Abstract

Olivier Tene Tcheghebe, Viviane Raïssa Sipowo Tala, Moïse Fouodjouo

ABSTRACT

Indiscriminate use of plants and herbs by indigenous people for the treatment of various diseases has attracted the interest of many researchers in science and medicine to undertake researchers that will significantly unfold the medical importance, appropriate dose, mechanism of action as well as the toxic effect (if any) of these medicinal plants and herbs. Costus afer is part of these plants commonly used by traditional healers with a demonstrated effectiveness. In traditional medicine, it is mostly request for the treatment of inflammation, rheumatic and arthritic pains, sleepiness, cough and pneumonia, hepatic disorders, mental disorders, helminths, miscarriages, measles and other skin diseases, malaria and jaundice, urinary diseases, eye defects, hunchback, epileptic attack, hemorrhoids; as a cardiotonic remedy, laxative, diuretic, an antidote for poison and evil repellants. It is also used in some African countries for socio-cultural purposes such as preparation of ritual ornaments. Scientific investigations carried out on this plant also proved its high pharmacological profile. These include Anti-oxidant and radical scavenging, hypolipidemic, corrosion inhibition, hepatoprotective and hepatocurative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, nephroprotective, anti-tumor and anticancer, antimicrobial and antibacterial, Hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities. Some bioactive components such as tannins, polyphenolics, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids and steroids present in an appreciable amount in this plant’s extract justify its numerous properties and uses by traditional practitioners, while its rich content in carbohydrate, crude fat and minerals validate its high nutritional value. Moreover, this plant’s extract can be taken until a dose as high as 375mg/Kg of body weight without any risk of toxicity. This review study is an endeavor to give a detailed survey of the literature on the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical and pharmacological profiles, as well as the toxicity of Costus afer.