Abstract

Bamba Abou*, Aka Kouadio Ayebe Edwige Diplo, Tchepe Flore Bernadette, Offoumou M'baï Rostand, Koffi N'dri Emmanuel, Kipre Gueyraud Rolland, Konan Ange, Assouan Kodjo Hugues,
Yapi Houphouet Félix

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized as major factors involved in tumor initiation and progression. In Côte d’Ivoire, Paullinia pinnata and Mezoneuron benthamianum are traditionally used in the management of breast cancer; however, their biological properties remain poorly documented. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of hydroethanolic extracts from these two medicinal plants. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in vitro using the inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation assay, while antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The extraction yields obtained were 6.8 ± 2.75% for P. pinnata and 3.4 ± 0.33% for M. benthamianum. At 250 µg/mL, both extracts exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity, with inhibition percentages of 54.39% for M. benthamianum and 52.63% for P. pinnata, compared with 73.69% for sodium diclofenac. Antioxidant analyses revealed significant radical scavenging and reducing activities. In the DPPH assay, P. pinnata showed the strongest activity with an IC?? of 15.33 ± 1.78 µg/mL, whereas M. benthamianum exhibited superior activity in the ABTS and FRAP assays. These findings demonstrate that both plants possess significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, likely related to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids. The study supports their potential as promising sources of natural compounds for the development of complementary therapeutic approaches against breast cancer.