PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES AND EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITIES OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA L. (COMBRETACEAE) AND SENNA OCCIDENTALIS (L.) LINK (FABACEAE) FROM IVORY COAST

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health challenge worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where conventional therapeutic resources remain limited. In Ivory coast, the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes remains widespread despite advances in modern medicine. This study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of two Ivorian medicinal plants, Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) and Senna occidentalis (L.) Link (Fabaceae), through phytochemical analyses, antioxidant assays, and in-vivo pharmacological tests. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, sterols, terpenes, and tannins in all tested extracts. Extracts derived from T. catappa leaves stood out for their particularly high levels of total polyphenols and condensed tannins. Assessment of antioxidant activity revealed a significantly high free radical scavenging capacity for the ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of T. catappa (extracts Ca₃ and Ca₄), with respective CR₅₀ values of 0.0316 and 0.0318 mg/ml. In-vivo tests demonstrated that extracts from both plants significantly (p < 0.05) reduce glucose-overload-induced postprandial hyperglycemia, with efficacy comparable to that of low-dose glibenclamide. These results provide a solid scientific basis for the traditional use of Terminalia catappa and Senna occidentalis in diabetes management in Ivory Coast. The high content of phenolic compounds and marked antioxidant activity suggest that these properties may contribute to the observed antihyperglycemic effects. Further mechanistic studies are needed to elucidate the molecular targets involved.