Ethnobotanical survey of medical plants used as hypoglycemic by users of Phytotherapy Program of Federal University of Maranhão - UFMA, Brazil

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants in treatment of diseases has been occurred for many years, being the therapy of certain communities. Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, associated with others risk factors. This work was to carry out a survey of medicinal plants used as hypoglycemic by users of Phytotherapy Program of the Federal University of Maranhão – UFMA, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. 100 people were interviewed, through semi-structured questionnaires to obtain socioeconomic data and pharmacobotany variables with free listing of plants, applies between the months of March and June 2016. The majority of respondents were women (62%), aged between 30 and 59 years (62%) and completed high school (48%). 28 plant species  were mentioned with purpose hypoglycemic, being the eggplant (Solanun melongena L.) most cited (31%). The leaves were the plant parts most used (45%) and infusion was the way preparation most indicated by respondents (43%). The study of plants made may assist further studies on the development of new drugs for the treatment of diabetes.