Figure 2 shows the distribution of medicinal plants within the NVRI (National Veterinary Research Institute) in Vom, Nigeria, organized by family. The graph contains information on the number of medicinal plants found in each family, ranging from 1 to 17. The total number of plant families listed in the table (Table 1) is 41. The family with the highest number of occurrence of medicinal plants is Fabaceae with 17 plants, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 11 plants, and then Lamiaceae with 6 plants. These three families combined account for more than half of the total number of medicinal plants found in the NVRI. Other families with a significant number of medicinal plants include Apocynaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, and Amaranthaceae. The importance of these plant families lies in the fact that they contain a high number of medicinal plants, which could potentially be useful for human and animal health.
Table 1
Plant inventory in NVRI premises
No. | Scientific Name | Family | Common Name | Type | Latitude | Longitude | Uses | Reference |
1 | Acacia sieberiana | Fabaceae | Paper bark thorn | Tree | N9°43’28.05422’’ | E8°47’23.88509’’ | M | Maphosa et al. 2006 |
2 | Acacia auriculifomis | Fabaceae | Earleaf acacia | Tree | N 9°43’46. 5888”, | E 8°47’14. 81532” | M | Baskaran et al. 2021 |
3 | Acacia cornigera | Fabaceae | Bull horn acacia | Tree | N 9°43’31. 3986”, | E 8°47’40. 90704” | M | Flores-Vindas et al. 2021 |
4 | Acacia polyacantha | Fabaceae | Hook thorn | Tree | N 9°43’16. 01724”, | E 8°47’34. 22868” | M | Ngure et al. 2016 |
5 | Acacia senegal | Fabaceae | Gum Arabic | Tree | N 9°42’4.4 3052”, | E 8°46’3.2 3364” | M | Ahmed et al. 2013 |
6 | Acacia terminalis | Fabaceae | Sunshine wattle | Shrub | N 9°43’20. 40852”, | E 8°47’6.4 2408” | M | Nasri et al. 2012 |
7 | Acalypha wilkesinia | Euphorbiaceae | Jacob's coat, Copper leaf | Shrub | N 90°43’55.82496’’, | E 80°47’22.84156’’ | M | Ayoola et al. 2016 |
8 | Agave americana | Asparagaceae | American aloe, Century plant | Herb | N 9°44’13. 47432”, | E 8°47’29 23656” | M | Adelaja et al. 2018 |
9 | Agave gracilipes | Asparagaceae | Agave | Shrub | N 9°43’16. 60908”, | E 8°47’33 72036” | P | Palma-Ramos et al. 2012 |
10 | Ailanthus altissima | Simaroubaceae | Tree of heaven | Tree | N 9°43’46. 59276”, | E 8°47’14. 81532” | M | Zhang et al. 2012 |
11 | Ailanthus triphysa | Simaroubaceae | White pall | Tree | N 9°43’46. 59024”, | E 8°47’ 14. 81532” | M | Kumar et al. 2012 |
12 | Allamanda schotti | Apocynaceae | Bush allamanda | Climber | N 9°43’18. 21288” | E 8°47’20. 32656” | M | Guzman-Gutierrez et al. 2014 |
13 | Anacadum occidentale | Anacardiaceae | Cashew, Indian almond | Tree | N9044’5.16876’’ | E80 48’28.5516’’ | M | Olajide et al. 2017 |
14 | Andasonia digitata | Malvaceae | Baobab tree | Tree | N90 44’5.57952’’ | E80 48’28.67899’’ | M | Ahmed et al. 2014 |
15 | Araucaria heterophylla | Araucariaceae | Norfolk pine | Shrub | N 9°43’20. 40852” | E 8°47’6.4 2408” | M | Conran et al. 2009 |
16 | Artocarpus heterophyllus | Moraceae | Jack fruit tree | Tree | N 9°43’56.45172” | E 8°47’40.32492” | M | Nor et al. 2022 |
17 | Atriplex semilunaris | Amaranthaceae | Salt bushes | Tree | N 9°43’35. 5242” | E 8°47’22. 56288” | M | Mtimet et al. 2019 |
18 | Azadiracta indica | Meliaceae | Dogonyaro, neem | Tree | N9°43’46.58664’’ | E8°47’24.79336’’ | M | Sharma et al. 2021 |
19 | Basella alba | Amaranthaceae | Malaba spinach, Vine spinach | Shrub | N9 044’2326524’’ | E80 48’54.1332’’ | M | Biswas et al. 2000 |
20 | Beddleja davidi | Scrophulanaceae | Butterfly bush, Summer lilac | Shrub | N 9°43’21. 74736” | E 8°47’25. 61064” | M | Zhang et al. 2021 |
