Entada africana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pusaetha sudanica
• Entadopsis sudanica
• Pusaetha africana
• Entada sudanica
• Entada ubanguiensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Entada. As a member of the Entada africana species, it occupies a distinct position within this hierarchical taxonomic structure.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing in the territory of Benin. The species also extends its range into Burkina. Additionally, its presence is documented in Gambia and Ghana. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Entada africana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, typically growing as a robust woody climber or large shrub. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Entada africana is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as a tree that exhibits liana-like climbing capabilities. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, meaning it does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its physical stature, the species typically reaches a mean height of approximately 6 meters, with recorded maximum heights extending up to roughly 6.1 meters. While it possesses the structural characteristics of a tree, its climbing nature allows it to manifest as a liana, often utilizing a self-supporting mechanism within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6.096074128 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Entada africanana is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, most notably its carbon assimilation strategy. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into the Calvin cycle through the enzyme RuBisCO, making it typical of most woody tropical climbers. Regarding its nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess specialized root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available within the soil substrate to support its growth and physiological development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Entada africana is centered on the production and dispersal of its seeds, which exhibit specific physical characteristics essential to its life cycle. The seeds vary in size and weight, with a recorded mean seed mass of 0.164705 g. Within the observed population, the individual seed mass fluctuates between a minimum of 0.15054 g and a maximum of 0.17887 g. These morphological traits play a critical role in the plant's reproductive success and its ability to establish new individuals within its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.17887 g

Seed mass mean:

0.164705 g

Seed mass min:

0.15054 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Entada africana has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine
2. Brain research

Chemicals

Entada africana has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',4',7-Trihydroxyflavone, 5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one, Acacic Acid, CATECHIN, ETHYL GALLATE.

3',4',7-Trihydroxyflavone

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Acacic Acid

1. Journal of natural products

CATECHIN

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

ETHYL GALLATE

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Echinocystic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Gallic acid

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

MYRICETIN 3-O-GLUCOSIDE

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Naringenin-7-O-glucoside

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Entada africana has 7 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antinociceptive, Antiviral.

Analgesic

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Brain research

Antibacterial

1. Heliyon

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Antiviral

1. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Heliyon

Neuroprotective

1. Brain research

Medicinal Uses

Entada africana has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, liver diseases, wounds, Chikungunya virus infection, Hepatitis B virus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations