Ethnobotanical Study and Vulnerability of Uvariodendron molundense (Annonaceae) in Gbado-Lite City (Ubangi Eco-region), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo is a real reservoir of medicinal plants. These plants play a major role in the treatment of certain common pathologies in tropical regions. The aim of this study was to list the ethnomedical uses of Uvariodendron molundense, a medicinal and aromatic plant from the Ubangi ecoregion. The ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Gbado-Lite with 200 people using stratified probability sampling. The respondents were interviewed individually on the basis of free consent. The study revealed that the majority of respondents were men (72%) and had a secondary education (37%), followed respectively by illiterates (34%) and those with a primary education (28%), and finally, university graduates represented only 1% of the respondents. 83% of the respondents were farmers, while 79% of the respondents were married. The leaf is the most used organ (81%) followed by stem and root bark. U. molundense is used both as food and medicine. The plant treats eight diseases (pain, malaria, cold, hypertension, gastritis, infection, headache and rheumatism). The calculated value of the informant consensus factor is 0.96 and indicates that there is a high degree of consensus among informants regarding the use of U. molundense against these diseases in Gbado-Lite. Decoction is the most commonly used method of preparation (89%) and 50% of the respondents stated that the species is currently not very abundant, while 31% of the respondents felt that the plant was rare. The calculated value of the vulnerability index shows that U. molundense is very vulnerable in its natural environment (Iv ˃ 2.5)

In Vitro Biological Activities of Drepanoalpha® Ethanolic Extract, A Justicia Secunda and Moringa Oleifera-Based Phytomedicine Proposed for The Symptomatic Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid sickle shape under low-oxygen conditions. These sickle-shaped erythrocytes tend to lyse, aggregate, and obstruct small blood vessels, leading to major complications. The present study aims to investigate properties that may underlie the activity of Drepanoalphaâ, an antisickling herbal formulation developed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the prevention and symptomatic treatment of sickle cell disease crises. The Drepanoalpha® Ethanolic Extract (DEE) is a dry extract (drug-extract ratio, DER, 100/11) prepared from ethanol (96 %, v/v) percolation of a 1:1 mixture of 2 food plants, Justicia secunda Vahl and Moringa oleifera Lam. Sickling was classically measured by light microscopy on diluted washed erythrocytes obtained from homozygote patients; erythrocytes were treated with 2 % Na2S2O5 in the presence of DEE (suspension in 9 ‰ NaCl), 9 ‰ NaCl (negative control) or disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, positive control). For all tested conditions, the sickle hemoglobin polymerization, the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio, and the median corpuscular fragility were measured by spectrophotometry. The DEE reversed sickling by 89.1 %, comparable to DSCG (87.7 %; 60.3 µg/mL), inhibiting sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization of 77.8 % and 74.4 %, respectively. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio was improved by 18.0 % for DEE and 15.9 % for DSCG. The median corpuscular fragility values were 0.602, 0.714, and 0.732 for NaCl 9 ‰, DSCG, and DEE, respectively. The measured in vitro parameters validate an effective antisickling effect of DEE and confirm the value of this improved traditional herbal formulation for the management of SCD

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

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

Valorization of the essential oil from Drypetes gossweileri S. Moore (Putranjivaceae): in vitro, in vivo, and in silico nematicidal activity

