Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: a review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology

Abstract

Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver have a long history of ethnomedicinal use in the management of various diseases in Africa. Due to the frequent use of its stem bark and roots in traditional phytotherapy, the species is getting threatened in its distributional ranges. The current review was sought to document information on the ethnobotany, phytochemicals and pharmacology of different parts of A. coriaria, so as to highlight the gaps thereof for future studies. Data retrieved revealed that medicinal uses of A. coriaria have been reported for both human and veterinary ailments. Though the bark is the most commonly used, different parts of the plant are used to prepare herbal remedies for treatment of malignancies, odontological, dermatological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, central nervous system infections/conditions and ailments. Preliminary phytochemical screening has indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenes, cardiac glycosides and steroids as the major secondary metabolites in the stem bark and leaves. Like for other Albizia species, at least six triterpenoidal saponins have been characterized in organic extracts of A. coriaria stem bark and roots. Extracts and some pure compounds from A. coriaria stem bark, leaves and roots have exhibited antiproliferative (cytotoxic), antiplasmodial, molluscicidal, antigiardial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Further research should evaluate pharmacological properties such as antisnake venom, aphrodisiac, antiviral and antimycobacterial activities of the different parts of A. coriaria claimed in traditional folklore. In-depth studies on the pharmacokinetics, in vivo and clinical research utilizing extracts and isolated compounds from A. coriaria are required.

Isolation and characterization of compounds in ethanolic extract of Albizia coriaria (Welw ex. Oliver) leaves: a further evidence of its ethnomedicinal diversity

“…Oliver), a member of this genus, is one of the treasured medicinal plants in Africa. This fact is attested to by its name being available in various African languages as well as its high frequency of citation in ethnobotanical surveys (Omara et al 2021a). The whole plant, leaves, stem and root barks, roots, seeds and flowers are used in Uganda for treatment of snake envenomation, malignancies, cardiovascular diseases, allergy, nausea, diarrhoea, malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid, anaemia, venereal diseases, post-partum haemorrhage, menorrhagia, dermatological diseases, jaundice and erectile dysfunction (Anywar et al 2020;Bunalema et al 2014;Katuura et al 2016;Kyazike 2021;Namukobe et al 2011;Nanyunja 2003;Olila et al 2007;Omara et al 2020a, b;Orodho et al 2011;Tugume et al 2016).…”

Phytochemical, Cytotoxicity, and Antimycobacterial Activity Evaluation of Extracts and Compounds from the Stem Bark of Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver

“…Oliver (Fabaceae) is one of the widely used plants in the preparation of herbal remedies for the management of symptoms of TB in the East Africa community [ 7 – 10 ]. Some of the common names of A. coriaria include worm-bark, cherry-blossom, false-thorn, worm-cure Albizia tree, (English), Ober , Omogi (Luo), Olerai (Masai), Musengertet (Nandi), and Omubele (Luhya) in Kenya, Itek , Bata (Lango), Ober , Ayekayek (Acholi), Musita (Lusoga), Mugavu (Luganda), Etek , Etekwa (Ateso), Musiisa (Lukiga and Lutoro), and Murongo (Lunyankore) in Uganda [ 11 ]. A. coriaria is a deciduous tree that grows up to 35 m tall with fewer spreading branches.…”

“…The fruit is a brown pod with a pointed apex [ 12 ]. A. coriaria is less geographically distributed occurring in Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and northern Angola [ 11 ].…”

Medicinal plants used for cutaneous wound healing in Uganda; ethnomedicinal reports and pharmacological evidences

“…The present review retrieved and compiled ethnomedicinal and ethnopharmacological information of these wound healing plants (165 species). Of the 165 species, only fifty-four (33 %) of the plants have been experimentally validated for their wound healing activities in different pharmacological, phytochemical, and toxicological studies, including [ [143] , [144] , [145] , [146] , [147] , [148] , [149] , [150] , [151] , [152] , [153] , [154] , [155] , [156] , [157] , [158] , [159] , [160] , [161] , [162] , [163] , [164] , [165] , [166] , [167] , [168] , [169] , [170] , [171] , [172] , [173] , [174] , [175] , [176] , [177] , [178] , [179] , [180] , [181] , [182] , [183] , [184] , [185] , [186] , [187] , [188] , [189] , [190] , [191] , [192] , [193] , [194] , [195] , [196] , [197] , [198] , [199] , [200] , [201] , [202] , [203] , [204] , [205] , …”