Contribution to the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of traditionally used medicinal plants in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea in Lomela area, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

In order to collect ethnobotanical information about antidiarrhoeal plants, we performed inquiries among traditional healers, community leaders, and n ative people of Lomela villages in Congo. Six medicinal plants widely used in this region were designated as having antidysenteric and antidiarrhoeal proper lies. These six medicinal plants were screened for groups of phytoch emical compounds with antibacterial and antiamoebic activities. They were f ound to contain tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, sterols and/or tr iterpenes and reducing sugars. Of the six tested plants, three showed promi nent antibacterial activity whereas two acted against Entamoeba histolytica . The usefulness of the phytochemical bases and biological activities of th ese plants as potential source of antidiarrhoeal remedies is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.