21 | Borassus flabelliffa | Arecaceae | Tal palm, wine/doub palm | Tree | N 9°43’17. 82336” | E 8°47’22. 79148” | M | Kalpana et al. 2021 |
22 | Bougainvillea spectabilis | Nyctaginaceae | Great bougainvillea | Shrub | N 9°43’31. 3986” | E 8°47’40. 90704” | M | Suhaimi et al. 2021 |
23 | Caesalpinia pulcherrima | Fabaceae | Pride of Barbados | Tree | N 9°43’16. 60908” | E 8°47’33 72036” | M | Vinothkumar et al. 2021 |
24 | Canarium schweinfurthii | Burseraceae | Atili tree, Bush candle | Tree | N 9°43’37.3692” | E 8°47’47.35788” | M | Adebiyi et al. 2021 |
25 | Carica papaya | Caricaceae | Gwanda, Paw paw | Herb | N 9°43’55.98804” | E 8°47’40.6248” | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
26 | Carissa edulis | Apocynaceae | Bago Zaakii, Carrisse | Tree | N 9°43’31.3986” | E 8°47’40.90704” | M | Alhassan et al. 2021 |
27 | Carissa macrocarpa | Apocynaceae | Amatungulu, Natal plum | Shrub | N 9°44’12.18012” | E 8°46’57.77004” | M | Oyedemi et al. 2021 |
28 | Caryota urens | Arecaceae | Palm | Tree | N 9°43’48.13716” | E 8°47’15.11887568” | M | Sharma et al. 2021 |
29 | Cassia abbreviata | Fabaceae | Long tail Cassia | Shrub | N 9°43’31.3986” | E 8°47’21.90704” | M | Muteva et al. 2021 |
30 | Cassia fistula | Fabaceae | Golden shower tree | Tree | N90 42’55.58328’’ | E80 47’18.429’’ | M | Mandal et al. 2021 |
31 | Cassia siamea | Fabaceae | Seemia, Kassod tree | Tree | N 9°43’20.40852” | E 8°47’6.42408” | M | Sharma et al. 2021 |
32 | Ceiba pentandra | Malvaceae | Rimi, Kapok tree | Tree | N 9°43’47.168” | E 8°48’6.51348” | M | Wang et al. 2021 |
33 | Chenopodium album | Amaranthaceae | Goose foot plant | Weed | N9°43'55.59708'' | E8°47'27.8088'' | M | Srivastava et al. 2021 |
34 | Cissampelos pareira | Menispermaceae | Velvet leaf, Perreira brava | Climber | N 9°43’16.60908” | E 8°47’33.72036” | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
35 | Citrus limon | Rutaceae | Babban lemu | Tree | N 9°43’54.97464” | E 8°47’41.27964” | M | Ansari et al. 2021 |
36 | Citrus x paradisi | Rutaceae | Grapefruit | Tree | N9°42’27.05422’’ | E8°47’2388500’’ | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
37 | Codiaeum variegatum | Euphorbiaceae | Garden croton, Croton petra | Shrub | N 9°43’21.48492” | E 8°47’21.16032” | M | Pandey et al. 2021 |
38 | Combretum glutinosum | Combretaceae | Dooki | Shrub | N9°43'38.52544'' | E8°47'52.07704'' | M | Odeyemi et al. 2021 |
39 | Crotalaria retussa | Fabaceae | Rattle weed | Shrub | N 9°43’29.06904” | E 8°47’22. 56288” | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
40 | Cucumis metuliferus | Cucurbitaceae | Spike melon | Climber | N9°42’2.88388’’ | E8°46’5.7226’’ | M | Ukwuani et al. 2021 |
41 | Darbergia horrida | Fabaceae | Prickly dalbergia | Tree | N 9°43’20. 40852” | E 8°47’6.4 2408” | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
42 | Eucalyptus cinera | Myrtaceae | Argyle apple | Tree | N 9°43’37. 8804” | E 8°47’27. 52152” | M | Zhou et al. 2021 |
43 | Eucalyptus globulus | Myrtaceae | Blue gum | Tree | N 9°43’46. 58664” | E 8°47’14. 79336” | M | Li et al. 2021 |
44 | Eucalyptus urnigera | Myrtaceae | Urn gum tree | Tree | N9°43’46.58666’’ | E8°47’14.79356’’ | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
45 | Euphorbia camerronica | Euphorbiaceae | Kamerunica | Herb | N 9°43’35. 5242” | E 8°47’22. 56288” | P | Tiepma et al. 2021 |
46 | Euphorbia hirta | Euphorbiaceae | Asthma weed | Weed | N90 44’8.97828’’ | E80 47’29.72256’’ | M | Elisha et al. 2023 |
47 | Euphorbia tirucalli | Euphorbiaceae | Pencil cactus | Herb | N90 43’38.51544’’ | E88947’51.07704’’ | M/P | Singh et al. 2021 |
48 | Ficus sycomorus | Moraceae | Sycamore, Fig mulberry | Tree | N9°43'23.24596'' | E8°47'27.02726'' | M | Fahmy et al. 2021 |
