Study of the physicochemical and toxicological profiles of three products commonly used in vaginal practices among women in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

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Résumé

Vaginal practices encompass various methods of hygiene and other interventions, ranging from external cleansing with water or mild products to internal washing (douching) and the insertion of substances for hygienic, sanitary, or sexual reasons. Due to the wide variety of products and methods of use, these practices may carry certain risks. The aim of this study was to characterize the physicochemical and toxicological profile of three recipes used by women in Ouagadougou for vaginal practices. These recipes are: Mint Crystals, Petit Bandit, and Djeka. The phytochemical profile of the three recipes was analyzed using thin-layer chromatography. Acute toxicity and eye and skin irritation were determined based on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In solution, the pH of the recipes was 3.58 ± 0.02, 6.86 ± 0.34, and 6.22 ± 0.06 for Djeka, Petit Bandit, and Mint Crystals, respectively. Djeka contains flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and coumarins. Mint Crystals contain sterols and terpenes. No chemical groups were identified in Petit Bandit tablets. The acute toxicity study showed that each of the three formulations has an estimated LD50 of 5000 mg/kg bw. Mint Crystals and Petit Bandits, at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg bw, caused a significant decrease in the relative weight of the liver, kidneys, and spleen of the test mice. Djeka and Petits Bandits have minimal eye irritation potential, and Mint Crystals has moderate irritation potential. All three recipes are non-irritating to the skin. The results are preliminary, but they raise questions about the safety of misuse of the recipes.

Mots-clés

Irritation, Eye irritation, Skin irritation, Acute toxicity, Toxicity, Phytochemical