Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF GABON STRYCHNOS ICAJA BAILLON (LOGANIACEAE)

R.R.R. Aworet Samseny*, L.E. Mengome, S. Aboughe Angone

ABSTRACT

Strychnos icaja Baillon (Loganiaceae) is a tropical shrub common in the tropical forest of Central Africa (Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon). This Strychnos species is mainly used by the local population as an arrow or ordeal poison, to treat hemorroïd but also been used by Pygmies tribes from Cameroon to treat persistent malaria, it’s also used for his magic-medical property. Leaves, stems, and roots contain alkaloids. The plant contains mainly gallic tannins in the leaves and stems and catechic tannins in the roots. We also note the presence of flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, and saponins in the plant.

Keywords: Strychnos icaja, traditional medicine, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins.