A Review of the Ethnobotany and Pharmacological Importance ofAlstonia booneiDe Wild (Apocynaceae)

Abstract

Alstonia boonei De Wild is a herbal medicinal plant of West African origin, popularly known as God's tree or “Onyame dua”. Within West Africa, it is considered as sacred in some forest communities; consequently the plant parts are not eaten. The plant parts have been traditionally used for its antimalarial, aphrodisiac, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and antipyretic activities, which have also been proved scientifically. The plant parts are rich in various bioactive compounds such as echitamidine, Nα-formylechitamidine, boonein, loganin, lupeol, ursolic acid, and β-amyrin among which the alkaloids and triterpenoids form a major portion. The present paper aims at investigating the main research undertaken on the plant in order to provide sufficient baseline information for future work and for commercial exploitation.

Exploring Alternative Use of Medicinal Plants for Sustainable Weed Management

“…α-amyrin and β-amyrin acetate are active anti-inflammatory Sustainability 2017, 9, 1468 13 of 23 substances isolated from the bark of A. boonei [124]. In addition, echitamine, lupenol, and ursolic acid have all been isolated from leaves and stem bark of A. boonei [125].…”

Phytochemical Constituents, Thin Layer Chromatography and Antimicrobial Activity of Methanol Extract of the Stem and Leave of <i>Citrus Limon (L)</i>

“…By and large, the public is gradually drifting towards acceptance and usage of herbal preparations. In Africa, traditional healers and remedies made from plants play important role in the health of millions of people [5]. The users of these remedies, found literally thousands of phytochemicals from plants as safe and broadly effective alternatives with less adverse effects.…”

GC-MS analysis of leaf, stem-bark and root extracts of Alstonia boonei

“…These include alkaloids, tannins, iridoids, and triterpenoids which have been demonstrated to possess some pharmacological activities (Akinmoladun et al, 2007). The alkaloids isolated from the plant include echitamine and other alkaloids, and the triterpenes b-amyrin, lupenol, and ursolic acid have all been isolated from leaves and stem bark (Adotey et al, 2012). Echitamine possess a battery of pharmacological and autonomic activities (Ojewole, 1983(Ojewole, , 1984 including anticancer activities (Adotey et al, 2012;Ashok et al, 2015).…”