scholarly journals Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Elaeodendron transvaalense

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi ◽  
Sebua Semenya

Elaeodendron transvaalense is a plant species, which is in high demand as a herbal medicine in southern Africa. This study critically reviewed the medicinal applications, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of E. transvaalense. The literature on medicinal applications, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities of E. transvaalense, 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 62.5% of the countries where E. transvaalense is native in southern Africa. It is mainly used as herbal medicine for diarrhoea, menorrhagia, stomach aches, skin infections, inflammations, and rashes. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species, include flavonoids, peltogynoid, phenols, proanthocyanidins, tannin, and triterpenes. Ethnopharmacological research revealed that extracts and phytochemical constituents isolated from E. transvaalense have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, anti-protozoan, anti-pyretic, hypoglycaemic, larvicidal, cytotoxicity, and mutagenic activities. Elaeodendron transvalense should to be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating the medicinal uses of the species with the ethnopharmacological properties of the species.

Author(s):  
ALFRED MAROYI

Lannea schimperi is a well-known fruit tree and medicinal plant in tropical Africa. The current study critically reviewed the botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of L. schimperi. Literature on botany, medicinal uses, phytochemical and biological activities of L. schimperi were 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 revealed that the species is used as a source of fiber, edible fruits, and herbal medicine. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include cyclohexenones, cardanols, alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthracene glycosides, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, carotenoids, condensed tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, phenols, polyoses, polyuronoids, reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, tannins, triterpenoids, and volatile compounds. Pharmacological research revealed that extracts and phytochemical constituents isolated from L. schimperi have anesthetic, antibacterial, antifungal, anticoccidial, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, anti-trypanosoma, antiulcerogenic, cytotoxicity, and toxicity activities. L. schimperi 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

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

Heteromorpha arborescens is an important medicinal plant species throughout its distributional range in tropical Africa. This study evaluated the botany, medicinal uses, and pharmacological activities of H. arborescens. Literature focusing on the botany, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of H. arborescens were obtained from scientific databases such as SCOPUS, Science Direct, PubMed, SciFinder, Medline, and Google Scholar. Pre-electronic literature sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, conference papers, and other scientific documents were obtained from the University library. Literature search revealed that H. arborescens is used as an aphrodisiac, as herbal medicine for shortness of breath, intestinal worms, inflammation, pain, respiratory problems, skin infections, headache, fever, and malaria. Pharmacological studies of compounds and H. arborescens extracts revealed anthelmintic, antiarthritic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antipeptic ulcer, anti-scabies, antispasmodic, antiviral, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and uterotonic activities. More detailed research is needed aimed at assessing phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of different plant parts and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-50
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Background: Aristea ecklonii is a perennial herb widely used as herbal medicine in southern Africa. Plants used as traditional medicines to treat various human diseases and illnesses play an important role in the primary healthcare of local communities in developing countries.Purpose: The current study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of A. ecklonii.Methods: Literature on medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of A. ecklonii was collected from multiple internet sources including Elsevier, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Pubmed, BMC, Science Direct, and Scopus. Additional information was also obtained from pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, theses, scientific reports and journal articles obtained from the university library.Results: This study revealed that A. ecklonii is used as an ornamental plant, protective charm, and herbal medicine for internal sores, cough, fever, syphilis, shingles, and venereal diseases. Ethnopharmacological research identified quinones and sterols from leaves and rhizomes of A. ecklonii. The crude extracts of A. ecklonii and the compound plumbagin isolated from the species exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities.Conclusion: Aristea ecklonii 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

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 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.


Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Lannea acida is widely used as herbal medicine in West Africa. The present study critically reviewed the medicinal uses and phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of L. acida. The keywords including L. acida, its synonyms, English common names, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of the species were searched using electronic databases such as ISI web of knowledge, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, OATD, Scopus, OpenThesis, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search for pre-electronic literature such as conference papers, scientific articles, books, book chapters, dissertations, and theses was carried out at the university library. Literature studies revealed that L. acida is mainly used for injuries, inflammation and pain, gastrointestinal problems, fever and malaria, gynecological and pregnancy disorders, ethnoveterinary medicine, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, and infections. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Pharmacological studies revealed that L. acida extracts have anthelmintic, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial, antioxidant, estrogenic, fertility, hyaluronidase, phospholipase A2, proteolytic, and vibriocidal activities. Given the importance of L. acida as herbal medicine, there is a need for detailed studies aimed at establishing the efficacy, clinical relevance, and safety of the plant extracts and compounds.


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.


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.


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.


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