Some Investigations on the Traditional Pharmacopoeia about Venomous Bites and Stings from Scorpions, Snakes and Spiders; in the Hina Subdivision, Far-North, Cameroon

Background: This study aimed to find out (a) which plants and animals are used in popular phyto- and zootherapy for the treatment of spiders, scorpions and snake venoms in the Hina subdivision, of the Far-North Region of Cameroon, and (b) the reasons for these usage.
Methods: The morbidity data on venomous bites and stings was obtained from the Hina-Marback (main town of subdivision) hospital. Information on the treatment was gathered through interviews with traditional healers and conversation with people who had spent their entire lives in the region.
Results: Of the 31 patients recorded at Hina-Marback hospital, 22.58% are 3 to 10 years and 35.5% are 11 to 20 years old. Among victims, 41.9% were pupils of whom 64.5% were males. Necrotize bites and stings are most frequent constituting 67.7% of the total. Of 82 patients studied, bites from Echis ocellatus (49.9%) and Cobra nigricollis (23.2%) are most frequent. Twenty-two plant species belonging to 20 genera were collected, from which 22 therapeutic preparations are used for treatment. While some preparations such as from Annona senegalensis are used to treat necrotizing bites, those of Securidada longipedonculata are used for neuro-toxic bites. Chemistry and pharmacology confirm the virtues of these plants, which act by competing for the venom active binding sites. Also 6 animal species belonging to 5 genera were collected from which 8 therapeutic preparations are useful.
Conclusion: Traditional healers of Hina are able to overcome non-complicated bites and sting-related disorders. Chemotherapy with plant preparations and animal products are most frequently employed. Therapies used in combination show some efficiency. Ingestion of the flesh of venomous snake for treatment needs further investigation.