Ethnobotanical Survey of Appetite Suppressant Plants Used in Hauts-Bassins Areas of Burkina Faso

Emmanuel Zongo^1,2*, Roland Nâg-Tiero Meda¹, Yaya Gnanou¹, Yaya Gnanou¹, Sami Eric Kam¹, Benjamin Kouliga Koama^1,3, Pataréyaoba Alassane Ouedraogo¹, Eliasse Zongo¹, Ollo Da², Dramane Paré⁴, Georges Anicet Ouedraogo¹

¹Laboratoire de Recherche et d’Enseignement en Santé et Biotechnologies Animales, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
²Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sourou SANOU, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
³Laboratoire de Médicine et Pharmacopée Traditionnelle, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l’Ouest, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
⁴Laboratory of Biochemistry and Applied Chemistry (LABIOCA), UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

DOI: 10.4236/fns.2022.1312070                

Abstract

This study aimed to list the medicinal plants used as an appetite suppressant in Hauts-Bassins areas of Burkina Faso. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken from September to November 2021 using a semi-structured questionnaire. To determine well-known families and species, some indices such as Family Importance Value (FIV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated respectively. Sixty-seven traditional healers (41 men and 26 women) have been interviewed. The age group from 41 to 60 years old was more represented (47.76%). Fifty-eight (58) plant species belonging to 29 families and 53 genera were recorded to have appetite suppressant properties. Fabaceae family (25%) was the most mentioned followed by Combretaceae (12%). The most mentioned species were Guierasenegalensis (7.64%), Parkiabiglobosa (6.18%), Annona senegalensis and Gardenia erubescens (5.35% for both). Leaves and fruits had the highest frequencies of use with 41% and 25% respectively. The decoction (49.62%) was the main preparation method. The oral route was the only mode of drug administration. These results would contribute to strengthening the database on the medicinal plants used as an appetite suppressant by the traditional healers in Burkina Faso.

Keywords

Ethnobotanical Survey, Appetite Suppressant Plants, Hauts-Bassins Areas, Burkina Faso

1. Introduction

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most common measure for assessing overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) [1]. The prevalence of obesity continues to increase worldwide so does the burden of its associated comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, heart and cerebrovascular diseases) [2]. According to WHO, 39% and 13% of adults are overweight and obese, respectively worldwide [3]. In the United States, 60% of adults are either obese or overweight [4]. In France, the prevalence of obesity in adults was 17.5% [5]. According to the WHO, overweight and obesity are increasingly becoming significant problems not only in high-income countries but also in developing countries. In Africa, 20% to 50% of urban populations are overweight or obese [6]. In Burkina Faso, the prevalence of obesity and overweight were estimated at 7.6% and 13.5%, respectively [7]. The main cause of obesity is excessive intake of calorie foods combined with low physical activity, although genetic, endocrine and environmental influences are risk factors [1]. The conventional obesity therapy mainly involves synthetic drugs, which have harmful side effects and are inaccessible due to their very high costs [1]. Many of these synthetic drugs have been withdrawn from the market because of their adverse effects [8]. The research for new safe molecules anti-obesity then became more than a necessity. An appetite suppressant can be an excellent tool in weight management if used safely and effectively [9]. A meta-analysis on natural anti-obesity agents during the period of 2000-2018 revealed the appetite suppressant properties of several plants [10]. Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne is used in South Africa for its appetite suppressant and weight loss properties linked to its P-57 content [11] [12]. P57 is a pregnane glycoside which acts by increasing ATP in hypothalamic cells [13]. Tamarindusindica L. and Carallumafimbriata (Wall.) Gravely & Mayur are used respectively in Brazil and India to decrease food intake and reduce weight gain [14] [15]. Most of the West Africa population resort to plants during the periods of hunger and famine [16] [17]. A survey on appetite suppressant plants was carried out in the northern region of Burkina Faso [18]. However, no information on these types of plants is available in the Western region of Burkina Faso.

This study aimed to list the medicinal plants used as an appetite suppressant by traditional healers in Hauts-Bassins areas of Burkina Faso.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Description of Study Area

The survey was conducted in Hauts-Bassins area (Figure 1). Hauts-Bassins

Figure 1. Maps of de the study area [20].

regions is located in western of Burkina Faso, between 11,027'N latitudes and 4021'W longitudes. It is subdivided in 3 provinces (Houet, Tuy and Kénédougou) and covers an area of 25,479 km² (about 9.4% of the country’s) with a population around 2,238,375 people [19]. It is bounded on the north by Boucle du Mouhoun region (Dedougou), on the south by the Cascades (Banfora), on the east by Southwest region (Gaoua) and on the west by the Republic of Mali. The climate is tropical and it is marked by 2 main seasons: a wet season which lasts 6 to 7 months (May to October/November) and a dry season which lasts for 5 to 6 months (November/December to April). The rainfall is between 800 and 1200 mm. Average temperatures oscillate between 24˚C and 30˚C. Hauts-Bassins region is characterized by the density of its natural vegetation composed essentially of savannah, with all subtypes from wooded savannah to grassy savannah. The Hauts-Bassins area has the second highest prevalence of obesity and overweight [7].

