Saba senegalensis

The aim of this work was to identify the main phytocompounds and to assess the antimycobacterial activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves and stems of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Saba senegalensis with a view to proving or disproving their use in the treatment of tuberculosis. Evaluation of the antimycobacterial activity showed that the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus leaves exhibited activity against two Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains used. This activity could be justified by the presence of polyphenols and alkaloids identified by UPLC-MS analysis. Organ extracts from the two plants identified polyphenols (coumarins, flavonoids, flavonols and quercetin) and alkaloids (hordenine, caffeine and nicotine) with recognised pharmacological properties. Some plants, such as A. leiocarpus could be used to treat tuberculosis. A study of the toxicity of the aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus leaves will be carried out with a view to producing a drug for treating tuberculosis.