49 | Ficus trichopoda | Moraceae | Rubber fig | Fig tree | N90 43’56.23068’’ | E80 48’21.11688’’ | M | Nunez-Elizaide et al. 2021 |
50 | Gmelina arborea | Lamiaceae | Melina, Beech wood | Tree | N 9°43’43. 62672” | E 8°47’40. 5136” | M | Gakwavu et al. 2021 |
51 | Heliotropium hirsutissimum | Boraginaceae | Scorpion plant | Tree | N 9°43’21. 76284” | E 8°47’25. 83168” | M | Abdu-Aguye et al. 2021 |
52 | Hibiscus rosa sinesis | Malvaceae | Shoe black plant | Shrub | N 9°43’37. 8804” | E 8°47’27. 52152” | M | El-Sayed et al. 2021 |
53 | Hyssopus officinalis | Lamiaceae | Hyssop | Herb | N 9°43’17.5908” | E 8°47’23.19684” | M | Aras et al. 2022 |
54 | Inga edulis | Fabaceae | Ice cream Bean | Tree | N 9°43’47.38404” | E 8°47’7.97568” | M | Lago et al. 2022 |
55 | Ipomea hederifolia | Convolvulaceae | Scarlet morning glory | Herb | N 9°43’35.5242” | E 8°47’22.56288” | M | Silva et al. 2021 |
56 | Ixoria coccinea | Rubiaceae | Flame of the wood | Shrub | N 9°43'54.89364'' | E 8°47'27.66876'' | M | Jirasiritham et al. 2021 |
57 | Jacaranda memosifolia | Bignoniaceae | Jacaranda | Tree | N 9°43’47.38296” | E 8°47’7.98612” | M | Ojo et al. 2022 |
58 | Jasminum sambac | Oleaceae | Arabian jasmine | Shrub | N 9°42’6.8 8212” | E 8°46’4.4 7312” | M | Al-Fatimi et al. 2021 |
59 | Jathropha curcas | Euphorbiaceae | Barbados nut | Herb | N 9°43'56.28576'' | E 8°48'21.18456'' | M | Sharma et al. 2021 |
60 | Jathropha gossipifolia | Euphorbiaceae | Tua-Tua | Tree | N90 43'56.01108'' | E80 47’27.86784’’ | M | Ouédraogo et al. 2021 |
61 | Jatropha integerrima | Euphorbiaceae | Peregrina | Tree | N 9°43’46.58916” | E 8°47’14.81532” | M | Pathirana et al. 2021 |
62 | Jatropha tanorensis | Euphorbiaceae | Chaya | Shrub | N90 43’47.38548’’ | E80 47’7.96776’’ | M | Oladeji and Adeniyi, 2020 |
63 | Juniper communis | Cupressaceae | Common Juniper | Tree | N9°43’21.46908” | E8°47’20.94468” | M | Li et al. 2021 |
64 | Khaya senegalensis | Meliaceae | Madaci, African mahogany | Tree | N9°43’21.72072” | E8°47’20.94288” | M | Elisha et al. 2012 |
65 | Lantana camara | Verbanaceae | Kimba maharba, Lantana | Shrub | N9°43’47.38512” | E8°47’7.97064” | M | Kasote et al. 2021 |
66 | Magnifera indica | Anacardiaceae | Mangga, Mango | Tree | N9°43’27.15422’’ | E8°47’23.89508’’ | M | Patel and Goyal, 2021 |
67 | Manihot esculenta | Euphorbiaceae | Cassava, Tapioca | Shrub | N9°43’37.3692” | E8°47’47.35788” | M | Ogunleye et al. 2020 |
68 | Mentha piperita | Lamiaceae | Pepper Mint Plant | Herb | N90 43’56.23104’’ | E80 48’21.1176’’ | M | Morteza-Semnani et al. 2021 |
69 | Moringa oliefera | Moringaceae | Drum stick, Moringa | Tree | N9°43’37.3693” | E8°47’47.35788” | M | Mohanraj et al. 2021 |
70 | Musa paradisiaca | Musaceae | Agada, Plantain | Shrub | N9°43’37.3692” | E8°47’47.35788” | M | Raja et al. 2022 |
71 | Musa sapientum | Musaceae | Ayaba, Banana | Shrub | N90 43’37.3692’’ | E80 47’47.35788’’ | M | Zongshi et al. 2022 |
72 | Nelsonia canescens | Acanthaceae | Tsamiya maharba, Sniper rifle | Shrub | N9°42'59.0784'' | E8°48'22.04056'' | M | Adedapo and Akinpelu, 2021 |
73 | Occimum sanctum | Lamiaceae | Scent leaf | Herb | N90 44’5.57952’’ | E80 48’48’28.899’’ | M | Gupta et al. 2022 |
74 | Opuntia macrorhiza | Cactaceae | Cactus, prickly pear | Herb | N9°43’4.43052” | E8°46’3.23364'' | M | Wang et al. 2021 |
75 | Origanum vulgaris | Lamiaceae | Wild marjoram, origan | Herb | N90°43'54.3828", | E80°48'12.474" | M | Mardani et al. 2022 |
76 | Passiflora edulis | Passifloraceae | Grenadelle, passion flower | Vine | N9°42’2.88388’’ | E8°46’5.7126’’ | M | Dourado et al. 2021 |
77 | Perilla frutescens | Lamiaceae | Red perila | Herb | N 90°43’55.82496’’, | E 80°47’22.84156’’ | M/P | Lin et al. 2019 |
