Gastrointestinal Ulcers Treatment: Plants and Recipes Used by Herbalists of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou Districts, Southern Benin

This study set out to identify plants and recipes used by herbalists in the municipalities of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou to treat gastrointestinal ulcers and to characterize the distribution of their knowledge. An ethno-pharmacological survey was carried out in which informants who agreed freely were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 85 herbalists were surveyed. The data were processed with Microsoft Excel to calculate the relative frequencies of citation of the various species mentioned by the herbalists and various indices including Simpson’s Index were adapted to test the distribution of their knowledge. Multiple regression and correspondence analysis were performed using R studio. Our results revealed that the Dendi, Ifè and Mina, all equitable in their knowledge of anti-ulcer plants, are likely to know more than the other ethnic groups. On the other hand, respondents practicing Islam are more likely to know many antiulcer plants than those practicing Vodoun and Christianity. This constant distribution of knowledge of anti-ulcer plants among the Dendi, Ifè and Mina, three different ethnic groups seems normal and attests to the fusion between these different ethnic groups in view of this knowledge. A total of 70 anti-ulcer recipes, made from 71 species of medicinal plants or non-floristic resources were recorded. Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and Ocimum gratissimum were the top 03 most frequently cited in descending order of frequency. All the species cited are grouped into 44 botanical families among which the Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Sapotaceae were strongly represented. Benin’s flora abounds in a diversity of medicinal plant species known to herbalists in Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers. The results of this study constitute a good archive for the selection of plant species for in-depth studies with a view to formulating improved traditional medicines for gastrointestinal ulcers.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy and HPLC Analysis of <i>Annona muricata</i>Leaves Extracts from Republic of Benin

Annona muricata L. (Soursop or Graviola) is a naturally occurring plant seen in Southern part of Africa, traditionally used in Benin to treat various diseases. The present study aimed to investigate phytochemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities of A. muricata leaves extracts. The secondary metabolites of ethanolic and hemi-ethanolic extracts were analysed by HPLC method. The DPPH and FRAP methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Inhibition of albumin denaturation method was used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of the tested extracts of which larval cytotoxicity was studied. The major identified compounds were gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, cafeic acid, tannic acid, ferrulic acid, Rutin. Ascorbic acid exhibited the highest inhibition percentage (83.33% ± 0.50%) of DPPH radical with the lowest IC50 (45.1 ± 0.28 μg/ml). The inhibition of the ferric ion Fe3+ varied (p = 0.0013) according to the extracts type. IC50 values of ferric ion inhibition range from 119.5 ± 3.10 to 250.8 ± 2.13 μg/ml respectively for A. muricata leaves ethanol and hemi-ethanolic extracts. The hemi-ethanolic extract exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory activity (96.66% ± 1.17%). The presence of phenolic compound confers to A. muricata leaves, through the ethanolic and the hemi-ethanolic extracts, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Diversity and Distribution of Staphylococcal Chromosomal Cassettes Mec (SCCmec) Types I, II and III in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Strains Isolated from Surfaces and Medico-Technical Materials of the University Hospital of Abomey-Calavi/Sô-Ava

The coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have long been considered to be low pathogenicity. The possibility of a horizontal transfer of resistance and virulence genes from S. aureus to CoNS could increase the pathogenicity of these bacteria. The objective of this work is to contribute to a better knowledge of the pathogenicity of (CoNS) strains isolated from surfaces and medico-technical materials of the University Hospital of Abomey-Calavi/Sô-Ava. Seventy strains of CoNS isolated from surfaces and medico-technical materials of the University Hospital of Abomey-Calavi were tested for methicillin resistance. The resistance to methicillin was evaluated phenotypically by the resistance of the strains to cefoxitin and then confirmed by the search for the mecA gene using PCR. The genes encoding staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCCmec) types I, II and III originally found in S. aureus were tested in CoNS by multiplex PCR using specific primers. All the strains studied showed resistance to methicillin. However, only 28.5% (20/70) carried the mecA gene. SCCmec was identified in only 17.14% (12/70) of these strains. Four strains carried mecA gene as well as one of the three types of SCCmec searched. SCCmec types I, II and III were identified in CoNS strains studied. SCCmec type I was the most frequent chromosomal cassette in mecA+ strains, only or in association with another SCCmec. The study also revealed methicillin-resistant strains carrying SCCmec lacking the mecA gene. Finally, 60% (12/20) of the strains were found to be non-typeable. Our results show that CoNS strains present a high resistance to methicillin and the source of this resistance in the CoNS of our study is not only the mecA gene. There is also a high diversity of SCCmec, justified by a large number of non-typeable CoNS strains. The mecA− SCCmec+ methicillin-resistant strains deserve to be sequenced for further studies.

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Desmodium ramosissimum</i>

Microbial infections threaten the health of the Beninese population. Objectives: To identify bioactive phytochemical groups and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Desmodium ramosissimum used in traditional medicine in Benin against microbial infections. Methodology & Results: The classic reactions in solution helped highlight alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, quinones, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, mucilage, Coumarin, reducing compounds, anthracene, glycosides. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by extracts dilution’s method (ethanol extracts, methanol extracts and hexane extracts). The methanol extract inhibited the growth of all tested germs, with a significant effect on E. coli and S. aureus strains whose MIC values are equal to 1.25 mg/ml. On the contrary, this extract has a low activity on P. vulgaris strain with a MIC of 10 mg/ml. The ethanol extract also inhibited the growth of all the tested strains, but with more intense activity than the methanol extract. The strains of C. albicans and S. oralis were more sensitive to the extract with 0.625 mg/ml for MIC, while S. aureus and P. vulgaris were less sensitive (MIC = 5 mg/ml). The residual ethanol extract exerted inhibition on all microorganisms at a concentration of 20 mg/ml, except the strain of E. foecalis that was resistant. Conclusion & Applications: This study shows that besides its food virtues of this plant, there are antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Two Medicinal Plants(Heliotropium indi­cum L.,Abrus precatorius L.,)Used in Traditional Medicine in West Africa

Since the time of our ancestors,natural products issued from plant play a therapeutic crucial role.About 25-30%of all medicines(drugs)available for the treatment of diseases are derived from natural products(from plants,animals,bacteria and fungi)or are derivatives of natural products.The aim of this research was to scientifically identify and supply tangible documentation on these two plants employed in the traditional medicine.From November 2020 to February 2021,an ethnobotanical survey was conducted within four markets at the south of Benin,employing a semi-structured questionnaire.Two hundred respondents including 80%of females and 20%of males were interviewed.The 2 studied plants are mainly used for different types of sickness related to infections.Females’herbalists are the most represented.From this research,it appears that the 2 plants are widely used for the treatment of severe infections.On the market,95%of the leafy steam are sold against 5%of the roots for both plants.The main preparation way is decoction.Oral use is reported to be common in all region.The value of samples sold varies from 200F CFA(Financial Cooperation of Africa)to 1000F CFA.The decoctions are usually obtained through one of a mix of different types of plants.Traditional knowledge is transmitted from one generation to another by oral education.Till today there was no record found.During our study,we did no record prohibition or side effect related to these plants’use.These medicinal plants occupy a crucial place within the therapeutic arsenal of west Africa.Our results constitute a vital tool to determine the true potentials of these plants.These results could lead to new improved traditional medicine.