Effects of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) on rat parturition

The leaves of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) are used by traditional healers in some parts of Africa to treat dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage. All experiments are performed on albino wistar mature and immature rats. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Spondias mombin Linn on rat parturition in order to determine its action on labor time, uterus and sex steroids organs weight and coagulation time. Hydro-ethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaves were given daily by oral route to female rats from 19th day of pregnancy, at doses of 100; 250 and 500 mg/kg. The dose 250 mg/kg reduced significantly (P < 0,05) labor time. To explore estrogenic activity of the extract, the dose of 250 mg/kg, given daily by oral route to immature female rats for 7 days, induced vaginal opening and the increase in uterus and ovarian weight. The extract at 100 mg/ml was reduced the coagulation time. These results suggest that the leaves hydro-ethanolic extract of S. mombin contain one or more principles which reduced labor time, induced vaginal opening, increased uterus and ovarian weight and reduced coagulation time.Keywords: Spondias mombin, labor time, vaginal opening, uterus, ovarian, coagulation time

Effect of mancozeb-treated lettuce (Lactuca sativa) on wistar rat liver

Vegetable contamination by pesticides presents current problem of public health. Previous studies have shown that 60% vegetables sampled collected in Lomé (Togo) have pesticide residues exceeding the tolerable limits. Because mancozeb, ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate, is mainly used, more than five times, during the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), the aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the potential effect of mancozeb-treated lettuce on the rat liver physiology. Mancozeb-treated lettuce and two doses of mancozeb were administered during 28 days to rats. Along the study, animal behavior was assessed, and at the end of administration, some hepatic enzymes such as transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were studied. The decrease in rat body weight was noted and animals have soft feces. Plasmatic concentrations of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin are increased in rats administered with mancozeb-treated lettuce. The plasmatic concentration of total protein is not decreased significantly. Those results indicate that lettuce collected directly from gardens, without washing or less washed, are not fit for human consumption.Keywords: Lettuce, mancozeb, toxicity, liver, pesticide residues, public healt

Screening Phytochimique, Étude Toxicologique, Évaluation des Activités Antiplasmodiale et Antiradicalaire de la Tige Feuillée de Senna occidentalis Linn (Fabaceae)

