Pericopsis laxiflora explained
Pericopsis laxiflora is a woody deciduous shrub or tree within the Fabaceae family. Sold commercially as satin wood,[1] it is known in some regions as Kulu Kulu,[2] among the Hausa speaking people, it is called Makarfo, the Yorubas call it Ayan and the Igbos call it Abua-Ocha.[3] It is one of three species in the genus Pericopsis genus that occurs in Africa.
The species contains the alkaloids: N-methylcytisine, ammodendrine, and choline.[4]
Description
A tree or shrub, common growth reaches between 9 and 12 meters tall but occasionally grows up to 2 meters tall as a shrub. Trunk usually twisted, rarely straight and with twisted branches, bark is smooth, grey to beige in color while stem is pubescent. Leaves, alternate arrangement, 4 - 6 pairs, upper surface imparipinate, shiny and lower surface glabrous.[5] Leaf-blade, lanceolate to ovate in outline, 3 – 7 cm long and 2.5 – 5 cm wide, acuminate apex with cuneate base. Petiole, 15 – 20 cm long.
Distribution
Occurs widely in the Savannah and dry forest regions of West Africa.[6]
Uses
Root, bark, leaf decoctions are used to treat stomach ailments in Côte d'Ivoire, while in Guinea, plant extracts are used to treat shigellosis. In Ghana it is used as a topical treatment for body pain and among some locals in Cameroon, the plant extracts are used by diabetes patients.
Notes and References
- Fitzgerald. Maurice A.. Gunning. Peter J. M.. Donnelly. Dervilla M. X.. 1976. Phytochemical examination of Pericopsis species. Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1. en. 2. 186–191. 10.1039/p19760000186. 0300-922X.
- Tringali. Corrado. 1995. Identification of bioactive metabolites from the bark ofPericopsis (Afrormosia) laxiflora. Phytochemical Analysis. en. 6. 6. 289–291. 10.1002/pca.2800060603.
- Fadipe. L. A.. Babayi. H.. Anselm. O. A.. 2019-12-14. Isolation and in-vitro assessment of two indole alkaloids from Pericopsis laxiflora leaf extract for their antibacterial potentials. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria. en. 44. 7. 0795-2066.
- Forestieri. A. M.. Monforte. M. T.. Ragusa. S.. Trovato. A.. Iauk. L.. 1996. Antiinflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Activity in Rodents of Plant Extracts used in African Medicine. Phytotherapy Research. en. 10. 2. 100–106. 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199603)10:2<100::AID-PTR724>3.0.CO;2-I. 84307919 . 1099-1573.
- Book: Arbonnier. Michel. Trees, shrubs and lianas of West African dry zones. Arbonnier. Michel. 2004. 978-3-8236-1419-7. 321. CIRAD . English. 249767040.
- Haruna. A. K.. 2000. Depressant and anticonvulsant properties of the root decoction of Afrormosia laxiflora (Leguminosae). Phytotherapy Research. en. 14. 1. 57–59. 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(200002)14:1<57::AID-PTR538>3.0.CO;2-V. 10641052. 6833059 . 1099-1573.