Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): A review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae) is a multi-purpose plant with a long history of use in African traditional medicine to treat various sexually transmitted infections, hernias, coughs, fever, ascariasis, constipation, headaches, rheumatism, stomach ache, malaria, tuberculosis, pain, epilepsy, pneumonia, skin infections, and it is also used as an aphrodisiac for men. The current paper provides an overview of the present phytochemistry, toxicology, ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological properties of S. longipedunculata. Materials and methods: The information reported in this paper was collected from a comprehensive literature search using various computerised databases including Science direct, Scopus, Scielo, PubMed and Google Scholar. The additional information was retrieved from various academic dissertations, thesis and botanical books. The key words such as Securidaca longipedunculata, ethnomedicinal uses, antimicrobial activity, pharmaological properties, cytotoxicity, phytochemistry, antiinflammatory, antioxidant properties, anti-diabetic, antimalarial, pesticidal effect, antiparasitic, anthelmintic, anti-convulsant and insecticidal effect. Results: Phytochemically, extracts from various parts of S. longipedunculata, especially the root bark, contain numerous valuable compounds including xanthones, some benzyl benzoates and triterpene saponins amongst others. Toxicity studies, both in vivo and in vitro, revealed that extracts are only toxic at relatively high concentrations. Furthermore, extracts have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, insecticidal, pesticidal, and anticonvulsant properties. Conclusions: S. longipedunculata is an important plant species with potential benefits in the treatment of transmissible and infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, and those caused by community acquired microorganisms. Although extracts from this species generally have little toxicity at low concentrations, further efforts are required to investigate the potential toxicity of S. longipedunculata. The antimicrobial properties of extracts and purified compounds against microorganisms causing sexually transmitted infections is also deserving of further research. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic properties of extracts and compounds of the species needs to be explored as there is insufficient data available on these aspects.