La valorisation de la médecine traditionnelle passe par des études pharmacologiques sur les plantes médicinales. Ainsi pour lutter efficacement contre le paludisme, premier problème de santé publique au Togo, des études pharmacologiques, phytochimiques et toxicologiques ont été réalisées sur Senna occidentalis. La compilation des résultats des enquêtes ethnobotaniques effectuées au CERFOPLAM de 2010 à 2013 sur le paludisme et ses symptômes affiliés ont permis de sélectionner Senna occidentalis afin de vérifier les propriétés qui lui sont attribuées. Les différents tests ont été réalisés sur les extraits aqueux et hydro-éthanoliques 50 : 50 de la plante. L’activité antiplasmodiale in vitro a été réalisée sur une culture des parasites (Plasmodium falciparum : souche sauvage) selon le microtest optique. Le screening phytochimique a été caractérisé par la chromatographie sur couche mince suivie de tests colorimétriques. La toxicité préliminaire a été réalisée sur Artemia salina puis le potentiel antioxydant in vitro des extraits a été mesuré par le test de réduction du radical 2,2-diphényl1-picryl-hydrazyl et le dosage des polyphénols. Le test antiplasmodial a montré que l’extrait aqueux a une activité modérée sur le P. falciparum avec une CI50 de 91,08 ± 0,61 µg/mL tandis que l’extrait hydro-éthanolique est très actif avec une CI50 de 1,00 ± 0,05 µg/mL. La drogue de référence (Quinine) présentant une CI50 = 0,45 ± 0,01 µg/mL. Le screening phytochimique révèle la présence des grands groupes chimiques tels que les flavonoïdes, les tanins, les saponosides, les coumarines et les alcaloïdes qui seraient à l’origine de l’activité antiplasmodiale observée. Les tests antiradicalaires ont permis de retenir que Senna occidentalis n’est pas antioxydant et possède très peu de polyphénols. Cet aspect confirme l’état de stress que peut subir le Plasmodium falciparum vis-à-vis des différents extraits testés. Etant donné que les CL50 sont 3,31 mg/mL et 3,70 mg/mL donc très supérieures à 0,1 mg/mL, les deux extraits de plantes testés ne sont pas cytotoxiques. Tous ces résultats combinés justifient le choix des tradipraticiens dans l’utilisation de Senna occidentalis pour soigner leurs patients atteints du paludisme.The valorization of traditional medicine involves pharmacological researches on medicinal plants. Thus, to effectively fight malaria, the major public health problem in Togo, pharmacological, phytochemical and toxicological studies were carried out on Senna occidentalis. The compilation of the results on ethnobotanical surveys carried out at CERFOPLAM from 2010 to 2013 on malaria and its affiliated symptoms lead to selecting Senna occidentalis in order to confirm the characteristics attributed to it. Various tests were carried out on aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts 50:50 of the plant. The antiplasmodial activity in vitro was carried out on cultivated parasites (Plasmodium falciparum: wild strain) according to the optical micro-test. Phytochemical screening was characterized by thin layer chromatography followed by colorimetric tests. The preliminary toxicity was carried out on Artemia salina then the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracts was measured by the reduction test of the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl- hydrazyl radical and the determination of the polyphenols. The antiplasmodial test showed that the aqueous extract has a moderate activity on P. falciparum with an IC50 of 91.08 ± 0.61 μg / mL while the hydroethanolic extract is very active with an IC50 of 1, 00 ± 0.05 μg / mL. The reference drug (Quinine) with an IC50 = 0.45 ± 0.01 μg / mL. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of large chemical groups such as flavonoids, tannins, saponosides, coumarins and alkaloids that may be responsible for the observed antiplasmodial activity. The antiradical tests have held that Senna occidentalis is not antioxidant and has got very few polyphenols. This aspect confirms the state of stress that Plasmodium falciparum can undergo against the various extracts tested. Since the LC50's are 3.31 mg / mL and 3.70 mg / mL, therefore, higher above 0.1 mg / mL, the two extracts from plants which were tested are not cytotoxic. The combination of all these results justif the choice of traditional healers in using Senna occidentalis to treat their patients suffering from malaria

A Model for Promoting Poultry Industry Development in Togo: Part 1. Management Practices and Incubation Conditions

In commercial poultry husbandry practice, the hatchery takes over the incubation of bird eggs in order to provide as many day-old chicks as needed at any time to farmers. The main bottleneck for poultry industry development in Togo is the lack of day-old chick supply. Indeed, there is no proficient hatchery which can cover the needs of the farmers because of lack of information about hatchery management or people trained as hatchery managers. Also, there is lack of information about management practice aspects, etc. With the aim to promote poultry industry in Togo, an interuniversity project [Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) and University of Lome (UL)] as a model of poultry industry development was implemented. Specific objectives of the current project are to implement research and development activities on better conditions of incubation and adapted management practices focusing mainly on (1) Effect of early transferring of layer breeders hatching eggs on embryo parameters and hatchability, (2) Comparison of different chicken genotypes in Embryo Physiology, (3) Effects of heat conditioning at d 16 to 18 of incubation or during early broiler rearing on embryo physiology, post-hatch growth performance and heat tolerance, (4) Effect of low albumen quantity on chick embryo and post-hatch parameters, (5) Effects of In ovo-administration of L-carnitine on hatching events and juvenile performance of layer-type chick, (6) Interaction effects of mixing hatching eggs of differential embryo growth trajectory and incubator CO2 concentration on embryo physiological parameters, (7) Effect of delayed feed access on production and blood parameters of layer-type chicks and (8) Induced moulting of layer chickens

