Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published date: Oct 16 2025

Journal Title: Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

Issue title: Sudan JMS: Volume 20 (2025), Issue No. 3

Pages: 335 - 352

DOI: 10.18502/sjms.v20i3.18589

Hatil Hashim EL-Kamalihatilhashim@gmail.comDepartment of Botany, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman

Background: Sudan’s ecological and cultural diversity has fostered a rich ethnobotanical tradition, especially in the use of native plants for medicinal purposes. This article documents the traditional use of medicinal plants in Northern, Central, and Eastern Sudan, highlighting their therapeutic importance and cultural significance.

Methods: We interviewed 35 informants (20 from North/Central regions and 15 from Eastern regions) between 1995 and 2022 using a semi-structured guide. Thirty-one species were documented and analyzed using RFC, UV, FL, and ICF (North/Central ICF = 0.735; Eastern ICF = 0.800). Acacia nilotica, Haplophyllum tuberculatum, and Nigella sativa ranked highest by RFC/UV.

Results: The study identified 31 medicinal plant species used to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to infectious diseases. Many of these species exhibit notable bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Regional variations reflect distinct cultural approaches to healing.

Conclusion: Traditional medicinal knowledge in Sudan is an important resource facing threats from environmental degradation and cultural shifts. Combining this knowledge with scientific research could lead to the development of new, effective plant-based treatments. Preservation efforts are crucial for public health advancement and safeguarding cultural heritage.

Keywords: ethnobotany, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, Sudan, pharmacology, biodiversity conservation

[1] FAO. (2010). Sudan country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

[2] Ahmed, M. E., Abdalla, M. A., & Eltayeb, E. A. (2020). Climatic variation and vegetation types in Sudan: A review. Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, 4(1), 15–26.

[3] Khalid, H., Abdalla, W. E., Abdelgadir, H., Opatz, T., & Efferth, T. (2012). Gems from traditional North-African medicine: Medicinal and aromatic plants from Sudan. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 2(3), 92–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-012-0015-2

[4] El-Sading, A. I., & Kuhnert, N. (2017). Phytochemical and ethnomedicinal review of some Sudanese plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 198, 1–15.

[5] World Health Organization (WHO). (2013). WHO traditional medicine strategy 2014–2023. https:// www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506096

[6] Ahmed, A. G., & Osman, A. M. (2015). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local healers in Sudan: A case study of Blue Nile State. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences, 10(3), 221–230.

[7] World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Legal frameworks for traditional and complementary medicine: A global analysis. World Health Organization.

[8] Osman, M. E., Abdelgadir, A. A., & Ahmed, E. (2021). Traditional use of medicinal plants in Central Sudan. Arabian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 7(1), 29.

[9] Gwarzo, M. S., Sule, M. I., & Abdullahi, S. (2017). Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on Acacia nilotica. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 5(1), 23– 28.

[10] Upadhyay, S. K., Gupta, R. K., & Sharma, S. (2018). Medicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Acacia nilotica. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 11(5), 32–37.

[11] Abdel-Wareth, A. A. A., El-Sayed, H. G. M., Hassan, H. A., El-Chaghaby, G. A., Abdel-Warith, A. A., Younis, E. M., Amer, S. A., Rashad, S., & Lohakare, J. (2023). Effects of dietary bioactive lipid compounds of A. nilotica bark on productive performance, antioxidant status, and antimicrobial activities of growing rabbits under hot climatic conditions. Animals, 13(12), 1933. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121933

[12] Kumari, S., & Swer, T. L. (2025). Acacia nilotica Linn: A comprehensive review of its nutritional profile, pharmacological activities, and food applications. In Phytochemistry Reviews. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-025-10128-3

[13] Smith, J. P., Kumar, A., & Gupta, R. (2023). Pharmacological evaluation of Acacia nilotica: Antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 295, 115123.

[14] Al-Snafi, A. E. (2015). The medicinal benefits of Nigella sativa: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 6(12), 4717– 4725.

