Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts from Detarium microcarpum Guill. Perr in Mali

Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr is a tree which belongs to Caesalpiniacea family and can reach up 10 m of height, with a horizontal root system. It is confined to the arid regions of West and Central Africa, where it mainly occurs in savannah. The aim of this work is to collate information on the use of Detarium microcarpum in folk medicine by traditional health practitioners and herbalists. Moreover, a phytochemical screening was carried out on the aqueous extracts from its major organs. The ethnobotanical survey was conducted in three administrative regions of Mali (Koulikoro, Sikasso, and Segou), and in the District of Bamako involving 45 individuals, including 25 women and 20 men. According to the collected information leaf, bark, and root of the plant have therapeutic properties and are known to treat 16 diseases, mainly infections and pains. The phytochemical screening detected numerous secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, polyphenolic compounds, terpenes, quinones, anthraquinones, reducing sugars, amines and saponosides in aqueous extracts from leaf, stem bark and root. These compounds could justify the use of this plant in folk medicine.