Abstract

Konkon, N. G, Adjoungoua, A. L, Manda, P, Simaga, D, N

Mitragyna inermis leaves are used in Ivorian traditional medicine to treat diabetes. To situate tolerance limits, we determined acute toxicity threshold by the Overall Harmonized System of classification (SGH) using predetermined dose method and then we highlighted principal chemical groups responsible for pharmacological activity. The results allowed us to conclude that any dose of M. inermis leaves aqueous extract (300, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg) is lethal for the inoculated animals. LD50 is thus higher than 5000 mg/kg. These results suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of M. inermis could be used with some degree of safety by oral route. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sterol, triterpene, polyphenol, flavonoïd, catechic tannin, saponoside and alkaloid, which conferred several pharma-cological activities on the leaves of the plant.