Ethno-medical Profiling of Myrianthus arboreus P. Beauv: A Phyto-resource Food of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes Blumenbach, 1799) in the Ubangi Eco-region of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ethnomedical knowledge of the population of South Ubangi on Myrianthus arboreus, a plant consumed by chimpanzees, with the assumption that this bio-resource is also used by the population in African Traditional Medicine to treat common diseases. The results revealed that M. arboreus treats 23 diseases in the province of South Ubangi in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Of these diseases, six (anaemia, bronchitis, tooth decay, gastritis, hypertension, and spleen) are the most cited. Anaemia and spleen are treated by all socio-cultural groups. The leaf is the most used organ (48%) followed by sap, roots, stems, bark, flowers, and seeds. Expression (61.5%) is the most used method of preparation followed by decoction, maceration, and mastication. Oral (94.5%) is the most used method of administration followed by body bath, massage, anal and auricular route. M. arboreus is a vulnerable species (Iv ≥ 2.5) in the study area. The diseases treated are influenced by the level of education and the profession of the respondents (p < 0.05). While the mode of preparation of recipes is influenced by the family situation, also the composition of recipes is influenced by gender, age and occupation (p < 0.05). The search for new sources of bio-inspired drugs through zoopharmacognosy may thus allow the development of effective phytomedicines for the health care of humans or non-human primates ex situ. Thus the need for advanced phytochemical and pharmacological studies and the domestication of M. arboreus for its multiple food and pharmacological uses is necessary.