Boscia Albitrunca: Review of Its Botany, Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities

Abstract

Boscia albitrunca is a medium-sized tree widely used as herbal medicine in Southern Africa. The current study critically reviewed the botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of B. albitrunca. Literature on botany, medicinal uses, phytochemical, and biological activities of B. albitrunca 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 75.0% of the countries in Southern Africa where the species is indigenous. The bark, leaves, and roots of B. albitrunca are mainly used as herbal medicines for constipation, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, headache, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, skin diseases, syphilis, and as ethnoveterinary medicine. Ethnopharmacological research identified phenolic compounds, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and triterpernoids from leaves of B. albitrunca. The crude extracts of the species and the compound martynoside isolated from B. albitrunca exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities. B. albitrunca should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.

A Systematic Review of Curtisia dentata Endemic to South Africa: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

“…Further, UA exhibited MIC values of 0.004 and 0.05 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis respectively. Although Southern African traditional medicine recommends the use of stem bark for the treatment of a variety of infections [9], it is important to note that the biological activity of the leaves and isolated compounds from leaves reported in the current work support the use of leaves as a substitute for stem bark as a conservation measure for plant species. Although the antibacterial activity is more pronounced in the stem bark, the activity of the leaves is of paramount importance.…”

“…Although the plant species is traditionally used in the treatment of many human and animal infections [9], it is important to note that there are other important economic uses. For example, the wood from Curtisia dendata has long been used for the manufacturing of indigenous furniture, heavy flooring, wagons, spokes, musical instruments, and tool handles mostly used in farming [112].…”

“…Most of the reported pharmacological activity is reported from the leaves, as the endemic plant is mostly available in protected areas. Earlier, some antimicrobial and ethnomedicinal uses of the plant species were reported [9].…”

Potential of Selected African Medicinal Plants as Alternative Therapeutics against Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacteria

“…Commercially, it is incorporated into different cosmetic products, health drinks, foods, and beverages to deal with various ailments [50] (Table 2). B. albitrunca is a medium-sized evergreen tree belonging to the Capparaceae or Caper family and is served as hot coffee or tea [51]. The bark, leaves, and roots are mainly used as herbal medicines for STIs and skin and stomach infections [51].…”

Medicinal uses of the Asteraceae family in Zimbabwe: A historical and ecological perspective

“…(family Fabaceae) as traditional medicine for bilharzia (Gelfand et al 1985), while roots of L. glabra are mixed with those of Boscia angustifolia A.Rich. (family Capparaceae) as traditional medicine for constipation (Gelfand et al 1985, Maroyi 2019c). Traditional healers and other community members often combine several plant species when treating both human and animal diseases in the belief that efficacy will be enhanced (Van Vuuren & Viljoen 2011).…”