Search

Cette étude examine les ravages causés en Afrique et en RD Congo par la pandémie à Coronavirus et propose des réformes à l’épreuve des enjeux. Elle recommande la mise sur pied d’une politique sanitaire au modèle standard ainsi qu’une économie diversifiée dans les domaines porteurs de croissance économique en reconsidérant les nouvelles priorités en termes de dépenses publiques, de production et d’investissements ; telles sont les réformes qui découlent des enseignements à tirer de la crise de « COVID-19 » tant au niveau national, régional qu’international.

Abstract Background Cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide and constitutes the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This study was thus designed to identify new natural compounds from Malagasy medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer. Methods In silico analyses by molecular docking to model ligand–protein interactions, and by SwissADME and ADMET webservers to establish the pharmacokinetic profile of the four investigated compounds in interaction with the angiogenesis target protein HIF-1α/breast cancer (PDB ID: 3KCX) and human androgen receptor/prostate cancer (PDB ID: 1E3G) were performed. Results The docking results show that the HIF-1α receptor has the best binding energy when it interacts with compound 1 (1′,4-dihydroxy-2,3′-dimethyl-1,2′-binapthyl-5,5′,8,8′-tetraone: − 8.49 kcal/mol) followed by compound 3 [(E)-5,6-dimethyl-2-(2-methyl-3-(prop-1-enyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene: -8.43 kcal/mol], compound 2 (6′-ethoxy-1′3′-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1,2′-binaphthyl-2,5′,8,8′-tetraone: − 7.80 kcal/mol) and compound 4 (methyl 10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,9,12b,14a-hexamethyl-11-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11,12b,13,14,14a,14b-tetradecahydropicene-2-carboxylate: − 7.63 kcal/mol). The receptor 1E3G displayed poor binding affinity energy to all tested compounds with energy value above − 11.99 kcal/mol (co-crystal). Based on the H-bonding interaction, ligands 1 and 2 displayed a good pharmacophore profiles to both protein targets 3KCX and 1E3G. Ligand 3 does not interact with the selected receptors via hydrogen bonds. The pharmacokinetic profile of these phyto-compounds revealed that they are orally active and safe. They were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated previously by our team using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (LC/MS/NMR). Conclusions The ligands 1 and 2 can be considered as hits since in addition to their thermodynamic stability with the receptors; they presented a good pharmacokinetic profile and could thus be useful as an alternative therapy in breast and prostate cancer. This study offers a strong potential in developing new, cost-effective, and safe plant-based natural drugs against cancer.

According to the WHO, more than 80% of the population in Africa resort to traditional medicine to solve primary health problem. In the present study, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out according to a stratified probabilistic sampling plan in five markets of the district of Mont-Amba, in Kinshasa city. The ethnobotanical data collected were then supplemented by information concerning plant ecological types. 47 species belonging 44 genera and 29 families were inventoried in the medicinal flora of the District of Mont-Amba. These plant species are used in treating 41 diseases but only the treatment of poison (toxicological hepatitis), sexual weakness, malaria and tooth decay received an informant consensus factor ? 50%. According to the value of agreement use, only the following eight plant species are of interest: Aframomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Gladiolus gregarius, Gongronema latifolium, Heinsia crinita, Morinda morindoides, Quassia africana and Sarcocephalus latifolius. It is thus desirable that studies should be carried out on these eight plant species in order to collect scientific data for guiding future research on the phytochemistry and the bioactivity which will lead to the domestication of raw materials for the development of improved plant-based medicines. Also, the creation of a botanical garden of medicinal plants will be able to contribute to the safeguard of the medically active plants, the diffusion of knowledge, medical and pharmaceutical experiences and sociocultural exchanges.

Selon l’OMS, plus de 80% de la population africaine recourt à la médecine traditionnelle pour résoudre le problème de santé primaire. Dans la présente étude, une enquête ethnobotanique a été menée selon un plan d’échantillonnage stratifié probabiliste dans cinq marchés du district de Mont-Amba. Les données ethnobotaniques recueillies ont ensuite été complétées par des informations concernant les types écologiques. 47 espèces appartenant 44 genres et 29 familles ont été inventoriées dans la flore médicinale du District de Mont-Amba à Kinshasa. Ces plantes traitent 41 maladies, cependant seuls les traitements du poison (hépatite toxicologique), de la faiblesse sexuelle, du paludisme et de la carie dentaire ont un facteur de consensus informateur ? 50 %. En recourant à la valeur d’accord d’utilisation, seules huit plantes se dégagent du lot, notamment Aframomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Gladiolus gregarius, Gongronema latifolium, Heinsia crinita, Morinda morindoides, Quassia africana et Sarcocephalus latifolius. Il est donc souhaitable que des études soient réalisées sur ces huit plantes en vue de recueillir les données scientifiques pouvant orienter les recherches pharmaco-biologiques et phytochimiques futures et susceptibles de conduire à la domestication des matières premières pour la fabrication de médicaments traditionnels améliorés. Aussi, la création d’un jardin botanique de plantes médicinales pourra contribuer à la sauvegarde des espèces bioactives, à la diffusion et à l’échange des connaissances et des expériences médico-pharmaceutiques et socio-culturelles. Mots-cléfs: Enquête ethnobotanique, Plantes médicinales, Gestion durable, Conservation, République démocratique du Congo