2.2. Data Collection

The survey was conducted in Hauts-Bassins areas during the period from September to November 2021 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Traditional healers were interviewed in local language (Mooré, Dioula, Bobo, Dafing) or in French. Inclusion criteria were: to be a traditional healer in Hauts-Bassins areas and to have given informed consent.

Data collected mainly were sociodemographic profile of participants, plant local names, parts used, the method of drug preparation and administration.

2.3. Identification of Plants

Specimens were collected from interviewees and they were botanicaly identified and authenticated by Pataréyaoba Alassane OUEDRAOGO, botanist and Inspector General of water and Forests at National School of Water and Forests/Burkina Faso.

2.4. Data Analysis

Survey data were processed by the XLSTAT software version 2014, and the following indices were calculated:

- Family Importance Value (FIV): It determines the most used family of species. It was calculated by the following formula [21]:

$\text{FIV}=\frac{\text{FC}\left(\text{Family}\right)}{\text{N}}\times 100$

where FC is the number of citations of the family considered and N is the total number of respondents.

- Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC): it determines the most used species. It was calculated by the following formula [22]:

$\text{RFC}=\frac{\text{FC}}{\text{N}}\times 100$

where FC is the number of citations of the plant considered and N is the total number of respondents.

3. Results

3.1. Socio-Demographic Profile of Traditional Healers

During the survey, 67 traditional healers have been interviewed including 41 men (61.19%) and 26 women (38.81%). The age of the interviewees was varied between 22 and 85 years. The age group from 41 to 60 years old was more represented (47.76%) than the other (Figure 2(a)). The majority (71.64%) of the

Figure 2. Socio-demographic profile of traditional healers: (a) Age group of traditional healers; (b) Learning mode of traditional healers; (c) Education level of traditional healers; (d): year of practical experience of traditional healers.

respondents have at least 10 years of practical experience (Figure 2(d)) and learned this activity by family initiation (68.66%) (Figure 2(b)). Most traditional healers (64%) was illiterate (Figure 2(c)).

3.2. Plants with Appetite Suppressant Properties

3.2.1. Family Importance Value (FIV)

The Figure 3 summarizes the Family importance value (FIV) of plants used as appetite suppressant in Hauts-Bassins area. Twenty-nine (29) families were identified. The highest FIV were obtained with Fabaceae (25%) followed by Combretaceae (12%), Anacardiaceae (8%) and Asclepiadaceae (7%). The other families had lower FVI index (between 1% and 5%).

3.2.2. Plants Parts Used

The barks, leaves, fruits, seeds, roots and tubers were main plant parts used for drugs preparation. Other parts such as the whole plant, twigs, and stem have been mentioned. The leaves (41%) and fruits (25%) were the most cited parts (Figure 4).

3.3. Preparation and Administration Modes

The decoction (49.62%) was the main preparation method followed by the consumption of raw material (44.36%). The infusion and the maceration (3.01% for each) are the preparation modes less used (Figure 5). The preparation were

Figure 3. Family Importance Value (FIV) of plants.

Figure 4. Plants parts used.

Figure 5. Drug preparation methods.

administered orally either in the form of drink (55.64%) or in raw consumption (44.36%).

3.4. Species Used as Appetite Suppressant

The survey revealed that fifty-eight (58) species belonging to twenty-nine (29) families were used as appetite suppressant by the traditional healers of Hauts-Bassins areas from Burkina Faso. The local name, RFC, the parts used, the mode of drugs preparation, the administration and the other uses of these plants are recorded in Table 1. According to the relative frequency of citation (RFC), the most mentioned species were Guierasenegalensis J. F. Gmel (7.64%), Parkiabiglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G. Don (6.11%), Annonasenegalensis Pers. and Gardenia erubescens Stapf & Hutch (5.35% for both) followed by Vitellariaparadoxa C. F. Gaertn (4.58%), Saba senegalensis (A.DC.) Pichon and Leptadeniahastata (Pers) Decne (3.82% for both), Ozoroaobovata (Oliv) (3.76%), Tamarindusindica L., Raphionacmesplendens subsp.bingeri (A. Chev.), Piliostigmathonningii (Schumach) Milne-Redh., Moringaoleifera L, Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile (3.06% for each). The rest species had a lower RFC varying between 1.53% and 0.76% (Table 1).

