Traditional medicinal plant knowledge for cardiovascular diseases in Ngazidja, Comoros: diversity, cultural importance and patterns of consensus

Authors

  • Ali Ahmed Laboratoire Aliment, Réactivité, Synthèse des Substances Naturelles (LAR2SN), Faculté des Sciences, Université des Comores, PO Box 2585, Route de la Corniche, Moroni - Union des Comores. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6452-5009
  • Fenitriniaina Judith Elyna Mahitasoa Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquées, PO Box 3833 Avarabohitra Itaosy, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
  • Zoarilala Rinah Razafindrakoto Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquées, PO Box 3833 Avarabohitra Itaosy, Antananarivo, Madagascar. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3647-684X
  • Sandratriniaina Marie Victoire Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquées, PO Box 3833 Avarabohitra Itaosy, Antananarivo, Madagascar. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7967-7475
  • Hamidou Soulé Laboratoire Aliment, Réactivité, Synthèse des Substances Naturelles (LAR2SN), Faculté des Sciences, Université des Comores, PO Box 2585, Route de la Corniche, Moroni - Union des Comores.
  • Mohamed Said Hassane Laboratoire Aliment, Réactivité, Synthèse des Substances Naturelles (LAR2SN), Faculté des Sciences, Université des Comores, PO Box 2585, Route de la Corniche, Moroni - Union des Comores.
  • Ahamadi Oili Daroussi Herbier National Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Ecosystème, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Comores, PO Box 2585, Route de la Corniche, Moroni - Union des Comores.
  • Ammena Y. Binsaleh Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
  • Mohamed Andilyat Herbier National Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Ecosystème, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Comores, PO Box 2585, Route de la Corniche, Moroni - Union des Comores.
  • David Ramanitrahasimbola Mention Pharmacie, Faculté de Médecine, Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar.
  • Nantenaina Tombozara Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquées https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2582-0892

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a growing public health challenge in the Union of the Comoros, where traditional medicine remains an integral component of local healthcare practices due to socio-economic and cultural factors. This study aimed to document and characterise the plants used by Comorian people in Ngazidja island for CVD and their relative symptom management.

Methods: An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted among 571 consenting informants, from March to July 2019 across 19 districts of Ngazidja Island, using a semi-structured interview. Data on plant species, plant parts used, preparation methods, administration modes and relative CVD treated as well as their symptoms were recorded. Ethnobotanical indices including frequency of citation (FC), use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL), family use value (FUV), and informant consensus factor (ICF) were used to characterise the patterns of traditional plant use and identify species of particular cultural importance.

Results: 79 species belonging to 66 genera and 42 families were inventoried. Asteraceae was the most represented family, while Moringaceae showed the highest FUV. Most of the species (62.03%) were wild harvested. Herbs (40.51%) predominated, and leaves (57.47%) were the most commonly used plant parts. Decoction (73.40%) and oral administration (86.87%) were the preferred preparation and administration methods. Moringa oleifera (UV = 0.165 and FL for HTA = 75%) and Allium sativum (UV = 0.121 and FL for HTA = 100%) were identified as the most important species, recognized for their antihypertensive and cardioprotective properties. High ICF values across CVD categories indicated considerable convergence among informants regarding the plants used for these diseases. Diospyros comorensis and Phyllanthus comorensis, two endemic species, represent the priorities for further investigation.

Conclusions: These findings document the diversity and convergence of the medicinal plants used for CVD in Ngazidja and provide a basis for prioritizing endemic species for future phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical investigations.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Comoros, Ethnomedicinal study, Field survey, Medicinal plants, Ngazidja island

 

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Published

04.11.2026

How to Cite

Ahmed, A., Mahitasoa, F. J. E., Razafindrakoto, Z. R., Victoire, S. M., Soulé, H., Hassane, M. S., … Tombozara, N. (2026). Traditional medicinal plant knowledge for cardiovascular diseases in Ngazidja, Comoros: diversity, cultural importance and patterns of consensus. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 36, 1–33. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/9306

Issue

Vol. 36 (2026)

Section

Research

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