Characteristics of Medicinal Plants used in Traditional Medicine for Oral Diseases Treatment in Southern Benin

Background of the Study: In the oral health field, dental caries and periodontal diseases are the most frequent pathologies that affect all population to different degrees. In Benin, oral diseases constitute a serious public health problem. Care, whether curative or preventive, requires an investment that many cannot afford in developing countries like Benin. Because of oral diseases extent, appropriate solutions must be found to improve oral health in Benin. Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected through ethnobotanical surveys in the districts of Allada, Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-Novo from May to August 2021.

Aim: This study aims to identify the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat oral diseases.

Methodology: Prior to the ethnobotanical study itself, we proceeded to locate the markets where medicinal plants are sold in the study area. Then, in order to ensure a high objectivity degree of the data obtained during our study, the survey is carried out used a preestabilished questionnaires. The questionnaire focused on the following main points: (1) Profile of the respondent (surname, first name, age, gender, education level and experience in the field), (2) informations on the recipe (oral uses, vernacular and scientific names, parts used, preparation method, route and mode of administration, contraindications and side effects). The medicinal plants vendors were selected based their availability displays size and frequency level of displays.

Results: One hundred and three (103) medicinal plants species were identified, divided into forty-four (44) families and ninety-one (91) genera. The most used plants are Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (11.72%), Ocimum americanum (4.88%), Ocimum gratissimum (4.39%), Lantana camara (2.93%), Bridelia ferruginea (2.93%), Moringa oleifera (2.44%), Lippia multiflora (2.44%), Mangifera indica (2.44%), Dialium guineense (2.44%), Pseudocedrela kotschyi (1.95%), Justicia flava (1.95%), Uvaria chamae (1.95%) and Xylopia aethiopica (1.95%). The most commonly plant parts used were leaves and roots. The decoction of these parts in mouthwash or gargle is most used for oral diseases treatment.

Conclusion: The flora of Benin contains a rich diversity of plants. Many of which are used in traditional Beninese medicine and have the potential to provide pharmacologically active natural products. In order to know the different plants used to treat oral diseases, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in southern Benin (district of Allada, Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-novo).