Author(s):

Foutse Wandji Yimta, Gounou Tchawou Christelle Olivia, Chelea Matchawe, Kouamouo Jonas, Nguimatsia Francois and Ngoupayo Joseph

Abstract: Malaria is the most widespread disease in Cameroon and remains the major endemic and the first cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five and pregnant women. The increasing spread of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains has worsen the situation. Consequently, the medical treatment of malaria necessitates access to a good health care system. Unfortunately, most people resort to medicinal plants to treat themselves due to poverty.It is therefore crucial to promote and orientate research towards ethnobotanical studies in order to validate the therapeutic virtues of medicinal plant preparations. The objective of the present research work was to carry out an ethnopharmacological survey using in-depth interview of antimalarial plants in the Western Highlands of Cameroon with special focus on the biological activities of the leaves of Conyza aegyptiaca (Asteraceae). The interview of 76 tradi-practitioners reveals that, the knowledge of traditional medicine is a family secret and lies mostly in the hands of the older generation. The present study showed a good diversity of plants (37 plant species belonging to 25 families) used in the treatment of malaria by in the Haut-Plateaux Division with Asteraceae being the most represented plant family. The diagnosis of malaria in traditional medicine is based primarily on the symptoms while its management is dominated by monospecific recipes prepared mostly via decoction or maceration but administered mainly through oral route. Barks are the most preferred plant parts used in the preparations of recipes in traditional medicine. Though theantioxidant and antihemolytic activities of C. aegyptiaca (one of the plant species cited during the survey), further research is warranted to identify and isolates active compounds of all the antimalarial plants with higher performance indices in the Haut-Plateaux division.

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