Boscia angustifolia

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Boscia angustifolia
Boscia angustifolia (8605213001).jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Capparaceae
Genus: Boscia
Species:
B. angustifolia
Binomial name
Boscia angustifolia
A.Rich.

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 7 m (23 ft) 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][2] Flowers are greenish to white, terminal or axillary clustered in raceme type of inflorescence. Fruit is spherical berries, about 6-10 mm in diameter.[3]

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[3] then southwards towards Northern South Africa.[2]

Chemistry[]

Test on parts of the species identified the methylated flavonoid, ombuin, the caboxylic 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.

References[]

  1. ^ Chini, Caterina; Bilia, Anna; Keita, Arouna; Morelli, Ivano (1992). "Protoalkaloids from Boscia angustifolia". Planta Medica. 58 (05): 476–476. doi:10.1055/s-2006-961522. ISSN 0032-0943.
  2. ^ a b c Medicinal plants. G. H. Schmelzer, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, PROTA Foundation, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation. Wageningen: PROTA Foundation. 2008. p. 22. ISBN 978-90-5782-204-9. OCLC 297222192.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ^ a b c Baumer, Michel (1983). Notes on trees and shrubs in arid and semi-arid regions. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, Programme on the Ecological Management of Air and Semi-arid Rangelands in Africa and the Near and Middle East of FAO. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 114. ISBN 92-5-101354-3. OCLC 11071774.
  4. ^ Salem, MahaM; Hussein, SamehR; El-Sharawy, Reham; El-Khateeb, Ahmed; Ragab, EmanA; Dawood, KamalM; El Negoumy, SabryI.M. (2016). "Antioxidant and antiviral activities of the aqueous alcoholic leaf extract of Boscia angustifolia A. Rich. (Capparaceae) and its major component 'ombuin'". Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal. 15 (1): 1. doi:10.4103/1687-4315.184025. ISSN 1687-4315.
  5. ^ "A review of medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Boscia angustifolia - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  6. ^ Hassan, S. W.; Umar, R. A.; Lawal, M.; Bilbis, L. S.; Muhammad, B. Y.; Dabai, Y. U. (2006). "Evaluation of antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of root extracts of Boscia angustifolia". African Journal of Biotechnology. 5 (18). doi:10.4314/ajb.v5i18.55804. ISSN 1684-5315.
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