From traditional wine to medicine: Phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and biotechnological applications of Raphia hookeri G. Mann & H. Wendl (Arecaceae)

Raphia hookeri G. Mann & H. Wendl (Arecaceae), commonly known as ‘Raffia Palm’ is an underutilized plant native to Africa. Like other palms, it is a good source of medicine with diverse ethnomedicinal and industrial applications. Despite these discernible therapeutic and economic benefits of R. hookeri, the plant remains underutilized, albeit some achievement has been made in this area. Hence, this review highlights the existing scope and knowledge gaps regarding its folkloric uses and phytochemistry with a view to lending credence to its pharmacological properties, particularly in the treatment of diabetes. Information are also provided on its biotechnological applications. Despite the pharmacological significance and ethnomedicinal uses of R. hookeri, a major challenge that persists is the lack of comprehensive data on its phytochemical characterization as well as inadequate information on its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In view of this, the concepts of molecular dynamics and “-omics” (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics etc.) as currently being embraced as modern strategies enhancing translational studies, could find relevance and may provide more comprehensive data supporting the safety profile and therapeutic efficacy of R. hookeri against markers implicated in the pathogenesis and physiological perturbations associated with diseases. These strategies are proposed for adoption in future studies seeking to provide evidence-based data on the therapeutic scope and overall economic benefits of R. hookeri.