans le département du Lom et Djerem (Est, Cameroun). J Anim Plant Sci. 2018;35.
17. Jazy MA, Karim S, Morou B, Sanogo R, Mahamane S. Enquête ethnobotanique auprès des tradipraticiens de santé des régions de Niamey et Tillabéri au Niger. ESJ. 2017;13(33):276.
18. Tchatat M, Ndoye O. Etude des produits forestiers non ligneux d'Afrique centrale: Réalités et perspectives. Bois Forêts Trop. 2006;288:27–39.
19. Dibong SD, Mvogo Ottou PB, Vandi D, et al. Ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales anti hémorroïdaires des marchés et villages du Centre et du Littoral Cameroun. J App Bioscience. 2016;96(1):9072.
20. Cock IE, Selesho MI, Van Vuuren SF. A review of the traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of selected parasite infections affecting humans. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;220:250–264.
21. Camara AK, Keita T, Camara AA, et al. Enquête ethnobotanique sur l'utilisation des plantes médicinales dans le traitement des affections bucco-dentaires dans la commune de Kindia en République de Guinée. Pharmacopée et médecine traditionnelle africaine. 2023;21(2):107–115.
22. Aktar MstA, Bhuia MdS, Molla S, et al. Pharmacological and phytochemical review of Acmella oleracea: a comprehensive analysis. Discov Appl Sci. 2024;6(8):412.
23. Ijeh I, Ejike C. Current perspectives on the medicinal potentials of Vernonia amygdalina Del. J Med Plants Res. 2011;5.
24. Kuete V. Thymus vulgaris. In: Medicinal Spices and Vegetables from Africa. Elsevier; 2017. p. 599–609.
25. Nazim M, Sadiq QUA, Nawaz A, et al. Mentha arvensis, a medicinal and aromatic plant: A review. Bul Agroteknologi. 2020;1(2):37.
26. African Union Scientific, Technical & Research Commission. African Pharmacopoeia. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Abuja: African Union; 2014.
27. Felle HH. pH Regulation in Anoxic Plants. Ann Bot. 2005;96(4):519–532.
28. Uthpala TGG, Navaratne SB. Acmella oleracea Plant; Identification, Applications and Use as an Emerging Food Source. Food Rev Int. 2021;37(4):399–414.
29. Saleem A, Afzal M, Naveed M, et al. HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS Analyses of Thymus vulgaris Phytochemicals. Molecules. 2022;27(23):8512.
30. Singh S. A review on some medicinal plant species with the most traditional medicinal usage in India. IJBI. 2023;05(01):52–62.
31. Edo GI, Samuel PO, Jikah AN, et al. Biological and bioactive components of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina): A review. Food Chem Adv. 2023;3:100488.
32. Telefo PB, Lienou LL, Yemele MD, et al. Ethnopharmacological survey of plants used for the treatment of female infertility in Baham, Cameroon. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;136(1):178–187.
33. Mpondo Mpondo E, Ngene JP, Mpounze Som L, et al. Connaissances et usages traditionnels des plantes médicinales du département du Haut Nyong. J App Bioscience. 2017;113(1):11229.