[15] El-Demerdash, F. M., Ali, H. M., & Al-Mazroa, M. A. (2017). The role of Nigella sativa in regulating immune functions and reducing inflammation. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 102, 47–59.

[16] Ajibesin, K. K., Odukoya, O. A., Afolayan, A. J., & Bolaji, O. O. (2013). Ethnobotany of Cleome gynandra in West Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 148(2), 455–460.

[17] Badria, F. A., Mohamed, A. A., & El-Sayed, M. A. (2018). Nutritional and medicinal properties of Cleome gynandra. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 11(1), 75–79.

[18] Zhang, Y., Li, S., & Wang, X. (2013). Pharmacological effects of Cistanche species. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 149(2), 413–421.

[19] Xie, L., Li, Z., & Wang, Y. (2015). *The aphrodisiac effect of Cistanche phelypaea. Pharmacological Research, 92, 78–84.

[20] Khalid, S. A., Duddeck, H., & Gonzalez-Sierra, M. (2012). Isolation and characterization of an antimalarial agent of the neem tree Azadirachta indica. Journal of Natural Products, 62(5), 1254– 1258.

[21] Abdellatif, Z., Lamari, A., Ghalem, M., & Bekkara, F. A. (2014). Solenostemma argel: A plant used for fumigation in traditional medicine. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, 11(2), 100–107.

[22] Ali, H., Elhadi, M., & Mohamed, M. (2016). Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Sudan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 179, 27–32.

[23] El-Sayed, A. M., Al-Ghamdi, A. A., & Al-Asmari, A. K. (2016). Therapeutic uses of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in traditional medicine. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(1), 35–38.

[24] Ghanem, N., Al-Farsi, M. A., & Al-Busaidi, M. (2014). Phoenix dactylifera and its applications in alternative medicine. Phytotherapy Research, 28(12), 1827– 1834.

[25] Ghosh, D., Saha, S., & Pal, M. (2012). Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and its pharmacological effects. Phytotherapy Research, 26(10), 1464– 1472.

[26] Niaz, K., Arshad, M. U., & Khan, M. I. (2014). Fenugreek: A functional food with medicinal properties. Nutrition & Metabolism, 11(1), 1–12.

[27] Desai, U. R., Chaturvedi, L. S., & Rebhun, J. F. (2017). Anticancer potential of Tephrosia apollinea. Phytochemistry, 134, 68–76.

[28] Suresh, K., Kumar, V. R., & Reddy, P. P. (2013). Pharmacological studies on Tephrosia apollinea and its medicinal potential. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, 10(3), 79–85.

[29] Wang, X., Li, Z., & Zhang, L. (2014). Nutritional evaluation of Morettia species for livestock use. Livestock Science, 169, 144–151.

[30] Dawoud, A. D. H., & Abdalbagi, M. (2025). Evaluation of antipsoriatic activity of Aloe sinkatana extract on imiquimod induced psoriatic – like dermatitis in mice. Pharmaceutical and Biochemical Research, 11(1), 41– 48.

[31] Dhanabal, S. P., Raj, B. A., Muruganantham, N., Praveen, T. K., & Raghu, P. S. (2012). Screening of Wrightia tinctoria leaves for anti psoriatic activity. Hygeia Journal for Drugs and Medicines, 4(1), 73– 78.

[32] Sadiq, H. M., & Al-Rawashdeh, O. (2015). A review on the pharmacological effects of Aloe vera and its applications in traditional medicine. International Journal of Advanced Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5(5), 177–182.

[33] Pandey, A., & Dey, A. (2011). Aloe vera: A plant for the future. International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 5(2), 102–107.

[34] Niaz, Z., & Mahmood, T. (2010). Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on Pulicaria undulata. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 23(3), 233– 238.

