The ethnobotany and chemistry of south african meliaceae: A review

Mariam Oyefunke Oyedeji-Amusa, Nicholas J. Sadgrove, Ben Erik Van Wyk

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Meliaceae are widely distributed across the world in tropical or subtropical climates and are of considerable ethnobotanical importance as sources of traditional medicine and cos-metics. This comprehensive review summarizes the ethnobotanical uses and chemistry of 12 South African species, belonging to six genera: Ekebergia, Nymania, Entandrophragma, Pseudobersama, Trichilia, and Turraea. Eight of the species have ethnomedicinal records, clas-sified into 17 major disease categories. The ethnomedicinal uses comprise 85 ailments dominated by gastrointestinal complaints, followed by gynaecological and obstetrics related problems. Chemical records were found for 10 species, which describe nine classes of compounds. In nearly all South African Meliaceae, limonoids are the predominant constituents while triterpenes, sterols, and coumarins are also common. The widest range of use-records and medicinal applications are found with the two most chemically diverse species, Ekebergia capensis and Trichilia emetica. Of the chemical compounds identified in the various plant organs of the 10 species of South African Meliaceae for which data are available, 42% was found in bark and 17% in seeds. Roots represent 35% and bark 33% of the organs that are used medicinally, and they are typically prepared as decoctions or infusions. Root and bark harvesting are destructive so that it may be important to examine the chemistry of plant parts such as wild-crafted leaves and fruits.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1796
JournalPlants
Volume10
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021

Keywords

  • Chemistry
  • Ethnomedicinal importance
  • Functional uses
  • Limonoids
  • South African Meliaceae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology
  • Plant Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The ethnobotany and chemistry of south african meliaceae: A review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this