Study of the Astringent Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Terminalia Catappa (Combretaceae) Leaves in Mammals

Abstract

Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine in the treatment of inflammatory, diabetic, bacterial pathologies as well as skin infections. This study aimed to evaluate the astringent activity of the aqueous extract of Terminalia catappa leaves in rats. The phytochemical study revealed flavonoids, polyphenols, saponosides, sterols and polyterpenes and the absence of tannins and quinone substances. The healing activity of this extract was evaluated after experimentally inducing wounds on rats. The healing effect of Terminalia catappa was compared to natural healing and artificial healing by the action of cicatryl, a pharmaceutical reference ointment.Thus, during this study, the rats treated with the different ointments of T. catappa at doses of 250; 500 and 1000 mg/kg of P.C, saw their wounds healed during eighteen days of treatment against 22 days of treatment for the control rats and 20 to 21 days of treatment for the rats treated with cicatryl, pharmaceutical ointment of reference. The results of this study show the impotence of the use of T. catappa leaves in the healing of skin wounds in traditional environment.