Patterns and Cultural Significance of Animal-Based Therapy in Northern Nigeria: An Ethnomedicinal Narrative Review

Olayide Muideen Oladepo1, Waheed Adeola Adedeji2, Yekeen Ayodele Ayoola3, Mohammed Wulgo Ali1, Oluwakanyinsola Adeola Salawu4, Joseph Olusesan Fadare1,5, Oyindamola Olajumoke Abiodun2,6 Mohammed Mohammed Manga7, Sulayman Tunde Balogun8

1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.

2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
3Department of Internal Medicine, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.
4Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.
5Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
6Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
7Department of Medical Microbiology, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.
8Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

*Corresponding author’s Email: olayideladep@gsu.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010075


ABSTRACT

The use of animals in traditional medicine represents a core part of African culture. Post-covid effects on global economy and the recent removal of oil subsidy in Nigeria specifically increased the reliance on traditional medicine as a cheaper alternative to orthodox medicine. Difficult accessibility of the people of Northern Nigeria to modern health care facilities due to large landmass and population further paved way to ethnomedicinal practices. However, studies on the use of animal products for medicine are poorly documented compared to phytomedicinal studies.This narrative review aimed to synthesize evidences on the use of animals for therapeutic practices in northern Nigeria. Data were collected from 37 published papers, books and ethnobiological surveys using relevant keywords across databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Medline and journals’ websites. Diversity Scores (D.S) and Zootherapeutic Index (ZI) were assigned to animals as thematic analysis of species’ eco-relevance and diseases managed with them. We also inventoried parts and products of the animals used. It was revealed that Bovidae are the most relevant out of the 41 families of medicinal animals reported in northern Nigeria. The pattern of zootherapy practices follows region stability, highest in the relatively peaceful north-central compared to north-east and north-west. Diseases managed with animal products include cancer, malaria and erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction has the highest number of interventions (10 animal species). Animal fats are the most widely used components (13.02%). The synthesis revealed that animals were selected for therapeutic uses based on perceived symbolic relationship rather than scientific validation. We highlighted concerns for conservation and potential zoonosis. This review provides insight into the intersection of culture, biodiversity and ethnomedicine in northern Nigeria. It may enhance future research on sustainable, evidence-based ethnomedicinal practices and offer an additional target for one-health approach to public health challenges.

Keywords:

Zootherapeutics,
Northern Nigeria,
Ethnomedicine,
Traditional medicine,
One-health.