Ethnopharmacological survey of diuretic plants used in the symptomatic treatment of heart failure at the Yaoundé General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: In the congestive phase of heart failure, loop diuretics are the primary treatment for heart failure, with hypokalemia as a side effect, necessitating regular blood monitoring. Therefore, it is important to find a less hypokalemic diuretic plant in our pharmacopoeia.

Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a period from February 1st to August 31st, 2023 (7 months) at the Yaoundé General Hospital among patients experiencing their first episode of heart failure who were treatment-naïve for any commercially available diuretic therapy. Plants of interest were identified by their frequency of citation (FC) and the number of times each identified species was associated with a specific prescription.

Results: The survey of forty-three (43) patients identified nine (9) species belonging to nine (9) botanical families. The main families were Annonaceae (34.8%), followed by Anacardiaceae (22.2%). Leaves (55.5%) and bark (44.4%) were the most frequently used plant parts. Decoction (43.2%) was the most common method of preparation. Annonaceae muricata L. was the species of interest (36.1%) in decoction preparation. All recipes were used in the form of herbal tea. All patients reported an increase in diuresis and a decrease in edema.

Conclusion: These results provide a basis for future studies on phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological analyses that could contribute to the development of improved, high-quality, and affordable traditional diuretic medicines.