[35] Adetunji, C. O., & Akinmoladun, O. F. (2016). Medicinal plants and their ethnobotanical applications in the treatment of inflammatory diseases: A review. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 10(15), 242– 250.

[36] Mohamed, M. A. H., & Ali, M. S. (2012). The medicinal plants of Sudan. Sudanese Journal of Medicinal Plants, 1(1), 12–21.

[37] Gebreyohannes, G., & Marwa, T. (2016). Anastatica hierochuntica and its pharmacological applications in traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1(1), 1–8.

[38] El-Kamali, H., & El-Amir, M. (2020). Antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts obtained from selected Sudanese medicinal plants. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology.

[39] Chukwujekwu, J. C., & Igoli, J. O. (2015). Antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities of Rhynchosia species: A review. South African Journal of Botany, 98, 9–14.

[40] Imtiaz, R., & Arif, M. (2019). Evaluation of medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes: A review. Journal of Diabetes Research.

[41] Sinha, R., & Vohra, P. (2013). Pharmacological effects of Coleus barbatus. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5(3), 200–210.

[42] Singh, R., & Yadav, R. (2011). Coleus forskohlii (Coleus barbatus) for management of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 2(4), 310–319.

[43] Sharma, Y. & Vasundhara, M. (2011). Coleus (Plectranthus barbatus) – S multipurpose medicinal herb. International Research Journal of Pharmacy, 2(3), 47–58.

[44] Patel, S. R., Singh, P., & Mehta, K. (2021). Anticancer potential of Coleus barbatus: In vitro and in vivo studies. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 86, 153540.

[45] Mbugua, S. K., & Mbwambo, Z. H. (2014). Phytochemical properties and medicinal applications of Ficus species. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, 11(1), 13– 21.

[46] Bakar, J., & Ehsan, M. (2015). Medicinal plants and their potential for pharmacological applications in Africa. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 9(1), 1–8.

[47] Al-Sohaibani, M. O., & Ghanem, H. G. (2011). Pharmacological studies on Sorghum bicolor. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 18(3), 201–206.

[48] Mohamed, A. H., & El-Desouky, S. I. (2014). Healthpromoting benefits of Sorghum bicolor and its uses in traditional medicine. Food Science & Nutrition, 2(5), 421–427.

[49] Shukla, M., & Sharma, R. (2007). Salvadora persica (Miswak): A natural remedy with medicinal potential. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 28(2), 77–85.

[50] Al-Bayati, F. A. (2009). Antibacterial activity of Salvadora persica L. extracts. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 9(1), 1–8.

[51] Musa, H. A., & Associates. (2022). Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Acacia nilotica: A comparative phytochemical study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology Reviews, 310, 115400.

[52] Kumar, R., Sharma, A., & Singh, N. (2021). Antibacterial efficacy of Acacia nilotica extract against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 278, 114305.

[53] Ahmed, M. I., Khan, R. A., & Qureshi, H. A. (2020). Antioxidant potential of Nigella sativa and its bioactive constituents. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 70, 153210.

[54] Chen, Y., Wang, X., Chen, L., Zhang, Y., & Kang, W. (2022). Immunomodulatory effects of active ingredients from Nigella sativa in RAW264.7 cells through NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 899797.

[55] Suresh, B., Al-Saadi, M. T., & Varghese, S. (2019). Acute oral toxicity and pharmacological activities of Tephrosia apollinea in murine models. Toxicology Reports, 6, 827–835.

[56] Teklehaymanot, T. (2021). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local healers in Ethiopia. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), 45.

[57] Mahamat, B. A., Moussa, A. A., & Mahamat, Y. M. (2022). Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Chad. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 288, 115027.

[58] El-Ghazali, G. E. B., El-Tohami, M. S., & El-Egami, A. A. (2019). Medicinal plants of the White Nile region of Sudan. University of Khartoum Press.

[59] El-Ghazali, G. E. B. (2009). Medicinal plants of the White Nile Province, Sudan. National Centre for Research.