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight et Arn (Mimosaceae) hydro-alcoholic extract action on the contractility of tracheal smooth muscle isolated from guinea-pig

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Dichrostachys cinerea </it>(L.) Wight et Arn. (Mimosaceae) is largely used in ethno-medically across Africa, and mainly employed for the treatment of asthma in Ivory Coast and Gabon. The paper analyses the relaxation induced by the methanolic extract of <it>D. cinerea </it>(Edici) in the guinea-pig trachea preparations (GPTPs). Purpose: This study aimed to bring out the scientific basis to the use of this plant leading to the validation of this phytomedicine.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The aorta obtained from guinea-pigs was immediately placed in a Mac Ewen solution. Experiments were performed in preparations suspended between two L-shaped stainless steel hooks in a 10 ml organ bath containing Mac Ewen solution. The isometric contractile force of the aorta strips of guinea-pig were recorded by using a strain gauge. The different drugs were directly administered into the organ bath and the magnitude of GPTPs was evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of Dichrostachys <it>cinerea </it>(Edici) using chemical methods revealed the presence of flavenoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes and polyphenols. Pharmacological studies performed in GPTPs show that of <it>Dichrostachys cinerea </it>(0.1 mg/ml - 2 mg/ml) evoked a broncho-constriction in GPTPs. Whereas, at concentration up to 2 mg/ml, Edici induced a significant dose-dependent relaxation in the GPTPs. KCl-, ACh- or histamine-evoked contractions of isolated trachea was significantly inhibited by increasing concentrations of Edici (3.5-10 mg/ml). Edici (10 mg/ml) as well as promethazine (0.25 mg/ml) significantly inhibited contractions induced by increasing concentrations of histamine (1×10^-7-1×10^-4mg/ml). In the presence of atropine at a concentration of 10^-6mg/ml, contractile response curve (CRC) evoked by ACh (1×10^-5-1×10^-2mg/ml) was significantly abolished in concentration-dependent manner. Edici did not significantly reduced ACh evoked contraction (10^-5-10^-2mg/ml).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These observations suggest that Edici could act through two mechanisms: firstly by activation of β-adrenergic or histaminergic receptors; and secondly muscarinic receptors may not be greatly involved, that justifying the use of the extract in traditional Medicine in Africa.</p

Evaluation de l’activite antioxydante des feuilles de Paullinia pinnata (Sapindaceae) sur les rats males Wistar

Paullinia pinnata est une plante très utilisée en Afrique, notamment au Togo. Il est essentiellement indiqué dans le traitement de l’impuissance masculine, l’hypertension artérielle, le paludisme et l’anémie.Cette étude a eu pour objectif d’évaluer les propriétés antioxydantes de l’extrait hydroalcoolique des feuilles de P. pinnata. A cet effet, nous avons d’abord procédé à la recherche des flavonoïdes et des tanins. Nous avons ensuite évalué le pouvoir antioxydant de l’extrait ‘’in vivo’’ sur des rats Wistar (200-250g) pendant 21 jours. Le modèle de la réduction du fer plasmatique par le test Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) a été utilisé, suivi de la mesure du taux de malonedialdéhyde (MDA) sur les homogénats du foie, du rein et du cerveau.L’extrait a réduit le fer plasmatique de façon significative aux doses de 250 et 500 mg/kg. L’extrait a diminué le taux de MDA dans le foie des rats de 13 ; 67 et 76% respectivement aux doses de 100 ; 250 et 500 mg/kg. Cette diminution a également été observée dans le rein et le cerveau quand bien même la lipoperoxydation a été moins importante au niveau de ces organes. Aux doses de 250 et 500 mg/kg la diminution était respectivement de 10 et 30% au niveau du rein ; 31 et 44% au niveau du cerveau. A la dose de 100 mg/kg on avait plutôt un effet prooxydant.P. pinnata est une plante dotée de propriétés antioxydantes. Ce qui justifierait sonutilisation en médecine traditionnelle dans le traitement de pathologies liées aux radicaux libres.Mots clés:  Paullinia pinnata, stress oxydant, antioxydantEnglish Title: Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Paullinia pinnata leaves (sapindaceae) on the males Wistar ratsEnglish AbstractPaullinia pinnata is a plant widely used in Africa, especially in Togo. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of male impotence, arterial hypertension, malaria and anemia.This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of P. pinnata leaves. For this purpose, we first looked for flavonoids and tannins. We then evaluated the antioxidant potency of the "in vivo" extract on Wistar rats (200-250g) for 21 days. The model of plasma iron reduction by the Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) test was used, followed by the measurement of the malonedialdehyde (MDA) level on liver, kidney and brain homogenates.The extract reduced plasma iron significantly at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. The extract decreased the level of MDA in the liver of 13 rats; 67 and 76% respectively at doses of 100; 250 and 500 mg/kg. This decrease was also observed in the kidney and the brain even though the lipoperoxidation was less important in these organs. At doses  of 250 and 500 mg/kg the decrease was respectively 10 and 30% in the kidney; 31 and 44% in the brain. At the dose of 100 mg/kg was rather a prooxidant effect.P. pinnata is a plant with antioxidant properties. This would justify its use in traditional medicine in the treatment of pathologies related to free radicals.Keywords: Paullinia pinnata, oxidative stress, antioxydan

