Dicoma Anomala Sond.: A Review of Its Botany, Ethnomedicine, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

Dicoma anomala is used as herbal medicine to treat and manage fever, coughs, colds, sore throats, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, intestinal worms, and sexually transmitted infections in tropical Africa. The aim of this study was to summarize the research that has been done on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of D. anomala in tropical Africa. The literature search for information on ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of D. anomala was undertaken using databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, BioMed Central, PubMed, and Springer link. Other relevant literature sources included books, book chapters, websites, theses, conference papers, and other scientific publications. This study showed that D. anomala is used as herbal medicine in 57.1% of the countries in tropical Africa where it is indigenous. The species is used to treat 66 and five human and animal diseases, respectively. Several classes of secondary metabolites including acetylenic compounds, diterpene, flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols, saponins, sesquiterpenes, tannins and triterpenes have been isolated from D. anomala. Different aqueous and organic extracts of D. anomala exhibited anthelmintic, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, and hepatoprotective activities. The documented information on the botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of D. anomala provide baseline data required for further ethnopharmacological studies on the species.

Heteromorpha Arborescens: A Review of Its Botany, Medicinal Uses, and Pharmacological Properties

“…There are still research gaps regarding phytochemistry of the species and it, therefore, seems premature to draw firm conclusions about the alleged therapeutic effects of H. arborescens. Previous research by Maroyi [82] and Zaidi et al [83] revealed that the development of pharmaceutical drugs and health-promoting products from herbal medicines is a complicated process. Therefore, more detailed research is needed aimed at assessing several plant parts of the species used as traditional medicines, evaluating their chemical compounds, biological, and toxicological activities.…”

Lannea Acida: A Review of Its Medicinal Uses and Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties

“…Since L. acida is used in combination with other plant species in various herbal concoctions, it is important to evaluate the synergistic effects of the different extracts and their ability to enhance the efficiency of the additive mixtures. Detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies will enable researchers to evaluate the therapeutical importance of the species in tropical Africa [83,84].…”

A Review of the Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Ekebergia Capensis Sparrm

“…The present review summarizes the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of different extracts and compounds of E. capensis, one of several medicinal plants in tropical Africa [85,86]. Several phytochemical compounds including alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, flavonoids, glycoflavonoids, glycosides, iridoids, limonoids, polyphenols, phytosteroids, pregnane, saponins, tannins, and withanoides have been identified from different plant parts of the species.…”