A Review on Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Euphorbia hirta L.

Euphorbia hirta L. is an annual medicinal herb throughout many tropical continents used to cure various diseases. Several studies have isolated many bioactive compounds from E. hirta. This study aimed at providing a collection of bioactive constituents in E. hirta. This review summarizes the extraction solvent, the structures and the properties of 38 bioactive phytochemicals isolated from E. hirta. It could help to understand the relationship existing between phytochemicals and their activities.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Capacities of Two Medicinal Plants Used against Urinary Infections in Burkina Faso

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of extracts from Euphorbia hirta L. and Terminalia avicennioides GUILL & PERR. Methodology: The crude hydro-acetonic and aqueous extracts as well their fractionations were prepared. The total phenolic, flavonoids and tannins contents were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride and vanillin acid methods, respectively. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities were investigated using standard methods. Results: Euphorbia hirta showed significant contents of total phenolic and flavonoids in n-Butanol (145.14 ± 1.37 GAE/100mg extracts) and ethyl acetate (23.56 ± 0.68 mg QE/ 100mg extracts) fractions. Total tannins were high in hydro-acétonique extract (11.18 ± 0.31 mg TAE/100mg extracts) and aqueous fraction (11.12 ± 0.28 mg TAE/100mg extracts) of Terminalia avicennioides stem barks. Extracts and fractions of both plants demonstrated a strongly antioxidant capacity through the free radicals scavenging and the ferric ions reducing. Concerning antimicrobial screening the extracts of Terminalia avicennioides were effective against 16 causative pathogens of urinary tract infections. Bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus aureus and 2 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains was found with aqueous fraction of Terminalia avicennioides leaves. This fraction also highlighted a synergetic effect with some antibiotics used against these bacterial strains. Conclusion: Terminalia avicennioides leaves could be recommended as an herbal drug formulation for the urinary infections management.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Appetite Suppressant Plants Used in Hauts-Bassins Areas of Burkina Faso

This study aimed to list the medicinal plants used as an appetite suppressant in Hauts-Bassins areas of Burkina Faso. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken from September to November 2021 using a semi-structured questionnaire. To determine well-known families and species, some indices such as Family Importance Value (FIV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated respectively. Sixty-seven traditional healers (41 men and 26 women) have been interviewed. The age group from 41 to 60 years old was more represented (47.76%). Fifty-eight (58) plant species belonging to 29 families and 53 genera were recorded to have appetite suppressant properties. Fabaceae family (25%) was the most mentioned followed by Combretaceae (12%). The most mentioned species were Guierasenegalensis (7.64%), Parkiabiglobosa (6.18%), Annona senegalensis and Gardenia erubescens (5.35% for both). Leaves and fruits had the highest frequencies of use with 41% and 25% respectively. The decoction (49.62%) was the main preparation method. The oral route was the only mode of drug administration. These results would contribute to strengthening the database on the medicinal plants used as an appetite suppressant by the traditional healers in Burkina Faso.