scholarly journals SCABIOSA COLUMBARIA: A REVIEW OF ITS MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Scabiosa columbaria is a perennial herb widely used as herbal medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa, Asia, and Europe. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of S. columbaria. Documented information on biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of S. columbaria was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of S. columbaria was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, theses, and scientific publications sourced from the university library. This study showed that the aerial parts, leaves, roots, stems, and the whole plant parts of S. columbaria are used as colic, love charm and for magical purposes, and as herbal medicine for eye problems, heartburn, respiratory problems, wounds, female infertility, venereal diseases, skin infections, and menstrual problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the aerial parts and roots of S. columbaria are glycoside scabiosin, loganin, sweroside, palmitic acid, phthalic acid, diisooctyl phthalate, bis-(ethylhexyl) phthalate, and dibutyl phthalate. Pharmacological research revealed that S. columbaria extracts and compounds have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoan activities. Future research should focus on evaluating the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of S. columbaria crude extracts as well as compounds isolated from the species.

Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Berchemia zeyheri is a small-to-medium-sized deciduous fruit tree widely used as herbal medicine. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of B. zeyheri. Documented information on the biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of B. zeyheri was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of B. zeyheri was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study showed that the bark and roots of B. zeyheri are used for magical purposes and as herbal medicine for anemia, backache, baby’s navel problems, cough, dysentery, headache, rectal ulcers, stomach problems, tonic, and vomiting and ethnoveterinary medicine for infectious diseases in cattle. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the aerial parts, bark, and heartwood of B. zeyheri are characterized by alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, and steroids. Pharmacological research revealed that B. zeyheri crude extracts have anthelmintic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity activities. Future ethnopharmacological research should focus on conducting detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Cussonia paniculata is a small tree widely used as herbal medicine throughout its distributional range in southern Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of C. paniculata. Documented information on the botany, biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of C. paniculata was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of C. paniculata was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, and scientific publications sourced from the University library. This study showed that the bark, fruits, leaves, roots, and stems of C. paniculata are used as emetic, immune booster, and herbal medicine for dysmenorrhea, intestinal parasites and worms, mental problems, boils, shingles and skin diseases, indigestion and stomach complaints, sores, and wounds. Phytochemical compounds identified from the leaves of C. paniculata include acetylated triterpene glycosides, unacetylated triterpene glycosides, flavonoid, steroidal saponin, and triterpenoid saponins. Pharmacological research revealed that C. paniculata extracts have analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiplasmodial, antiprotozoan, Aβ42 protein reduction, and cytotoxicity activities. Future research should focus on evaluating the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of C. paniculata crude extracts as well as compounds isolated from the species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5876-5885
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Gardenia ternifolia Schum. & Thonn. is a shrub or small tree widely used as a traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. Gardenia ternifolia is widespread in tropical Africa, extending from Senegal eastwards to Ethiopia and Kenya, through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) southwards to Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of G. ternifolia. Documented information on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of G. ternifolia was collected from several online sources which included Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. Additional information was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study showed that the species is widely used as an aphrodisiac and protective charm, and traditional medicine for headache, migraine, respiratory infections, sore eyes, hypertension, diabetes, gastro-intestinal problems, erectile dysfunction, malaria, convulsions and epilepsy. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include alkaloids, anthocyanins, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, quinones, saponins, steroids, stereoisomeric neolignans, tannins and terpenoids. Pharmacological research revealed that G. ternifolia extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antisickling, antitheilerial, hepatotoxicity, larvicidal and cytotoxicity activities. Future research on G. ternifolia should focus on detailed phytochemical evaluations, including toxicological, in vivo and clinical studies to corroborate the traditional medical applications of the species.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Sansevieria hyacinthoides is a succulent perennial herb widely used as herbal medicine. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of S. hyacinthoides. Documented information on the botany, biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of S. hyacinthoides was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed and Web of Science. Additional information on the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of S. hyacinthoides was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study showed that the leaf sap, leaves, rhizomes, roots, and whole plant parts of S. hyacinthoides are used as ethnoveterinary medicine, magical purposes, to dilate birth canal and as herbal medicine for fever, respiratory problems, intestinal parasites, worms, rheumatism, swellings, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections, hemorrhoids, toothache, diarrhea, stomach problems, insect and snake bites, earache, and infections. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the leaves, rhizomes, and roots are characterized by alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids. Pharmacological research revealed that S. hyacinthoides crude extracts have anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. Future ethnopharmacological research should focus on carrying out detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 280-286
