Étude comparée des gels hydroalcooliques importés et ceux produits au Bénin, vendus dans les supermarchés de la ville de Cotonou / NA

Depuis le début de la crise épidémique liée au virus Covid-19, pour de nombreux citoyens, se laver les mains est devenu un rituel nécessaire. Le gel hydroalcoolique constitue une solution alternative qui a été popularisée par les recommandations des autorités sanitaires dans le cas d'indisponibilité du lavage des mains. Que cela soit en pharmacie, en supermarché, ou sur internet, de nombreux sites de commerce proposent ces produits à la vente. Toutefois l'appellation ne garantit pas l'efficacité de chaque produit vendu. C'est ainsi que la présente étude s'est attelée à l'évaluation de la qualité des gels hydroalcooliques (GHA) utilisés pour la désinfection des mains au cours de la crise sanitaire liée au Coronavirus. Au total, 28 échantillons dont 23 importés et 5 locaux ont été collectés dans 16 supermarchés de la ville de Cotonou. Ils ont été soumis au test d'inspection visuelle, aux tests organoleptiques ainsi qu'aux analyses physico-chimiques et microbiologiques. Au terme de l'étude, 17,86% des GHA ont été déclarés non-conformes par rapport aux inspections visuelles, 39,28% par rapport aux tests organoleptiques, 21% par rapport au pH et à la densité et enfin 21% de non-conformité aux tests microbiologiques. Le taux de non-conformité est plus important dans le camp des gels importés ce qui atteste l'effort des producteurs locaux pour le respect des normes promulguées par les autorités sanitaires

Since the start of the epidemic crisis linked to the Covid-19 virus, for many citizens, washing their hands has become a necessary ritual. Hydroalcoholic gel constitutes an alternative solution which has been popularized by the recommendations of the health authorities in the case of hand washing unavailable. Whether in pharmacies, supermarkets, or on the internet, many shopping sites offered these products for sale. However, this name does not guarantee the effectiveness of each product sold. The present study has been set out to assess the quality of hydroalcoholic gels (GHA) used for hand disinfection during the health crisis linked to the Coronavirus. In total, 28 samples, of which 23 were imported and 5 locals, were collected in 16 supermarkets in the city of Cotonou. They were subjected to visual inspection test, organoleptic tests as well as physico-chemical and microbiological analyzes. At the end of the study, 17.86% of GHAs were declared non-compliant with respect to visual inspections, 39.28% with respect to organoleptic tests, 21% with respect to pH and density and finally 21% of noncompliance with microbiological testing. The rate of non-compliance is higher in the imported gel camp, which attests to the efforts of local producers to comply with the standards promulgated by the health authorities

In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Studies on Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov. Leaves Essential Oil from Benin.

Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov. (Poaceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat various diseases in traditional medicine in several African countries. The present study aims to evaluate the oral and inhalation toxicity as well as the mutagenic effects of the essential oil of Cymbopogon giganteus leaves (EOCG) from a sample collected in Benin. Mutagenic potential was assessed by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. Oral acute toxicity was carried out by administration of a single dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. to Wistar rats while oral subacute toxicity was assessed by daily administration of 50 and 500 mg/kg of EOCG for 28 days. Finally, inhalation toxicity was assessed by administration of a single dose of 0.125%, 0.5%, 2% or 5% v/v of EOCG emulsions in 0.05% v/v lecithin solution in sterile water for the first experiment, and in a second one by administration of single dose of 0.125% or 0.5% v/v. A broncho-alveolar lavage was performed after 3 h or 24 h, respectively. The results show that EOCG is not mutagenic on Salmonella typhimurium strains at the highest concentration tested (200 µg/plate). In the acute oral toxicity study, EOCG induce neither mortality nor toxicity, showing that the LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg. The subacute oral toxicity study at both doses did not show any significant difference in body weight, relative organ weight, hematological and/or biochemical parameters or histopathology as compared to the control group. EOCG induced mortality and inflammation in lungs 3 h after administration of a single dose of 5% or 2% v/v. Single doses of 0.125% or 0.5% v/v did not induce inflammation, cell recruitment nor cytotoxicity in lungs 3 h or 24 h after administration, suggesting safety at these concentrations. This first report on the in vivo toxicity will be useful to guide safe uses of EOCG.