Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Elaeodendron transvaalense

Abstract

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.

Antimicrobial activity of Bark Extracts of Elaeodendron paniculatum Wight and Arn.

“…The antimicrobial property of E. transvaalense stems bark extracts were assessed against various organisms (McGaw et al 2000;Khumalo et al 2019;Maroyi and Semenya, 2019). These findings supported the traditional usage of this species as an herbal remedy for venereal illnesses, sexually transmitted infections, stomach pains, diarrhoea, sore throat, skin infections, and wounds (Tshikalange et al 2005;Steenkamp et al 2007;Steenkamp et al 2016).…”

In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Rift Valley Fever Virus, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of South African Medicinal Plant Extracts

“…Previous evaluation of DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities of E. croceum acetone leaf extract yielded significant results with IC 50 values of 7.7 and 3.1 μg/mL, respectively [ 66 ], comparing well the results obtained in this study. Maroyi [ 84 ]; Odeyemi and Afolayan [ 85 ], however, reported much lower DPPH and ABTS+ scavenging activities of E. croceum leaf and bark acetone extracts. In their study, they observed IC 50 values 0.09 and 0.1 mg/mL for the leaf extracts in ABTS and DPPH assay, while the bark extract showed activities with IC 50 of 0.2 and 0.07 mg/mL ABTS and DPPH assay, respectively.…”

Bioactive Compounds from the Plants of the Elaeodendron Genus and Their Biological Activities—A Review

“…Elaeodendron transvaalense (Burtt Davy) R. H. Archer is a medium and small deciduous tree frequently known as a bushveld saffron or anthill saffron. In Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and South Africa, the genus is found as evergreen woods, near rivers, stony highlands, and insect piles [25]. In southern Africa, the root macerate and bark of E. transvaalense are used as herbal remedies to treat various ailments.…”