scholarly journals A synthesis and review of medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Schef৒lera umbellifera (Sond.) Baill. (Ar aliaceae )

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5460-5466
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Schefflera umbellifera (Sond.) Baill. is an evergreen tree widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in southern Africa. Schefflera umbellifera is indigenous to Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of S. umbellifera. Documented information on medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of S. umbellifera was collected from several online sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, Francis and Taylor and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the University library. This study revealed that the bark, leaf and root decoction or infusion of S. umbellifera are mainly used as diuretic, laxative, colic and protective charm, and traditional medicine for stomach ulcers, weaning infants, insanity, inflammation, rheumatism and malaria. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin, betulin, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and oleanolic acid. Pharmacological research revealed that S. umbellifera extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, larvicidal and cytotoxicity activities. Schefflera umbellifera should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-273
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Volkameria glabra (E. Mey.) Mabb. & Y.W. Yuan is a deciduous shrub or a small tree widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of pharmacological properties, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of V. glabra. Documented information on pharmacological properties, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of V. glabra was collected from several online sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study revealed that the bark, leaf and root infusion and/or decoction of V. glabra are mainly used as immune booster, protective charm, anthelmintic and ethnoveterinary medicine, and traditional medicine for convulsions, fractured bones, fever, wounds, gastro-intestinal problems, snake bite and respiratory diseases. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include aliphatic glycosides, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, iridoid, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids. The V. glabra and compounds isolated from the species exhibited acaricidal, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimycobacterial, anti-collagenase, antidiabetic, anti-elastase, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antipyretic, cholinesterase enzyme inhibition, immune-stimulant and cytotoxicity activities. Volkameria glabra should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Maerua crassifolia Forssk. is an evergreen tree widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in the Sahel region, peninsular Arabia east to Pakistan, east and west Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of M. crassifolia. Documented information on medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of M. crassifolia was collected from several online sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the university library. The articles published between 1964 and 2020 were used in this study. This study revealed that the bark, fruit, leaf and twig infusion and/or decoction of M. crassifolia are mainly used as ethnoveterinary medicine, and traditional medicine for cephalalgia, headache, fever, malaria, wounds, skin infections, toothache and gastro-intestinal problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include alkaloids, amino acids, betaines, cardiac glycosides, fatty acids, flavonoids, lignan glucosides, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. The M. crassifolia extracts exhibited antibacterial, anti-diarrhoeal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antiprotozoal, antitrypanosomal, antipyretic and cytotoxicity activities. Maerua crassifolia should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 287-294
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Centrapalus pauciflorus is a herbaceous plant that is used as a traditional medicine and a source of epoxidised oil. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the pharmacological properties, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of C. pauciflorus. Documented information on the pharmacological properties, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of C. pauciflorus was collected from several online sources, which included Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as scientific publications, these, books, dissertations, book chapters and journal articles. This study showed that the leaves and epoxidised oil of C. pauciflorus are used as traditional medicines for external injury, wounds, diabetes, chest pains, eye infections, stomach problems and skin infections. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include coumarins, essential oils, fatty acids, flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, carotenoids, flavonoids, polyuronoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. Pharmacological research revealed that C. pauciflorus extracts and compounds isolated from the species have analgesic, anti-dermatitis, antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, hypoglycemic, insecticide, larvicidal and sedative activities. Centrapalus pauciflorus should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.


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 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 213-222
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Cissampelos mucronata A. Rich. is a perennial climber widely used as traditional medicine in tropical Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. mucronata. Documented information on medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. mucronata was collected from several online sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the University library. The articles published between 1962 and 2020 were used in this study. This study revealed that leaves, rhizome, roots and stems, and whole plant parts of C. mucronata are mainly used as traditional medicines for sexually transmitted infections, fever, swellings, headache, respiratory problems, snakebite, malaria, pregnancy problems and gastro-intestinal problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycerine, glycosides, phenolics, reducing sugars, resin, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenes. Pharmacological research revealed that C. mucronata extracts and alkaloids isolated from the species have antibacterial, anti-mycobacterial, antifungal, antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal, anti-ulcer, anti-androgenic, anti-steroidogenic, enzyme tyrosine kinase p56 inhibitory, hypoglycemic, larvicidal, molluscicidal, sedative, tocolytic, uterine relaxant and cytotoxicity activities. There is need for extensive toxicological evaluations of crude extracts and compounds isolated from the species since C. mucronata contains potentially toxic compounds


