Synthesis Review: Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa for the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases and Their Complications.

Backgrounds: Respiratory inflammation often caused by agents such as polluted air, bacteria, and viruses, may result in severe complications and chronic diseases such as asthma. In response to these challenges, medicinal plants represent promising solutions. This study aims to identify plant species used in African traditional medicine to treat respiratory conditions. Methods A bibliographic review was conducted using scientific databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct) with keywords related to medicinal plants, respiratory diseases, and sub-Saharan Africa. Data were analyzed using Excel, including the calculation of relative citation frequencies. To reduce duplication of effort and facilitate potential collaborations, we a registered our study on the PROSPERO system review protocol recorder (ID: CRD420251247468). Results A total of 55 plant species were identified belonging to 27 botanical families from which Fabaceae (9 species) and Euphorbiaceae (5 species) were the most represented. Bark (52%) and leaves (19%), mainly prepared as decoctions (63%). The most treated conditions were cough (26%), asthma (22%), and bronchitis (15%). Phytochemical analysis revealed a significant amount of flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Conclusion Medicinal plants from sub-Saharan Africa represent a valuable resource for the management of respiratory diseases. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety, clinical efficacy, and mechanisms of action of these plants for the development of improved traditional medicines.