Anticonvulsive effects of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaf of Kigelia africana

Kigelia africana is traditionally used in Togo to control epileptic seizures. We undertook this study in order to evaluate its anticonvulsive properties. We pretreated Wistar albino rats of both sexes with the hydroethanolic extract (v: v) of the leaf of K. africana at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight. This pretreatment was done one hour prior to the administration of the convulsive drugs. We induced convulsions by administration (i.p) of strychnine, picrotoxin (PTX) or pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) respectively at 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg. In the pentylenetetrazol’s model, the above protocol was conducted both in male and in female groups of rats. We registered the latency and duration of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions in all models. The Incidence rates of the generalized convulsions in all models were decreased. Furthermore, the extract increased the survival rates of the rats in all model used in this study. The extract either at 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg significantly increased the latency of the onset of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. Duration of the convulsions was significantly decreased in all models except for the picrotoxin-induced seizure’s one. In the PTZ model, the extract was more active in female rat. The extract decreased the incidence rate, prolonged the mean latency and shortened the mean duration of the generalized convulsions induced with PTX, strychnine and PTZ. The leaf of K. africana possesses anticonvulsive properties. This partially explains itstraditional use in epileptic conditions

Contribution a l’etude des effets pharmacologiques in vivo de lippia multiflora mold. (Verbenaceae)

Lippia multiflora Mold (Verbenaceae) currently known as "Thé de Gambie" is one of popular medicinal plant used as tea in Togo to treat insomnia and jaundice. The aim of this study is to investigate the sedative, analgesic and muscular relaxation properties of aqueous extract of L. multiflora administered at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. At these doses, the extract reduces the latency time of sleep, increases the time of equilibration and the time of sleep induced by Phenobarbital. The extract shows analgesic effect. These results confirm partially the traditional use of L. multiflora in the treatment of insomnia. Lippia multiflora Mold (Verbenaceae) communément appelé "Thé de Gambie" est une plante couramment utilisée en Afrique et en particulier au Togo en boisson théiforme pour le traitement de l’insomnie et de l’ictère. L’objectif de ce travail est d’évaluer les propriétés sédatives, analgésiques et musculo-relaxantes chez le rat wistar par l’administration de L. multiflora aux doses de 250, 500 et 1000mg/kg. A ces doses, l’extrait de Lippia multiflora réduit le temps de latence d’entrée en sommeil, augmente la durée de rétablissement de l’équilibre, le seuil de sensibilité et potentialise la narcose barbiturique. Ces résultats justifieraient partiellement son indication traditionnelle dans le traitement de l’insomnie