ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATISM IN AKOKO REGION, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Rheumatism, a debilitating chronic inflammatory disorder, imposes substantial socioeconomic burdens, particularly in resource-constrained regions where access to conventional therapies is limited. In the Akoko Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, indigenous communities rely on plant-based remedies to alleviate arthritis symptoms, harnessing traditional knowledge to address modern healthcare challenges. This study systematically investigates the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants used for arthritis management, integrating local expertise with quantitative statistical analysis. Through semi-structured interviews with 200 respondents (60% female, 40% male; primarily farmers at 32.5%; knowledge sourced ancestrally in 62% of cases), A total of 26 plant species from 25 families were documented, with Lamiaceae contributing two (2) species. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed influence on treatment efficacy: species showed significant variation at (P, ≤ 0.05), while location was non-significant indicating residual variability. Key species included Azadirachta indica (RFC 11.0%, UV 0.11), Vitellaria paradoxa (RFC 9.0%, UV 0.09), and Enantia chlorantha (RFC 7.5%, UV 0.075), reflecting community consensus on efficacy. Plant habits were dominated by trees (50.0%). Leaves were the most utilized part (50.0%). Preparation methods emphasized decoction (42.31%) Perceived efficacy was high, with 49.5% rated highly effective. These findings underscore the pharmacological promise of specific plant species and the robustness of traditional practices in arthritis management. The study advocates for advanced phytochemical and clinical investigations to validate efficacy, standardize formulations, and promote conservation strategies, thereby facilitating the integration of these botanical resources into evidence-based therapeutic frameworks for arthritis treatment