Sahel Medical Journal

The study was undertaken to investigate some factors associated with the consumption ofplant materials in ethno-medical practices and specif ically with regards to Crotalaria species. The genus Crotalaria is known to contain the hepatotoxic pyrolizidine alkaloids. A survey was ca"ied out using both written and oral questionnaires among two groups of respondent.'i name(v herbalists and Medical Doctors. The results revealed important elhJffJ medical practices and infornuliion relating to the use of the plants in traditional medicine, occurrence-of toxicity and a general ignorance of the potential toxicity among the populace. The survey also a history of consumption of herbs has been taken seriously into account in most cases by the medical doctors in diagnosis. Three mo.'it common pecies fount/ in Zaria, Nigeria, namely C.microcarpa. C. naragutensis anti C.retusa were further examined with respect to possible presence of hepatotoxic alkaloids. It was found that only C. retusa L. is a potential(v toxic plant These results suggest plants in a population should be considered as a factor in diagnosis.