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A survey was conducted in the central region of Burkina Faso to find out about women's menopause-related disorders and their treatment in traditional medicine. Fifty-six (56) species have been identified to treat different symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, nausea, joint and muscle pain, itching, lower abdominal pain, edema, mood disorders, vertigo. Leaves and stem bark were the most recommended in the preparation of recipes, at 43 and 39% respectively. The majority of the species (60.72%) was local food plants with a high use value (UVs ≥ 0.50). Many chemical groups including alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, sterols, triterpenes, anthraquinones, carotenoids, anthracenosides, phenolic acids, coumarins, capable of reducing or eliminating these different symptoms exist in these plants. Also, the presence of several mineral elements such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na), Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), Iodine (I), Vitamins A, B, C, F, K, P, E, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibers, resins and gum show the importance of these plants in human nutrition. These local plants are therefore potential sources for the development of new natural nutraceuticals in the management of menopausal period in women. Key words: Menopause, medicinal plants, nutrients, phytoestrogens.

Aims: To investigate ovicidal and larvicidal activities of an aqueous decoction (AD) and hydroethanolic macerate (HEM) extracts and fractions of the leaves of Saba senegalensis. Study Design: In vitro, the ovicidal and larvicidal activities of AD and HEM extracts and fractions of the leaves of Saba senegalensis on the eggs and larvae (L1) of Heligmosomoides bakeri. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the department of Medicine and Traditional Pharmacopeia-Pharmacy (MEPHATRA-PH) of Institute of Research in Health Sciences (IRSS) between June 2015 and December 2016. Methodology: The phytochemical groups of the extract and fractions of Saba senegalensis were determined by a colorimetric and Thin Layer Chromatography methods. The eggs were obtained from feces of mice deliberately infected and the larvae from the eggs were incubated at 25 ±2℃ for 72 hours. Eggs and larvae were exposed to increasing concentrations (100; 625; 1250; 2500; 3750 µg/mL) of the different extracts, 48 hours and 24 hours for the eggs and larvae respectively. Distilled water and DMSO 0.1% were used as negative controls while albendazole and levamisole were used as positive controls. Results: The phytochemical groups of interest are the tannins, saponins, flavonoids and triterpenes. The negative control had given 2.16% of egg hatch inhibition and 0% of larvae mortality mean while the positive control had given 100% in both cases. The extracts inhibited eggs hatching and affected larval survival. Pharmacological effects were concentration-dependent. The ovicidal and larvicidal activity of HEM is more interesting than that of AD with an Emax = 95.60% and an IC50 = 390 µg/mL. It is the same for the larvicidal activity with Emax = 100% and an LC50 = 900 µg/mL. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: These results show the ovicidal and larvicidal properties of the S. senegalensis leaves.

Acacia seyal and Acacia tortilis are used in the treatment of infectious diseases in traditional medicine by population in Northern Burkina Faso. Phytochemical screening by tube test and on HPTLC plates showed the presence of important chemical compounds in these plants. Determination of total phenolic content using method of Folin-Ciocalteu Reagent (FCR) and antioxidant activity by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, showed that this biological activity is related to phenolic content. The trunk bark of A. tortilis had an important antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 0.01±0.01 µg/mL due to its highest content (p

Considered safe because being from natural origin, plant products can exhibit toxic effects during their use. To ensure safe use of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae), plant widely used for its therapeutic potential, the phytochemical and safety profiles of its root wood were investigated. Standard tube characterization tests were used to highlight phytochemical groups of root wood of the plant. Acute and subacute toxicity tests were carried out in Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guidelines. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of sterols and triterpens, polyphenols, reducing compounds, and flavonoids in root wood of Annona senegalensis (A. senegalensis). In toxicological studies, the results indicate that the aqueous extract has a low acute toxicity with an LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg b.w. The results of subacute toxicity study indicate that the mice receiving 300 mg/kg b.w. of extract experienced mildly decreased body weights in comparison with the control in non-significant manner, especially at the fourth week. After 28 days of treatment, apart aspartate aminotransferase (AST), no significant changes were found in the blood serum biochemical parameters such as total proteins, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose, creatinin, and lipid levels of the treated mice in comparision with the control group. In view of the current results, A. senegalensis root wood aqueous extract would be considered as safe in both acute and subacute exposure. However, long-term toxicity studies are needed for further toxicological profile elicitation of the plant, and a possible reinforcement of clinical relevance of the results of laboratory studies. Key words: Annona senegalensis, blood chemistry, Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice, phytochemical compounds, sex-related toxicity, traditional medicine.

