scholarly journals SANSEVIERIA HYACINTHOIDES (L.) DRUCE: A REVIEW OF ITS BOTANY, MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

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.

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.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 223-229
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Brachylaena elliptica and B. ilicifolia are shrubs or small trees widely used as traditional medicines in southern Africa. There is need to evaluate the existence of any correlation between the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of the two species. Therefore, in this review, analyses of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of B. elliptica and B. ilicifolia are presented. 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. The articles published between 1941 and 2020 were used in this study. The leaves and roots of B. elliptica and B. ilicifolia are mainly used as a mouthwash and ethnoveterinary medicines, and traditional medicines for backache, hysteria, ulcers of the mouth, diabetes, gastro-intestinal and respiratory problems. This study showed that sesquiterpene lactones, alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, flavonols, phenols, proanthocyanidins, saponins and tannins have been identified from aerial parts and leaves of B. elliptica and B. ilicifolia. The leaf extracts and compounds isolated from the species exhibited antibacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities. There is a need for extensive phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies of crude extracts and compounds isolated from B. elliptica and B. ilicifolia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1292-1299
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Ehretia amoena is a deciduous shrub or small tree widely used as herbal medicine in tropical Africa. Ehretia amoena occurs naturally in Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The current study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of E. amoena. Literature on medicinal uses, phytochemical and biological activities of E. amoena was collected from multiple internet sources such as Elsevier, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Pubmed, BMC, Science Direct and Scopus. Complementary information was collected from pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, theses, scientific reports and journal articles obtained from the university library. This study revealed that the bark, fruit, leaf, root, root bark, stem and stem bark decoction or infusion of E. amoena are mainly used as an anthelmintic or dewormer and herbal medicine for fever, typhoid, sleeping sickness, wounds, menstrual problems, abdominal pains, sexually transmitted infections, skin diseases, vomiting, pain, muscle pain and gastro-intestinal problems. Ethnopharmacological research identified chrysosplenetin, chrysosplenol D, emodins, polyose, polyuronoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and volatile oils from the leaves and roots of E. amoena. The crude extracts of E. amoena and the phytochemical compounds identified from the species exhibited antibacterial, antitrypanosomal  and cytotoxicity activities. Ehretia amoena should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Boscia albitrunca is a medium-sized tree widely used as herbal medicine in Southern Africa. The current study critically reviewed the botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of B. albitrunca. Literature on botany, medicinal uses, phytochemical, and biological activities of B. albitrunca was collected from multiple internet sources including Elsevier, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, PubMed, BMC, Science Direct, and Scopus. Complementary information was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, theses, scientific reports, and journal articles obtained from the university library. This study revealed that the species is used as herbal medicine in 75.0% of the countries in Southern Africa where the species is indigenous. The bark, leaves, and roots of B. albitrunca are mainly used as herbal medicines for constipation, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, headache, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, skin diseases, syphilis, and as ethnoveterinary medicine. Ethnopharmacological research identified phenolic compounds, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and triterpernoids from leaves of B. albitrunca. The crude extracts of the species and the compound martynoside isolated from B. albitrunca exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities. B. albitrunca should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 258-268
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Harpephyllum caffrum is a fruit plant widely used as herbal medicine throughout its distributional range in southern Africa. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of the biological activities, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of H. caffrum. Documented information on the botany, biological activities, medicinal uses and phytochemistry of H. caffrum was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, Pubmed and Web of Science. Additional information on H. caffrum 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 and roots of H. caffrum are used as blood purifier and emetic, and as herbal medicine against asthma, wounds, bone fractures, sprains and skin problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the fruits, leaves and stem bark of H. caffrum include cardanols, fatty acid esters, flavonoids, phenolics and triterpenoids. Ethnopharmacological research revealed that H. caffrum extracts and compounds have in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities such as acetylcholinesterase, analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, melanogenesis and antityrosinase, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive, hepatoprotective and cytotoxicity activities. Harpephyllum caffrum should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of 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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 239-246
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Bolusanthus speciosus (Bolus) Harms is a deciduous and ornamental tree with its different parts used traditionally to treat various diseases. The main aim of this review is to provide an overview and critical analysis of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of B. speciosus. The information presented in this study was gathered using various databases such as PubMed, Taylor and Francis imprints, Springer, NCBI, Google scholar and Science direct, and review of books, journal articles and other scientific publications kept in the university library. The articles published between 1933 and 2020 were used in this study. The bark, leaf and stem infusion of B. speciosus are mainly used for cleansing blood and as an emetic, and a traditional medicine for abdominal pains, kidney problems, sexually transmitted infections and stomach problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the leaves, root bark, root wood, seeds and stem bark of B. speciosus include alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins and tannins. The biological activities exhibited by B. speciosus and the phytochemical compounds isolated from the species include anti-arthritic, antibacterial, antigonococcal, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Future research should focus on toxicological screening, in vivo studies and clinical trials involving the crude extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species.


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