A Review on the Taxonomy, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Guriea senegalensis J.F.Gmel. (Combretaceae)

Abstract

Guiera senegalesis (G. senegalensis) Family Combretaceae is shrubs or trees widely distributed in west and central Africa. In traditional medicine G. senegalensis used to treat malaria, dysentery and/or diarrhea, cough and/ cold, abdominal pains, leprosy, hypotension and hypertension, diabetes, snakebites eczema, impotence, epilepsy, breast cancer, depressant and jaundice. Phytochemical screening investigated by scientists showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannin, saponin, terpinoids/sterols and cardionolics mainly in leaves and roots of the plant. The biological activities showed positive results as anti-tuberculosis, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-plasmodia, analgesic and devoid of anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant anti-lipid peroxidation activity, anti-malaria and with low toxicity, antifungal, anti-acetylcholinesterase, antilipid peroxidation in rat’s brain homogenate, erythrocytes hemolysis inhibitory activities and antitussive activities. The review revealed the importance of G. senegalensis as a natural therapy and recommend for further study and the work of the pharmaceutical formulation.