Medoatinsa Seindé Espérance^{1, 2,}, Tchogou Pascal¹, Adandonon Gratien¹, Agbogba Félicienne¹, Senou Maximin¹

Background: Manihot esculenta Crantz is a plant species used in the treatment of anaemia in Benin and Africa. The aim of this study was to valorise the flora of Benin by evaluating the antioxidant and antianemic activities of the aqueous macerate of Manihot esculenta Crantz leaves after phytochemical screening. Methodology: Phytochemical screening of the plant material was carried out by differential tube staining and precipitation reactions. Total phenolic compounds were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while the DPPH trapping test was used to assess antioxidant activity. The acute oral toxicity test was performed in vivo in Wistar rats at a dose of 2000 g/kg body weight. Biochemical parameters (serum creatinine, ASAT and ALAT transaminases) and haematological parameters (blood leukocytes) were used to assess this toxicity. Manihot esculenta Crantz, macerated in water, was administered by gavage to anaemic Wistar rats at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight to assess its anti-anaemic activity. Principals findings: The leaves of Manihot esculenta Crantz contain gallic tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, mucilages, anthocyanins, triterpenes and leuco-anthocyanins. The presence of phenolic compounds was confirmed by the content of 10.70±0.082mgEAG/gES obtained after their determination by spectrophotometer. 3.54 mg/mL is the concentration of the aqueous macerate of Manihot esculenta leaves, which was able to scavenge 50% of the DPPH in solution, thus demonstrating its antioxidant potential. No deaths were observed and there were no significant changes in body weight, serum creatinine, transaminases (ALAT and ASAT) or blood leukocyte levels. The Lethal Dose 50 (LD₅₀) of Manihot esculenta leaves is greater than 2000g/kg body weight in rats when taken alone. Aqueous maceration of Manihot esculenta Crantz at a dose of 300 mg/kg was able to correct haemorrhage-induced anaemia from day 7, in contrast to untreated anaemic rats whose anaemia was compensated from day 12. Conclusion: The leaves of Manihot esculenta Crantz are a potential candidate in the search for bioactive molecules with antioxidant and anti-anaemic activities.

Anemia, DPPH, toxicity, Manihot esculenta, Wistar rats