An ethnobotanical and phytochemical study of the African medicinal plant Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel

摘要

The Sudano-Sahelian species?Guiera senegalensis?J. F. Gmel. is a small shrub found mainly in West Africa. It is well known in the Sahel, where it grows gregariously, forming abundant single-species colonies on fallow clay or sandy soils. Its widespread use in traditional medicine prompted us to conduct an ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of this plant. The chemical analysis tests we carried out confirmed the results of earlier work. The main classes of secondary metabolites, namely anthraquinones, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, coumarins, mucilages, flavonoids, tannins, and cardiotonic and cyanogenic heterosides were assayed in different organs of the plant: leaves, fruits, and root and stem bark. New uses of different parts of?G. senegalensis?by the traditional medical practitioners were recorded especially the use of decoctions of leaves to relieve abdominal pain and migraines. The further investigation of the potentially active constituents of?G. senegalensis?should provide new potential medicines for the phytotherapeutic arsenal.