The chemical composition, insect antifeedant, in vtro/in vivo nematicidal activity, phytotoxicity, and in silico nematicidal activity of the essential oil (EO) of the African medicinal plant Drypetes gossweileri were studied. Chemical analysis using GC/MS indicated that benzyl isothiocyanate (96.23%) was the major compound, followed by benzyl cyanide (1.38%). The biocidal effects of this oil were tested against insect pests and root-knot nematodes. All the insect species tested were significantly affected by the oil according to their feeding adaptations (Spodoptera littoralis and Myzus persicae were less affected than Rhopalosiphum padi) with efficient doses (EC50) of 29.4 8.3 μg/cm2, 14.744 8.3 μg/cm2, and 8.3 μg/cm2, respectively. The oil was highly effective against juveniles J2 of the nematode Meloidogyne javanica, with LC50–LC90 values of 0.007 mg/mL–0.0113 mg/mL. D. gossweileri EO at minimum lethal concentrations (MLC) and below strongly inhibited egg hatching in vitro, whereas soil treatment caused a strong suppression of nematode population, infection frequency, and multiplication rate. The EO inhibited ryegrass (Lolium perenne) germination at 0.4 mg/mL, while at 0.1 mg/mL, its effects on germination, root and leaf growth were moderate (32.4%, 8.4%, and 18.3%, respectively). The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) germination was not affected by the EO, but the root growth was reduced (56% at 0.1 mg/mL) at a dose 10 times higher than the LD50 calculated for M. javanica J2 mortality. Molecular docking of the nematicidal effects of the oil using PyRx revealed a strong interaction between potassium chloride transporting KCC3 (PDB ID: 7D90) and benzyl cyanide at a distance of 2.20 A° with GLN C:350, followed by benzyl isothiocyanate at a distance of 2.78 A° with ARG B:294. The in vivo nematicidal effects of D. gossweileri EO on M. javanica penetration and reproduction in tomato roots further support the potential of this EO as a nematicidal agent with insect antifeedant effects, which could be used by local farmers for crop protection

Repellent properties of essential oils of Afromomum stipulatum (Zingiberaceae) from DR Congo against Anopheles gambiae

Essential oils from different plant species were indicated to possess ovicidal, larvicidal and repellent properties against various insect species and are regarded as environmental compatible pesticides. In this study, essential oils of Afromomum stipulatum leaves, rhizomes, husk and seeds were evaluated for their repellent effect against malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae and their protection effect for human skin. The effective time of the repellent activity increased with concentration of oil. The highest protection time was found to be of one hour. The active compounds could be α-pinene, β-Pinene, β-Caryophyllen, α-humulene and caryophyllene oxide that were found as major compounds of these oils

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae): Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Future Directions, a mini-review

The aim of this mini-review was to collect data obtained from various studies carried out by different authors concerning the phytochemistry and pharmacognosy of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. This review has been compiled using references from major databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct and Google scholar. An extensive survey of literature revealed that Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a good source of health promoting secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, prenylflavones, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids and tannins. Due to the presence of these metabolites, this species may have wonderful applications (like anthelminthic properties).The bark, roots, leaves, and fruit are attributed with diverse medicinal properties and are used in various traditional and folk systems of medicine to treat a range of ailments. This plant possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticariogenic, antifungal, antineoplastic, hypoglycemic properties and many others. The results of this review make A. heterophyllus an interesting candidate for advanced anthelminthic properties

Chemical Fingerprint and Anti-Sickling Activity of Rosmarinic Acid and Methanolic Extracts from Three Species of Ocimum from DR Congo

peer reviewedThe aim of this study was to characterize the polyphenolic composition by determination of chemical fingerprints of Methanolic extracts of Ocimum canum Sims, Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. from Democratic Republic of Congo and to compare their antisickling activity of that of rosmarinic acid, the major compound to those of methanolic extracts. Phytochemical analysis performed by TLC and HPLC analysis, showed that rosmarinic acid is the most abundant phenolic acid in these Ocimum species according to the following order O. basilicum L., O. gratissimum L. and O. canum Sims. Methanolic extracts of these three species and pure rosmarinic acid showed significant antisickling activities with minimal concentration of normalization values of 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.23 ± 0.04, 0.26 ± 0.04 and 0.31 ± 0.05 mg/mL for rosmarinic acid, O. basilicum L., O. gratissimum L. and O. canum Sims methanolic extracts respectively. The antisickling activity order is the same as that of the rosmarinic acid content, indicating that this polyphenolic acid would be among the main active molecules in these extracts