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Aim: Obesity is a public health problem on a global and national scale. It is associated with high blood pressure, type II diabetes and certain metabolic complications. In Cameroon, obesity is observed in both rural and urban population where the people are still very attached to traditional values to solve their health problems. The present study was aimed at determining antiobesity medicinal plants used by the traditional healers in the Foumban and Dschang Municipalities. Methodology: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used against obesity was conducted in 2 localities, Foumban and Dschang, of the western region of Cameroon. The questionnaire was submitted and the information was collected via oral interviews with traditional healers and the people of the localities who benefited from anti-obesity treatments based on medicinal plants. Results: Twenty five medicinal plants belonging to 16 families and used in the management of obesity were identified. Leaves and bark are the most used plant parts; they are followed by fruits (seeds) and Roots. Most herbal remedies are prepared as decoction in Foumban (30%) and Dschang (62%) respectively. The most common plant used by these people was Solanum indicum (49.27%, Foumban) and Tetrapleura tetraptera (40%, Dschang). Conclusion: Relatively to the management of obesity with medicinal plants, the population of these localities presented interesting knowledge. However, there is still a need for further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations of the above common and most used ones.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Tetrapleura tetrapteura Taub. is a leguminous multipurpose tree (Fabaceae) indigenous to tropical Africa. Fruits, seeds and stem bark infusions or decoctions of Tetrapleura tetrapteura Taub. are used to treat many diseases, such as gastric ulcer, rheumatism, malaria, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Aim of the study This work was conducted to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Tetrapleura tetrapteura Taub. (AETT) stem barks. Materials and methods For the study of acute toxicity, single oral doses of 2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg of AETT were administrated to male and female Balb/c mice, followed by observation of mice for 14 days. In the study of sub-acute toxicity, 48 albino wistar rats of both genders were randomly divided into six groups of 8 animals and they were daily and orally administrated for twenty eight days. The animal's test groups and satellite test group were administrated with the extract (AETT) at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively. On the 29th day, the satellite group (control 2 and satellite 400 mg/kg) were observed during two more weeks. General behavior changes, mortality, body weight of animal, water and food intake were recorded during the study period. At the end of each treatment period, biochemical and hematological parameters were measured and histological examinations of liver and kidneys sections performed. Results Up to 5000 mg/kg single dose administration of AETT for fourteen days registered no death animal. In sub-acute study, no mortality was recorded in various experimental groups. Significant reductions in body weight, water and food intake were recorded in all treated animals. Relative weights of liver, kidneys, stomach, spleen, lungs, and heart of treated animals remained unchanged. Significant increases in the number of platelets as well as in serum ALAT level were recorded in rats, treated with 400 mg/kg of AETT. Female rat liver histology showed, at a higher dose of AETT, a slight congestion of portal vein. Conclusion AETT is safe after therapeutic (200 mg/kg) or acute administration. Higher dose (400 mg/kg) administered for longer period showed signs of liver toxicity.