ABSTRACT
Aims: This work aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Sarcocephalus latifolius extracts. Methodology: Thus, phytochemical screening was qualitatively accessed using colorations or precipitations methods. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity, using the diffusion method, was evaluated on eight strains including two reference strains (Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and six clinically isolated S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined by the microdilution method. Results: The phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, mucilages, saponosides, C-heterosides and O-heterosides. Antimicrobial activity showed that the ethanolic extract with the lowest MIC (1.25 mg/ml) inhibited reference strains (S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and clinical isolated S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa strains. The largest inhibition diameter (19± 1.33) was obtained with the ethanolic extract against clinical isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and (15.5± 1) against the reference one. The aqueous extract inhibited only reference strains. Conclusions: The data of this study indicate that the extracts of S. latifolius present antimicrobial properties. This may justify its traditional use in the treatment of microbial infections.
ABSTRACT
Background of the Study: In the oral health field, dental caries and periodontal diseases are the most frequent pathologies that affect all population to different degrees. In Benin, oral diseases constitute a serious public health problem. Care, whether curative or preventive, requires an investment that many cannot afford in developing countries like Benin. Because of oral diseases extent, appropriate solutions must be found to improve oral health in Benin. Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected through ethnobotanical surveys in the districts of Allada, Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-Novo from May to August 2021. Aim: This study aims to identify the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat oral diseases. Methodology: Prior to the ethnobotanical study itself, we proceeded to locate the markets where medicinal plants are sold in the study area. Then, in order to ensure a high objectivity degree of the data obtained during our study, the survey is carried out used a preestabilished questionnaires. The questionnaire focused on the following main points: (1) Profile of the respondent (surname, first name, age, gender, education level and experience in the field), (2) informations on the recipe (oral uses, vernacular and scientific names, parts used, preparation method, route and mode of administration, contraindications and side effects). The medicinal plants vendors were selected based their availability displays size and frequency level of displays. Results: One hundred and three (103) medicinal plants species were identified, divided into forty-four (44) families and ninety-one (91) genera. The most used plants are Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (11.72%), Ocimum americanum (4.88%), Ocimum gratissimum (4.39%), Lantana camara (2.93%), Bridelia ferruginea (2.93%), Moringa oleifera (2.44%), Lippia multiflora (2.44%), Mangifera indica (2.44%), Dialium guineense (2.44%), Pseudocedrela kotschyi (1.95%), Justicia flava (1.95%), Uvaria chamae (1.95%) and Xylopia aethiopica (1.95%). The most commonly plant parts used were leaves and roots. The decoction of these parts in mouthwash or gargle is most used for oral diseases treatment. Conclusion: The flora of Benin contains a rich diversity of plants. Many of which are used in traditional Beninese medicine and have the potential to provide pharmacologically active natural products. In order to know the different plants used to treat oral diseases, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in southern Benin (district of Allada, Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou and Porto-novo).
ABSTRACT
The use of plants in traditional medicine become very common nowadays throughout the world and in developing countries in particular. The current study was carried out aiming to compare the chemical features of three vegetables (Vernonia amygdalina, Crateva adansonii and Sesamum radiatum) mostly used for human consumption and traditional medicine to treat bacterial diarrhoea in Benin. These vegetables were selected among the 27 species obtained after ethno-botanical investigations in southern Benin. Therefore, the major chemical groups contained in these vegetables were detected by solubility assays together with coloration and precipitation reactions. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was assessed on shrimp larvae (Artemia salina). The results showed that gallic tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, mucilages, coumarins and reducing compounds were detected in all samples (100%) followed by cathechic tannins (66.66%) and saponins (33.33%). The study also revealed that none of the studied vegetables is cytotoxic (LC50 > 0.01 mg/ml). This study was conducted in the perspective of establishing innovations capable of assisting to; manufacture Improved Traditional Medicines for the treatment of bacterial diarrhoea in the future. Besides, it pointed out the presence of secondary metabolites and the cytotoxicity of these vegetables interesting for further antibacterial, antidiarrheal and pharmacological studies.