This study investigates the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Heliotropium indicum and Caesalpinia bonduc , two medicinal plants widely used in traditional medicine in Benin. In ethnomedicinal practice, H. indicum is commonly prepared as decoctions or infusions of the aerial parts and administered orally or topically to treat inflammatory conditions, wounds, fever, and infections, whereas C. bonduc roots are typically used in decoction for the management of urinary tract infections, pain, diabetes, and reproductive disorders. The present research aims to generate preliminary scientific data supporting these traditional applications. Aqueous and hydroethanolic (70% ethanol) extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of H. indicum and the roots of C. bonduc . Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed using standard qualitative colorimetric and precipitation reactions. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated against multiresistant uropathogenic strains using the agar disk diffusion method and broth microdilution for determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Antibiofilm activity was assessed using a crystal violet colorimetric assay. Analgesic and diuretic activities were evaluated in vivo in Wistar rats using hydroethanolic extracts. Acute oral toxicity was assessed following a limit test at 2000 mg/kg in rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and tannins in both plant species. Among the tested samples, only the hydroethanolic extract of C. bonduc exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested uropathogenic strains, with inhibition zones ranging from 14.6 to 16.6 mm and MIC values between 6 and 6.5 mg/mL. The aqueous extract of C. bonduc and both extracts of H. indicum did not exhibit detectable antibacterial activity under the experimental conditions. However, all extracts demonstrated antibiofilm activity, inhibiting biofilm formation in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. strains by 40.52%–71.93%. Hydroethanolic extracts of both plants showed significant analgesic activity ( p < 0.05) in the acetic acid–induced writhing test and exhibited measurable diuretic effects in rats. In the acute toxicity study, no mortality or clinical signs of toxicity were observed at 2000 mg/kg during the 14‐day observation period. Hematological and biochemical parameters remained within normal ranges, and histopathological examination of the liver and kidneys revealed no treatment‐related alterations. These findings provide preliminary experimental support for some of the traditional uses of H. indicum and C. bonduc and suggest that hydroethanolic extracts of these plants warrant further investigation for the isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds.
Assouma et al. (Thu,) studied this question.