78 | Persea americana | Laureaceae | Avocado, pear | Tree | N9°43'37.3692", | E8°47'47.35788" | M | Moghaddam et al. 2019 |
79 | Pilostigma thonningii | Fabaceae | Camel foot Tree | Tree | N9°43'13.47432", | E8°47'29.24656" | M | Adetutu et al. 2012 |
80 | Plumeria rubra | Apocynaceae | Frangipani | Tree | N 9°43'37.8804" | E 8°47'27.52152" | M | Singh et al. 2017 |
81 | Polyalthia longifolia | Annonaceae | Ashoka | Tree | N9°43’27.05422’’ | E8°47’23.88508’’ | M | Jabeen et al. 2021 |
82 | Psidium guajava | Myrtaceae | Guava | Tree | N 9°43'37.3692" | E 8°47'47.35788" | M | Silva et al. 2013 |
83 | Ricinus communis | Euphorbiaceae | Castor oil plant | Shrub | N 9°43'37.3692'' | E 8°47'27.52152" | M | Kaur et al. 2013 |
84 | Roystonea regia | Arecaceae | Royal palm | Tree | N 9°43'55.59708'' | E 8°47'27.8088'' | M | Govindarajan et al. 2015 |
85 | Schefflera digitata | Araliaceae | Patete, Seven fingers | Tree | N 9°42'6.8 8212" | E 8°46'4.4 7312" | M | Ncube et al. 2012 |
86 | Senna alata | Fabaceae | Candle bush | Shrub | N9°43’55.6752’’ | E8°47’27.81996’’ | M | Srivastava et al. 2015 |
97 | Senna occidentalis | Fabaceae | Albarka, Coffee senna | Shrub | N 9°44'23.26524'' | E 80°48'54.1332'' | M | Lai et al. 2022 |
88 | Sesamum radiatum | Petaliaceae | Black benni seed, sesame | Tree | N 9°44'23.26524'' | E 80°48'54.1332'' | M | Alagbonsi et al. 2021 |
89 | Talinum triangulare | Talinaceae | Gbure, water leaf | Herb | N 9°43'56.42184'' | E 80°48'21.35052'' | M | Adedapo et al. 2021 |
90 | Tamarindus indica | Fabaceae | Tsamiya, Tamarind | Tree | N9°43’59.04372’’ | E8°47’28.45536’’ | M | Singh et al. 2021 |
91 | Tapinanthus sp. | Loranthaceae | Parasite | Tree | N9°43’52.91032’’ | E8°47’25.35324’’ | M | Adeyemi et al. 2021 |
92 | Taraxacum dens-leonis | Asteraceae | Dandelion plant | Weed | N 9°43'37.3692'' | E 8°47'47.35788'' | M | Li et al. 2022 |
93 | Tecoma stans | Bignoniaceae | Yellow elder | Shrub | N9°44’13.47432” | E8°47’29.23656” | M | Alves et al. 2022 |
94 | Telfairia occidentalis | Cucurbitaceae | Ugu leaf, Fluted pumpkin | Climber | N9°44’13.47432” | E8°47’29.23656” | M | Oboh et al. 2021 |
95 | Terminalia catappa | Combretaceae | Wawan kurmi, Almond fruit | Tree | N9°43'37.8804'' | E8°47'27.52252'' | M | Huy et al. 2022 |
96 | Tridax procumbens | Asteraceae | Chamba, Coat buttons | Weed | N9°44’0.6 | E8°48’0.6 9428” | M | Ismail and Marjan, 2021 |
97 | Venonia amygdalina | Asteraceae | Ewuro, Bitter leaf | Herb | N9°43’37.3692” | E8°47’47.35788” | M | Nwidu et al. 2021 |
98 | Venonia polysphaera | Asteraceae | Ewuro, Assa-peixe | Tree | N9°43’37.” | E8°47’27.52152” | M | Ajibesin et al. 2022 |
Fabaceae, for example, is known to contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties, among others (Fagbohun et al., 2019). Euphorbiaceae is also known for its medicinal properties, including its use in the treatment of skin diseases and as an analgesic (Okwu, 2014). Lamiaceae, on the other hand, is known for its use in the treatment of respiratory and digestive disorders, as well as its antimicrobial properties (Eshwarappa et al., 2014). Amaranthaceae plants are known to possess antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Chenopodium album, a member of this family, has been used to treat diabetes and high blood pressure (Jain and Jain, 2010). The Apocynaceae plants are known to possess antitumor, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties.Catharanthus roseus, a member of this family, has been used to treat cancer, malaria, and diabetes (Ikram et al., 2019). Asteraceae plants are known to possess antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Artemisia annua, a member of this family, has been used to treat malaria, diabetes, and inflammation (Zhao et al., 2019).
