Phytochemical profile and toxicity assessment of phytomedicines for hemorrhoids and sexual disorders sold in public transport in Côte d’Ivoire

The sale of herbal medicines is increasing in public transport vehicles in Côte d'Ivoire. Many of these products are promoted as treatments for hemorrhoids or as remedies for sexual and/or reproductive disorders, without any certainty regarding their efficacy and safety. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile and assess the acute toxicity of aqueous extracts of plant powders sold in public transport vehicles along three main routes in Côte d'Ivoire. Phytochemical screening and quantification of phenolic compounds were performed using colorimetric and spectrophotometric techniques, respectively, on aqueous extracts from samples purchased on public transport buses. Acute toxicity of the extracts was then evaluated according to OECD 423 guidelines in Wistar rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed that all extracts contained total polyphenols, flavonoids, catecholic tannins, and anthraquinones, but lacked alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, and sterols. Quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds showed low levels ranging from 53 to 438 ± 0.7 mg GAE/g, 11.66 to 698.33 ± 2 mg QE/g, and 0.009 to 0.28 ± 0.8 mg EAT/g of dry extract, for total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, respectively. Furthermore, toxicity tests indicated that none of the extracts were toxic in rats. These findings suggest that these products may be safe for humans, but their effectiveness could be limited due to the absence of certain metabolites known to be useful in the treatment of hemorrhoidal and sexual disorders.