Aims: To evaluate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of extracts of Saba senegalensis leaves. Study Design: In vitro antioxidant assay and in vivo anti-inflammatory, analgesic assay of Saba senegalensis extracts. Place and Duration of Study: Saba senegalensis leaves, were collected in the Centre Region of Burkina Faso, in June–July 2015. The experiments were conducted at the department of Medicine and Traditional Pharmacopeia-Pharmacy (MEPHATRA-PH) of Institute of Research in Health Science (IRSS). Methodology: The anti-oedematous tests with carrageenan and the analgesic with acetic acid and investigate effect on isolated organ were carried out. The standards were acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol. Results: After five hours of carrageenan-induced edema test, aqueous decoction (AD) presented better inhibition on all measure. In fact, at the different doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg it presented percentages of inhibitions respectively of 30.81%, 62.27% and 72.71%. For the analgesic test, the hydroethanol macerate (HEM) showed a better pain reduction compared to the AD with a maximum effect of 77.28% at 400 mg/kg. Antioxidant activity with AD and his fractions shows that AD showed a better activity for the DPPH assay with an IC50 of 1.74 ± 0.10 μg/mL and a reducing power of 59.53 ± 2.16 mmol ET/g Sample. For HEM and his fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction (FHEM-AcOEt) showed a better IC50 of 0.18 ± 0.01 μg/mL for the DPPH test and dichloromethane fraction (FHEM-DCM) a reducing power agent of 88.88 ± 2.65 mmol ET/g Sample. All fractions were endowed with antioxidant properties by both methods. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that the presence of phenolic and terpenoid compounds could explain the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of these extracts.

Waltheria indica L. (Malvaceae) is a plant used in Burkina Faso for the treatment of various ailments including asthma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacological relaxant effect of the leafy stem extracts of Waltheria indica and thereby verify claim of use in treating asthma. Aqueous decoction and hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the powdered leafy stems were screened for the presence of some phytoconstituents. The in vitro relaxant effect of the two extracts was evaluated on acetylcholine- (ACh 10−5 M) and potassium chloride- (KCl 6 × 10−2 M) induced contractions on rat-isolated tracheal preparations. To examine whether the potassium (K+) channels are involved in the relaxant effect, glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor, was used. Moreover, to assess the safety of the extracts, acute oral toxicity was carried out on mice. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, and coumarins in the hydroalcoholic extract. Tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, and coumarins were not detected in the aqueous decoction. With respective EC50 values of 1.517 ± 0.002 mg/mL and 1.433 ± 0.001 mg/mL on ACh-and KCl-provoked contractions, the hydroalcoholic extract was found more potent in relaxing the isolated rat tracheal preparations compared to the aqueous decoction. In the presence of glibenclamide, the relaxant effect of the hydroalcoholic extract (EC50 = 0.191 ± 0.002 mg/mL) increased and was higher than that of the aqueous decoction. At dose of 5000 mg/kg of body weight, the extracts did not produce deaths or any significant changes in the general behavior of mice. The results suggest that different mechanisms including modulation of calcium and potassium channels, particularly the ATP-sensitive K+ channels, could be involved in the relaxation effect. These findings could justify the traditional use of W. indica in the management of asthma.

