Phytochemical characterization of Brachylaena ramiflora (DC.) Humbert decoctions and infusions

“Traditional medicine” is a term used to describe the exploitation of natural resources, often in concert with ritual and spirituality, to prevent, treat and heal human diseases and ailments. Madagascar, located approximately 400 km off of the coast of Mozambique in southeastern Africa, is the fourth largest island in the world and separated from Pangea some 150-170 million years ago and then split off from what would become the Indian subcontinent some 60-80 million years later. Due to a long isolation and its tropical location, Madagascar is characterized by one of the highest rates of endemism and biodiversity in the world: for this reason Malagasy flora can provide a wide variety of medicinal plants as an affordable alternative to expensive western medicine.In particular, it can be inferred that the forest of Maromizaha is a source of important raw materials for plant-derived pharmaceuticals: a relevant number of valuable drugs has yet to be discovered from its flora.