Diospyros mespiliformis
Jackal berries
Diospyros mespiliformis, commonly known as the African ebony, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its profound therapeutic properties, various parts of the tree, including the bark and leaves, are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Diospyros mespiliformis
- Family: Ebenaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Ebenaceae. Finally, it is categorized within the genus Diospyros.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ebenaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Diospyros | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Diospyros mespiliformis, is known by various regional names depending on the language and location. In Hausa (ha), it is referred to as Kanya, while in Russian (ru), it is called Хурма мушмуловидна. Among the Yoruba speakers (yo), the plant is commonly known as Igi dúdú. In both Dutch (nl) and Afrikaans (af), it is identified by the name Jakhalsbes or Jakkalsbessie, respectively.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ha | Kanya | Wikidata |
| ru | Хурма мушмуловидная | Wikidata |
| yo | Igi dúdú | Wikidata |
| nl | Jakhalsbes | Wikidata |
| af | Jakkalsbessie | Wikidata |
| fa | آبنوس آفریقایی | Wikidata |
| ar | ظلامة | Wikidata |
| ts | Ntoma | Wikidata |
| fi | sansibarineebenpuu | Wikidata |
| zh | 胡狼柿 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Diospyros mespiliformis, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is well-documented in the nation of Benin, where it plays a role in the local ecosystem. The species also extends its range into Burkina, contributing to the diverse flora of the area. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the borders of Gambia. Finally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant includes the territory of Ghana and parts of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the African ebony, utilizes its foliage as a significant component in traditional medicine. The large, glossy green leaves are often harvested to prepare decoctions or infusions used to treat various ailments. Each individual leaf possesses distinct medicinal properties, and the collection of these leaves provides a versatile resource for preparing herbal remedies.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Diospyros mespiliformis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lupeol, Stigmastan-3,5-diene, caffeine, coumarins, dichloromethane.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stigmastan-3,5-diene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dichloromethane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-hexane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naphthoquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Diospyros mespiliformis has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiparasitic.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Diospyros mespiliformis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, antihypertensive, diabetes mellitus, fevers, ringworm.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fevers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ringworm | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |