Nomenclature | Uses in other African communities | Active Compounds and Pharmacology | Plant Parts used | Potential Side Effects and Toxicities | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientific | Common Name(s) | Local Vernacular | ||||
Aloe vera (ferox and secundiflora species)a | Cape aloes, Aloe Vera | Aloe, Alovera | Southern Africa: arthritis, burns/skin conditions, hypertension, purging/laxative, dyspepsia, anti-inflammatory, cosmetics, eye ailments/conjunctivitis, sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, impotence East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania): malaria, purging/laxative for cleansing purposes, dyspepsia, skin ulcerations/wound healing including burns, HIV/AIDS, cosmetic, infertility, anti-parasitic | Gel: Prostaglandin- and bradykinase-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Aloin leaf extracts: increases GI motility and induces emesis Active compounds: glucomannans, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, bradykinase, anthraquinone glycosides (aloin, barbaloin) | Gel extract Leaves Rind Stem | -Volume depletion and electrolyte imbalance -Hypoglycemia Hyperpigmentation and photosensitivity -Hepatotoxicity -Acute tubular necrosis -Acute interstitial nephritis |
Clausena anisataa | Horsewood | Mjafari | West Africa: bacterial and fungal infections of the skin including boils, ringworm, and eczema East Africa (Tanzania): oral candidiasis, fungal infections of the skin, and epilepsy Southern Africa: epilepsy, arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions, hypertension, heart failure and other heart ailments, schistosomiasis, taeniasis and other parasitic infections, constipation and dyspepsia; malaria and other febrile conditions, headaches, eye ailments/conjunctivitis, impotence and infertility | Leaf extracts inhibit ACE: may lower blood pressure Bacteriostatic against gram positive and gram negative bacteria; Fungicidal activity against Aspergilus fumigatus Antiplasmodial: in-vitro dose-dependent schizonticidal effect of leaf extracts on parasitemia In vitro activity against leukemic cell lines Anti-HIV1/2 effects: dose-dependent inhibition of reverse transcriptase and taq polymerase enzymes Hypoglycemic properties (reduction in basal blood glucose levels); Anti-convulsant; ACE inhibition; Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (weak) inhibition Active compounds: Clausamine, carbazole alkaloids (girinimbine, murrayamine-A, and ekeberginine), flavonoids, monoterpenes, and coumarins | Leaf, stem, and root extracts | -Heavy metal bio-accumulation (Iron, cadmium, manganese) -Hypoglycemia -Gastritis |
Cajanus cajana | Pigeon pea | Majani ya mbaazi | Ghana: diabetes, dysentery, hepatitis, measles, dysmenorrhea Nigeria: wound healing, aphthae, bedsores, and malaria/fever | Antibacterial activity; hypocholesterolemic effects (diet-induced); inhibits CNS voltage-gated Na channels; induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway; inhibits TNF-α and IL-1β production Glycemic profile: leaves induce hyperglycemia, seeds induce hypoglycemia Active compounds: Cajanuslactone, stilbene, pinostrobin, cajanol | Leaves Seeds | -CNS depression -Somnolence -Heavy metal bio-accumulation (arsenic, copper, aluminum) -Bronchospasm -Hypoglycemia |
Persea Americanaa | Avocado | Mparachichi, Mwembe, Mafuta | West Africa (Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast): anti-diarrheal, diabetes/hyperglycemia, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antiepileptic, exhaustion, hypertension, gastritis/dyspepsia East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique): dengue vector control, diarrhea, sore throat, menstrual regulation, hair growth, epilepsy, toothaches, wound healing, tuberculosis, neuralgia) | Anti-inflammatory, limiting lowering (β-Carotene and fatty acids), anticonvulsive (via gabanergic effects) & vasodilatory properties; Inhibits alpha-amylase and enhance glycogenesis; acetogenins inhibit platelet aggregation; larvicidal to Aedes aegypti Active Compounds: Tannins, saporins, alkanols (aliphatic acetogenins), terpenoids, coumarin | Leaves Fruits Seeds Rind Bark | -Increased risk of bleeding when combined with other anti-coagulants -Hypoglycemia -Hyperkalemia (especially among those with impaired kidney function) |
Artemisia afraa | African wormwood | Fivi, Majani mapana artemisia | Southern Africa: coughs, colds, sore throat, gastritis/reflux, hemorrhoids, fevers, malaria, asthma, diabetes | Lowers blood glucose, improves glucose tolerance and balance in lipid metabolism; anti-oxidative properties bactericidal against gram positive and gram negative bacteria | Roots stems leaves | - Chronic kidney disease (decline in glomerular filtration rate) -Acute tubular necrosis -Hypoglycemia |