Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical analysis of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes and hypertension diseases in Mpigi district, Uganda

Abstract

Diabetes and hypertension have emerged as significant global health challenges due to their increasing prevalence within populations and status as major contributors to mortality worldwide, with projections indicating a further rise in deaths, particularly in less developed regions. Various allopathic medicines have been produced but with low curative efficiency and side effects. On the other hand, medicinal plants have emerged as a significant alternative for treating various human conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Despite their importance, and high usage globally, majority of them have not been studied and documented. This study was conducted to assess the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes and hypertension in Mpigi district, Uganda. Individual interviews with traditional herbalists were carried out in a semi-structured format followed by field visits for taxonomic classification of the plants mentioned in the local language. Furthermore, three highly used plants were selected for phytochemical analysis qualitatively, quantitatively, and using the GCMS method. These plants were also analysed for their safety profile using rats as model species. Fifty-four (54) herbalists were interviewed, and 64% of them had an experience of more than 6 years in treating diabetes and hypertension. Herbalists reported the utilization of one hundred and twenty (120) plant species for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. In the phytochemical analysis, the results revealed the presence of a majority of the analysed phytochemicals, encompassing alkaloids, steroids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. The FSM extract exhibited high levels of total phenols (217±25.05mg/g) and total tannins (179.75±3.44mg/g). The CRM extract contained substantial amounts of total flavonoids (28.75±0.98mg/g), total saponins (225.07±4.11mg/g), and total alkaloids (116.15±3.73mg/g). Additionally, FSM extract contained 14 detected compounds, while both CRM and MPM extracts contained 30 compounds each. Several of the identified compounds exhibit pharmacological activities that are pertinent to the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. The LD50 value, surpassing 5000mg/kg in toxicity assessment, confirms the safety of these plants within the context of traditional use. However, the administration of the three extracts significantly altered certain haematological (White Blood Cells) and biochemical parameters (liver enzymes), indicating potential toxicity. Traditional healing knowledge remains crucial for addressing human ailments, and the study underscores the significance of the identified plants in managing diabetes and hypertension, albeit with a need for cautious use to prevent adverse health effects. The three analysed plants possess compounds with antidiabetic and antihypertensive abilities signalling the potential for drug development.