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Abstract: A novel type polysaccharide was isolated from the bark of Cola cordifolia (Cav.) R. Br. (Sterculiaceae), a plant used in traditional medicine in Mali (West Africa). The polysaccharide was isolated from the water extract by ion exchange chromatography. Structural studies showed that this was a highly complex new type polysaccharide containing 20% of 2,3- and 2,4-linked rhamnose, 24% of galacturonic acid mostly 4-linked, 15% of terminal, 3- and 4-linked galactose, 20% of terminal and 3-linked 2-O-methyl galactose, 18% of 4-O-methyl glucuronic acid which was also terminally linked, and 2% of terminal 2-O-methyl fucose. This paper reports in addition to structural features, physical property and complement fixating activity using human serum as target of this novel polysaccharide. This is a first report of a plant polysaccharide containing such a diverse composition and quantity of natively methylated monosaccharides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The present study is aimed to determine the bioactivity and structure of polysaccharides present in the leaves from the Malian medicinal plant Opilia celtidifolia [Guill. & Perr. Endl. ex Walp (Opiliaceae)]. Materials and methods: The polysaccharides from the leaves of Opilia celtidifolia were isolated from water extracts of the leaves using gelfiltration and anion exchange chromatography giving the fractions Oc50A1 and Oc50A2. Monosaccharide composition was determined by gas chromatography of the derived TMS-derivatives of the methyl-glycosides. Linkages were determined of the partly methylated, partly acetylated alditol acetates obtained after a process including reduction, methylation, hydrolysis, reduction and acetylation followed by GC-MS. Effects on the complement system and the macrophages were determined using specific methods aimed for studying those activities. Results: The polysaccharide fractions isolated from the leaves of Opilia celtidifolia has high complement fixing activity and induce nitrite oxide release from macrophages in a dose dependent manner. The fractions had an ICH50 of 0.5 and 0.9μg/ml respectively in the complement fixing assay. They induced the release of 7.2 and 7.3μM of nitrite oxide from macrophages respectively at a dose of 100μg/ml. The monosaccharide composition in Oc50A1 and Oc50A2, analysed, showed the presence of arabinose (26.7 and 13.2%), galactose (31.5 and 28%) and galacturonic acid (5.3 and 7.8%) respectively. The Yariv test confirmed the presence of arabinogalactan type II in both fractions. Structural analyses did also show the presence of terminal and 1-4 linked galacturonic acid and terminal and 1-2 linked rhamnose. Endo-polygalacturonanase treatment was performed to isolate the heavily substituted parts of the polysaccharides. These parts contained the same monosaccharides in similar proportion, and showed stronger dose dependent complement fixing activity and also stimulated macrophages to release nitrite oxide. Conclusions: The leaves of Opilia celtidifola contains polysaccharides of pectic type that have both complement fixing and macrophage stimulating activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders are common in Dogonland, Mali. • The study has shown how the traditional practitioners understand mental diseases related to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. • 41 plants belonging to 19 plant families were reported used. • Method of administration of the remedies are described. • Availability and possible extinction of the plants are discussed. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders are serious mental illnesses prevalent throughout the world. According to studies conducted in the district of Bandiagara, Mali, its prevalence varied from 1 to 3% of the population. Little is known, however, about the plants used to treat Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and the local concepts used by the traditional health practitioners. To document medicinal plant related knowledge and use in the management of locally salient behavioral syndromes in the district of Bandiagara in Mali, that show some similarity with the academic concept of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. This explorative study was based on qualitative research methods (using face-to-face interviews, a semi-structured questionnaire, discussions, field notes). During two months of field research, an exploratory ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 17 villages in the district of Bandiagara. Ethnobotanical data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, voucher collections and field walks in order to register the plant species used and the management of the traditional health practitioners on local syndromes that show similarity with the modern concept of schizophrenia. 20 traditional health practitioners were interviewed. Local syndromes that show similarity with the academic concept of schizophrenia spectrum disorders were: igne (wind), guire (witchcraft), ogouloubelem (spirits of the bush), yebin (dwarf spirits), yapilin (spirits of dead pregnant women), amba wede (the madness of god), wede welewele (hot madness), wede kalal (cold madness) and wede pirou (true madness). Causes mentioned were the attack by Spirits of various kinds, bad luck, witchcraft and natural causes. The traditional treatment reported by traditional medicine practitioners included 41 plant species belonging to 19 plant families, among which Leguminosae was the most represented family with nine plants followed by Combretaceae, Apocyanaceae and Moraceae with three plants each. Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae) was the plant used by most traditional health practitioners (17) followed by Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae) (9), Boscia angustifolia A. Rich (Capparaceae) (5) and Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) (4). It is noteworthy that the plants most commonly used were already or almost extinct from the Dogon country. This study gathered information on the local understanding of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, their causes and treatments given by the traditional health practitioners in Dogonland. Based on a literature survey on the plants used by the traditional health practitioners, evidence was found for interesting biological effects for the traditional use of some of the plants used. The traditional health practitioners were aware that several of the plant species were extinct or almost so in Dogonland. Measures need to be taken to counteract extinction threats to ensure a sustainable supply of raw material for the traditional treatment of schizophrenia in Dogonland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Plants have contributed to food security and disease treatments to rural populations in sub Saharan Africa for many centuries. These plants occupy a significant place in the treatment of diseases, such as malaria. In Mali, malaria is the leading cause of medical consultation and death. This infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children under 5 years. The general aim of this research was to collect data on the knowledge of traditional health practitioners on malaria in the Sélingué area; particularly to document how traditional healers conceptualize and diagnose malarial disease and to collect and identify medicinal plants or other substances used for their health and well-being. Materials and methods An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on simple and complicated malaria in six villages in Sélingué subdistrict in a period of 2 months. The ethnobotanical data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. In total 50 traditional healers were interviewed. Results Two concepts of malaria (simple and complicated malaria) were cited and 97 plants used to treat malaria were identified. Decoctions and bathing (whole body) proved to be the most commonly used mode of application. Food attitudes and mosquitoes are perceived to be the most important causes of the disease. Trichilia emetica , Mitragyna inermis , Sarcocephalus latifolius , Cassia sieberiana , Cochlospermum tinctorium , Anogeissus leiocarpa , Guiera senegalensis and Entada africana were quoted as the most used in the treatment of malaria. Conclusion Knowledge about malaria and traditional treatment practices exist in Sélingué subdistrict. Herbal remedies are commonly used by people for the treatment of malaria because they are believed to be cost-effective and more accessible. Many of the plant species used for the treatment of malaria have not been well documented as well as their phytochemical and antimalarial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The tree Terminalia macroptera (Combretaceae) is widespread in Western Africa, and in this area, different parts have been utilized in the treatment of various diseases. In this article, we report on the medicinal use of T. macroptera in three different districts in Mali (Siby, Dioïla and Dogonland), based on interviews with 78 healers in these districts. Roots, root bark, stem bark, leaves and fruits have all been employed by healers, as has parasitic Loranthus species growing on the tree. Major areas of use comprise treatment of wounds and sores, infections, pain, cough, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Some of the medicinal uses of T. macroptera appear to be rationally explained by its chemical constituents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aqueous extracts of bark and leaves of C. cordifolia are traditionally used in Mali (West Africa) in the treatment of wounds and gastric ailments like abdominal pain, gastritis and gastric ulcers. Aim of the study: To evaluate and compare the anti-ulcer and immunological activities, as well as the toxicity of polysaccharide rich water extracts from the bark and leaves of C. cordifolia. Materials and methods: Gastric ulcers were induced in rats and the inhibition of ulcer formation was calculated based on lesion index. Immunological activities were measured by complement fixation and macrophage activation. Toxicity was tested on brine shrimps. The two extracts were characterised by GC, Yariv-precipitation and quantification of phenolic compounds. An ethnomedical survey on C. cordifolia was carried out in Siby (Mali, West-Africa) to generate more knowledge about the traditional use. Results: Bark and leaf extracts from C. cordifolia significantly inhibited the formation of gastric lesions in rodents in a dose depending manner. CCbark50 showed a high complement fixation activity in vitro. No toxicity was found. The ethnomedical survey showed that C. cordifolia was mainly used for treating pain and wounds. Conclusions: Our results shows that the bark and the leaves comprise a dose dependant anti-ulcer activity in an experimental rat model (no statistical difference between the plant parts). Clinical studies should be performed to evaluate the effect of both bark and leaves of C. cordifolia as a remedy against gastric ulcer in human. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two galactofuranomannans, Ths-4 and Ths-5, were isolated from the lichen, Thamnolia vermicularis var. subuliformis, using ethanol fractionation and anion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The average molecular weights of Ths-4 and Ths-5 were estimated to be 19 and 200kDa, respectively. Structural characterisation of Ths-4, Ths-5 and their partially hydrolysed derivatives was performed by methanolysis and methylation analysis. The intact and partially hydrolysed Ths-4 was further analysed using NMR spectroscopy (1D, COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC). According to the data obtained, the heteroglycans Ths-4 and Ths-5 have similar structures, but have large differences in molecular weight. The structure is composed of 3-O-linked and 5-O-linked galactofuranosyl chains linked to a mannan core. The mannan core consists of a main chain of α-(1→6)-linked mannopyranosyl residues, substituted at O-2 with either a single α-mannopyranosyl unit or an α-Manp-(1→2)-α-Manp-(1→2)-α-Manp group in the ratio of approximately 1:3, respectively. The polysaccharides have idealised repeating blocks as is shown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]