Balanites aegyptiaca
Balaenites aegyptiaca, commonly known as the desert date, is a resilient multipurpose tree native to African arid regions. Renowned for its medicinal properties, its fruits, bark, and leaves are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from inflammation to digestive issues, offering significant therapeutic potential in ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Balanites aegyptiaca
- Family: Zygophyllaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Balaenites aegyptiaca, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Zygophyllales and the family Zygophyllaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Balaenites.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zygophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Zygophyllaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Balanites | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily located within the vast landscapes of Northern Africa. Its distribution spans across several distinct countries, including Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, it can be found growing throughout the territories of Libya and Morocco. The species also extends its reach into the region of Western Sahara. Collectively, these areas define the specific geographical range of this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Balanites aegyptiaca has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone, Myricetol, N-cis-feruloyltyramine, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, balanitin-6.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Myricetol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-cis-feruloyltyramine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-trans-feruloyltyramine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| balanitin-6 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| balanitin-7 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoquercitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isorhamnetin-3-O-robinobioside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Balanites aegyptiaca has 14 reported activities identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Anthelmintic, Anticancer, Antiepileptic, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiepileptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipsychotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Balanites aegyptiaca has 31 reported medicinal uses identified across 34 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, antidiabetic, jaundice, Candida, Fasciola gigantica.
- Total uses
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 34
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fasciola gigantica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HDL-cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Herpes simplex virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LDL-cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |