Abstract

Ethnobotanical investigations and chemosystematic analyses of plants were carried out in Ndop Central Sub-division to identify medicinal plants that treat diseases of the reproductive system and to know the characteristic compounds in the family Malvaceae that have chemotaxonomic value. A total of 88 plant species belonging to 77 genera and 42 families were sampled treating about 24 different reproductive ailments. Their scientific names, vernacular names, parts used, modes of preparation and administration are presented. Chemical screening involved 8 species and 4 families. From the chemical analyses, alkaloids and phenolic compounds are characteristic compounds of the family Malvaceae indicating that they have chemotaxonomic value in the family. Ecdysterone and ajugasterone are not present in the plants tested, indicating that they are not the characteristic ecdysones in that family.

Key words: Ethnobotany, chemosystematics, malvaceae, medicinal plants, reproductive system, Ndop.