Etudes ethnobotanique et écologique des plantes d’hygiène intime féminine utilisées à Kinshasa (République Démocratique du Congo)

En Afrique, plus de 80% de la population recourent à la médecine traditionnelle en utilisant les espèces végétales pour résoudre le problème de santé primaire. Le but de ce travail a été d'identifier les plantes utilisées par des femmes à Kinshasa/République Démocratique du Congo, pour les soins intimes et de déterminer leurs caractéristiques écologiques. L'enquête ethnobotanique a concerné trois cents personnes comprenant cinquante huit herboristes, habitant Kinshasa. Trente sept espèces, regroupées en vingt deux familles botaniques, ont été identifiées comme plantes pour le soin de la région génitale. Les espèces de Rubiaceae étaient les plantes les plus citées. Au sujet de statut écologique, 32% d’espèces identifiées sont des microphanerophytes, 35% sont des espèces Afro-tropicales et 51% d’espèces sont de la savane. La feuille est la partie la plus utilisée (65%) et les raisons à caractère sanitaire expliquent 54% de cas d'utilisation des plantes tandis que les raisons à caractère érotique comptent pour 46%. Ces divers résultats laissent découvrir la richesse culturelle et traditionnelle que les plantes d’hygiène intime constituent. Elles peuvent servir de matériel pour la production des substances bioactives.Mots clés : Inventaire, plantes, région vaginale, santé primaire, erotique

Étude ethnobotanique et floristique de quelques plantes médicinales commercialisées à Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo

According to the WHO, more than 80% of the population in Africa resort to traditional medicine to solve primary health problem. In the present study, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out according to a stratified probabilistic sampling plan in five markets of the district of Mont-Amba, in Kinshasa city. The ethnobotanical data collected were then supplemented by information concerning plant ecological types. 47 species belonging 44 genera and 29 families were inventoried in the medicinal flora of the District of Mont-Amba. These plant species are used in treating 41 diseases but only the treatment of poison (toxicological hepatitis), sexual weakness, malaria and tooth decay received an informant consensus factor ? 50%. According to the value of agreement use, only the following eight plant species are of interest: Aframomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Gladiolus gregarius, Gongronema latifolium, Heinsia crinita, Morinda morindoides, Quassia africana and Sarcocephalus latifolius. It is thus desirable that studies should be carried out on these eight plant species in order to collect scientific data for guiding future research on the phytochemistry and the bioactivity which will lead to the domestication of raw materials for the development of improved plant-based medicines. Also, the creation of a botanical garden of medicinal plants will be able to contribute to the safeguard of the medically active plants, the diffusion of knowledge, medical and pharmaceutical experiences and sociocultural exchanges. Keywords: Ethno-botanical survey, medicinal plant species, sustainable management, conservation, Democratic Republic of the CongoSelon l’OMS, plus de 80% de la population africaine recourt à la médecine traditionnelle pour résoudre le problème de santé primaire. Dans la présente étude, une enquête ethnobotanique a été menée selon un plan d’échantillonnage stratifié probabiliste dans cinq marchés du district de Mont-Amba. Les données ethnobotaniques recueillies ont ensuite été complétées par des informations concernant les types écologiques. 47 espèces appartenant 44 genres et 29 familles ont été inventoriées dans la flore médicinale du District de Mont-Amba à Kinshasa. Ces plantes traitent 41 maladies, cependant seuls les traitements du poison (hépatite toxicologique), de la faiblesse sexuelle, du paludisme et de la carie dentaire ont un facteur de consensus informateur ? 50 %. En recourant à la valeur d’accord d’utilisation, seules huit plantes se dégagent du lot, notamment Aframomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Gladiolus gregarius, Gongronema latifolium, Heinsia crinita, Morinda morindoides, Quassia africana et Sarcocephalus latifolius. Il est donc souhaitable que des études soient réalisées sur ces huit plantes en vue de recueillir les données scientifiques pouvant orienter les recherches pharmaco-biologiques et phytochimiques futures et susceptibles de conduire à la domestication des matières premières pour la fabrication de médicaments traditionnels améliorés. Aussi, la création d’un jardin botanique de plantes médicinales pourra contribuer à la sauvegarde des espèces bioactives, à la diffusion et à l’échange des connaissances et des expériences médico-pharmaceutiques et socio-culturelles. Mots-cléfs: Enquête ethnobotanique, Plantes médicinales, Gestion durable, Conservation, République démocratique du Cong

Ethnobotanical and floristic study of some medicinal plant species sold in Kinshasa city, Democratic Republic of Congo

