Phytochemical study of Barteria fustolisa mast bark traditionally used against infantile colics by local population in Gabon

Barteria fistulosa mast is a tree found from western Nigeria to the Equatorial forest of Central Africa, which bark is empirically used in Gabon by local population to relieve infantile colics. This study consists of a phytochemical analysis of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Barteria fistulosa mast bark from Gabon. We have identified secondary metabolites present in the extracts of the bark. The results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins in the different extracts. The results of quantitative analysis showed that aqueous extract is more concentrated (127.1 ± 10.1mg GAE/100g) in total polyphenonols than ethanolic extract (35.7 ± 6.80 mg GAE/100g) of dry matter. Concerning total flavonoids, ethanolic extract shows a concentration of 4.99 ± 0.08 mg QE/100g of dry matter, while for the aqueous extract we note no quantitative detection by the Genesis10 Uv–Vis spectrophotometer. Finally, the presence of several groups of active molecules would justify its use in traditional medicine, particulary against infantile colics in Gabon.