Diversity and local knowledge of antivenom medicinal plants in the Poro region (Northern Côte d'Ivoire)

This study aims to document the medicinal plants used by local populations for antivenom in the Poro region of northern Côte d’Ivoire. To do this, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the departments of Korhogo, Dikodougou, and Sinématiali, through semi-structured interviews with a questionnaire. The respondents were individuals knowledgeable about medicinal plants. A total of 106 people were interviewed, most of whom were men (96.23%), mostly uneducated (94%), and over 50 years old (62.26%). We recorded 51 species, spread over 50 genera and 30 families, with Fabaceae being the most common family (11 species). Microphanerophytes were the most abundant (46%), trees were the most common growth form (37.27%), and leaves were the most frequently used plant part (44.95%). Decoction was the main preparation method (41.17%), and smearing (rubbing) was the most common mode of application (50.98%). The species most frequently mentioned by respondents were Sarcocephalus latifolius (16 citations, or 15.09%), Securidaca longepedunculata (9 citations, or 8.89%), followed by Piliostigma thonningii, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Spermacoce verticillata, each cited four times (3.77%). These findings could provide a valuable basis for future phytochemical and pharmacological research to control venomous bites.