Article · Volume 12, Issue 23 · pp. 133–137
Are Medicinal Plants the Future of Loa loa Treatment?
Mengome Line Edwige1, Mewono Ludovic2, Aboughe-Angone Sophie1
- 1Traditional Medicine and Pharmacopoeia, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Bp 12 141 Libreville, GABON.
- 2Research Group in Immunology, Applied Microbiology, Hygiene and Physiology, Superior teachers training College of Libreville, GABON.
Abstract
Loa loa filarial worm affects humans living in rural areas, urban slums, or conflict zones. This parasite is responsible for neglected tropical diseases, endemic in rainforest areas of the West and Central African. L. loa has also been diagnosed among travelers and migrants. In areas that are co‑endemic of L. loa filarial with other filariasis such as onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, or mansonelliasis, the treatment by diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin increases the risk of severe adverse effects. To remedy to this, it would be interesting to explore other tracks such medicinal plants. Nearly 80% of worldwide seed traditional practitioners are the first choice, and a large number of medicinal plants were claimed to possess antifilarial activities. This review relates about medicinal plants used to treat L. loa filarial disease.
Keywords: Alternative treatment; Loa loa filarial; medicinal plants
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