An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the ailment of diabetes mellitus in Changzhi city of Shanxi province, China

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional practitioners in Changzhi city of Shanxi (Chinese: ) province have been using the folk medicinal plants for a long time concerning various principle ailments. In this study, a lot of vital ethno pharmacological information has been provided which would be functional for further pharmacological study. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to collect, analyse and evaluate the deep ethnopharmacological information on medicinal plants against diabetes mellitus in Changzhi City of Shanxi (Chinese: ) province and tried to sort out some indigenous species that are used by traditional practitioners. Materials and methods: Actual fieldwork was conducted with the help of an open ended and semistructured questionnaire. Total 169 people were interviewed, including some indigenous peoples and Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) of different villages in Changzhi City. Documented plants are enlisted with their application, part used, mode of preparation, frequency of use and Use Value (UV). Results: The result of the present study has showed that total 71 plant species belonging to 44 families have been reported for diabetes mellitus ailment. Roots were found to be used the major commonly plant parts and the method of preparation was the powder. The most frequent mode of administration was orally intake. Conclusion: The current study shown that some of the medicinal plants are largely used for representing an efficient ethnobotanical practice in this survey area. Plants, which achieved low UV’s also need to bioactive screening to validate their utilization for the reported disease. This could be considered as well sign of prospective plants for finding out new drugs.