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Adenia gummifera (Harv.) Harms is a climber or liane widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. Adenia gummifera occurs naturally in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of A. gummifera. Documented information on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of A. gummifera was collected from several online sources, which included Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. Additional information was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications sourced from the university library. This study showed that the species is widely used as an emetic and a protective charm, and, as traditional medicine for infertility, sexually transmitted infections, gastro-intestinal infections, leprosy, respiratory infections, malaria and menstrual problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include polyacetylenic diepoxide, alkaloids, flavonoids, flavonol, modeccin, proanthocyanidins, tetraphyllin, phenolics, polyphenol and tannins. Pharmacological research revealed that A. gummifera extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, antifungal, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI), anaesthetic, antioxidant, antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities. Future research on A. gummifera should focus on detailed phytochemical evaluations including toxicological, in vivo and clinical studies to corroborate the traditional medical applications of the species.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the botany, biological activities and medicinal uses of P. prunelloides. Documented information on botany, biological activities, and medicinal uses of P. prunelloides was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the botany, biological activities, and medicinal uses of P. prunelloides was gathered from book chapters, books, journal articles, theses, and scientific publications sourced from the University of Fort Hare Library. The study showed that the leaves and roots of P. prunelloides are used as herbal medicines for bodily pains, burns, cancer, diabetes, fever, gastrointestinal problems, heartburn, heart problems, respiratory problems, retained placenta, rheumatism, sexually transmitted infections, skin infections, snakebite, sores, wounds, toothache, and vomiting. Pharmacological research revealed that P. prunelloides extracts have antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, uterotonic and cytotoxicity activities. Future studies should focus on evaluating the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological activities of P. prunelloides crude extracts as well as chemical compounds isolated from the species.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Balanites maughamii is an important medicinal plant species in Southern Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of B. maughamii. Documented information on biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of B. maughamii was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the biological activities, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of B. maughamii were collected from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, theses, and scientific publications sourced from the university library. This study showed that the bark, fruits, leaves, and roots of B. maughamii are traditionally used for magical purposes, as emetic, tonic, fish poison, insecticidal, and herbal medicine for bilharzia. Phytochemical compounds identified from the bark, fruits, and leaves of B. maughamii are aliphatic alcohols, aliphatic ketones, benzenoid compounds, aliphatic acids, amino acids, coumarin, aliphatic esters, flavonoids, aliphatic aldehydes, and sterol. Pharmacological research revealed that B. maughamii extracts have adulticidal, antibacterial, antiplasmodial, bitterness, molluscicidal, and mutagenic activities. Future research should focus on evaluating the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of B. maughamii crude extracts as well as compounds isolated from the species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 7889-7897
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Maerua pseudopetalosa (Gilg & Gilg-Ben.) DeWolf  is  a perennial herb or subshrub collected from the wild as a food plant or traditional medicine. Maerua pseudopetalosa occurs naturally from Senegal, east to Eritrea and Ethiopia, through South Sudan, Sudan, East Africa, south to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study is aimed at evaluating the chemical properties, biological activities and ethnomedicinal uses of M. pseudopetalosa. Results of the current study are based on data derived from several online databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as scientific publications, books, dissertations, book chapters and journal articles. This study revealed that the fruit, leaf and root infusion and/or decoction of M. pseudopetalosa are mainly used as a stimulant and to restore physical strength and vitality, and traditional medicine for chest pains, breast cancer and cough. Phytochemical compounds identified from aerial parts, fruits, roots, seeds and tubers of M. pseudopetalosa  include quaternary ammonium compounds, alkaloids, amino acids, betaines, cardiac glycosides, fatty acids, essential oils, flavonoids, phenolics, sterols and tannins. Preliminary ethnopharmacological research revealed that aerial parts, roots and tubers of M. pseudopetalosa have antibacterial, antifungal, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory, pancreatic lipase inhibitory and cytotoxicity activities. Maerua pseudopetalosa should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological properties.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Zantedeschia aethiopica is an evergreen monocotyledonous herb widely used as herbal medicine and ornamental plant. The current study is aimed at reviewing the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of Z. aethiopica. Information on biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of Z. aethiopica was gathered from several internet sources which included Scopus, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, and BMC. Additional information on these aspects was sourced from pre-electronic sources such as journal articles, scientific reports, theses, books, and book chapters obtained from the University Library. The current study revealed that Z. aethiopica is mainly used as herbal medicine for boils, burns, gout, inflammation, insect bites, rheumatism, sores, and wounds. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies showed that Z. aethiopica extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antihistaminic, antialgal, antithrombotic, and anticoagulant activities. This research showed that Z. aethiopica is an integral part of the traditional pharmacopeia in several countries where the species is indigenous or naturalized, but there is the lack of alignment between the known medicinal applications, phytochemistry, and biological activities of the species. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating the chemical and pharmacological properties of Z. aethiopica extracts and compounds associated with the species.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Lannea edulis is a fruit plant widely used as herbal medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of L. edulis. Documented information on the botany, biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of L. edulis was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of L. edulis was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, and scientific publications sourced from the University library. This study showed that the bark, leaves, rootbark, and roots of L. edulis are used as antiabortifacient and herbal medicine to dilate birth canal, dizziness, sore eyes, sexually transmitted diseases, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, malaria, bilharzia, and gastrointestinal problems. Ethnopharmacological research revealed that L. edulis extracts and compounds have anthelmintic, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity activities. Future studies should focus on conducting detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluations of L. edulis crude extracts as well as compounds isolated from the species.


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