Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that about 80% of the world’s population rely mostly on traditional medicine. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) which results from an imbalance between stomach acid-pepsin and mucosal defense barriers is a chronic disease affecting up to 10% of the world’s population and represents 33% of gastroenterology consultations in Cameroon. The people in low medium incomecountries depend mostly on medicinal plants for primary healthcare since they can be accessed quickly and are affordable. Such plant is Ficus thonningii Blume, which is found abundantly in Africa and also in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to phytochemically screened the aqueous fruits extract of Ficus thonningii (AEFFt), and investigate their antiulcer activity. Methods: The aqueous fruits extract was phytochemically screened following standard qualitative methods. Four in vitro tests to characterize antacid properties were carried out. Ulcers were induced using an ethanol and hydrochloric acid (HCl/EtOH) solution. Ulcer preventive (anti-ulcer) activity was investigated in 6 different treatment groups: 2 conventional drugs (Maalox 100 mg/kg, Omeprazole 20 mg/kg), three doses of AEFFt at (125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, & 500 mg/Kg), and a vehicle treatment group (administered only the ulcerogenic agent). Histological analysis of the stomachs was carried out. Results: The phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of fruits of F. thonningii showed the presence of flavonoids, mucilages, saponins, gallic tannins, betacyanins, and total polyphenols. Following the in vitro tests, we obtained a value of 7.4mEq for acid neutralization capacity (ANC) for the extract, and a pH of 4.2 for the extract following FDA test. For the in vivo tests, the aqueous extract of fruits of F. thonningii (AEFFt) showed a dose-dependent increase ulcer-preventive (gastroprotective) activity with the three treatment aqueous extracts doses. Conclusion: The study showed that, the aqueous extract of fruits of Ficus thonningii showed a dose-dependent ulcer-preventive activity that could be accounted for by the presence of bioactive phytochemicals like polyphenols (flavonoids, tannins).

The popularity of doping in competitive sports is relevant for all those involved in sports, particularly for evaluating anti-doping policy measures. However, there is a gap of information that addresses this subject so far. As a consequence, the prevalence of doping in competitive sports in resource limited countries is unknown. Even though it is challenging to uncover the exact prevalence of herbal products with prohibited activity such as doping, various methods put in place by world antidoping agency (WADA) have now been adopted to uncover parts of this particular problem, and enables the circumvention to some extend the issues of honesty, definition problems and the limits of pharmacological evidence. It is evident that current doping control test results can show a distinct underestimation of true doping prevalence in low middle income countries (LMIC). Nowadays, doping is a critical issue at international levels of sporting competitions. Athletes’ use of herbal supplements has seen a significant increase in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs used in sports are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John’s wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also gaining popularity or have been historically prevalent. Despite the increasing popularity of herbal supplements, recent events have illustrated possible concerns regarding efficacy and safety of herbal supplements usage. Remarkable sports performances at the end of the 20th century raised suspicions about herbal supplement use by athletes, prompting the formation of WADA. With WADA creation it was not long when the deaths of two professional athletes raised concerns that the herbal supplement ephedra, may have contributed to their deaths. These events and others have prompted clinicians and scientists to reexamine and evaluate the role of herbal supplements in competitive sports. This review attempts to give an insight into the use of herbal supplement in doping within the concept of play clean to win clean. An attempt has been made to provide guidance on the efficacy and side effect of most used herbal supplements found in sporting activities, especially in international competitive sports.