Erythrina sigmoidea
Erythrina sigmoidea, commonly known as the coral tree, is a medicinal shrub native to various African regions. Renowned for its vibrant red flowers, it holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Various parts of the plant are traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat ailments ranging from inflammation to digestive disorders.
- Scientific name: Erythrina sigmoidea
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement includes the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, placing it in the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified under the genus Erythrina as the species Erythrina sigmoidea.
| 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, Erythrina sigmoidea, is known by various regional names depending on the language spoken. In English, it is frequently referred to as the coral tree, while in Afrikaans, it is commonly called die koraalboom. In isiXhosa, the species is known as umganu, and in isiZulu, it is called umganu as well.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is native to several countries located within the region of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its natural habitat includes the nation of Benin. It is also found growing across the territories of Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the distribution extends into the country of Guinea. Finally, the range of this species reaches as far as Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Erythrina sigmoidea, possesses various anatomical components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The medicinal properties are often derived from the root bark and the bark found along the main body of the tree, both of which contain bioactive compounds. Additionally, the stem bark is frequently harvested for decoctions, while the structural stem provides the framework for the plant's growth. Finally, the roots themselves serve as a vital part of the organism, often being processed to extract the therapeutic elements necessary for healing.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erythrina sigmoidea has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid, Abyssinone V, Bidwillon A, Flavogallonic acid, Sigmoidin A.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abyssinone V | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bidwillon A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavogallonic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sigmoidin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sigmoidin F | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abyssinone IV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| corylin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erythrinassinate B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Erythrina sigmoidea has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Erythrina sigmoidea has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus fumigatus, Cancer, Cryptococcus neoformans, Plasmodium falciparum, cancer.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus fumigatus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cryptococcus neoformans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |