Therapeutic and Prophylactic Potential of Morama (Tylosema esculentum): A Review

Abstract

Tylosema esculentum (morama) is a highly valued traditional food and source of medicine for the San and other indigenous populations that inhabit the arid to semi-arid parts of Southern Africa. Morama beans are a rich source of phenolic acids, flavonoids, certain fatty acids, non-essential amino acids, certain phytosterols, tannins and minerals. The plant's tuber contains griffonilide, behenic acid and starch. Concoctions of extracts from morama bean, tuber and other local plants are frequently used to treat diarrhoea and digestive disorders by the San and other indigenous populations. Information on composition and bioactivity of phytochemical components of T. esculentum suggests that the polyphenol-rich extracts of the bean testae and cotyledons have great potential as sources of chemicals that inhibit infectious microorganisms (viral, bacterial and fungal, including drug-resistant strains), offer protection against certain non-communicable diseases and promote wound healing and gut health. The potential antinutritional properties of a few morama components are also highlighted. More research is necessary to reveal the full prophylactic and therapeutic potential of the plant against diseases of the current century. Research on domestication and conservation of the plant offers new hope for sustainable utilisation of the plant.

The Water Fraction ofCalendula officinalisHydroethanol Extract StimulatesIn VitroandIn VivoProliferation of Dermal Fibroblasts in Wound Healing

“…Various plant extracts like Centella asiatica, Aloe vera, Sambulus ebulus, Tylosema esculentum, etc and their active fractions (Bylka et al, 2014;Chingwaru et al, 2015;Somboonwong et al, 2012;Suntar et al, 2010;Takzare et al, 2009) as well as the natural polysaccharide β-glucans found in mushrooms have been demonstrated for wound healing activity (Du et al, 2014). Calendula officinalis, a widely distributed medicinal plant, has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of ailments including skin diseases, wounds, burn and duodenal ulcer (Leach, 2008).…”

A Critical Approach to Evaluating Clinical Efficacy, Adverse Events and Drug Interactions of Herbal Remedies

“…) (Ho et al , ; Rosner, 2012; Elamin and Montori, 2012; Varoni et al , 2014). For this reason, although traditional, narrative review articles on the efficacy and the safety of herbal medicine continue to be published (for example, Bella and Shamloul, ;Gulati, ; Pagano et al , ; Stohs, ; Stohs, ; Chingwaru et al , ; Gulati, ; Stohs and Hartman, ), systematic reviews increasingly are replacing them.…”

Marama bean [Tylosema esculentum (Burch.) A. Schreib.]: an indigenous plant with potential for food, nutrition, and economic sustainability

“…42,43 The biological activities of different parts of marama in mitigating the risk of non-communicable diseases, diabetes and some cancers have been explored. 39 According to Jackson et al and Bousquet, 22,44 marama is effective against gastroenteritis by inhibiting enteric bacterial and viral pathogens, fights drug resistant infections and reduces inflammation. Furthermore, Chingwaru et al 45 identified that marama bean has anti-microbial (anti-bacterial) activities.…”