Food plants used during traditional wrestling in Kabyè land of Togo

Introduction: In the traditional sports like the fight, natural products from minerals, animals and plants are used to increase physical resistance and performance. For a better understanding of this practice, an ethnopharmacological survey was carried out in kabyè land, North of Togo, to identify current plants used as foods plants during traditional wrestling. Methods: Ethnopharmacological data were collected through semistructured method and personal interviewsin the Kabyè locality during traditional wrestling. At least, twelve villages were surveyed in the study. Results: Results indicated that 57 plants are widely used by local people as food plants generally during wrestling time. These plants are used traditionally for many others purposes. Conclusion: We concluded that these plants may serve as sources for pharmacological investigations in physical performance improvement.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Toxicological assessment of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of clerodendrum capitatum in Wistar rats

Introduction: Clerodendrum capitatum (Willd) Schumach. & Thonn (Lamiaceae) is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria, hypertension, obesity, jaundice and diabetes however there is lack of experimental data on its possible toxicity. This study investigated the acute and 28 days sub-chronic toxicity of C. capitatum in Wistar rats. Methods: In acute toxicity tests, a single administration of the hydroethanolic C. capitatum leaf extract (5 g/kg) was given orally to 5 female rats. The general behavior, adverse effects and mortality were recorded for up to 14 days post treatment. On the 15th day, the rats were weighed and euthanized for necropsy. In sub-chronic toxicity tests, the extract (4, 8 and 16 g/kg/day) was given orally to both male and female rats for 28 days. The animal body weight was recorded throughout the experiment, while hematological and biochemical parameters of blood and relative organs weights were evaluated on the 29th day. Results: Clerodendrum Capitatum did not cause any death or any hazardous symptoms of acute toxicity, showing an LD50 higher than 5 g/kg. Sub-chronic administration of C. capitatum resulted in no noticeable changes in weight gain and water or food consumption. White blood cells and hemoglobin increased while urea concentration, liver enzymes, total cholesterol and glucose concentrations significantly decreased in treated animals. No changes in macroscopical aspect of organs were observed in the animals. Conclusion: These results showed that acute or subchronic oral administration of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Clerodendrum capitatum may be considered as relatively free of toxicity.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Effect of palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq, 1763) in the diet on digestive transit and some serum parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758)

As part of the continuation of the thesis work on the valuation of palm kernel cake in the diet of Nile tilapia, a study was carried out from March 7th to April 12th, 2018 at the Aquaculture Research and Development Unit of the University of Lome in Togo. It aims to  evaluate the digestive use efficiency of palm kernel cake (PK) in Oreochromis niloticus. So, two lots of 180 male Oreochromis niloticus; juvenile of 57.14 ± 4.43 g and adults of 144.04 ± 7.65 g were each randomly distributed in 9 recirculate system concrete tanks of 600 L, at 20 fish per tank, filled to 250 liters of water. They were fed two weeks with three isoprotein diets (32% crude protein) in triplicate, distributed manually three times a day at 2% of the fish biomass; standard fish feed Raanan (RA) and two diets containing 30% PK untreated (R3) or cooked in water for one hour (R3C). After a 2 days fasting, some fish were fed once again to satiety (8am). Then a sample of 6 fish per lot was euthanized in a clove solution. After blood sampling, the fish were dissected at 0h, 1h, 4h, 8h, 12h and 24h after feeding to measure blood and intestinal parameters. The results obtained show that raw PK is an unpalatable fibrous ingredient but well valued once cooked with a digestive improvement allowing good absorption of food micronutrients in both juveniles and adults. This absorption led to changing in the serum protein level for growth of fish and nitrogenous excretion in the form of urea. The cooking slowed the transit of the food into the digestive tract of tilapia, this can improve zootechnical performance of fish

Current situation of fish farming in Togo

In Togo, fish farming is faced with several problems which oblige farmers to develop local production techniques that explain the low level of production. To assess the current situation, a survey was conducted to collect information on this activity in 91 Togolese fish farms located in the five regions of the country. The survey has shown the existence of two production systems, namely the extensive majority system (87.91%) practiced in ponds and water reservoirs and the semi intensive system (12.09%) implemented in tanks and ponds. The lack of accurate data has made it difficult to estimate production. Nevertheless, eight fish species are found in these environments in which tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the African cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) represent 80% of farmed species. Feed, representing over 50% of fish production cost, remains the major constraint on the development of this activity. However, agro-industrial by-product resources were available depending on region and are recoverable for use as fish feed. This is the case for palm kernel meal which was abundant and little studied in Togo. Sociologically, fish farming was more a matter of group (61.54%) than individual (38.46%) activity. The extensive fish farming system deserves to be improved and agro-industrial by-products analyzed and valued for the promotion of fish farming in Togo.Keywords: Fish, food, fish farming infrastructure, agro-industrial by-products, palm kernel meal

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

How do Spondias mombin L (Anacardiaceae) leaves extract increase uterine smooth muscle contractions to facilitate child birth in parturient women?

