Studies on the Traditional and Phytochemical use of Kigelia africana (LAM.) Benth Leaves Harvested in Mali

Kigelia africana, known by its vernacular name “Sinjamba” or “Dindan”, from the Bignoniaceae family, is a medicinal and ornamental plant widely used in African traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to identify traditional uses from herbalists and traditional health practitioners, as well as to study the phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of Kigelia africana leaves. Extracts were prepared using aqueous decoction with reflux heating and Soxhlet extraction for organic extracts.

Phytochemical families were identified using tube reactions. Antioxidant power was evaluated via the DPPH radical scavenging method. Characterization tests showed that the extracts are rich in total phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, mucilages, and cardiac glycosides. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 163.90 ± 11.49 µg/mL and 192.86 ± 23.35 µg/mL, respectively, compared to ascorbic acid (41.57 ± 0.71 µg/mL). The antiradical activity appears to be linked to the plant’s richness in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids, supporting its traditional use in treating various ailments reported during the ethnobotanical survey.