Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, Safety of Use and Spasmolytic Effects of Aqueous Decoction Extract of <i>Diospyros mespiliformis</i> Leaves Hochst. ex A. DC. (Ebenaceae) on the Isolated Duodenum of Rat

iospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC. (Ebenaceae) is a multi-use plant, including for therapeutic purposes. It is used in alternative medicine in Burkina Faso to treat conjunctivitis, menorrhagia, dysentery, and diarrhea. The aim of our study was to evaluate the chemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, safety of use and spasmolytic effects of the aqueous decoction of Diospyros mespiliformis leaves. Phytochemical screening by HPTLC and assay of compounds of interest were carried out. Four methods were used to assess antioxidant activity. Inhibitory activity against 15-lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 was assessed. Acute oral toxicity of the extract was tested on female mice (NMRI). Following these tests, the extract contained bioactive compounds of interest such as flavonoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes, and saponosides. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the aqueous decoctate were 70.59 ± 3.20 mg EAT/g and 31.57 ± 0.78 mg EQ/g respectively. The extract was less active than Trolox with inhibitory concentrations of 50% (IC50) for the ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and LPO tests of 7.53 ± 0.08 μg/mL, 29.47 ± 0.06 μg/mL, 1128.83 ± 4.82 mol EAA/g, and 32.30 ± 1.60 μg/mL respectively. The extract has an anti-inflammatory effect with inhibition of phospholipase A2 compared to betamethasone. In addition, the aqueous extract produced an antispasmodic effect with Emax of 70% and 80% respectively during contractions induced by BaCl2 and ACh. Finally, this study provided basic scientific data and could justify the use of D. mespiliformis leaves in the treatment of diarrhea.