Cordia gilletii

Cordia gilletii, commonly known as a valuable medicinal shrub in various traditional practices, holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is frequently utilized to treat various ailments. Exploring its chemical constituents and pharmacological potential offers promising insights into developing new, natural medicinal treatments.

  • Scientific name: Cordia gilletii
  • Family: Boraginaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Cordia gilletii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Cordia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Boraginales WCVP
Family Boraginaceae WCVP
Genus Cordia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Cordia gilletii, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In Swahili, it is commonly referred to as mbebe, while in Luganda, it is called mbebe.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Cordia gilletii, exhibits a very specific and localized geographical range. Its occurrence is primarily concentrated within the West-Central Tropical Africa region. More specifically, the species is found within the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to this limited distribution, it is considered an endemic element of the Congolese flora. Understanding this precise location is essential for studying its natural habitat and ecological role.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Cordia gilletii, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties, specifically the root barks and the leaves. The root barks are often harvested and processed to extract bioactive compounds believed to hold medicinal value, while the leaves are frequently employed in traditional applications, whether through decoctions or topical uses. Together, these plant parts represent the primary elements used in the ethnobotanical study and practical application of this species.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
root barks 2 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cordia gilletii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ferulaldehyde, lupeol.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
ferulaldehyde 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lupeol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cordia gilletii has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cordia gilletii has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MRSA, infectious diseases, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
MRSA 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infectious diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