Etude du pouvoir hépatoprotecteur d’Argemone mexicana L. (Papavearceae), une plante médicinale du Burkina Faso

Abstract

IntroductionArgemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) is used in folk medicine in Burkina Faso for jaundice treatment. The aim of the study was to investigate the hepato-protective potential of three leaves extracts tested again Wistar rats previously rendered icteric by an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of carbon tetrachloride CCl4 (0 .5 mL/kg).
Methodology : An experimental jaundice was created in batches of wistar rats through an intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 0.5 mL/kg i.p.). Icterized animals were treated orally with varying doses of drug extracts.
Blood samples collected have served to measure biological markers involved in hepatointoxication as transaminases, alkaline phosphatases, direct bilirubin (DBIL) and total bilirubin (BT). The hepato-protective capacities of the extracts studied were compared with that of silymarin (100 mg/kg p.o.) a reference substance.
Results : Tannins, sterols and triterpenes, flavonoids and indole alkaloids have been characterized as phytoconstituents. All the three extracts showed an intrinsic hepatoprotective power, varying according to the nature and the dose of extract administered. Results obtained permitted to classify the three extracts according to their antihepatotoxic potential (hepatoprotection rate) : silymarin (84.08%), the alkaloidic totum extract (82.67%), the decoction (78.33 %) and the freeze-dried
aqueous macerated (78.25%).
Conclusion The above results are a good illustration on the presence of a hepatoprotective pharmacological potential inherent in the leaves of Argemone mexicana L., this fact justifies its use in traditional medicine against jaundice.
Similarly, biochemical tests (such as dosages) represent a good investigating way for the traditional therapeutic potential of vegetable drugs in favour of Burkina pharmacopoeia.