Cassia sieberiana DC. (Caesalpiniaceae), Guiera senegalensis JF. Gmel (Combretaceae) and Excoecaria grahamii (Hochst) Pax. (Euphorbiaceae) are used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso to treat gastro-intestinal parasites. Standard methods were used for phytochemical screening and to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of the aqueous extracts of the three (3) plants using the egg hatch test against Haemonchus contortus eggs. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of anthocyanosides, tannins, saponosides, reducing compounds, carbohydrates, flavonoids and triterpenic steroids in the extracts of the root bark of C. sieberiana and the leaves of C. sieberiana, G. senegalensis and E. grahamii. All extracts inhibited significantly (p< 0.05) the eggs hatch of H. contortus. At the concentration of 14.25 mg/mL, the percentages of inhibition varied from 60.33 ± 8.43 to 76.6 ± 4.91%. These results indicate that the studied plants possess anthelminthic activities and thus justify their use for the treatment of gastrointestinal parasites infections. Key words: Anthelmintic activity, medicinal plants, phytochemical, in vitro, Haemonchus contortus, Burkina Faso.

Background Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. is a plant used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso in the treatment of several diseases, of which diabetes is characterized by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracts of leaves of this plant. Methods The crude hydroethanolic extract (HEE) of the leaves of Z. mauritiana and their partitionates in n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate, and in the residual aqueous solution (the F1, F2, F3, and F4 fractions, respectively) were first prepared. The content of polyphenols was determined and the antioxidant effects of the extracts were evaluated by their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Results The HEE as well as the F3 and F4 fractions were rich in polyphenols with contents between 58 and 84 mg equivalent gallic acid per 100 mg. The flavonoid content was 4 mg quercetin equivalents in the HEE and the F4 fraction. Except for the F1 fraction, the HEE and the other fractions showed significant DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 between 8 and 12 μg/mL). The IC50 of TBARS by different extracts was in the range 1–5 μg/mL, and the FRAP activity was 7–85 mg ascorbic acid equivalent per 100 mg. Total polyphenol content was highly correlated with the antioxidant activities. Conclusions The HEE, F3, and F4 fractions were found to be the richest in polyphenols and had the best antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of the extracts of the leaves of Z. mauritiana is due to these polyphenolic compounds.

Lantana ukambensis (Vatke) Verdc. is an African food and medicinal plant. Its red fruits are eaten and highly appreciated by the rural population. This plant was extensively used in African folk medicinal traditions to treat chronic wounds but also as anti-leishmanial or cytotoxic remedies, especially in Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Kenya, or Ethiopia. This study investigates the in vitro bioactivity of polymethoxyflavones extracted from a L. ukambensis as anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic agents. We isolated two known polymethoxyflavones, 5,6,7,3′,4′,5′-hexamethoxyflavone (1) and 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (2) from the whole plant of L. ukambensis. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published data. These molecules were tested for the anti-proliferative, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects on human cancer cells. Among them, 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (2) was selectively cytotoxic against monocytic lymphoma (U937), acute T cell leukemia (Jurkat), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562) cell lines, but not against peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors, at all tested concentrations. Moreover, this compound exhibited significant anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects against U937 acute myelogenous leukemia cells. This study highlights the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (2) and provides a scientific basis of traditional use of L. ukambensis.

Saba senegalensis (A. DC.) Pichon with synonymous Landolphia senegalensis (A. DC.) Kotschy & Peyr. (Apocynaceae) is a lianescente plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases with inflammatory components in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to test the pharmacological action of the aqueous extract of its leafy stems on swelling, pain and to assess its antioxidant properties. The aqueous extract reduced edema in the first hour, the third hour and five hours after the injection of carrageenin. Maximum inhibition was achieved at the fifth hour after the injection of the carrageenin. The analgesic effect of the aqueous extract of S. senegalensis at doses of 100, 200, 300 mg/kg was evaluated by the method of Koster after injection of acetic acid. The results showed that the aqueous extract reduced significantly (p

Background: This study has been carried out to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic effects of an aqueous decoction and ethanol extract (95%) of Ficus sycomorus leaves. Methods: The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by the carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema model. The non-morphine type analgesic effect was evaluated trough acetic acid-induced writhing test. The morphine type analgesic activity was tested by mouse tail–flick test. The anti-pyretic activity was tested by induced hyperthermia in mice with brewer's yeast. Data analysis used the one way ANOVA test. Results: The anti-inflammatory effects of the two extracts, at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg b.w., were dose dependent and comparable to those of the reference controls, indomethacin (1 mg/kg b.w.) and hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg b.w.). At the same dose, the analgesic effect of the ethanol extract on abdominal writhings induced by acetic acid, was comparable to those Lysine acetylsalicylate (LAS, 300 mg/kg b.w) and hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg b.w.) used as controls. As for the morphine type analgesic effects of the two extracts tested at doses of 300 and 500 mg / kg both were significantly higher in comparison with the blank control (p Key words: Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Antinociceptive, Ficus sycomorus, Sickle cell disease.

