Antioxidant and Ethnobotanical Study of Strychnos icaja Baillon (Loganiaceae) from Gabon

Aim: In plants, are found large amount of vitamin (A, B, C, E), mineral (Zn, Cu, Se) and biochemical (glutathione, taurine, phenol acids) substances which also have a well-known antioxidant power. These substances have phytotheraptic applications in the fight against aging caused by oxidative stress and are oxidative component of acute pathologies: (infectious, traumatic, inflammatory and allergic). Strychnos icaja Baillon (Loganiaceae) is a tropical shrub common in the tropical forest of Central Africa. Strychnos species is mainly used by the local population as an arrow or ordeal poison, for treatment of haemorrhoids and malaria by the Pygmies tribes from Cameroon due to its magic-medical property. This study determined the medicinal uses of Strychnos and assessed its antioxidant potential.

Methodology: Extracts of alkaloids, aqueous, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and butanol from Strychnos were evaluated for their antioxidant properties. An ethnobotanical survey of 20 traditional therapists was carried to obtain the medicinal uses of the root of Strychnos icaja.

Results: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) test shows good antiradical activity. Antioxidant activity by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test, show that Strychnos total alkaloids of the roots have a value of 5.94 ± 0.14mmol EAA/g that is significantly close from Ascorbic acid (5.86 ± 0.51 mmol EAA/g). The results of survey of traditional therapists identified six indications of this plant, namely in the treatment of haemorrhoids, against ear infections, male urethritis, rheumatic and dental pain and sterility in women.

Conclusion: The Strychnos icaja possesses antioxidant activity, this can find use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.