Biological and medicinal properties of Pouzolzia mixta solms (Urticaceae): a narrative review

Abstract

Local communities use plant resources from the surrounding environment for firewood, food and medicines, and for their livelihood maintenance, security and income generation. The different parts of Pouzolzia mixta Solms are characterized by nutritional, cultural and pharmaceutical properties. Pouzolzia mixta is a small tree or shrub which grows naturally in tropical woodlands and thickets of Africa and Asia. The current study is aimed at providing information on the biological and medicinal properties of P. mixta. Information on the biological and medicinal properties of P. mixta was obtained from online databases such as Scopus, JSTOR, Scimago, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as books, journal articles, dissertations, book chapters, thesis and other scientific articles obtained from the University of Fort Hare library. This study showed that the leaves of P. mixta are used as culinary herb and leafy vegetable in tropical Africa and Asia. In south central Africa, the bark, leaves, roots and stems of P. mixta are used as ritual and protective charm, and traditional medicine to treat and manage 48 human and 13 animal diseases and ailments. The phytochemical evaluations of the species showed that the leaves and roots of the species are characterized by alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, steroids and tannins. The pharmacological assessments showed that the crude extracts of P. mixta leaves, roots and stems are characterized by antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-fertility and antioxidant activities. This review highlighted the food, pharmaceutical and health benefits of P. mixta in different countries in east and southern Africa, and Asia. Based on the results of this review, detailed ethnopharmacological evaluations of P. mixta focusing on phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicological evaluations, in vivo and clinical research are recommended. The data from the current study should contribute to improved management and conservation of P. mixta in tropical Africa and Asia, considering concerns about anthropogenic pressure on plant biodiversity. Key words: Biological activities, indigenous knowledge, pharmacological properties, Pouzolzia mixta, traditional medicine, Urticaceae