Table 1 displays the inventory of medicinal plant species identified within the NVRI environment, their scientific names, families, local names, common names, habitats (GPS coordinates) and toxicity status.
The study revealed a total of 98 plant species belonging to 41 families. The most common families among them were the Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Apocynaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, and Moraceae. The largest proportion of medicinal plant species belong to the families Fabaceae (17%), Euphorbiaceae (11%), Lamiaceae (6%), Asteraceae (4%), Apocynaceae (4%), Myrtaceae (4%), and Moraceae (3%) in decreasing order of frequency.
It is noteworthy that most of the plant species listed in Table 1 are believed to be non-toxic and have various medicinal uses. They can be used to cure a range of ailments depending on their preparation and administration. The identification of these plants and their medicinal properties can be useful in the development of traditional medicines and the promotion of their sustainable use.
A number of plant species similar to the ones found in the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) environment have been identified and documented by various authors, including Akobundu and Agyakawa (1987), Arbonnier (2004), Kurian (2016a), and Kurian (2016b). Among these plant species, the Fabaceae family has the highest number of species with 17 plants. This family is ranked third in terms of species richness at a global level after Asteraceae and Orchidaceae (Morales and Ladio, 2012).
Fabaceae species are known for their various uses, including as a source of food and dietary protein, such as Glycine max, Phaseolus, Pisum sativum, and Arachis hypogaea (Rahman and Parvia, 2014). Moreover, Fabaceae is the second largest family of medicinal plants, with about 490 species recorded to have medicinal properties (Gao et al., 2010).
In addition to Fabaceae, other plant species found in the NVRI environment, such as Euphorbia heterophylla, E. hirta, and Tridax procumbens, have potential as sources of useful drugs due to their rich phytochemical constituents, including phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, and tannins (Edegora et al., 2017).
It is important to conduct inventories of plants with therapeutic value and document the knowledge related to their use in systematic studies. These studies can have various benefits for society, such as conserving traditional knowledge, identifying plants with market potential that can generate income for local communities, and enhancing confidence and appreciation of herbal medicines among local communities (Shackleton, 2001; Sheldon et al., 1997).
The conservation and sustainable use of plant species with potential medicinal and economic value require their identification and documentation (Shackleton, 2001; Sheldon et al., 1997). This approach not only helps to preserve traditional knowledge but also promotes the appreciation of the value of plant resources among local communities. The identified plant species can be used in the development of traditional medicines to provide significant healthcare to society.
Several studies have documented the therapeutic properties of some of the plant species found in the NVRI environment, highlighting the importance of documenting their medicinal properties (Akobundu and Agyakawa, 1987; Arbonnier, 2004; Kurian, 2016a; Kurian, 2016b). The documentation of plant species with potential medicinal and economic value is crucial for their conservation and sustainable utilization, as well as for the preservation of traditional knowledge and the promotion of their value among local communities (Shackleton, 2001; Sheldon et al., 1997).