Therapeutic importance of Kigelia africana subsp. africana: an alternative medicine

Nat Prod Res. 2024 Dec;38(23):4208-4222. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2273914. Epub 2023 Nov 3.

Abstract

Aim: To summarise a detailed up-to-date review of the traditional uses, phytoconstituents, and pharmacological activities of various parts of Kigelia africana.

Materials and methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, PubChem, Elsevier, King Draw, indianbiodiversity.org.

Result: The phytochemical analysis of Kigelia africana subsp. africana has revealed the presence of approximately 145 compounds extracted from different parts of the plant. These bioactive extracts of the plant possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antineoplastic, and anti-urolithic activities. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-booster properties, Kigelia can prove to be an essential source of drugs for treating various disorders.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the phytoconstituents, non-medicinal and medicinal traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and products obtained from Kigelia is described in this review with the hope that the updated findings will promote research on its biological pathways.

Keywords: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); Kigelia africana; anti-inflammatory; natural products; pharmacological activities; phytoconstituents.

Plain language summary

Traditional medicinal importance of Kigelia africana subsp. africanaPhytoconstituents present in extracts from different parts of the plantPharmacological activities of phytochemicals extracted from KigeliaAnti-inflammatory and antioxidant role in preventing oxidative stressPotential as ethnopharmacological therapeutic in treating respiratory ailmentsToxicity evaluation of Kigelia africana subsp. africana.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants* / chemistry
  • Antioxidants* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / chemistry
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Phytochemicals / chemistry
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts* / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Antioxidants
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Phytochemicals
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents