Open AccessAcute gastroenteritis and the usage pattern of antibiotics and traditional herbal medications for its management in a Nigerian community
Author(s) -
Oluwapelumi Olufemi Adeyemi,
Aderemi Babatunde Alabi,
Oluwasanmi Anuoluwapo Adeyemi,
Olaoluwa Temitope Talabi,
Oreoluwa M. Abidakun,
Ireoluwa Yinka Joel,
Nicola J. Stonehouse
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0257837
Subject(s) - vernonia amygdalina , traditional medicine , azadirachta , ocimum , context (archaeology) , medicine , antibiotics , mangifera , medicinal plants , medical prescription , biology , botany , pharmacology , microbiology and biotechnology , paleontology
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is the highest cause of mortality worldwide in children under the age of 5 years, with the highest mortalities occurring in low-to-middle income countries. Treatment can involve use of unregulated herbal medication and antibiotics. A cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the use of antibiotics and traditional herbal medications in the management of AGE among Yòrùbá-speaking communities in Kwara State, Nigeria. Our findings suggest habitual use of antibiotics (54.6%) and herbal medication (42.5%) in the management of AGE with high levels of self-prescription of antibiotics (21.7%) and herbal medications (36.2%) within the community. Ethanolic extracts of selected herbal plants reported (i.e. Aristolochia ringens , Azadirachta indica , Chromolaena odorata , Etanda Africana , Ficus capensis , Ficus vogelii , Mangifera indica , Momordica charantia , Ocimum gratisimum , Senna alata , Sorghum bicolor and Vernonia amygdalina ) were investigated for antibacterial properties, using bacteria known to be causative agents of AGE. Our findings showed that, with exception of Ficus vogelii , which enhanced bacterial growth, the plant extracts reported all showed some antibacterial activity. We further discuss our findings within a regulatory context, with the aim to guide the use of traditional and herbal medication in low-to medium income countries (LMICs) and reduce the potential risks associated with the development of antimicrobial resistance.