This investigation aims to provide a database of Dozo traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for the treatment of common diseases.The study was conducted through individual interviews using a survey form. Data were recorded in a database allowing statistical analysis. Each plant was recorded and documented with a herbarium specimen. Settings/LocationSubjects: The term Dozo refers to great hunters from Burkina Faso, highly renowned for their knowledge of medicinal plants. Niamberla village was founded by Dozo hunters and is currently the residence of many traditional healers. Unfortunately, their indigenous knowledge is not well recorded and may be lost between two generations.A total of 16 traditional healers were interviewed, giving 89 recipes for the treatment of 37 diseases. The most common diseases are malaria (13%), psychological/spiritual issues (12%), gastric disorders (11%), sexually transmitted diseases (10%), and wounds (8%). A total of 56 medicinal plants have been identified, consisting mostly of trees (44%), shrubs (34%), and herbs (16%).The results of this research provide a basis for pharmacological and toxicological investigations and are necessary to preserve the indigenous knowledge of traditional medicine among Dozo hunters.

Waltheria indica is used in traditional pharmacopeia in Burkina Faso for the treatment of asthma and conditions of inflammation. To evaluate its pharmacological properties and isolate the active compounds, a study through a bioguided phytochemical approach was conducted. This search was guided by a two-level investigation. First, we evaluated the impact of various fractions on the activity of enzymes involved in smooth muscle contraction (PDE4A1α) and inflammatory processes (PLA2 , 5-LOX). Second, we investigated the inhibitory effect of fractions on isolated rat trachea. The initial hydroalcoholic extract from roots of W. indica (HA), n-hexane fraction (F1 ), dichloromethane fraction (F2 ), ethyl acetate fraction (F3 ), residuary fraction (F4 ) reduced enzyme activity of PDE4A1α (inhibition of 22-42% at 50 μg/mL), 5-LOX (60-80% at 10 μg/mL), and PLA2 (42-94% at 100 μg/mL). On isolated rat trachea, only HA, F3 , and fractions obtained from F3 by chromatography on silica gel column, using dichloromethane/methanol, dose dependently inhibited contraction induced by acetylcholine. IC50 was 1051 μg/mL for HA and comprised between 181 and 477 μg/mL for F3 and its fractions. The most active fractions were purified and led to the identification of (-)-epicatechin. (-)-epicatechin from W. indica dose dependently inhibited PLA2 (IC50 = 154.7 μm) and 5-LOX (IC50 = 15.8 μm). In conclusion, both inhibition of PDE4A1α, 5-LOX, and PLA2 activities and rat trachea relaxation by W. indica validate its use in traditional management of asthma and other conditions of inflammation. These effects should be, at least in part, attributed to the presence of (-)-epicatechin in roots of W. indica.

Kidney diseases are becoming public health problem worldwide, particularly in Africa. Kidney symptoms are frequent in African population witch have recourse to traditional medicine for primary cares. For a better knowledge of medicinal plants used for the treatment of kidney symptoms, we conducted a prospective study from January to March 2007 to collect the opinion of traditional healers in the area of three towns (Ouagadougou, Ziniare, Fada NGourma) of Burkina Faso. Thirty traditional healers were interrogated and results showed that they had limited knowledge on the kidney, urine origin (70% do not know it) and kidney diseases symptoms. Eighty-three percent of traditional healers found that the origin of kidney symptoms was related to food supplementation. We identify 61 medicinal plants related to 30 families and 51 genders. Combretum micranthum, Chrysantellum americanum and Tamarindus indica were the most frequent species plants under use. This traditional use is justified par bibliographic data on few plants. In conclusion, although traditional healers have limited knowledge on kidney, they continue to provide medicinal plants to treat kidney symptoms. There is a great need, in Burkina Faso, for studies to define the medicinal plants inventory, their evaluation use, and their effects on the kidneys diseases.

