ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL USED IN THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIONS IN SOME COMMUNITIES IN AGBOR, DELTA STATE.

This ethnobotanical survey explores the traditional use of medicinal plants with antimicrobial properties employed in the treatment of infections across various communities in Agbor Kingdom. The study was conducted in some selected communities in Agbor Kingdom, where a total of 100 herb sellers and herbal practitioners were interviewed to collect detailed information on plant species, their preparation methods, and medicinal applications using a semi structured questionnaire. A total of 176 plant species from 71 different families were documented. Among the most frequently mentioned plants were Ocimum gratissimum, Cymbopogan citratus, Carica papaya, Citrus aurantifolia, Azadirachta indica, and Garcina kola all of which have been validated by existing research for their antimicrobial effects. The survey revealed that these plants are commonly used in various forms, such as decoctions, infusions, tincture, paste, juice, and crushed to treat infections. Quantitative analysis of the data using relative frequency of citation (RFC) values and Informant Concensus Factor (ICF) identified the most popular plants based on citation frequency, preparation methods, and therapeutic claims. A significant number of respondents highlighted the importance of these plants in managing both acute and chronic infections. The findings of this study also emphasized the urgent need to conserve these indigenous practices and promote the sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. This research not only enhances the field of ethnobotany but also fosters collaboration between traditional knowledge holders and modern scientific communities to develop effective therapeutic agents for combating infectious diseases. Hence, further pharmacological studies aimed at isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties from the documented plants is therefore recommended.