The aim of the present study was to investigate the polyphenolic profile and the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of four traditionally used medicinal plants from Burkina Faso: Parkia biglobosa, Detarium microcarpum, Vitellaria paradoxa and Sclerocarya birrea. The analysis of the main phenolic compounds was performed by the HPLC-UV-MS method. The anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous bark extracts was investigated by the λ-carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test. The anti-nociceptive activity was evaluated by the Randall–Selitto test under inflammatory conditions. Seven phenolic acids (gallic, protocatechuic, gentisic, vanillic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and syringic acids), and three flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, and quercitrin) were identified in the plant samples. High contents of gallic acid were determined in the D. microcarpum, P. biglobosa and S. birrea extracts (190–300 mg/100 g), and V. paradoxa extract was the richest in epicatechin (173.86 mg/100 g). The λ-carrageenan-induced inflammation was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) by the P. biglobosa and D. microcarpum extracts (400 mg/kg p.o.). Under the inflammatory conditions, a significant anti-nociceptive activity (p < 0.001) was obtained after 2–3 h from the induction of inflammation. The effects of the tested extracts could be related to the presence of polyphenols and could be useful in the management of certain inflammatory diseases.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate α-amylase inhibitory effects of hydroethanolic extracts of bark from Daniella oliveri, Sclerocarya birrea, Maranthes polyandra, and Pteleopsis suberosa to fight type-II diabetes. Methods: Compound extractions were performed by hydroethanol maceration followed by liquid-liquid fractionation with solvents. TLC profiling was carried out with different fractions. The inhibitory effects of plant extracts on α-amylase activity were determined using rice starch as a substrate. Results: TLC profiling of different fractions showed different phytochemical compounds. The hydroethanolic plant extracts exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylase. D. oliveri displayed competitive inhibition, M. polyandra and S. birrea showed uncompetitive inhibition and Pteleopsis suberosa exerted mixed-inhibition. M. polyandra extract exerted the highest inhibitory effect (IC50 = 0.5 mg/mL). Conclusions: The barks of M. polyandra exhibit a remarkable α-amylase inhibitory effect which can be a novel source of antidiabetic molecules.

Cashew kernels (Anacardium occidentale L.) have enormous nutritional and health potential. However, its consumption, mainly in roasted or fried form, is low compared with other agricultural products. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of heat treatments on the physicochemical and nutritional parameters of cashew kernels from three localities in Burkina Faso. Sample collections were carried out randomly from markets in Banfora, Bobo-Dioulasso and Gaoua. Physicochemical and nutritional analyses were carried out using standard methods and statistical analyses by using XLstat 2016 software. The results showed that almonds from Gaoua had the highest nutritional potential, with an average energy value of 554.93 kcal/100g. As for the effect of the treatments on the almonds, water, protein and fat contents decreased during heat treatment, with reduction rates ranging from 64.37% to 74.46% for water content, from 29.09% to 46.50% for protein content and from 1.69% to 13.99% for fat content. Carbohydrate content, on the other hand, increased from 12.25% to 33.76%. Overall, this study showed that the heat treatments applied to cashew kernels resulted in a slight decrease in water, protein and fat content. However, an increase in carbohydrate content was obtained. This increase in carbohydrate content is an excellent discovery for the use of this resource in the dietary balance much appreciated by local populations.

This review examines three locally available feed resources from Burkina Faso as sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional commercial poultry feeds, which account for more than 70% of poultry production costs and are often characterized by high prices and inconsistent availability. The first resource, the shea caterpillar (Cirina butyrospermi), is widely harvested from June to September in the Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean zones. Rich in crude protein (50 to 65% of dry matter) and essential amino acids, it has a nutritional value comparable to that of fishmeal and has been reported to improve growth performance while enhancing poultry immune function. However, its utilization is constrained by seasonal availability and reduced digestibility associated with its chitin content. The second resource, Senegalia macrostachya seeds (Zamné), is obtained from a shrub well adapted to the poor soils of the Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian regions. The seeds provide a valuable source of protein (30 to 40% of dry matter), particularly lysine but require heat treatment, such as boiling or roasting, to inactivate antinutritional factors, including tannins and trypsin inhibitors. The third resource, the fruit pulp of Parkia biglobosa (Néré), which is abundant in the southern and western regions of Burkina Faso, serves primarily as an energy source because of its high sugar content (60 to 80%) and also supplies important micronutrients, including vitamins C and A. Although, relatively low in protein, it enhances feed palatability and improves egg yolk pigmentation owing to its carotenoid content. Nevertheless, its quality may be compromised by moisture exposure and contamination during traditional processing and storage. Overall, the integration of these locally available feed resources has the potential to improve poultry production performance while reducing feed costs. However, their sustainable utilization will require improved organization of collection and supply systems, together with the standardization of processing methods to effectively eliminate biological hazards and antinutritional factors.

The use of medicinal plants remains an essential practice in sub-Saharan Africa, where they constitute a major therapeutic and socio-cultural resource objective of the study was to investigate medicinal plants used for doping in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso. Methods: To do this, a semi-structured ethnobotanical survey was first conducted among traditional practitioners. Phytochemical compositions of the plants were analyzed using spectrophotometry. Finally, the acute toxicity of the doping plants was studied by administering a single dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight to NRMI mice, which were observed for 14 days. Results: A total of 50 traditional practitioners and herbalists were interviewed and 25 plants species belonging to 17 botanical families were identified. Based on the frequency of citation, the species Martynia annua Lin (Martyniaceae), Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae), and Leptadenia hastata (Pesr.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) were selected for further study. The leaves (55.13%) and root bark (21.79%) were the most used parts. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of phenolic compounds such as polyphenols, total flavonoids and tannins. The extracts exhibited antioxidant activity. The toxicity test of hydroethanolic extracts of M. annua and L. hastata species in mice established an LD50 indicates no toxicity. Conclusions: This study showed that, in addition to using medicinal plants for healing, the local population also uses them for other purposes. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Performance-enhancing plants, Phytochemistry, Safety, Burkina Faso