Research Paper - ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION, MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ACUTE TOXICITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF Holarrhena floribunda (G. DON) DURAND & SCHINZ, Leptadenia hastata (PERS.) DECNE AND Cassia sieberiana (D C) USED BY VETERINARY HEALERS IN BURKINA FASO

As reproductive disorders were found to be one of the major constraints of livestock improvement in Burkina Faso, an ethno-veterinary survey showed that some plant species are used by traditional veterinary healers as basic components of indigenous recipes to treat them. The ecological locations, the current relative abundance in the area and the acute toxicity of the aqueous extracts of three selected species: Holarrhena floribunda ,. Leptadenia hastata and Cassia sieberiana were also investigated. The abundance of the plants was carried out in villages with semi-structured interviews of vet-healers, in-situ observations and then completion with library documentation while the acute toxicity was done in mice. The results showed that LD50s of 495 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg and 1513 mg/kg were observed for Holarrhena floribunda, Cassia sieberiana and Leptadenia hastata respectively. The relative abundance of these species across Burkina Faso is variable. Leptadenia hastata is widely distributed, while Holarrhena floribunda is very scarce because of its high demand. Cassia sieberiana's case is worrisome because the plant's root is the basic material required. The LD quotient and LD50 obtained for Leptadenia hastata show that the plant is safe to use. Although the LD50 obtained for Holarrhena floribunda is higher than that of Cassia sieberiana their LD quotients did not meet acceptable safety calculated value. However, it is more difficult to get enough crude material of Holarrhena floribunda and Cassia sieberiana. There is, therefore, an urgent need to build a sustainable scheme for these endangered species and their preservation.