Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G.Don) Benth; Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of an African Tree for Malaria and Beyond
http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i11.3
Keywords:
Phytochemistry, Malaria, Traditional medicine, Crossopteryx febrifugaAbstract
Crossopteryx febrifuga (Rubiaceae) commonly known as the ordeal tree is a single species of the genus and is endemic to Africa with important traditional uses. The review seeks to present an overview of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the plant to highlight the significant medicinal benefits of the plant and promote its further development and future exploitation as a phytomedicine. Electronic databases, search engines and botanical web sources were employed in the literature search on the plant with specific search words or keywords used. Traditional medicinal uses of the plant for the treatment of ailments such as cough, fever, pains, malaria, diarrhea, wound infections, abdominal pains and sleeping sickness are reported. In the area of phytochemistry, saponins, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids iridoids and sugar have been isolated from the plant. The extracts and isolated constituents of the plant have demonstrated a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities including antitussive, antiinflammatory, antipyretic, antiplasmodial, antihelminthic, antimicrobial activities and toxicity, amongst others. Research gaps of C. febrifuga are presented to fully exploit the potentials of this important African plant.
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