Aims: Corchorus aestuans and Corchorus olitorius are two species of the genus commonly mentioned in Côte d'Ivoire as medicinal plants whose leaves decoctions are used to treat various diseases. To avoid cases of intoxication in traditional treatments, this study evaluates the acute toxicity of these plant species by having mice gorge on increasing doses of crude aqueous extract. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Pharmacognosy Laboratory of Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY University (Côte d'Ivoire), between march 2016 and september 2016. Methodology: To assess the acute toxicity of the two extracts, we used 110 mice of SWISS breed. These animals aged four to six weeks were of both sexes (55 mice for each sex) and weighed between 13 and 26 g. Before the manipulations, the animals were fasted 12 hours before being divided into 11 batches of 10 mice receiving extract 1 (Corchorus aestuans) and extract 2 (Corchorus olitorius). We observed the effets of each phytomedecine on mice in different batches. Results: Aqueous extracts of Corchorus aestuans and Corchorus olitorius (Malvaceae), administered orally, exert a dose-response effect. Concerning toxicity activities, Corchorus olitorius is not toxic. However, Corchorus aestuans is slightly toxic in the conditions of this study. The dose which kills half of the animals (LD 50 ) is 3999.93 mg/kg by oral voice (vo).  This dose is the threshold of toxicity of the plant in the conditions of this study. Fortunately, this toxicity threshold is not accessible in therapy. The phytomedicine, in the conditions of use in traditional medicine in Côte d'Ivoire, is not toxic. Conclusion: The two plant species thus offer an interesting margin of safety, which is reassuring as to the use of the decoction, for the treatment of various pathologies.

This study aims to promote the wild food plants consumed in households in the city of Man. To achieve this objective, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 90 households distributed in three districts of the city of Man, in order to inventory the wild plants that are consumed there. The survey was completed by the mineral and phytochemical analysis of two plants selected following the survey carried out in the city. The results obtained make it possible to identify 34 plant species, 27 of which have been identified, divided into 21 botanical families. The majority of the plants mentioned are consumed for their taste (87%) and as a sauce (90%). The mineral and phytochemical analysis of the plants studied Byttneria catalpifolia and Sida urens showed High levels of polyphenol (23.37± 0.82 mg EAG/gp), calcium (80.9%) in the plant Byttneria catalpifolia while the potassium (11.4%) was moderate and that copper, chlorine of flavonoid (1.77 ± 0.28 mg EQ/gp) was low. The results also revealed the presence of compounds such as terpenes, saponins, coumarins, proteins in the plant Byttneria catalpifolia The plant Sida urens showed a low content of copper (0.05%), chlorine (0.2%) and flavonoid (1.17± 0.03 mg EQ/gp) On the other hand, the moisture content (10%), ash (18%), calcium (62%), iron (14.9%), potassium (14.7%), polyphenol (29.16± 0.042 mg EAG /gp) were high. Let us remember from this study that the city of Man contains a variety of wild food plants and most of these plants contain appreciable amounts of nutrients.

Several studies revealed that oxidative stress was involved in a great number of diseases as a triggering factor or associated with evolutionary complications. Due to the side effects of synthetic molecules, medicinal plants always remained the reliable source of active substances for their therapeutic properties. In effect, this study of antioxidant activity and chemical composition was carried on Hydrocotyle bonariensis, a species frequently used for medical applications in Ivory Coast, but still very under researched. Different extracts obtained with solvents of increasing polarity were tested by the ABTS radical scavenging method and compared to a reference antioxidant, namely vitamin C. Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed according to standard procedures. The results revealed that all extracts significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the ABTS- radical. Ethylacetate and methanolic extracts were most active with IC50 values of 58.8±0.30 and 86.4±0.51 µg/mL, respectively, relative to vitamin C (IC50 = 15.7±0.06 µg/mL). Antioxidant-associated phytocompounds such as flavonoids and coumarins were detected in ethylacetate and methanolic extracts. These compounds were responsible for the ABTS radical reduction reported. This study indicated the presence of substances in Hydrocotyle bonariensis’s leaves, which, in generally are excellent antioxidants and can contribute to prevent various diseases as cardiovascular diseases among others.