An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used in the Preparation of “Atikédi”: Local Alcoholic Beverages Commonly Consumed in Lomé Togo

Ethnobotanical relevance: Local alcoholic beverages “Atikédi” are produced in Lomé and consumed not only for pleasure but also for therapeutic purposes. They are produced out of “Sodabi”, distilled palm wine, mixed with plant organs. However, the exact composition of these beverages and the diseases they are supposed to treat are poorly documented to date in Togo. Aim of the study: To make an inventory of plants used by “Atikédi” beverages producers in Lomé. Materials and methods: Data collection was made through Semi Structured Interview. Data processing and analysis were done using Excel and Epi Info. Results: 267 outlets were identified with a predominance of stores (53.18%). 192 women and 75 men were interviewed. They belonged to 12 different ethnic groups with the majority being Ewe (127) and Ouatchi (71). Their age range varied from 25 to 70 years with an average of 42.6±7.9 years. 61 plants species were recorded belonging to 58 genera and 35 families. The most represented family was the Apocynaceae with five species followed by the Rutaceae and the Poaceae with four species each. Among 43 diseases managed by the plants, bacterial infections (ICF=0.95) and sexual weakness (ICF=0.95) were the most important pathologies. Conclusion: Producers of “Atikédi” used a wide range of medicinal plants. Pharmacological and toxicological studies of these plants will improve the quality of care provided by traditional medicine

A Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition of the Extracts from Leaves, Stem Bark, and Root Bark of Cassia sieberiana: Antibacterial Activities

In Togo, the abusive use of the root of Cassia sieberiana D.C. in traditional medicine, contributes gradually to the rarefaction of the species. The general objective of this study is to promote the use of vital organs of Cassia sieberiana in traditional medicine in Togo. The identification of secondary metabolites of the extracts (cyclohexane, dichloromethane and methanol) was carried out by GC-MS and by CL-MS / MS. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed according to the well diffusion method and the MICs and MBCs according to the tube dilution method. Compounds such as sitosterol α-acetate, β-sitosterol, emodin, chaetochromine, luteolin, (±) -catechin, naringenin 5-O-rhamnoside, guibourtinidol- (4 alpha-> 6) -catechin and (-) - epiafzelechin are found in the root and in the stem bark. The identified molecules give the different methanolic extracts, an antibacterial effect on all the germs tested. At the end of this study, it appears that the chemical composition of the stem bark is almost similar to that of the root bark. The leaves would be better placed for the treatment of bacteria tested

In vitro anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of Securidaca longepedunculata and Annona senegalensis hydro-alcoholic extract

Annona senegalensis and Securidaca longepedunculata are two plants traditionnaly used in inflammation and wounds infection treatment after snakebites. This study aims to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Annona senegalensis and Securidaca longepedunculata. Antimicrobial activity of the two plant extracts was examined against five bacterial strains with the well diffusion method and the inhibition zones diameters (IZD), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the 96-well microplate dilution method. While antiinflammatory activity was assessed by the albumin denaturation method. The results obtained showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of Annona senegalensis has antimicrobial property against Staphylococcus aureus (IZD=12.22 ± 0.24 mm, MIC=62.5 mg/mL, MBC=125 mg/mL) and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IZD=12.06 ± 0.06 mm, MIC=125 mg/mL, MBC=250 mg/mL). Securidaca longepedunculata also showed its antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (IZD=12.03 ± 0.03 mm, MIC=125 mg/mL, MBC=250 mg/mL) and Candida albicans (IZD=12.12 ± 0.07 mm, MIC=62.5 mg/mL, MFC=125 mg/mL). In the order hand,  Annona senegalensis and Securidaca longepedunculata exhibited concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity by reducing significantly (p<0.001)  the denaturation of BSA. In addition  S. longepedunculata inhibited haemolysis significantly (p<0.001) more than Diclofenac sodium at 200 and 400 µg/mL. Hence, it was concluded that Annona senegalensis and Securidaca longepedunculata possessed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can be used in the treatment of inflammation and wounds infection after snakebites. Keywords: Annona senegalensis, Securidaca longepedunculata, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, BSA

Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Aloe buettneri, Mitracarpus scaber and Hannoa undulata used in Togolese Cosmetopoeia

Background: Aloe buettneri, Mitracarpus scaber and Hannoa undulata are three plants species used in the Togolese traditional medicine to cure dermatosis. This study aims at assessing their anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities on acne-developing micro-organisms. Methods: Six micro-organisms including Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 6919, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603; Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213; and Candida albicans ATCC 35659 were used. Inhibition diameter was assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations have been achieved through the liquid dilution method. Anti-oxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH antiradical scaving and FRAP methods. Phytochemical screening was also realized. Results: All the microorganism’s strains tested, excepted Candida albicans and Escherichia coli, were susceptible to plants extracts at 250 mg/mL in the agar well diffusion assay with inhibition diameters ranging from 12.10 ± 0.07 to 18.20 ± 0.10 mm. The MICs values were comprised between 15.625 mg/mL and 62.5 mg/mL, when MMCs ranged from 31.25 to 125 mg/mL. At the concentration of 500 µg/mL, the scavenging properties on DPPH radicals were 49.20 ± 0.15% for H. undulata, 41.29 ± 0.51% for A. buettneri, 59.57 ± 0.41% for M. scaber and 87.22 ± 0.03% for Quercetin. For FRAP assay, the effective concentration (EC50) of A. buettneri, M. scaber and H. undulata extracts were 977.44 ± 1.13 µg/mL; 267.74 ± 10.13 µg/mL and, 272.54 ± 12.87 µg/mL respectively while quercetin presented the EC50 of 48.63 ± 2.00 µg/mL. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of these species might be required to the presence of polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponoside and alkaloids identified by phytochemical screening. Conclusion: The three plants extracts are all potential natural antimicrobial and antioxidant candidates for treating acne vulgaris. Keywords: Aloe buettneri, Mitracarpus scaber, Hannoa undulata, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, phytochemical screening, Acne vulgari