Traditional uses and pharmacological activities ofTetracera alnifolia(Wild) Drake

Abstract

ABSTRACTEthnopharmacological relevanceTetracera alnifolia(Wild) Drake, is well used in traditional Guinean medicine for the treatment of infectious skin diseases. The present aim was to contribute to the valorization ofTetracera alnifolialeaves, focused on ethnomedical, biological and phytochemical investigations.Materials and methodswe conducted an ethnomedical survey across several markets of the city of Conakry to identify 39 healers. Chloroform, methanol, dichloromethane, and aqueous extracts were tested for activities against protozoa, bacteria, fungi, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2.Resultsthe traditional healers indicated thatT. alnifoliais used in the treatment of more than 15 pathologies includingFassa(marasmus/malnutrition),Soukhou kouyé(white discharge in women), andTèmou bankhi(sexual weakness in men). Leaves were the most used part. The modes of preparation included decoction and powder. Data from biological activities identicatied good activities of the methanolic extract againstLeishmania infantum(MIC = 8.11 μg / ml) and a moderate activity onTrypanosoma brucei(MIC = 28.15 μg / ml) andStaphylococcus aureus(MIC = 29.91 μg / ml), while dichloromethane extracts acted on live SARS-CoV-2 replication with up to 53.4% inhibition at 50 μg/mL.Conclusionthese results explain at least in part the traditional use ofT. alnifolia