Comparing Medicinal Uses of Cochlospermaceae throughout Its Geographic Range with Insights from Molecular Phylogenetics

Abstract

Species of the Cochlospermaceae, a small mostly pantropical plant family, were evaluated at a continental scale for medicinal uses in traditional medicine. This ethnobotanical information was placed in a phylogenetic framework to make informed predictions in the search for new medicines and bioactive compounds. Medicinal plant-use data were mapped onto a molecular phylogeny based on DNA sequences of nuclear and chloroplast markers. Associations of medicinal uses among closely related species occurring in different geographic regions and among diverse cultures were evaluated. The most common medicinal uses for these species are those used to treat skin ailments, gastro-intestinal problems, malaria, and liver issues. The plant species with the most numerous uses is Cochlospermum tinctorium, which occurs primarily in West Africa. Closely related species being used by cultural groups in different geographic regions to treat the same illnesses suggests the presence of bioactive compounds with potential biomedical value, since they may represent independent discoveries of similar medicinally-active compounds. This leads to the speculation that those closely related species not currently being used to treat these ailments may also contain identical or similar medicinally-active compounds and are worthy of laboratory investigations.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Cochlospermum tinctorium A. Rich (Cochlospermaceae): a review

“…The genus Cochlospermum Kunth (syn. Maximilianea Marth., Bixaceae) consists of some tropical species such as C. tinctorium, C. planchonii, C. angolense, C. vitifolium, C. regium, C. orinocense, C. religiosum, C. gillivraei, C. wittei, C. tetraporum, C. intermedium, and C. fraseri [8]. The two species C. planchonii and C. tinctorium are widely available in West Africa [9].…”

“…The plant C. tinctorium is the most commonly used among all the species of the family Cochlospermaceae [8]. The roots or rhizome are mixed with shea butter oil or other oils and applied for the management of burns [13].…”

“…The roots of C. tinctorium are used to treat ulcer [14], liver diseases [15], syphilis, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, measles, rheumatism, yellow fever [8], gonorrhea [16], jaundice, snake bites, indigestion, convulsion, pneumonia, and bronchial infections [13]. The roots of the plant have also been used for women in labour and to alleviate menstrual pain [13].…”

“…The roots decoction or infusion are taken with other herbs for the treatment of malaria [5], urethral discharges, orchitis, and fever [13]. In addition, the roots of C. tinctorium are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases [17], diabetes mellitus [18], epilepsy [19], pain and inflammation [20], conjunctivitis, leprosy, and testicular inflammation [8].…”

Pharmacognostic Investigation of Leaves and Bark of Cochlospermum Religiosum Linn

“…It is a deciduous tree endemic to India, Burma and Thailand. Traditionally, the plant is used in the treatment of cough, asthma, jaundice, tuberculosis, inflammation, gonorrhea, and dysentery [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].Besides, the dried leaves and flowers are used as stimulant, laxative, antipyretic, and sedative [8]. Paste prepared from stem bark is plastered over for the treatment of bone fractures [9].Phytochemical screening indicated many phytoconstituents are present in the plant including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic, saponins, steroids, coumarins, Leucoanthocyanins [10,11].…”