In order to prevent the destruction of the ecology and to sustain the flora mainly for medicinal plants, we investigated on alternative parts taken from four plants already known to display antiplasmodial activities and largely used by traditional healers in sub-Saharan Africa. The evaluated parts are bark of trunk for Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and leaves for Sarcocephalus latifolius instead of roots, and leaves for Combretum molle and Anogeissus leiocarpus instead of stem bark. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts of these plants was evaluated in vitro using the multi-resistant strain (W2) of Plasmodium falciparum. Antiproliferative activity was also assessed, using K562S human monocyte cell lines, along with calculation of the selectivity index (SI) of each extract. The highest in vitro antiplasmodial activity was found in the alkaloid extract of trunk bark from Z. zanthoxyloides and from the MeOH extract of A. leiocarpus leaves (IC(50) = 1.2 microg/mL and 4.9 microg/mL, respectively) with good selectivity index. Moderate activity was found in the MeOH extract (IC(50) = 5.7 microg/mL) and MeOH/H2O extract (IC(50) = 7.9 microg/mL) of C. molle leaves. Moderate activity was also found in the MeOH/H20 extract (IC(50) = 5.2 microg/mL) and the decoction (IC(50) = 8.2 microg/mL) from leaves of A. leiocarpus. No good activity was found with extracts from roots of S. latifolius. All extracts tested displayed low levels of cytotoxicity against K562S cells. The data generated clearly show that the trunk bark for Z. zanthoxyloides and the leaves for A. leiocarpus and C. molle could be used for the treatment of malaria instead of roots and stem bark.

This study was aimed to assess the possible toxic effects of Entada africana, a widely used African medicinal plant. The acute toxicity of the methanolic stem bark and leaf extracts of Entada africana Guill. and Pen., (Mimosaceae) was assessed on mice. It revealed an average toxicity with a LD 50 of 146.7 and 249.9 mg kg' body weight for stem barks and leaves, respectively. The extracts showed no cytotoxicity against KB and Vero cells. Sub-chronic toxicity was assessed in rabbits, which received orally, daily for a month, a dose corresponding to 10% of the LD". Compared to the control group this dose caused no significant (p>0.05) modification of haematological and biochemical parameters, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine and aspartate amino-transferase (AST). The extracts lowered serum glucose significantly (p

Aqueous and ethanolic crude extracts and fractions of Khaya senegalensis stem barks were investigated for their antioxidant activities. Their ability to act as radical scavengers have not been previously reported and was investigated using 1,1 diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), a stable free radical in comparison with Rutin and Quecetin as antioxidant standards. The study shows that all extracts and fractions are able to scavenge significantly free radicals of DPPH. The IC50 are, respectively 9.82 μg mL-1 for defatted extract; 7.42 μg mL-1 for Rutin (Standard); 7.33 μg mL-1 for lyophilised aqueous extract; 6.01 μg mL-1 for the fraction F1 of lyophilised aqueous extract; 4.70 μg mL-1 for ethanolic extract; 4.37 μg mL-1 for the fraction F2 from methanolic crude extract of stem barks and 2.58 μg mL-1 for Quercetin (Standard). Lyophilised aqueous extract activity is closely related to that of Rutin but less than Quercetin. Fractions can play a pivotal role in the antioxidant activity of crude lyophilised aqueous and alcoholic extract of stem barks of Khaya senegalensis. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.

