Boscia angustifolia explained

Boscia angustifolia is a shrub or small tree with lanceolate leaves commonly found in the savannah zones of Africa, from Senegal moving eastwards to Sudan. It is part of the Capparaceae family.[1] The plant is also known as the rough-leaved shepherds tree.

Description

It is a smooth, grey barked shrub or small tree that is capable of reaching 7m (23feet) in height and with a short trunk.[2] It has leaves with simple, alternate arrangement; leaf-blade is lanceolate to oblong outline with a coriaceous and glabrous upper surface, short, fine hairs beneath; it is 1.5-5 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide, petiole is 2-7 mm long.[3] Flowers are greenish to white, terminal or axillary clustered in raceme type of inflorescence. Fruit is spherical berries, about 6-10 mm in diameter.

Distribution

Occurs in the Sudan and Sahel zones of West Africa, from Senegal to Nigeria and eastwards towards the Red Sea where it has been identified in Sudan and Egypt then southwards towards Northern South Africa.

Chemistry

Test on parts of the species identified the methylated flavonoid, ombuin, the carboxylic acid compounds: lactic and quinic acid, and about three nitrogen methyl compounds including 1-methyl imino thieno [3,4b] naphthalene.[4] [5]

Uses

The roots are used in decoctions to treat a variety of bacteria infection and other health issues including diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, chest pain and boil.[6] Its leaves and fruit are used to induce purging and to act as a cholagogue.

Notes and References

  1. Chini . Caterina . Bilia . Anna . Keita . Arouna . Morelli . Ivano . Protoalkaloids from Boscia angustifolia . Planta Medica . October 1992 . 58 . 5 . 476 . 10.1055/s-2006-961522 . 17226509 . 260282953 .
  2. Book: Schmelzer . Gaby H. . Gurib-Fakim . Ameenah . Schmelzer . Gabriella Harriet . Medicinal Plants . 2008 . PROTA . 978-90-5782-204-9 . 22 . 297222192 .
  3. Book: Baumer . Michel . Nations . Food and Agriculture Organization of the United . Notes on Trees and Shrubs in Arid and Semi-arid Regions . 1983 . Food & Agriculture Org. . 978-92-5-101354-0 . 114 . 11071774 .
  4. Salem . MahaM . Hussein . SamehR . El-Sharawy . Reham . El-Khateeb . Ahmed . Ragab . EmanA . Dawood . KamalM . El Negoumy . SabryI.M. . Antioxidant and antiviral activities of the aqueous alcoholic leaf extract of Boscia angustifolia A. Rich. (Capparaceae) and its major component 'ombuin' . Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal . 2016 . 15 . 1 . 1 . 10.4103/1687-4315.184025 . 99427496 . free .
  5. . Maroyi . Alfred . A review of medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Boscia angustifolia . Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research . 11 . 10 . October 2019 . 3420–3428 .
  6. Hassan . S. W. . Umar . R. A. . Lawal . M. . Bilbis . L. S. . Muhammad . B. Y. . Dabai . Y. U. . Evaluation of antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of root extracts of Boscia angustifolia . African Journal of Biotechnology . 2006 . 5 . 18 . 10.4314/ajb.v5i18.55804 . 31 January 2024 .

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