Ekebergia capensis
Ekebergia capensis, commonly known as the Cape ebony, is a versatile medicinal plant native to southern Africa. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, various parts of the tree are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, offering significant ethnobotanical value and pharmacological potential.
- Scientific name: Ekebergia capensis
- Family: Meliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic descent places it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Meliaceae and is situated within the genus Ekebergia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Meliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ekebergia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Ekebergia capensis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this part of the continent, its presence is documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is distributed through the coastal and inland areas of Ghana. Finally, its range extends to include the territories of both Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
| 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-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 |
Chemicals
Ekebergia capensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include oleanonic acid, 3-epioleanolic acid, Condensed tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oleanonic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-epioleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Condensed tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ekebergia capensis has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antiplasmodial, Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ekebergia capensis has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Inflammation, childbirth, malaria, pregnancy.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| childbirth | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pregnancy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |