Phytochemical screening and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the leaves and root barks of Dichrostachys cinerea L. Wight and Arn. (Fabaceae): A plant traditionally used for the treatment of asthma in Korhogo

Abstract

Dichrostachys cinerea is a plant species with multiple therapeutic uses. The present work focuses on the pharmacological and chemical valorization of the leaves and root barks of this species, harvested in Korhogo (Côte d'Ivoire), for the treatment of asthma. Plant antioxidants could alleviate the symptoms of this pathology. A hydro-ethanol extraction of these organs was carried out by maceration. From the extracts obtained, a phytochemical study in tubes and by TLC revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, saponins, sterols and terpenes in these organs. In addition, the leaves contain coumarins and the root barks alkaloids. Antioxidant activity against the DPPH radical was demonstrated by tube, TLC and spectrophotometric methods. The IC50s of the hydro-ethanol extracts determined showed that the antioxidant power of the leaves (0.06894 mg/mL) is much greater than that of the root barks (0.11147 mg/mL). These results could justify the use of these organs in the traditional treatment of diseases linked to oxidative stress, but particularly asthma. However, further work is required to evaluate the toxicity and antispasmodic effect of these two organs on asthma.