Kola nut
Cola nitida · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (21 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Kola nut, scientifically known as Cola nitida, is a highly valued stimulant originating from the tropical rainforests of West Africa. Renowned for its significant caffeine and theobromine content, it plays a crucial role in cultural ceremonies, traditional medicine, and the global beverage industry, offering both energy and social significance.
Names
Common Names
- Kola nut
- Gbanja kola
- bitter cola
- kola
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- colatero
German:
- Kolabaum
- bittere Kolanuß
French:
- kolatier
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Cola nitidaSynonyms
- Braxipis nitida
- Sterculia nitida
- Sterculia cola
- Cola alba
- Bichea nitida
- Cola acuminata var. latifolia
- Cola astrophora
- Cola vera
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Cola nitida, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Cola.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cola | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Its natural range extends significantly through the coastal and inland regions of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the species can be found growing within the borders of The Gambia. The distribution continues eastward to include the tropical territories of Ghana. Finally, the plant is also documented as being present in Benin.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the kola nut, utilizes various components for its medicinal and stimulant properties. The seeds are the most widely recognized part of the plant, containing high concentrations of caffeine and theobromine, which are used globally for their invigorating effects. Additionally, the stem bark is often utilized in traditional medicinal practices, where it is valued for its specific bioactive compounds.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| seed | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cola nitida has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeine, ETHYLAMINE, Flavonoid, ISOBUTYLAMINE, Isopentylamine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| caffeine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ETHYLAMINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ISOBUTYLAMINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isopentylamine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LH | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| METHYLAMINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PIPERIDINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PYRROLIDINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SAPONIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
caffeine
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
ETHYLAMINE
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
Flavonoid
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
ISOBUTYLAMINE
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
Isopentylamine
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
LH
- Comptes rendus des seances de la Societe de biologie et de ses filiales
METHYLAMINE
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
PIPERIDINE
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
PYRROLIDINE
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
SAPONIN
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
Medicinal Uses
Cola nitida has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diarrhea, diarrhea, hypertension, insulin resistance.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| hydro-alcoholic extracts | Comptes rendus des seances de la Societe de biologie et de ses filiales (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |