Combretum micranthum G. Don (kinkeliba) is a medicinal plant traditionally employed in West Africa for its diuretic and gastrointestinal therapeutic properties. Despite its extensive ethnomedicinal use, comprehensive toxicological assessments are still lacking. This study aimed to characterize the phenolic composition of C. micranthum ethanolic leaf extract using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and evaluate its acute and subacute oral toxicity in BALB/c mice, per OECD Guideline 420. Female mice received oral doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg of extract for acute toxicity assessment for 14 days. In the subacute study, both sexes were administered daily doses at the same concentrations over 28 days. Clinical signs, body weight, and food and water consumption were regularly monitored throughout both protocols. At the end of each study, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were analyzed. Phenolic profiling revealed nine major compounds with a total of 293.54 mg/g extract. No mortality or significant clinical manifestations were observed at any dose. However, significant variations in platelet counts and amylase activity were noted in the acute phase. In the subacute model, slight, non-critical alterations in hepatic and renal biomarkers were observed, without signs of systemic toxicity. Histopathological examination revealed similar lesions in both acute and subacute phases, including multifocal inflammatory infiltrates (lymphocytes and neutrophils) in the periportal area of the liver, minimal bacterial overgrowth in the superficial layer of the gastric mucosa, minimal medullary mineralization and inflammatory infiltrates with lymphocytes in the kidneys, and minimal to moderate vacuolization in the pancreatic acini. These results indicate that C. micranthum ethanolic extract is relatively safe at the tested doses, reinforcing its traditional use and supporting further research into its pharmacological potential.

This study, conducted nationwide in Mauritania, aims to identify the knowledge and uses of Combretum micranthum G. Don in traditional pharmacopoeia, particularly for treating human and animal diseases. The methodology employed consisted of surveys conducted through questionnaires between January 2023 and December 2024. These questionnaires contained targeted questions and gathered responses from 200 people, including 29% women and 71% men. The results show that C. micranthum is widely known (95% of participants), especially for its therapeutic uses (61.5%). The plant is used to treat human ailments such as hypertension (43%), diabetes (21.5%), facility digestive issues (18.5%), constipation and toothaches (5.5%), paludism (3.0%), and dysentery (1.0%) etc. It is also used to treat animals, addressing issues such as digestive disorders (26.5%), fever (15.0%), diarrhea (10.0%), and wounds (2.5%), although nearly half of the participants are unaware of these uses. The leaves of the plant (70%) are the most commonly used parts, followed by the fruits (16%), the whole plant (7%), flowers (4.5%), roots (3%), and bark (1.5%). The most common methods of administration are decoction (43.5%), infusion (37.5%), external application (8%), inhalation (7.5%), and maceration (3.5%). A concerning point is that 88% of participants are unaware of the potential toxicity of the plant, which could pose risks if misused. The informant consensus factor for human and animal diseases shows that hypertension and digestive disorders have the highest values, respectively at 0.88 and 0.94. In terms of fidelity, the use of human diseases reaches 78.18%, primarily for hypertension, while for animal diseases, the fidelity levels range from 50% to 100% for digestive disorders, fever, and diarrhea. This study highlights the importance of the plant in traditional medicine while emphasizing the need to raise awareness about the risks associated with its use.

This study aimed to describe the gross and histological features of multiple endocrine and non-endocrine neoplasia, including multiple PGLs found in two Boxer dogs. Additionally, the identified PGLs were immunohistochemically evaluated, and the subunits 2, 3, and 4 of the SDHD gene were screened for possible mutations. The tumors identified include aortic and carotid body PGLs, thyroid follicular-compact carcinoma, and subcutaneous lipomas. One case also had a Leydig cell tumor and adrenal cortex hyperplasia, while the other had H-type pancreatic carcinoma. Three out of 4 PGLs appeared benign, but one aortic body tumor showed malignant features with neoplastic emboli at its edge. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the neuroendocrine origin of all PGLs, with positive staining for Chromogranin A, NSE, and variable positivity for S100. No somatic mutations were found in exons 2, 3, and 4 of the SDHD gene in any of the evaluated PGLs. The absence of mutations in the evaluated SDHD gene subunits suggests the involvement of other genetic factors or pathways in the development of these tumors, warranting further investigation in this field.

Background: Kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum G. Don), commonly used in West African traditional pharmacopeia for its anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal properties, remains poorly studied regarding its potential role in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis. Objective: This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of Combretum micranthum (EECM) in a murine model of chronic DSS-induced colitis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to three cycles of 1.5% DSS administration over nine weeks to induce chronic colitis. EECM was administered orally at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg during the final week. Disease severity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, biochemical and hematological markers, along with histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment of colonic tissue. Results: EECM treatment significantly improved clinical parameters and prevented colon shortening in chronic DSS-induced colitis. These improvements were associated with the restoration of serum biochemical and hematological profiles, along with reduced histopathological damage and preservation of colonic tissue architecture. Immunohistochemical analysis further demonstrated decreased CD3-positive T-lymphocyte infiltration in colonic tissue, suggesting modulation of local immune cell responses. Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential EECM in ulcerative colitis and support further investigations to elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its efficacy in future translational studies.