Ekebergia benguelensis Welw. ex C.DC. (Meliaceae): Biology and ethnopharmacological properties Maroyi Alfred* Botany Department, Fort Hare University, Private Bag X1314, Alice5700, South Africa *Email: anmaroyi@ufh.ac.za
Online Published on 31 March, 2023. Abstract Ekebergia benguelensis is a medium to small-sized semi-evergreen tree widely harvested from the wild as traditional medicine, for its wood and edible fruits. This study critically evaluated the biology and ethnopharmacological properties of E. benguelensis. E. benguelensis is used as aphrodisiac, charm, ritual and herbal medicine for constipation, dysfunction, impotence, infertility in men, sexual asthenia, respiratory infections, menstrual problems, abdominal pains, fever, malaria and gastro-intestinal problems. Pharmacological research identified anthocyanins, coumarins, flavonoids, quinones, saponins, steroids, stilbenes, tannins and triterpenoids. The crude organic extracts of E. benguelensis and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species exhibited anti-acetylcholinesterase, antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and toxicity activities. Considering the high number of studies on the traditional uses of E. benguelensis parts, there are still further avenues and research opportunities to analyze and characterize its phytochemical constituents. Top Keywords Ekebergia benguelensis, Ethnopharmacology, Indigenous pharmacopeia, Meliaceae, Traditional medicine. Top |