Résumé
Aims: The objective of this study is to monitor the evolution of organochlorine residues levels in kola nuts collected from various actors in the eastern producing region of Côte d'Ivoire. Study Design: Kola nuts samples were collected from farmers, collectors and urban stores in the Eastern of Côte d’Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: Health Department of Hydrology Health and Toxicology, Training and Research Unit of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, running 2016-2019. Methodology: A total of 225 samples were analyzed using Gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (Agilent 7010B Triple Quadrupole GC/MS System). Results: Data showed that all 21 pesticides analyzed were detected in kola nuts samples. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in OCPs sub-group used by actors during the three-crop studied. The mean levels of HCHs, DDTs and cyclodienes were ranged from 5±1– 136.67±77.3 µg/kg FW, 5±1 – 116.67±63.2 µg/kg FW and 5±1 - 145±63.2 µg/kg FW, respectively. Otherwise, farmer’s levels of OCPs were lower than those detected in kola nuts from collectors and urban stores samples. Thus, compared to the MRL set by the World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization, the farmer’s samples are lower than limits fixed, unlike the contents registered with collectors and urban stores. In the latter, nearly 80% to 100% of kola nuts collected are contaminated with hexachlorinated residues (HCHs) and heptachlor. Conclusion: There is the need to keep monitoring ecotoxicological chemical substances in kola nuts produced in Côte d’Ivoire and take steps that ensure health safety of end users. Care should be taken since residues could pose chronic health risk for adults and children.
Résumé
Aims: The aqueous extract of cashew apple cakes, rich in molecules of pharmacological interest, could be used against many diseases. Thus, the aim of the present work is to evaluate its hepatoprotective activity in rats and mice. Methodology: Two batches of rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams, with five rats per batch, were pretreated for eleven days with the aqueous extract of cashew apple cakes at concentrations ranging from 150 to 300 mg.Kg-1 bw, then intoxicated with paracetamol at 2 g.Kg-1 bw, for three days. The blood of these rats was collected and submitted to biochemical analyses. Two batches of mice weighing between 20 and 30 grams, with five mice per batch, were pretreated with the same test substance at concentrations also ranging from 150 to 300 mg.Kg-1 bw, then intoxicated with paracetamol before receiving phenobarbital. Afterwards, their sleep time was evaluated. Results: In rats, paracetamol intoxication materialized by the increase in serum ALT activity ranging from 109±5.19 to 571±20.28 IU.L-1 and that of AST ranging from 144±5.77 to 428±14.19 IU.L-1. Similarly, direct bilirubin increased from 0 to 1.08± 0.58 mg.dl-1. These increases in transaminase activity and bilirubin levels were significantly decreased in rats pretreated with the aqueous extract of cashew apple cake. In mice, the phenobarbital test showed a 29.82 to 38.59% decrease in sleep time in mice pretreated with the aqueous extract of cashew apple cakes. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of cashew apple cakes influencing biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, bilirubin and sleep time, could therefore be used in the prevention of liver diseases, in traditional medicine.