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

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Extract Mixture of Annona senegalensis Pers. and Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.)

Introduction: Annona senegalensis Pers (Annonaceae) and Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) (Leguminoseae)  are two medicinal plants used, often in combination, in traditional Togolese medicine for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the hydro-ethanolic extract (EHEM) of the combination of A. senegalensis and P. thonningii (1: 1, m: m). Methods: The ovalbumin-induced allergic airway asthma model was used. Animals made asthmatic were treated with EHEM at doses of 250 and 500 mg / kg. Inflammation markers including histamine, nitric oxide (NO), vascular leakage, leukocyte infiltration in the airways, and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. Results: Compared to the SNT group, EHEM inhibits the infiltration of the airways by leukocytes (850,00 × 103 ± 50 cells / mL vs 1830 × 103 ± 53,85 cells / mL for ST500 mg / kg, P <0,05). It inhibited vascular permeability to Evans Blue (10,40 ± 0,270 μg / mL vs ST500, p<0,05). It inhibited histamine release (13,95 ± 0,937 μg / mL vs 32,78 ± 1,044 μg / mL, p<0,05) and NO production (0,211 ± 0,008 Μm vs 0,315 ± 0,022 μM, p<0,05). It finally inhibited MDA production (14,66 ± 0,533 nM / mL vs 9,014 ± 0,366 nM / mL and 7,149 ± 0,300 nM / mL, p<0,05) in lung tissue. Conclusion: Our results suggest that EHEM inhibits OVA-induced inflammation. These results justify the use of this combination of plants in traditional Togolese medicine. Keywords: Inflammation, malondialdehyde, Annona senegalensis, Piliostigma thonningii

Diuretic effects and subacute toxicity of Trema orientalis Linn leave extract in wistar rats

Trema Orientalis is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. The present study was undertaken to investigate phytochemical compounds, diuretic activity and subacute toxicity of the hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Trema orientalis. Phytochemical analysis carried out through color and precipitation reactions revealed the presence of many metabolites. The measurement of diuretic activity carried out by saline overload with 0.9% NaCl at a dose of 50 mL/kg in wistar rats showed that the hydromethanolic extract of Trema orientalis leaves had diuretic activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight. However, this diuretic activity was relatively low compared to the action of the reference molecule, furosemide. The study of the subacute toxicity of the extract took place over 28 days. No significant difference was recorded in the body weights during the 28 days of the study.  Likewise, the weight of the organs collected after sacrifice of the rats and their macroscopic aspects did not show any significant difference with those of the control group. The extract increased the count of white and red blood cells as wells as platelets, practically at the two doses used and caused a decrease in ALT at the dose of 500 mg/kg. The extract could have a beneficial effect like a boosting immunity and would not present any toxicity at these doses. Keywords: phytochemical, diuretic, subacute toxicity, Trema orientali