Description
Background
Haut-Katanga is a biodiversity hotspot that holds an original biogeographical position, on the edges of the Zambezi region, with a diverse vegetation and a flora rich in endemic species. This flora remains insufficiently known, both taxonomically and eco-geographically, which is particularly problematic for medicinal plants, on which a large proportion of the population depends. Forest areas, a habitat rich in endemic taxa, are in sharp decline due to urbanization, destruction for charcoal production and mining; their biodiversity is increasingly eroding. The aim of this project was to reduce the loss of biodiversity while promoting Traditional African Medicine (TAM); through a multidisciplinary approach.
Methodology
To counter biodiversity decline by developing a strategy for the sustainable use of medicinal flora resources in Katanga, the project focused on: (i) domestication and ex situ multiplication of endangered plant species; (ii) ecological study and definition of in situ conservation strategies for endangered species; (iii) therapeutic evaluation and identification of quality control markers, as well as (iv) analysis of the practice of Traditional Medicine and of the medicinal plant supply chain. The genus Vitex (Lamiaceae) was mainly concerned by biological, eco-botanical, phytochemical, and eco-sociological studies, due to its widespread use in traditional medicine in the region.
Findings
The main results of this project are: (i) the domestication and ex situ multiplication of threatened plant species have been successful. Cultivated plants have maintained the same pharmacological properties as wild species. Garden-grown plants reduce the loss of biodiversity caused by harvesting in natural ecosystems; (ii) botanical studies have resolved major confusion over the identity of morphologically similar species that can be used for each other, thus ensuring the safety of medicinal plant users; (iii) chemical analysis has identified and characterized compounds with interesting biological properties in relation to the dominant diseases in the region, notably malaria, parasitosis and bacterial infections; (iv) analysis of the practice of TAM in the region shows the need to integrate it into the official health system to provide better care for the population.
Conclusion
These results show that a multidisciplinary approach would be more appropriate to address the issues of natural resource use and biodiversity conservation, which are essential for improving health. In addition, the PhytoKat project has contributed to addressing a major weakness in the environment/natural resources field, namely: "the lack of information, knowledge and awareness among decision-makers and local communities of the benefits of development linked to the rational management of biodiversity".
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur de la Belgique (ARES) for funding this project.
| Contact Geneva Health Forum | I would like to receive information about the GHF 2024 conference and other GHF activities / Je souhaite recevoir des informations sur la conférence GHF 2024 et d'autres activités du GHF. |
|---|