According to the WHO, more than 80% of the population in Africa resort to traditional medicine to solve primary health problem. In the present study, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out according to a stratified probabilistic sampling plan in five markets of the district of Mont-Amba, in Kinshasa city. The ethnobotanical data collected were then supplemented by information concerning plant ecological types. 47 species belonging 44 genera and 29 families were inventoried in the medicinal flora of the District of Mont-Amba. These plant species are used in treating 41 diseases but only the treatment of poison (toxicological hepatitis), sexual weakness, malaria and tooth decay received an informant consensus factor ? 50%. According to the value of agreement use, only the following eight plant species are of interest: Aframomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Gladiolus gregarius, Gongronema latifolium, Heinsia crinita, Morinda morindoides, Quassia africana and Sarcocephalus latifolius. It is thus desirable that studies should be carried out on these eight plant species in order to collect scientific data for guiding future research on the phytochemistry and the bioactivity which will lead to the domestication of raw materials for the development of improved plant-based medicines. Also, the creation of a botanical garden of medicinal plants will be able to contribute to the safeguard of the medically active plants, the diffusion of knowledge, medical and pharmaceutical experiences and sociocultural exchanges

Étude phytochimique et évaluation de l’activité anti-radicalaire, anti-inflammatoire, anti-drépanocytaire et cytotoxique des feuilles de Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbenaceae)

Lippia multiflora est une plante aromatique utilisée en médecine traditionnelle pour traiter un certain nombre de maladies dont la drépanocytose. Le but de la présente étude est d’évaluer son efficacité et son innocuité in vitro. L’analyse micrographique de la poudre de L. multiflora par le réactif de Steimetz a permis d’identifier les cellules épidermiques, les stomates, les fragments de vaisseaux spiralées et les trichomes unicellulaires non glanduleux. Du point de vue phytochimique, cette plante contient les acides phénoliques, les flavonoïdes, les anthocyanes, les leuco-anthocyanes, les quinones liées, les coumarines, les anthraquinones, les iridoïdes, les saponines, les stéroïdes et les tri-terpènes. La teneur en polyphénols totaux est de 336 mg EAG/g d’extrait et tandis que celle des flavonoïdes totaux, des anthocyanes, des tanins condensés et hydrolysables sont respectivement de 6,61 mg EQ/g; 0,111 %; 0,425 %; 0,093 %. L’activité anti-oxydante du percolât (radical DPPH: CI50=73,6 µg/mL; radical ABTS: %I > 50 à 20 µg/mL) est supérieure à celle du décocté (radical DPPH: %I < 50 à 100 µg/mL; radical ABTS: CI50=78,9 µg/mL) et qu’en outre les feuilles de L. multiflora ne sont pas cytotoxiques (%Hémolyse <50 à 1000 µg/mL). Ces feuilles sont douées en outre des propriétés anti-inflammatoires (décocté: 36,3 % versus percolât: 62,0 %). Ces deux types d’extraits sont doués des propriétés anti-drépanocytaires in vitro. Cette plante bioactive étant probablement non cytotoxique, elle peut être développée et proposée comme candidat aliment fonctionnel pour le traitement symptomatique des crises drépanocytaires. Mots clés: Lippia multiflora, micrographie, aliments fonctionnels, acides phénoliques, polyphénols, in vitro, anti-inflammatoire, anti-drépanocytos

Phytochemistry and in vitro Anti-sickling activity of Senna Occidentalis L. (Fabaceae)

Introduction Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin, leading to the deformation of red blood cells and serious complications. It is a major public health problem in many countries of inter-tropical Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over a million people (2%) are affected by this hemoglobinopathy. Purpose This study aimed to scientifically validate the anti-sickle cell activity of aqueous extracts of S. occindentalis seeds and to identify the chemical constituents responsible for this activity. Methods In this study, we used S. occidentalis seeds harvested at Ilebo in Central Kasai Province, while the blood samples used were taken from sickle-cell patients. The phytochemical composition was determined according to the standard method described previously by Iteku et al. and Nkasa et al. The Emmel test was carried out according to the standard protocol described previously by Bongo et al. Results The results obtained in this study showed that the seeds of this plant are rich in secondary metabolites such as total polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins, leuco-athocyanins, tannins, and saponins), di-terpenes, alkaloids, and bound quinones. However, these seeds do not contain triterpenoids and steroids. Total seed extracts from this plant showed significant anti-sickle cell activity. Conclusion This study identified a medicinal plant used by the sickle cell disease community

The impact of vector migration on the effectiveness of strategies to control gambiense human African trypanosomiasis

