Traditional zootherapeutic prescriptions employed in the management of neurological and related disorders in Ethiopia

Abstract

Biological form of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) have been often practiced in the traditional healthcare systems (THS) worldwide. In this regard, medicinal animals (MAs), secretions, excreta and animal products (APs) are routinely employed in the preparation of traditional medicines (TMs) for the amelioration of different disorders globally, including Ethiopia. Recent reports echoed that different animal-based medicines (ABMs) are used for the treatment of neurological and related disorders (NRDs) such as epilepsy, evil spirit, evil eye, mental illness, mental disorder, tremor, nightmare, phobia, anxiety, migraine, etc. in different Regional states of Ethiopia. The present review documented around 42 MA species which belong to the class of mammals, reptiles, fishes, arthropods and birds where the former accounted for 66.67% of AS. Meat (15.85%) was the most frequently sought body part for remedy preparation followed by skin (14.63%) and bone (10.98%). The ABMs were administered for patients mainly through the oral (33.33%) and nasal (29.49) routes. Different traditional healthcare practitioners (THPs) reported the use of two or more animal species (AS) body parts and a combination of animal parts with medicinal plants (MPs) for the formulation of TMs to benefit from the synergistic effect of bioactivities of compounds present in the target animal parts and MPs. Although ABMs are priceless in the THS of Ethiopia, their sustainable is hampered by fear of zoonosis, habitat encroachment due to anthropogenic factors and poor conservation practices in the country. Thus, the-state-of-art zoonotic diseases (ZDs) surveillance system and a legal framework to curb destruction of wildlife habitats and hunting should be implemented to maximize the benefit of zootherapy in Ethiopia.