Écologie chimique et ethnobotanique de Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) au Togo, Afrique de l'Ouest.

Abstract

Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae), a traditionally used medicinal plant, was the subject of chemical ecology and ethnobotany studies in Togo, West Africa. Momordicins I and II present in leaves were quantified with a novel HPLC method. Environmental factors which are significantly and positively correlated to momordicin content include light intensity and parameters related to drier habitats. These results are consistent with growth-differentiation balance and carbon/nutrient balance theories. Genotypic variation is significant. The Togolese population use M. charantia mainly for stomach aches, chickenpox and measles. Utilization consensus exists between ethnic groups and also between the population and traditional healers. Traditional knowledge of biological activities is confirmed by positive antiviral and anthelminthic activities of leaf ethanolic extracts. Moreover, harvesting criteria used by traditional healers suggest evidence of a certain comprehension of the plant natural chemical ecology.