BACKGROUND: Several modeling studies have been undertaken to assess the feasibility of the WHO goal of eliminating gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) by 2030. However, these studies have generally overlooked the effect of vector migration on disease transmission and control. Here, we evaluated the impact of vector migration on the feasibility of interrupting transmission in different g-HAT foci. METHODS: We developed a g-HAT transmission model of a single tsetse population cluster that accounts for migration of tsetse fly into this population. We used a model calibration approach to constrain g-HAT incidence to ranges expected for high, moderate and low transmission settings, respectively. We used the model to evaluate the effectiveness of current intervention measures, including medical intervention through enhanced screening and treatment, and vector control, for interrupting g-HAT transmission in disease foci under each transmission setting. RESULTS: We showed that, in low transmission settings, under enhanced medical intervention alone, at least 70% treatment coverage is needed to interrupt g-HAT transmission within 10 years. In moderate transmission settings, a combination of medical intervention and a vector control measure with a daily tsetse mortality greater than 0.03 is required to achieve interruption of disease transmission within 10 years. In high transmission settings, interruption of disease transmission within 10 years requires a combination of at least 70% medical intervention coverage and at least 0.05 tsetse daily mortality rate from vector control. However, the probability of achieving elimination in high transmission settings decreases with an increased tsetse migration rate. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the WHO 2030 goal of G-HAT elimination is, at least in theory, achievable. But the presence of tsetse migration may reduce the probability of interrupting g-HAT transmission in moderate and high transmission foci. Therefore, optimal vector control programs should incorporate monitoring and controlling of vector density in buffer areas around foci of g-HAT control efforts

Palygorskite-bearing fracture fills in the Kinshasa area, DR Congo - an exceptional mode of palygorskite vein development

Tectonic fractures in Palaeozoic strata of the Kinshasa area, DR Congo, locally host palygorskite-bearing veins and associated calcite occurrences. The palygorskite deposits are typically massive, with a varying degree of alignment of clay particles, a higher quartz content than the arkose substrate, and a variable amount of smectite (montmorillonite). The associated calcite occurrences are macrocrystalline coatings and infillings, and more fine-grained calcite veins with cataclastic texture. The calcite coatings and infillings formed from solution in earth surface conditions, as recorded by their stable isotope signature. The palygorskite-dominated deposits in the fractures formed at a later stage, in a setting without indications of authigenic mineral formation related to hydrothermal activity or to low-temperature interaction of solutions with the local substrate. The veins most likely formed by vertical infiltration of suspended matter in fractures that extended to a post-Palaeozoic palaeosurface, during or after deposition of palygorskite-bearing Upper Jurassic to Early Cretaceous sediments. This represents an exceptional mode of palygorskite vein development, unrelated to any form of mineral authigenesis that is typically invoked to explain vein-type occurrences of palygorskite and related minerals

Survey of water supply and assessment of groundwater quality in the suburban communes of Selembao and Kimbanseke, Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In many suburban municipalities of developing countries, the household drinking water comes mainly from groundwater including, wells, streams and springs. These sources are vulnerable because poor hygienic conditions and sanitation prevail causing persistence and recurrent waterborne diseases. In this research, a survey study on water resource use and an epidemiological survey of waterborne diseases were conducted among users of water points and medical institutions in suburban communes of Selembao and Kimbanseke (Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo). In addition, physicochemical (temperature, pH, O 2 , electrical conductivity, and soluble ions: Na + , K + , PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , NO 2 − ) and bacteriological (FIB: faecal indicator bacteria) analyses of water from 21 wells and springs were performed according to the seasonal variations. FIB included Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), Enterococcus and Total Coliforms. The survey results indicate that more than 75% of the patients admitted to local medical institutions between 2016 and 2019 are affected by waterborne diseases, including typhoid fever, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis disorders and cholera. Except for NO 3 − in some sites, the water physicochemical parameter values are within WHO permissible limits for drinking/domestic water quality. On the contrary, the results revealed high FIB levels in water from unmanaged wells and springs during rainy and dry seasons. The microbiological pollution was significantly higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season. Interestingly, no FIB contamination was observed in water samples from managed/developed wells. The results from this study will guide local government decisions on improving water quality to prevent recurrent waterborne diseases

Evaluation of water quality from suburban shallow wells under tropical conditions according to the seasonal variation, Bumbu, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

The contamination of freshwater resources with various organic and inorganic contaminants is still a major problem in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries in which the poor water quality continues to pose a serious threat to human health. In this study, the assessment of groundwater quality was performed in the municipality of Bumbu (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo) according to the seasonal variation. Water physicochemical parameters [pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen and soluble ions (Na+, K+, PO4 3-, SO4 2-, NO3-, NO2-)] and faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus (ENT) and Total coliforms (TC) were analysed. Except for EC and NO3, the results revealed low concentration of other water physicochemical parameters, which are below the recommended limits, according to World Health Organization guideline for drinking water. Additionally, the result showed high concentration of FIB reaching the values of 1.6 9 104, 1.5 9 104 and 9.0 9 105 CFU 100 mL-1 for E. coli, ENT and TC, respectively. The pollution was substantial in wet season compared to dry season. PCR amplification for human-Bacteroides indicated that more than 90 % of bacteria were from human origin. Our results highlight the potential human risk associated with the exposure to water contamination from wells due to the high level of NO3 -, EC, E. coli and ENT in both dry and wet seasons. The approach developed in this study helps provide a better understanding of the physicochemical and microbiological pollution of wells in large cities characterized with lack of wastewater and sanitation facilities