Vulnerability and ecological importance of species used for the management of hypertension and diabetes in the sub-sahelian area of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Abstract Background: Hypertension and diabetes are major public health issues in developed and low-income countries today. The prevalence of these diseases is higher in low-income countries due to high population density, weak health care systems, and a high number of undiagnosed and untreated people. Due to these factors, the majority of patients rely heavily on herbal medicines for their management. This study aimed to assess the vulnerability and ecological importance of species of interest for the two diseases in the sub-sahelian area of Burkina Faso. Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with 70 Traditional healers from the departments of Kaya and Barsalogho using a questionary. Floristic inventories followed by measurements of diameters at breast height (dbh) were conducted on 50 plots of 50m x 20m. Results: Ethnobotanical surveys identified 36 species that are used for the management of hypertension and diabetes; 25 woody species were vulnerable (IV ≥ 2). Among these species, Cadaba farinosa, Lannea acida, Parkia biglobosa, Saba senegalensis, Sclerocarya birrea, Tamarindus indica, Ximenia americana, and Ziziphus mauritiana were highly vulnerable (IV ≥ 2.5). Consistent with the Traditional healers perception, most of these highly vulnerable species were rare (RI ≥ 80%) in the sample units. In addition, only Combretum micranthum and Cassia sieberiana had the highest importance value indices. Conclusions: These results justify that there is a real threat to heavily used species. It appears necessary for traditional healers to apply the right methods of plant use that will not compromise the availability of local plant resources.