The leaves of Ficus sycomorus are used in Burkina Faso folk medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease. The present comparative study of crude extracts of leaves (decoction, macerated extract and a 95% ethanol extract) was performed with the aim to assess the efficiency of this traditional use and to determine the most active of the three extracts. Antisickling activity was assessed by the Emmel's test. Vasorelaxant effect on rat aortic rings precontracted by phenylephrine with and without N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester chloride (L-NAME) was also evaluated. The 95% ethanol extract (20 mg mL(-1)) showed the most antisickling activity on sickle erythrocytes, by inhibiting completely sickling of double heterozygote SC cells in 60 min and that of homozygote SS cells in 90 min. On the aorta this extract exhibited a significant (p

Sickle cell disease is a major public health problem. It is the first genetic disease in the world. FACA syrup offers an alternative treatment. It is a dry powder preparation of two components, the roots barks of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) Zepernick, Timler and Calotropis procera. Ait. R.B.r. (Asclepiadaceae). The product was developed at Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS) from a traditional recipe used in Burkina Faso for treatment of sickle cell crises. This study aimed to establish physical-chemical, pharmaco technical and microbiological control parameters essential for the standardization of the phytomedicine. This valuation concerned specifications of moisture content, pH, the fingerprint by thin layer chromatography, pesticide residues, heavy metal content, microbial quality, and total ash. These charcteristics were determined by the methods prescribed by the World Health Organization (1998) and the European Pharmacopoeia 6th edition. The results have shown that dry syrups and reconstituted syrups were sweet, slightly spicy with a bitter after taste, a white room color and a faint odor. The density at the preparation was 0.985 and the pH was 5.93. After 2 months of storage in the laboratory, the organoleptic parameters of the reconstituted syrups have not changed. They were mold free, the density remained around 1 and the pH between 5 and 4. These parameters have shown that the quality of plants powders and these medicine comply with the recommendations of the European pharmacopoeia. Faca syrup may contribute to the better management of sickle cell disease in children.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Waltheria indica L. ( syn. Waltheria americana ) is commonly used in traditional medicine in Africa, South America and Hawaii, mainly against pain, inflammation, conditions of inflammation, diarrhea, dysentery, conjunctivitis, wounds, abscess, epilepsy, convulsions, anemia, erectile dysfunctions, bladder ailments and asthma. Aim of the review to provide an up-to-date overview of the botany, phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacological activities and toxicity data of Waltheria indica . Additionally, studies providing an evidence for local and traditional uses of Waltheria indica are discussed. Further phytochemical and pharmacological potential of this species are suggested for future investigations. Materials and methods The information was collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via academic libraries and electronic search. These sources include Pubmed, Web of Science, Portal de Portales-Latindex, Science Research.com and Google scholar. These studies about the medical botanical, traditional uses, chemical, pharmacological and toxicological data on Waltheria indica were published in English, Portuguese, Spanish, German and French. Results Crude extracts and isolated compounds from Waltheria indica were investigated and showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-anemic, anti-oxidant, sedative and anticonvulsant activities. The phytochemical investigations showed the presence of cyclopeptid alkaloids, flavonoids ( e.g. , (–)-epicatechin, quercetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3- O -β- d -(6″- E - p -coumaryl)-glucopyranoside), tannins, sterols, terpenes, saponins, anthraquinones. Studies of acute toxicity in animal indicated that Waltheria indica can be toxic. Conclusion Waltheria indica possess therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammation, malaria, infectious diseases ( e.g. , lungs infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae , diarrhea due to Candida albicans or Escherichia coli ) and prevention of oxidative stress. Further studies are necessary to explore pure compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects and the mechanisms of action. Further investigations are also needed to provide an evidence base for traditional uses of this species against pain, anemia, convulsions and epilepsy. In addition, there is a pressing need to investigate the other traditional uses such as dysentery, syphilis, erectile dysfunctions and asthma.

Ficus sur and Ficus sycomorus , two medicinal species used in Burkinabe traditional medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease were investigated. The determination of total phenolic and tannins contents, using the method of Folin-Ciocalteu (FCR), indicate values significantly (p

