1. Nwafor, Felix Ifeanyi1 and Ozioko, Alfred O2.
Ethnobiological Survey of Traditional Medicine Practice for the Treatment of Leg Ulcer: A Case Study in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria
Nwafor, Felix Ifeanyi1 and Ozioko, Alfred O2.
1, 2International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD), 110 Aku Road Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
1 Corresponding author: mobile phone: ;

2. INTRODUCTION
Definition: A leg ulcer is a wound on the lower leg with ‘full thickness depth and size’ and a ‘slow healing tendency’ (Mekkes et. al., 2003; Jull and Betts, 2006).
It is most common in adults, affecting 3-5% in the population over 65 years of age (Mekkes et. al., 2003).
Causes: Venous insufficiency (45 – 60%), Arterial occlusion (10 – 20%), Diabetes (15 – 25%), Infection, Vasculitis, Physical or Chemical injury e.t.c. (Rayner et. al., 2009).
Symptoms: Spontaneous swelling/Inflammation, Redness and Pain at the affected area followed by sore on the skin that takes long time to heal (Sam et. al., 2013).

3. INTRO. CONTD.
Effects: Leg ulcer often becomes chronic, causing pain, social discomfort , generating considerable costs and can lead to amputation and death.

4. OBJECTIVE
To document the medicinal plants and Traditional Medicine Practices(TMPs) in the management of leg ulcer in Anambra State, Nigeria.

5. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area: Twelve randomly selectied locations (Towns) across six Local Governments of Anambra State were selected for the study
Data collection
- Semi-structured questionnaire
- Oral interview in Igbo language
- Collected plant samples identified at InterCEDD Herbarium using relevant publications.
- A case study was drawn from a popular herbal which admits an average of 3 leg ulcer cases every month

6. RESULTS/DISCUSSION
Table 1: List of plants used for the treatment of leg ulcer in Anambra State, Nigeria
S/N
Botanical Name
Local Name
Family
Part(s) Used 1.
Leea guineensis G. Don
Odudu nwata
Vitaceae
Leaf 2.
Raphia hookeri Mann & Wendl.
Akiriko ngwo
Arecaceae
Fibre 3.
Vitex doniana Sweet
Mbe-mbe
Verbenaceae
Stem bark 4.
Uvaria chamae P. Beauv.
Mmimmi ohia
Annonaceae
Aerial parts 5.
Annona senegalensis Pers.
Ogbu ohia 6.
Kigelia Africana (Lam.) Benth.
Eshi/Uturubenyi
Bignoniaceae 7.
Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel.
Akanta
Apocynaceae
Aerial part 8.
Alstonia boonei De Wild.
Egbu 9.
Crinum jagus (Thomps.) Dandy
Amaryllidaceae
Bulb
10.
Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.
Ogbuo-odado
Araceae
Tuber
11.
Albizia adianthifolia (Schum.) W. Wight
Ngwu
Fabaceae
Root bark

7. Table 1 contd. 12. Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. Ogirisi
Bignoniaceae
Root bark
13.
Moringa oleifera Lam.
Moringa
Moringaceae
Root
14.
Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.
Imi ewu
Stem bark
15.
Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redhead
Nti oke
Asteraceae
Aerial part
16.
Cola accuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott & Endl.
Oji
Sterculiaceae
17.
Ageratum conyzoides Linn.
Agadi isi awo
18.
Pavetta sp
Rubiaceae
Leaf
19.
Spondias mombin Linn.
Isikara
Anacardiaceae
20.
Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum. & Thonn.
Nri abusi
Connaraceae
21.
Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anders.
Agamebu
Acanthaceae
22.
Hibiscus surattensis Linn.
Agboghoakabi
Malvaceae
23.
Sida linifolia Juss.
Ire agwo

8. Table 2 : Percentage plant specie frequency distribution of medicinal plants used for the management of leg ulcer in Anambra State, Nigeria

