ETHNOBOTANY, ANTIDEPRESSANT AND PHYTOCHEMICALS OF BOMBAX COSTATUM; A NEUROPROTECTIVE PLANT USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OF NAKAMBE REGION OF BURKINA FASO

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to document the ethnobotanical applications of Bombax costatum from the Nakambe region of Burkina Faso and to evaluate toxicity, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant properties of its hydroethanolic bark extract, along with its phytochemical composition. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was done with 52 traditional healers. To obtain the bark extract from B. costatum, the plant material was soaked using a hydroethanolic (80%) solvent. Following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline 423, mice were used to assess for acute oral toxicity (up to 3000 mg/kg). Behavioral tests were conducted at a dosage of 100 mg/kg, including the elevated plus maze for anxiety and the forced swim test for depression. We assessed antioxidant activity by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO). The total amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds was measured using spectrophotometric methods. Results: The survey showed that many people use B. costatum bark to help them sleep, stop hallucinations, and deal with dementia. The extract was almost non-toxic, as there were no deaths or damage to the mice organs up to 3000 mg/kg b.w. At 100 mg/kg, the extract caused a significant anxiolytic effect and shortened the time spent being immobile in the forced swim test (which is a sign of antidepressant-like activity). The extract increased SOD activity and stopped LPO. The total amount of phenolic compounds was 18.9±0.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 mg, and the total amount of flavonoids was 30.65±0.09 mg quercetin equivalent/100 mg. Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of B. costatum exhibits low toxicity and significant neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant properties, supporting its traditional use.