Review of traditional uses, chemical composition and pharmacological proprieties of Combretum glutinosum (Combretaceae)

Abstract

Combretum glutinosum Perr. ex DC. (Combretaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in Africa by traditional practitioners for the treatment of various disorders such as respiratory diseases, pain, malaria and microbial infections. Due to its wide traditional use, in this review, published scientific reports on its composition and pharmacological properties were explored by conducting a literature search of Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect and Scifinder databases. Chemical studies showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, amino acids, and terpenoids. Extracts of this plant, as well as the pure compounds isolated from it, have been shown to possess antibacterial, antiparasitic, antidiarrheal, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antihelminthic and antimalarial properties, among others. This review therefore provides an overview of current progress in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of C. glutinosum, thus constituting a reference for Research and Development on C. glutinosum.