Ethno-Botanical Survey: Exploring Indigenous Remedies for African Animal Trypanosomosis in Nigeria

The Fulani pastoralist of Nigeria and other indigenous livestock farmers have used medicinal plants to treat various animal diseases for centuries, amongst which include the African animal trypanosomosis (AAT). It is a severe debilitating parasitic disease of livestock and some wild animal species. It is caused by pathogenic Trypanosomes and transmitted by Tsetse flies. It causes severe economic losses to livestock farmers in Africa. In this study, an ethno-botanical survey was conducted in the Tsetse-endemic areas of Bauchi, Plateau and Kaduna States of Nigeria to identify medicinal plants used traditionally to treat AAT. During the study, eighty questionnaires were administered to the respondents who were predominantly Fulani pastoralists, and other indigenous livestock farmers. seventy-eight questioners were fully completed and retrieved. The study revealed that that most of the respondents have retained the tradition knowledge system of medicinal plants passed down to them for generations. The study revealed various herbal preparation methods employed by indigenous Nigerian livestock farmers, including decoctions, infusions, and incorporating plant material into feed. Fifteen medicinal plants species belonging to 13 families were identified to be used by Nigerian pastoralist for the treatment AAT. These included Khaya senegalensis (28.2%), Azadirachta indica (25.6%), Boswellia dalziellii (23%), Prosopis africana (23%), Anogeisus leocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides (21.8%), Adansonia digitata and Annona senegalensis (19.2%), Pilostigma thoningii (16.7%), Nauclea latifolia (15.0%). Balanites aegyptiaca (12.5%). Eucalyptus torelliana (11.5%), Tamarindus indica (10.3%), Ximenia americana (9%) and Guiera senegalensis 7.7%).

Conclusions: The information obtained from this study and the medicinal plants identified can be harnessed for the development of plant-based medicaments for the treatment of AAT.