Beaurice Chancelier Boukeng
1* 
, Davy Ulrich Ikabanga
2, Aurélien Mokea-Niaty
2, Roland Mitola
2, Patrick Mickala
11 Animal Physiology Laboratory, Electrophysiology and Pharmacology, Agro-Biology Research Unit (URAB), Masuku University of Science and Technology, Gabon
2 Plant Ecology and Agroforestry Laboratory, Agro-Biology Research Unit (URAB), Masuku University of Science and Technology, Gabon
Abstract
Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures, defined as transient episodes of excessive and synchronous abnormal neuronal activity in the brain. The disease is more prevalent in tropical African countries, where a large proportion of the population relies on medicinal plants for its management. Consequently, ethnopharmacological surveys are essential for identifying plant species with potential therapeutic value. The main aim of this study was to systematically review and document medicinal plants traditionally used in the management of epilepsy in tropical Africa. A systematic literature search was conducted using relevant keywords, including “medicinal plants,” “ethnopharmacological survey,” “ethnobotanical survey,” “epilepsy,” and “tropical Africa.” Databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, African Journals Online, and Perplexity were consulted. A total of 192 plant species, belonging to 155 genera and 64 families, were documented as having potential anti-epileptic properties. The families Fabaceae (15.63%) and Asteraceae (10.42%) exhibited the highest species diversity. Approximately 87% of the recorded species were reported from Central African countries, including Cameroon (158 species), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (125 species), the Central African Republic (111 species), Gabon (91 species), Angola (86 species), the Republic of the Congo (63 species), and Equatorial Guinea (56 species). The most frequently cited species for epilepsy management included Elaeis guineensis, Nauclea latifolia, Bridelia ferruginea, Bidens pilosa, Carica papaya, Abrus precatorius, Terminalia superba, Euphorbia hirta, Myrianthus arboreus, Tetrapleura tetraptera, and Hibiscus sabdariffa. Herbs and shrubs constituted the most frequently reported life forms. Leaves and roots were the most commonly used plant parts, while decoction was the predominant method of preparation and oral administration the principal route of use. Overall, this study highlights the high botanical diversity and significant ethnopharmacological potential of anti-epileptic medicinal plants in Central Africa.
Please cite this paper as:
Boukeng CB, Ikabanga DU, Mokea-Niaty A, Mitola R, Mickala P. Review of plants used in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy in tropical Africa. Journal of Biochemicals and Phytomedicine. 2026; 5(1): 63-79. doi: 10.34172/jbp.2026.7.