Erythrina abyssinica
Erythrina abyssinica, commonly known as the coral tree, is a versatile medicinal plant native to East Africa. Renowned for its potent pharmacological properties, it is traditionally used to treat ailments ranging from inflammation to digestive issues. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for developing modern therapeutic treatments and herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Erythrina abyssinica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Erythrina, to which the species Erythrina abyssinica belongs.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Erythrina | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Erythrina abyssinicca, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Swahili, it is called Mjafari, while in Kinyarwanda, it is known as Umuko. French speakers refer to it as l'Arbre de corail d'Abyssinie, and in Spanish, it is simply identified by its scientific name, Erythrina abbyssinicca. Finally, in Amharic, the plant is called ቋራ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| sw | Mjafari | Wikidata |
| rw | Umuko | Wikidata |
| fr | Arbre de corail d'Abyssinie | Wikidata |
| es | Erythrina abbyssinica | Wikidata |
| am | ቋራ | Wikidata |
| sv | Abessinskt korallträd | Wikidata |
| fa | فردوسی حبشی | Wikidata |
| lg | Omuyirikiti | Wikidata |
| ar | حمرية حبشية | Wikidata |
| arz | حمريه حبشيه | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a notable presence within the diverse landscapes of West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Burundi and Rwanda. Its distribution also extends through the vast regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. Furthermore, the species reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa. Within this northernmost area, the plant is documented to occur in Eritrea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Erythrina abyssinica, possesses various anatomical components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The medicinal properties are often derived from the bark, which can be harvested from different sections of the tree depending on the required potency. Specifically, both the stem bark and the root bark contain bioactive compounds that are central to its therapeutic applications. Furthermore, the roots themselves are frequently employed in decoctions, making the bark and the roots essential parts of the plant's pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 9
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erythrina abyssinica has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, 11-methoxyerysodine, 7,4'-dihydroxy-2',5'-dimethoxyisoflav-3-ene, 8-oxoerythraline, abyssinoflavanone IV.
- Total chemicals
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11-methoxyerysodine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7,4'-dihydroxy-2',5'-dimethoxyisoflav-3-ene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-oxoerythraline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abyssinoflavanone IV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abyssinoflavanone V | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abyssinoflavanone VI | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abyssinoflavanone VII | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abyssinone-V 4'-methyl ether | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erycristagallin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Erythrina abyssinica has 11 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiobesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Erythrina abyssinica has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Acinetobacter baumannii, HIV-1, HSV-2, Mycobacterium avium.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acinetobacter baumannii | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HSV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium avium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| astrocytosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |