Aim: In plants, are found large amount of vitamin (A, B, C, E), mineral (Zn, Cu, Se) and biochemical (glutathione, taurine, phenol acids) substances which also have a well-known antioxidant power. These substances have phytotheraptic applications in the fight against aging caused by oxidative stress and are oxidative component of acute pathologies: (infectious, traumatic, inflammatory and allergic). Strychnos icaja Baillon (Loganiaceae) is a tropical shrub common in the tropical forest of Central Africa. Strychnos species is mainly used by the local population as an arrow or ordeal poison, for treatment of haemorrhoids and malaria by the Pygmies tribes from Cameroon due to its magic-medical property. This study determined the medicinal uses of Strychnos and assessed its antioxidant potential. Methodology: Extracts of alkaloids, aqueous, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and butanol from Strychnos were evaluated for their antioxidant properties. An ethnobotanical survey of 20 traditional therapists was carried to obtain the medicinal uses of the root of Strychnos icaja. Results: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) test shows good antiradical activity. Antioxidant activity by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test, show that Strychnos total alkaloids of the roots have a value of 5.94 ± 0.14mmol EAA/g that is significantly close from Ascorbic acid (5.86 ± 0.51 mmol EAA/g). The results of survey of traditional therapists identified six indications of this plant, namely in the treatment of haemorrhoids, against ear infections, male urethritis, rheumatic and dental pain and sterility in women. Conclusion: The Strychnos icaja possesses antioxidant activity, this can find use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

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Aims: Free radicals are involved in many diseases. Antioxidants help control them. The overproduction of free radicals or reduction of natural antioxidants promotes the destruction of cells in our body, for example in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation between the level of polyphenol and antioxidant activity of Dichrostachys cinerea barks he work was carried out at the phytochemistry department of the Institute of Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine (Gabon). Methodology: Different extracts of Dichrostachys cinerea barks were obtained with polarity solvent (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and water).  The antioxidant activity is evaluating using respectively FRAP method (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), antiradical activity by the method of inhibition of DPPH radical (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), cations ABTS radical (2.2'-azinobis-[3-acid-6-sulfonic ethylenzothiazoline]). Results: Ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extract have the higher value for polyphenolic compounds, respectively 52,27±0,66 mg EAG / g and 49,72±0,55 mg EAG / g. Aqueous extract have the lower value 20,67±1,05 mg EAG / g. The different fractions of Dichrostachys cinerea have antioxidant effect, and this effect is in correlation with its constituents: polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids. Results were compared to standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and quercetin. Conclusion: This study confirms higher is the level of polyphenols greater is the antioxidant power.

High blood pressure is a chronic cardiovascular disease caused by an increase in blood pressure above normal. Poorly treated high blood pressure can damage the arteries of the brain, heart and kidneys, leading to serious complications. Long considered a disease of the rich, hypertension is now a real public health problem in Africa. The treatment of this disease is not only long term, but it is also expensive for many patients. To overcome this, the African populations resort to herbal treatments. Among these plants we have Gnetum africanum which is a food plant from Gabon which has medicinal properties. Our work aims to validate the pharmacological effect of the aqueous extract of Gnetum africanum by a study on the isolated rat aorta. The rings aorta are kept in an oxygenated Mac Ewen solution and maintained at a temperature of 37°C. At the beginning of the experiment, the aortic band is subjected to a tension of 1 g force. We then balance the device for 1 hour to have stable contractile movements. The aqueous extract of the leaves showed a relaxing action on the smooth muscles of the isolated rat aorta. This relaxation of the isolated rat aorta is similar to that obtained by the action of amlodipine. These observations suggest that decoction of Gnetum africanum have a relaxant effect on rat isolated aorta. This justifies its use by traditional therapists in the treatment of arterial hypertension.