Review of Plants Used in the Management of Fibroids in Some Sub-Sharan Africa Countries
Revue des Plantes Utilisées dans la Prise en Charge des Fibromes dans Certains Pays d'Afrique Subsaharienne
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19144924Keywords:
Ethnopharmacology, Medicinal plants, Pharmacognosy, Sub-Saharan Africa, FibroidAbstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that are often asymptomatic yet can cause complications. Their cause is unclear. Treatments mainly relieve symptoms but may have side effects. Hysterectomy eliminates the risk of recurrence and future pregnancy options. Medicinal plants are a promising, low-cost alternative with fewer side effects. This review aimed to identify plants traditionally used against uterine fibroids in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is prevalent, and to summarize existing pharmacological data. Methodology. Bibliographic research was conducted using Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and PubMed, enabling us to identify articles on plants used to treat fibroids. Result. 102 citations on 79 plant species from 42 families across Cameroon, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. The most cited species were Ageratum conyzoides and Momordica foetida. The leading families were Fabaceae and Asteraceae. Leaves (41.41%) were the primary plant part used, mainly in decoctions (31%). Bioactive compounds such as kaempferol, phytosterols, caryophyllene, and abietic acid were identified, exhibiting antitumor, antiproliferative, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects relevant to fibroid treatment. Conclusion. This review provides an overview of ethnobotanical knowledge and pharmacological evidence on plants traditionally used to treat fibroids in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings contribute to knowledge harmonization and lay the groundwork for future studies on the antimyomatous potential of medicinal plants in sub-Saharan Africa.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Les fibromes utérins sont des tumeurs bénignes souvent asymptomatiques, bien qu'ils puissent entraîner des complications. Leur cause demeure mal comprise. Les traitements actuels visent principalement à soulager les symptômes, mais peuvent présenter des effets secondaires. L'hystérectomie élimine le risque de récidive ainsi que les options de grossesse futures. Les plantes médicinales constituent une alternative prometteuse, peu coûteuse et associée à moins d'effets secondaires. Cette revue visait à identifier les plantes traditionnellement utilisées contre les fibromes utérins en Afrique subsaharienne, où la prévalence est élevée, et à synthétiser les données pharmacologiques existantes. Méthodologie. Une recherche bibliographique a été effectuée sur Google Scholar, Research Gate et PubMed, permettant d'identifier des articles relatifs aux plantes utilisées dans le traitement des fibromes. Résultats. Cent deux citations portant sur 79 espèces végétales issues de 42 familles ont été répertoriées au Cameroun, au Bénin, au Burkina Faso et au Nigeria. Les espèces les plus citées étaient Ageratum conyzoides et Momordica foetida. Les familles prédominantes étaient les Fabaceae et les Asteraceae. Les feuilles (41,41 %) représentaient la principale partie utilisée, majoritairement sous forme de décoction (31 %). Des composés bioactifs tels que le kaempférol, les phytostérols, le caryophyllène et l'acide abiétique ont été identifiés, présentant des effets antitumoraux, antiprolifératifs, antioxydants et anti-inflammatoires pertinents pour le traitement des fibromes. Conclusion. Cette revue offre un aperçu des connaissances ethnobotaniques et des preuves pharmacologiques sur les plantes traditionnellement utilisées contre les fibromes en Afrique subsaharienne. Ces résultats contribuent à l'harmonisation des connaissances et jettent les bases de futures études sur le potentiel antimyomateux des plantes médicinales en Afrique subsaharienne.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Judith Caroline Ngo Nyobe, Mahamane Haïdara, Brice Donald Bakoume Bassanak, Serge Bertrand Mboussi, Pierre Robert Abanda Eva, Doriane Fernande Kenmoe Kam, Emmanuel Mpondo Mpondo, Joseph Ngoupayou, Rokia Sanogo
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