Background: Peptic ulcer disease remains a major public health challenge worldwide, particularly in developing countries where traditional herbal medicine continues to serve as an important source of healthcare. This study was conducted to document the medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria, and to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of selected medicinal plants.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was adopted using purposive sampling to select ten experienced traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical data were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and field observations. Medicinal plants cited by the respondents were collected, authenticated at the Herbarium of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard laboratory procedures.
Results: The study documented twenty-eight medicinal plant species belonging to twenty botanical families. The family Asteraceae was the most represented, followed by Apocynaceae, Meliaceae, and Rutaceae. Leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part, while trees constituted the dominant growth habit of the documented species. Decoction was the most common method of herbal preparation. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds in varying concentrations among the investigated medicinal plants. Species such as Azadirachta indica, Aloe barbadensis, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Mangifera indica, Paullinia pinnata, Kigelia africana, and Zingiber officinale exhibited relatively rich phytochemical profiles, suggesting significant therapeutic potential for the management of peptic ulcer disease.
Conclusion: The findings provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of medicinal plants in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease in Dekina Local Government Area and contribute to the preservation of indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge. The documented medicinal plants represent promising sources of bioactive compounds that warrant further pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical investigations for the development of safe, effective, and affordable plant-derived anti-ulcer agents.
Ethnobotany, medicinal plants, peptic ulcer, phytochemical screening, traditional medicine
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