Traditional medicinal plants used in the management of cutaneous Leishmaniasis diseases in Sokoto State, Northern Nigeria

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a serious public health problem in Nigeria, with a high prevalence in the northern part of the country. Plants with therapeutic value are still the only way forward, as their acceptance and acknowledgment grow over the world. There is vast traditional knowledge and use of medicinal plant species in Sokoto state and the country at large. However, because cultural systems are dynamic, skills are fragile and often forgotten, as most indigenous knowledge is passed down through the generations by oral transmission. This study documented traditional medicinal plants used by the traditional practitioners for the treatment of CL in Sokoto State, Northern Nigeria. Methods: The method of non-random probability and the strategy of master sampling were applied in this research. A total of 23 informants were interviewed. Results: The ethnobotanical survey revealed 48 plant species, trees accounting for 57.9%, of which 84.1 % of the reported plants are wild. For therapy, leaves are the most utilized (43.7%), with topical and oral remedies (72.2%) as the most preferred form of administration. Quantitatively, Bauhinia reticulata DC was found to be effective in the treatment of CL with Fidelity Level (FL) 93%. Conclusion: Plants with therapeutic value are still the most promising, as their acceptance and acknowledgment keeps growing all over the world. This study provides useful information for various fields, especially in exploring the plant parts as a source of lead for future chemotherapeutics against CL and possible development of plant monographs for biodiversity conservation