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 196-204
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Gymnanthemum coloratum is a shrub or a small tree widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. The current study is aimed at reviewing the phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and medicinal uses of G. coloratum. Literature on pharmacological properties, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of G. coloratum was obtained from numerous internet sources such as Scopus, Elsevier, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, BMC and Web of Science. Other sources of information included pre-electronic sources such as journal articles, theses, book chapters, books and other scientific publications obtained from the university library. The articles published between 1964 and 2020 were used in this study. The current study showed that G. coloratum is used as an anthelmintic, and traditional medicine for reproductive problems, schistosomiasis, liver diseases, sexually transmitted infections, diabetes, sores and wounds, respiratory problems, malaria, skin diseases, fever and gastro-intestinal problems. Ethnopharmacological research identified glaucolides, lactones, amino acids, essential oils, alkaloids, anthocyanins, cardenolids, coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, leucoanthocyanins, phenols, quinones, reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and triterpenes from the aerial parts, leaves, roots and stems of G. coloratum. The aerial parts, leaves, roots and whole plant parts of G. coloratum and compounds isolated from the species exhibited anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anti-Blastocystis, anti-inflammatory, anti-sickling, insecticidal and larvicidal, antiplasmodial, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-Toxoplasma, hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic and cytotoxicity activities. Gymnanthemum coloratum should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Drimia elata is an important and well-known medicinal plant in tropical Africa. This study critically reviewed the medicinal applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of D. elata. Literature on medicinal applications, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities of D. elata was collected from multiple internet sources including Elsevier, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, PubMed, BMC, ScienceDirect, 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 showed that D. elata is used for treating several medical conditions, particularly general ailments, blood and cardiovascular system, reproductive system and sexual health, urinary system, infections and infestations, digestive system, respiratory system, and muscular-skeletal system disorders. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include bufadienolides, alkaloids, aromatic acids, flavonoids, phlobatannins, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Ethnopharmacological research revealed that D. elata extracts have acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimycobaceterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hemagglutinating, and cytotoxicity activities. D. elata should be subjected to extensive in vivo experiments and also future studies should focus on how potential toxic components of the species can be managed when it is used as herbal medicine.


Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Halleria lucida is a shrub or small tree widely used as traditional medicine in southern Africa. This study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of H. lucida. Literature on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of H. lucida 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 H. lucida is used as an ornamental plant, protective charm, and traditional medicine for blood pressure, earache, evil eye, scabies and skin complaints. Ethnopharmacological research identified cyclohexadienone, cyclohexanone, cyclohexanols, flavonols, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins from the leaves and stems of H. lucida. The leaf, root and stem extracts of H. lucida and the compounds luteolin-5-O-β- D-glucoside and verbascoside isolated from the species exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, phytotoxic and mutagenicity activities. Since H. lucida extracts are widely used as traditional medicines, there is need for extensive phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations of the extracts and compounds isolated from the species.


Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Helichrysum cymosum is a valuable and well-known medicinal plant in tropical Africa. The current study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of H. cymosum. Information on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of H. cymosum, was collected from multiple internet sources which included Scopus, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, and BMC. Additional information was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as journal articles, scientific reports, theses, books, and book chapters obtained from the University library. This study showed that H. cymosum is traditionally used as a purgative, ritual incense, and magical purposes and as herbal medicine for colds, cough, fever, headache, and wounds. Ethnopharmacological research revealed that H. cymosum extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and cytotoxicity activities. This research showed that H. cymosum is an integral part of indigenous pharmacopeia in tropical Africa, but there is lack of correlation between medicinal uses and existing pharmacological properties of the species. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating the chemical and pharmacological properties of H. cymosum extracts and compounds isolated from the species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 247-256
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Maerua angolensis DC. is collected from the wild for its edible leaves and fruits, and is also used as a traditional medicine. This study is aimed at evaluating the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of M. angolensis. 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 1960 and 2020 were used in this study. This study revealed that the aerial parts, bark, leaves, roots and stem bark infusion and/or decoction of M. angolensis are mainly used as a protective charm and ethnoveterinary medicine, and a traditional medicine for pain, cancer, fever, malaria, sores, wounds and gastro-intestinal problems. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinones, betaines, cardiac glycosides, cyanidin, esters, fatty acids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, phenols, saponins, sterols, steroids, tannins and triperpenoids. Ethnopharmacological research revealed that M. angolensis extracts have acaricidal, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiarrhoeal, anticonvulsant, anti-diabetic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anti-urolithiatic, antiprotozoal, molluscicidal and nematicidal activities. There is need for extensive toxicological evaluations of crude extracts and compounds isolated from the species since M. angolensis contains potentially toxic compounds


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