Table 1. Plants uses by traditional healers as appetite suppressants.

4. Discussions

Out of 67 traditional healers interviewed in this survey, the majority had ages ranging from 41 to 60 years (47.76%). According to Ouattara et al. in 2021, traditional medicine was generally practiced by people of advanced age [23]. 71.64% of our population had at least 10 years of practical experience and had learned this activity through a family initiation (68.66%). The same trend was observed by Kamboule et al., conducted in 2020 in Bobo-Dioulasso [24].

The survey revealed that Fifty-eight (58) species belonging to twenty-nine (29) families were used as appetite suppressant by the traditional healers of Hauts-Bassins areas of Burkina Faso. The most mentioned families were Fabaceae (25%) followed by Combretaceae (12%), Anacardiaceae (8%) and Asclepiadaceae (7%). The predominance of medicinal use of Fabaceae in this region of Burkina Faso is in agreement with the data of ethnomedicinal survey carried out by Zongo et al., and Kam et al., in 2020 in the same areas [25] [26]. These results could be explained by the wide uses of the Fabaceae family in Burkina Faso for care management [27]. Others studies have also shown that the majority of plant species with anti-obesity properties belong to the Fabaceae and the Asteraceae families [8] [28].

The plants organs mostly used were leaves (41%) and fruits (25%). Leaves and fruits are the most used parts of the plants because they are accessible and do not require much treatment before consumption to suppress appetite.

The main modes of drugs preparation were decoction (49.62%) followed by raw consumption (44.36%). Those results is in agreement with Paré’s study which revealed the predominance of raw consumption (65%) and decoction (35%) as drugs preparation method. The drugs were generally administered orally [18].

An study have been conducted in the Northern areas of Burkina Faso and thirty-eight (38) species have been identified as appetite suppressants plants [18]. Among these plant species Annonasenegalensis, Balanitesaegyptiaca,Brachystelma bingeri,Detarium microcarpum, Diospyrosmespiliformis, Gardenia erubescens,Hibiscus sabdariffa,Lannea microcarpa,Leptadenia hastata,Saba senegalensis,Sclerocaryabirrea,Tamarindusindica,Vitex doniana,Vitellaria paradoxa,Zizyphus mauritiana were also inventoried in our study. The most cited plant species in our survey were Guierasenegalensis (07.62%) followed by Parkiabiglobosa (06.18%), Annonasenegalensis and Gardenia erubescens (05.32% for each). Parkiabiglobosa, Annonasenegalensis, Gardenia erubescens are generally food plants used during the periods of famine in Mali [29]. The study of Kouakou et al. realized in 2020 in Ivory Coast on plants used to manage certain metabolic syndromes (diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity) showed that Parkiabliglobosa was among the most cited plants for the management of obesity [30]. The surveys carry out by Paré et al., in 2016 in the north and Ouédraogo et al., in 2019 in the Sudan savannah of Burkina have reported thatAnnona senegalensis and Gardenia erubescens were mostly known for their appetite suppressant properties [18] [31]. The fruits of Parkiabiglobosa and Gardenia erubescens were also among the most consumed edible fruits in the southern of Burkina [32].

Others plants like Carallumafimbriata,Camellia sinensis,Capsicum annuum,Garcinia cambogia, Plantagoovata, have been reported to be acting as appetite suppressant [9]. The majority of approved anti-obesity drugs act by inhibiting food intake [33]. Consequently, it is necessary to continue the research on these appetite suppressant plants in order to evaluate their effectiveness.

5. Conclusion

This survey revealed that fifty-eight (58) species belonging to twenty-nine (29) families were used as appetite suppressant plants by traditional healers in Hauts-Bassins areas of Burkina Faso. The most mentioned families were Fabaceae and Combretaceae; the most cited species were Guierasenegalensis, Parkiabiglobosa, Annonasenegalensis and Gardenia erubescens. Leaves and fruits were the most parts used for drug preparation mainly by decoction or raw consumption. The oral route was the only mode of drug administration. This ethnobotanical survey provides a database on plants used as appetite suppressants in Hauts-Bassins areas of Burkina Faso. Further studies will be necessary to highlight the appetite suppressant properties of these plants and their effectiveness against obesity.

Acknowledgements

This work was carried out with the support of “the association of traditional healers in the Haut-Bassins area of Burkina Faso”.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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