ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts recipe of Alchornea cordifolia and Antrocaryon klaineanum. A preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out. Methods: The total phenols content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteu reagent method, while the antioxidant activity of both extracts was characterized by the 2-2diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) and β-carotene assays. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated as the inhibition of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) denaturation and antiproteinase activity. Results: The aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Antrocaryon klaineanum contained more polyphenols [270 mg Ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g dry weight (dw)] than the hydroethanolic recipe extract (262.41 mg AAE/g dw) at the same concentration level. On the other hand, the aqueous and hydroethanolic recipe extract had the same radical scavenging activity with the antiradical power of 0.851 and 0.830, respectively. Similarly, the recipe extract had the same reducing activity with reducing the power of 94.2±2.03 mg EAA/g dw and 97.4±4.16 mg EAA/g dw for the aqueous and hydroethanolic recipe extract of Alchornea cordifolia and Antrocaryon klaineanum respectively. For the anti-inflammatory activity it was observed that both extracts possess the same activity as Diclofenac® with an IC50 of 50.21 μg/ml. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenols and tannins, which may account for their activities. Conclusion: The plant recipe extract studied possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials, which may be beneficiary to its consumers.
ABSTRACT
Currently, the International Diabetes Federation estimates that 194 million people live with diabetes worldwide are 5.1% of the adult population and this number is estimated at 333 million in 2025. In Africa, there are about 13.6 million people suffering from diabetes. Despite many discoveries made about his treatment, cost of drug prescriptions is very high to justify the continued inaccessibility to medicine for the population living below a dollar daily income per person. The use of medicinal plants is accessible to all strata of society contributing to health for all. This study focuses on the inventory, identification and use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes in Douala town. The ethnobotanical survey conducted in 2009 has enabled the identification of 41 plant species belonging to 36 genera and grouped into 26 families. These plants have led to the establishment of 47 medicinal recipes and some of which have already been cited by other authors. Ten species are common for the treatment of diabetes. These are: Alluim cepa, Aloe vera, Alstonia boonei, Catharanthus roseus, Costus afer, Cassia occidentalis, Ceiba pentandra, Citrus limon, Mangifera indica and Persea americana. The recipes which are more effective to apply every day are: one to two glasses of juice of Brassica oleracea L., a half glass of juice Phaseolus vulgaris L., three glasses of juice made from one to two handfuls of dry beard Zea mays L. boiled in a liter of water for 15 minutes and two glasses of boiled water with Eucalyptus sailgna Smith. Decoction and maceration are the main modes of preparation and oral mode is the only administration way met. The plants most used are harvested in forests, home gardens or crops and the organs used are the bark or leaf. Woody plants are most prevalent. Some plants are not recommended for pregnant women: Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Mormodica charantica, Panax ginseng, aloe vera because of the risk of miscarriage.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is host-parasite relationship among Loranthaceae flowering shrubs, Myrmecophytic fruit trees and ants. The study was conducted in 2009 in the garden plots and orchards of houses in the Logbessou district of Douala, Cameroon. We inventoried a total of 141 myrmecophytic fruit trees (diameter ≤ 45 cm) of which 95 (67.3%) were parasitized by flowering-shrub epiphytes (Loranthaceae). These trees belong to 14 species, 11 genera and 8 families. Among the eight species of ants inventoried on the trees, two were arboreal-dwelling and six were ground-dwelling, arboreal-foraging species. They belonged to two sub-families: the Formicinae, which were mostly represented by two genera, Camponotus and Paratrechina; and the Myrmicinae, which were more abundant (87.5%). The ants nested in the domatia of myrmecophyte hosts or hollow branches, trunks and dead suckers of Loranthaceae. Crematogaster was the most frequent genus and dominant ant on all of the parasitized host trees.
ABSTRACT
In total 24 species of wild fruits listed in 18 genera and 15 families were identified and inventoried in four markets in Douala (Cameroon). The Sterculiaceae and Zingiberaceae are best represented. The dominant fruit are berries and drupes with 16 species (66.67%). The frequency of these fruits in the markets is related to dietary habits of ethnic consumers and varies with the seasons. The strategies proposed in the use of these fruits, concern methods of sustainable use and conservation of forest ecosystems.
ABSTRACT
La famille des Loranthaceae est largement distribuee dans les zones tropicales en Afrique; Amerique; Asie; Australie et s'etend en zones temperees. Les Loranthaceae appartiennent a l'ordre des Santalales. Dans cette famille sont reconnus 950 especes et 77 genres. Au Cameroun 26 especes distribuees dans 7 genres sont citees. L'objectif de ce travail est d'evaluer; l'impact des Loranthaceae dans la pharmacopee traditionnelle des paysans. A travers un questionnaire semi-structure; 150 tradipraticiens en activite ont ete interviewes en 2008 a Logbessou (quartier peripherique de la ville de Douala). Les reponses de l'enquete mise sur pied revelent des informations selon lesquelles; les Loranthaceae sont des plantes parasites connues pour les degats considerables; occasionnes sur les essences ligneuses sauvages ou cultivees. Cependant; leur interet pour la pharmacopee traditionnelle est atteste. Les Loranthaceae fortifient le metabolisme et se presentent comme une panacee. Toutefois; l'ingestion des pseudobaies provoque des vomissements; de l'hypotension et des troubles nerveux. Les parties du vegetal utilisees dans le traitement sont les feuilles; les rameaux et la tige sous forme d'extraits aqueux. Les allergies severes sont rares. Le mode d'action des extraits aqueux des Loranthaceae europeennes aux niveaux cellulaire et moleculaire est discute