Vitex simplicifolia Oliv. (Verbenaceae) is a perennial shrub or small tree which grows to a height of aproximatively 8 m and is widely distributed from Egypt to Guinea. In Burkina Faso, the plant is used for internal or external use to treat various diseases like skin diseases, dermatitis, bilharzia, migraines, fever, aches, amoebiasis, sore teeth, colic, infant tetanus(Nacoulma,1996). Our ethnobotanical investigations have revealed that this plant is also used in the treatment of skin infections and wounds healing. In Burkina Faso, infectious diseases are the leading cause of infant mortality (2.37%) and maternal (14.6%), therefore they constitute public health problems. The treatment of skin diseases dates back to ancient times, and many treatments were using medicinal plants. About 30% of traditional remedies are used to treat wounds and skin lesions, compared to only 1-3% of modern drugs (Mantle et al., 2001). The healing process is an immune response that begins after injury and takes place in three stages: vascular and inflammatory stage, phase of tissue repair and phase of maturation. A drug having simultaneously the potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities may be a good therapeutic agent to accelerate cicatrization and wound healing [Houghton et al., 2005; Phillips et al., 1991; Heike et al., 1999]. Aromatherapy is now considered to be another alternative way in healing people, and therapeutic values of aromatic plants lie in their volatile constituents such as monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and phenolic compounds that produce a definite physiological action on the human body [Bruneton, 1993].To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on pharmacological studies of this plant. The present work reported results of a detailed investigation of

International audience; Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae) est une plante médicinale utilisée dans la prise en charge de nombreuses pathologies dont les maladies à composante inflammatoire. L'objectif du travail était d'étudier les effets anti-inflammatoire, analgésique et antipyrétique des décoctés aqueux des feuilles et des écorces de racines de Pterocarpus erinaceus afin de valoriser son utilisation en médecine traditionnelle. Aux doses de 200, 400 et 600 mg/kg, les décoctés aqueux des feuilles et des écorces de racines ont réduit significativement l'œdème de la patte de la souris induit par la carragénine et les contractions abdominales produites par l'injection de l'acide acétique chez la souris. Les deux extraits ont inhibé les deux phases de douleur produites par la solution de formaldéhyde. L'hyperthermie chez la souris induite par la levure de bière a été réduite par les deux décoctés aqueux, cet effet reste cependant plus marqué pour les feuilles que les racines. Le criblage phytochimique des extraits a permis de mettre en évidence la présence de tanins et polyphénols, de flavonoïdes, de saponosides, de triterpènes et stéroïdes, qui pourraient être responsables des propriétés pharmacologiques.

After ethnobotanical surveys in central and western regions of Burkina Faso, five plants namely Lantana ukambensis (Verbenaceae), Xeoderris sthulmannii (Fabaceae), Parinari curatellifollia (Chrysobalanaceae), Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae), and Ficus platyphylla (Moraceae) were selected for their traditional use in the treatment of parasitic diseases and cancer. Our previous studies have focused on the phytochemical, genotoxicity, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of these plants. In this study, the methanol extract of each plant was tested to reveal probable antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods were used for the detection of antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Leishmania donovani (LV9 WT) and Trypanosoma brucei brucei GVR 35 were used to test the antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities, respectively. All extracts of tested plants showed a significant antitrypanosomal activity with minimum lethal concentrations between 1.5 and 25 μg/ml, the L. ukambensis extract being the most active. In the antileishmanial test, only the extract from L. ukambensis showed significant activity with an inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 6.9 μg/ml. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of traditional medicine products and are preliminary for the isolation of new natural molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.

The antiproliferative activities of six medicinal plant extracts from Burkina Faso were evaluated in order to justify their traditional use for the treatment of cancer. The SOS chromotest method was used in vitro on Escherichia coli PQ37 to evaluate the mutagenic effect of the plant extracts. The DPPH method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of each plant. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated by MTS method on normal cells (Vero and MCR5) and cancer cells (KB) in contact with the extracts for 72 h. The results showed that the studied plants are not genotoxic. Lantana ukambensis and Acacia macrostachya induced a very significant antiproliferative effect against cancer cells with 94% and 95%, respectively. They also developed a strong antioxidant activity. The IC50 values were 5.96 ± 0.40 µg mL−1 for L. ukambensis and 4.30 ± 0.26 µg mL−1 for A. macrostachya. These two plants are therefore potential sources for isolating new antioxidant and anticancer molecules.

Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaf and stem bark of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth. (Mimosaceae) were tested against clinical isolates Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae and Enterococcus faecalis, and corresponding collection strains E. coli CIP 105 182, Salmonella enterica CIP 105 150, Shigella dysenteriae CIP 54-51 and Enterococcus faecalis CIP 103 907. Discs of Gentamicin, a broad spectrum antibiotic were used as positive controls. The results showed that all the extracts possess antimicrobial activities. A comparative study of the antibacterial activity of the leaves and that of the bark showed that for all the tested microorganisms, the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark is more active than the aqueous extract of the leaf. The hydroethanolic extract of the leaves is as effective as the aqueous extract of the stem bark prescribed by the traditional healer, suggesting it is possible to use leaves other than the roots and bark. The phytochemical screening showed that sterols and triterpenes, saponosides, tannins, reducing compounds, coumarins, anthocyanosides, flavonosides are present in both bark and leaf but in different concentrations.

The croton oil-induced mice ear oedema test was used to study the topical antiinflammatory effects of petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Khaya senegalensis stem barks. It was found that these fractions exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory effects. The chloroform extract activity was closely related to that of indomethacin used as standard, was more active than the petroleum ether extract and played a pivotal role in the topical antiinflammatory effect of Khaya senegalensis stem barks.

The antibacterial activity of the stem bark and the leaves of Parkia biglobosa have been tested on four strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in the National Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo – Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The tests revealed the efficacy of the hydroalcoholic and the aqueous extracts. They also revealed that the hydroalcoholic extracts were more active than the aqueous extract prescribed by the traditional healers and that the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves were as active as the bark. The effects of the extracts have been compared to that of the gentamicin, a positive control. The phytochemical screening showed that the extracts of the stem bark were rich in sterols, a triterpenes, tannins, saponosides, anthocyanidins, coumarins, flavonoids and reducing coumpounds. The leaves extracts were rich in tannins, coumarins, anthocyanins, flavones and reducing compounds. Keywords : Staphylococcus aureus, Parkia biglobosa , antibacterial activity African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(2) 2006: 74-78

As reproductive disorders were found to be one of the major constraints of livestock improvement in Burkina Faso, an ethno-veterinary survey showed that some plant species are used by traditional veterinary healers as basic components of indigenous recipes to treat them. The ecological locations, the current relative abundance in the area and the acute toxicity of the aqueous extracts of three selected species: Holarrhena floribunda,. Leptadenia hastata and Cassia sieberiana were also investigated. The abundance of the plants was carried out in villages with semi-structured interviews of vet-healers, in-situ observations and then completion with library documentation while the acute toxicity was done in mice. The results showed that LDB50Bs of 495 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg and 1513 mg/kg were observed for Holarrhena floribunda, Cassia sieberiana and Leptadenia hastata respectively. The relative abundance of these species across Burkina Faso is variable. Leptadenia hastata is widely distributed, while Holarrhena floribunda is very scarce because of its high demand. Cassia sieberiana’s case is worrisome because the plant’s root is the basic material required. The LD quotient and LDB50B obtained for Leptadenia hastata show that the plant is safe to use. Although the LDB50 Bobtained for Holarrhena floribunda is higher than that of Cassia sieberiana their LD quotients did not meet acceptable safety calculated value. However, it is more difficult to get enough crude material of Holarrhena floribunda and Cassia sieberiana. There is, therefore, an urgent need to build a sustainable scheme for these endangered species and their preservation.

Total and hydroalcoholic extracts of the stem barks of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth. (Mimosaceae) were tested on strains belonging to three species of Shigellae: S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri and S. boydii collected from hospitals in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The results showed that both extracts were active against Shigellae. The hydroalcoholic extract was more active than the decoction (aqueous one) prescribed by the traditional healer. Both extracts were particularly effective against S. dysenteriae, the most virulent of the three pathogenic species. The effects of the extracts have been compared to that of gentamicin. The phytochemical screening on the extracts revealed the presence of sterols, triterpenes, polyphenolic compounds including tanins, flavonoids, coumarins, anthocyanidins. Other components are saponosides and reducing sugars. Keywords : Shigellae – Hydroalcoholic extract – bark – Parkia biglobosa African Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Vol. 4 (4) 2007: pp. 392-396