Ethnobotanic survey and phytochemical screening of Annona muricata (Annonaceae), antihypertensive plant

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is the most important cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Gabon. The treatment is very important, for this the poor populations have difficulties and turn to traditional healers to treat these pathologies using plants. Thus, our investigations on plants, in the form of an ethnobotany in the Department of Komo Mondah were carried out with 50 people, the most represented population of which was male.At the end of this investigation, 6 species of plants belonging to different families were inventoried but Annona muricata which is the main object because of its high frequency of citation will be studied in particular. Annona muricata species is used to treat several pathologies, particularly hypertension. Regarding the organs, the leaves are the most used parts of the plant (94%). The treatment is administered in the form of decoction (94%) and infusion (6%).Phytochemical screening of Annona muricata revealed the presence of tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, sterols/terpenes and glycosides. Some of these metabolites are known for their antihypertensive, vasorelaxant, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Annona muricata extract contains bioactive compounds which, through their actions, would explain and justify its traditional use in the treatment of hypertension.