Background: Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves were used in Togolese folk to treat dystocia, expel placenta and manage post-partum hemorrhage during child birth.Objectives: This study aimed to establish how the extract of S. mombin leaves increase uterine smooth muscle contractions relevant to its traditional use to facilitate child birth.Methods: Tests were performed on uterus muscle strips from Sprague-Dawley rats. Central portion of uterine horns were dissected, cleaned of surrounding fat and loose connective tissue, and cut longitudinally into strips which were placed in the organ bath for isometric tension record in presence of different substances.Results: S. mombin leaves extract increased uterine spontaneous contractions. This effect was reduced by indomethacin (2 x 10-6 M), yohimbine (2 x 10-6 M) and 2- aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) (5 x 10-5 M), but not by atropine (3.45 x 10-8 M) and cholesterol (2.5 mg/ml).Conclusion: The pharmacological justification for the traditional use of S. mombin leaves to treat dystocia and expel placenta was that its hydro-ethanolic extract induced prostaglandins release, α2-adrenoceptors stimulation, calcium release from internal stores and lifted inhibitory effect of cholesterol on uterine contractions in order to increase uterine smooth muscle contractions.Keywords: Spondias mombin, uterus, contractions, calcium

Antihyperglycemic activity of total extract and fractions of Anogeissus leiocarpus

Anogeissus leiocarpus (Combretaceae) is a medicinal plant used by traditional practitioners to treat people living with diabetes mellitus in Togo. The objective of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the plant. The hydroalcoholic extract and fractions of A. leiocarpus roots was evaluated on hyperglycemic mice by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and on normoglycemic mice. The effect of the total extract and fractions was also measured on the adsorption and absorption of glucose respectively in vitro and ex vivo. At 30 minutes after glucose overload, the total extract and all fractions (supernatant and pellet) significantly (p< 0.0001) reduced hyperglycemia compared to controls. However, this reduction in hyperglycemia was greater in mice treated with the supernatant fraction at 100 mg.kg-1 during 180 minutes (p < 0.01). In our conditions, the extract at the 500 mg.kg-1 of the total extract in normoglycemic mice did not significantly decrease (p>0.05) basal blood glucose levels compared to controls. In vitro, the extract and fractions of A. leiocarpus adsorbed glucose and inhibited glucose intestinal absorption ex vivo. The results of this study support the use of A. leiocarpus as an antidiabetic plant. Keywords:  Anogeissus leiocarpus- fractions- antihyperglycemic- adsorption – absorption

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXIDANT AND HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF COCCOLOBA UVIFERA LEAVES AND WALTHERIA INDICA ROOTS EXTRACTS

Objective: Coccoloba uvifera (Polygonaceae) and Watheria indica (Sterculiaceae) are two medicinal plants used in Togolese traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate their antioxidant properties and hypoglycemic activity.Methods: After phytochemical screening, hydro alcoholic leaves extracts of Coccoloba uvifera and the hydro alcoholic roots extract of Watheria indica were evaluated on blood glucose levels in fasting normal and glucose loaded hyper glycemic rats (oral glucose tolerance test). Antioxydant activities were performed using AAPH (2, 2'-Azobis 2 Amidino propane Dihydrochloride test and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity).Results: Phytochemical tests revealed the presence of flavonoids, total phenols and tanin in the hydro alcoholic extracts of C. uvifera and W. indica. The hypoglycemic activity measured after oral administration of glucose (2 g/kg) revealed that W. indica leaves and C. uvifera roots induced a significant reduction of hyperglycemia in treated group compared to control group. There was a significant reduction in the hyperglycemic peak with W. indica leaves extract at doses of 250 mg/kg (p<0.05) and 500 mg/kg (p<0.001). Moreover, the administration of extracts (at dose of 500 mg/kg) in fasted rats did not show any significant decrease in basal blood glucose level compared to the control. Hydro alcoholic extracts inhibit hemolysis of erythrocytes induced by AAPH dose-dependent manner and have an antioxidant power comparable to that of the Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (reference drug). The extracts inhibit the production of nitric oxide and possess reducing power.Conclusion: The results of this study support the use of these plants in the treatment of diabetes in Togolese traditional medicine.Â