Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antiplasmodial Activities of "<i>Ahoutou</i>", a Recipe Used in the Treatment of Malaria in Ivory Coast

Abstract

Recipes based on medicinal plants are frequently used to treat malaria in Ivory Coast. Among these recipes is Ahoutou, made from a mixture of the leaves of three plants, one of the most widely used in the village of Djahakro in the commune of Yamoussoukro. However, the use of medicinal plant-based recipes in the fight against malaria must be based on scientific evidence of safety, efficacy and quality. The aim of this study is to provide a scientific, phytochemical and pharmacological basis for the traditional therapeutic use of Ahoutou. To this end, a phytochemical study of the Ahoutou extract was carried out, the antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH test and then the <i>in vitro </i>anti-plasmodial activity was carried out on clinical isolates and on the reference strain Dd2. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids and triterpenes. The antioxidant activity test showed that Ahoutou was capable of reducing the DPPH free radical. Ahoutou showed promising anti-plasmodial activity (IC50 =12.86 µg/mL) in the clinical strain and moderate activity (IC50 =23.40 µg/mL) in the reference strain. Our results would justify the use of this recipe in the treatment of malaria. We plan to study the toxicity of Ahoutou.