Ethnobotanical study, phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants used in the treatment of inflammation in two cities of Burkina Faso

Background and Objective: The present study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of medicinal plants used in the treatment of inflammation in Burkina Faso, as well as to quanti fy the polyphenolic compounds content and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of two most solicited species.

Materials and Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the urban areas of Bobo-Dioulasso and Fada N'Gourma in order to collect sociodemographic and ethnobotanical data from traditional practitioners. Methanolic extracts of the plant organs were obtained using an extractor apparatus. The quantification of polyphenolic compounds contents was done by spectrophotometry, respectively with the Folin Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum trichloride. Likewise, antioxidant activity was evaluated by three methods (ABTS●+ DPPH● and FRAP) and the reading of optical densities was performed with the spectrophotometer.

Results: One hundred and twelve (112) traditional practitioners were interviewed and seventy-three (73) plant species were identified in both areas. According to the frequency of quotation, Entada africana and Khaya senegalensis species were retained for further study. Phytochemical study revealed that the total phenolic content was high in the trunk bark of K. senegalensis (73.12 ± 1.8 mg GAE/100mg) and the total flavonoid content in the trunk bark of E. africana (8.42 ± 0.78 mg QE/100mg). Of the antioxidant activity, the highest value was observed at the level of the ABTS●+ radical inhibition method with the best result 13247.2 ± 219.84 µmol AAE/g (leaves of E. africana).

Conclusion: The phytochemical analyses of these species indicate their richness in total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and could justify their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.