9. Table 2: List of non-plants materials used for the treatment of leg ulcer in Anambra State, Nigeria
Animals
Other ingredients
Local foul
1. Ant-hill
2. Scorpion
2. Processed Castor seeds (Local spice)
3. Head of Cobra (Snake)
3. Human Saliva
4. Palm oil
5. Salt
6. Dry pepper

10. Leea guineensis VITACEAE Botanical name: Leea guineensis G. Don
Common name:
Local name (Igbo): Odudu nwata
Description: A perennial shrub of shady places
Part used: Leaf
Method of administration: Cold water infusion of pounded leaves is used to wash the affected area continuously for almost an hour especially at the initial stage of infection.
Leea guineensis

11. Hibiscus surattensis MALVACEAE
Botanical name: Hibiscus surattensis Linn.
Common name: Wild sour/Bush sorel
Local name (Igbo): Agboghoakabi onu
Description: A herbaceous scambling plant of waste, most places.
Part used: Leaf
Method of administration: A poultice made from the leaves together with those of Acanthus montanus and Sida linifolia is applied topically to treat inflammation.
Hibiscus surattensis

12. Ageratum conyzoides ASTERACEAE
Botanical name: Ageratum conyzoides Linn.
Common name: Goat weed
Local name (Igbo): Agadi isi awo
Description: Annual herb of open spaces, disturbed sites e.t.c
Part used: Leaf
Method of administration: Cold water infusion of the leaves is used in dressing of wound and for easy removal of slough and necrotic tissues.
Ageratum conyzoides

13. Spathodea campanulata
BIGNONIACEAE
Botanical name: Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.
Common name: African tulip tree
Local name (Igbo): Imi ewu
Description: A tree of the Tropical Rainforest
Part used: Stem bark
Method of administration: Cold water infusion of the stem bark is used in wound dressing.
Spathodea campanulata

14. Byrsocarpus coccineus
CONNARACEAE
Botanical name: Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum. & Thonn.
Common name:
Local name (Igbo): Inri abusi
Description: A scandent shrub of savanna thickets and secondary jungle.
Part used: Root
Method of administration: Roots are chewed continuously to relieve pain and facilitate wound healing.
Byrsocarpus coccineus

15. An ant-hill usually harvest wild in savanna woodland vegetation.
Mode of administration: A heavy concoction made from it together with Newbouldia laevis and Albizia adianthifolia roots and local foul, scorpion and cobra’s head is applied topically on the affected areas.
Ant-hill

16. Plate: Pictures of leg ulcer patients showing different stages of disease

17. DISCUSSION CONTD.
ALL interviewed respondents gave descriptions that fitted exactly into the general diagnosis of leg ulcer.
The traditional practitioners aim at the same objectives in their practices
1. To control inflammation process
2. Take care of the underlying pathogenic factors
3. management of pains
4. wound healing
Earlier and proper diagnosis is encouraged to prevent chronic ulceration (Jull and Betts, 2006).
Previous studies have justified the therapic effects of these plants (Table 3).

18. Table 3: Plants from previous studies and their activities
Plant species
Activity
References
Leea guineensis
Anti-inflammatory; anti-edemaogenic
Falodun et. al., 2007
Spathodea campanulata
Antimicrobial
Sam et. al., 2013
Vitex doniana
Antimicrobial; antipyretic
Kilani, 2004
Uvaria chamae
Anti-inflammatory
Okwu & Iroabuchi 2008
Annona senegalensis
Ajibesin, 2012
Kigelia Africana
Analgesic; Anti-inflammatory
Owolabi & Omogbai, 2007
Moringa oleifera
Oluduro, 2012
Alstonia boonei
Antipyretic; Analgesic
Iwu, 2014
Crinum jagus
Anchomanes difformis
Acanthus montanus
Asongalem, 2004
Ageratum conyzoides
Byrsocarpus coccineus
Analgesic

19. CONCLUSION
This study documented the traditional medicinal practices used for the treatment of leg ulcer in Anambra State, Nigeria, as well as provided the ethnomedicinal foundation for the pharmacological properties of notable medicinal plants and their therapeutic effects on leg ulcer and other forms of skin ulcer.

20. THANKS FOR LISTENING