Systematic Review of Plants Used Against Respiratory Diseases Related to COVID-19 in Africa

Abstract

Background: Respiratory disorders are known to affect the airways including the nasal passages, bronchi and lungs causing blockages. The advent of COVID-19 has further aggravated the complications of the respiratory systems where conventional medicine is not reachable or affordable by the majority poor in Africa. Hence, the over 80% of the African population who turn to traditional medicine for their primary health care. Objective: This review is aimed to identify plants directed against respiratory diseases which can be useful in the fight against COVID-19. Methodology: Scientific articles selected in this study span the last ten years (2011-2021). Keywords such as “ethnobotany in Africa”, “ethnobotany and respiratory diseases” “medicinal plants and respiratory diseases”, “traditional medicine and COVID-19” were searched in open access search engines such as: Science Direct, Research Gate, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus. The ethnobotanical indices were then calculated using Microsoft excel to determine the plants with the most therapeutic potential to be considered for the local management of COVID-19. Results: Data obtained were classified according to country of origin of the author of the publication, the botanical family and the respiratory pathology being treated. Thirteen (13) references were finally selected with the represented country being Benin Republic. One hundred and forty-three plant species belonging to 60 families were registered. The most recurrent families were the Fabaceae and Lamiaceae (18 citations each). The plants in these families were used for the management of fifteen diseases and / or symptoms relating to the respiratory system. The most cited plants were: Ocimum gratissimum L. (4 citations), Entandrophragma cylindrium (Sprague), Scyphocephalium ochocoa Warb., Rubia cordifolia and Allium sativum L. (3 citations each). Conclusion: Based on the data obtained in this review Ocimum gratissimum stands out as the most used plant for the treatment of respiratory disorders. Keywords: Respiratory diseases, Medicinal plants, COVID-19