Contribution à l’étude photochimique de quelques plantes médicinales antidiabétiques de la ville de Bukavu et ses environs (Sud-Kivu, R.D.Congo).

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at performing a phytochemical screening of some medicinal plants used by traditional healers to treat diabetes in the city of Bukavu located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.Congo). Methodology and results: The ethnobotanical survey conducted identified 30 plant species used to treat diabetes. Of these 30 species, 22 species commonly cited by more than half of the healers were studied to detect the major chemical compounds. Samples including leaves, roots and bark, were harvested, identified, air dried in the shade, powdered, and finally submitted for chemical screening by conventional techniques focusing on colour reactions and chemical precipitation. The results showed that phenolic compounds were detected in all samples (100%), followed by flavonoids and alkaloids (77.26 %). Conclusion: This study was conducted in perspective of pharmacological and toxicological experiments, and in the context of implementation of innovative initiatives in the future that could lead to the production of improved traditional medicines.