In Burkina Faso, W. indica L. syn. W. americana is used by traditional healers for curative and preventive management of asthma. Based on an ethnopharmacological approach, this study aimed to characterize W. indica on the chemical and pharmacological level according to the traditional use against asthma. Methodology: First, interviews of traditional healers confirmed the literature data concerning traditional use of the plant against asthma. Second, chemical investigations were conducted alternatively with biological investigation. Moreover, an in situ characterization of mains chemical groups was performed in different parts of the plant; then, a general acute toxicity of hydro alcoholic extract was evaluated in mice. Results and discussion: Alkaloids and polyphenols are presents in different parts of W. indica. Several compounds have been isolated from hydro alcoholic roots extract (HA). One compound have been identified as (-)-epicatechin. In vitro, HA, its fractions n-hexane (F1), dichloromethane (F2), ethyl acetate (F3), residual fraction (F4) and (-)-epicatechin isolated from F3 dose-dependently inhibited the activity of 5-LOX, LOX-IB de soja and PLA2. Inhibition of PDE4A1α by fractions was not dose-dependent. On tissue level, HA, F3 and fractions from F3 inhibited contraction induced by acetylcholine on rat trachea ex vivo. This effect was dose-dependent with IC50 of 1051 µg/mL for HA, between 181 and 477µg/mL for F3 and its fractions. HA is moderately toxic in mice (LD50 =210 mg/Kg, intraperitoneal route). This study is the first pharmacological investigation of traditional use of W. indica against asthma. Our results validate the use of W. indica in traditional for management of asthma. These effects should be, at least in part, attributed to the presence of (-)-epicatechin in roots of W. indica. Conclusion: The pharmacological validation of traditional use of W. indica against asthma must be completed in the future research by isolation and biological assays of other compounds which could participate to activity of W. indica.
