Antioxidant and antiplasmodial activities of extracts of Massularia acuminata (Rubiaceae)

Using Massularia acuminata (MA) by by Nkundo populations in traditional medicine at Lui-Kotale in D.R. Congo, and by both bonobos and has led us to pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigations. The phytochemical screening of the aqueous extracts of fruit (AF) and EtOH 80% bark trunk (EA) of MA revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanes, saponins and tannins. But also the presence of anthocyanins, monosaccharides and holosides, quinones, reducing sugars in the AF, and those extracts EA sterols and triterpenes. The best antioxidant activity was obtained with extracts of EA (IC50 = 27.45 ± 2.56 mg/ml), and the highest antiplasmodial activity with those of AF (IC50 < 9.77 mg/ml) of MA. These results suggest a possible selfmedication behavior, which in addition to the nutritional needs for the welfare of the animal health.