Ethnic differences in use, phytochemical screening and non-poisonous leaves of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum & Thonn.) in North of Benin

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the traditional medicinal use of Phyllanthus amarus in Northern of Benin among three majority ethnic groups and process to phytochemical and toxicological analyses of leaves from three provenances. A semi structured questionnaire was addressed to the questioned people. Accompanied with a translator, the questions are individuals after having presented if necessary a sample of the species. Collected data are ethnobotanical regarding inner knowledge of different sociocultural groups of the study zone on what they use Phyllanthus amarus organs for. Ethnobanical surveys reveal that the IE values indicate the knowledge about Phyllanthus amarus are distributed in a uniform way among Bariba and Otamari. Peulh use Phyllanthus amarus for its food and veterinary properties, the Bariba for esoteric and fertilizing properties and the Otamari for its medicinal properties. The watery extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves contains big families of chemical groups (alkaloids, tannins, anthocyanin, mucilage, heterosids, etc.) whose number and nature vary according ecological stations. As far as the toxicity study based on larvas survival is concerned, the watery and ethanolic extract of the leaves present a LC50 superior to 0.1 mg/ml no matter what the provenance of the plant is, they are non-toxic on the human cells.