Garcinia kola
Garcinia kola, commonly known as bitter kola, is a significant medicinal plant native to West Africa. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is widely used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory issues, inflammation, and digestive ailments. This versatile nut serves as a natural stimulant with diverse therapeutic benefits.
- Scientific name: Garcinia kola
- Family: Clusiaceae
- 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 Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Clusiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Garcinia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Clusiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Garcinia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its distribution encompasses several specific countries within this diverse ecological zone. Specifically, it can be located in the nation of Benin. The species also grows within the territories of Guinea, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. Finally, its presence is well-documented across the landscape of Nigeria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
Chemicals
Garcinia kola has 49 reported phytochemicals identified across 78 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kolaviron, kolaviron, GB-1, GB-1a, GB-2.
- Total chemicals
- 49
- Scientific sources
- 78
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Kolaviron | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| kolaviron | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| GB-1 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| GB-1a | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| GB-2 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| GB1 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| GB2 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| garcinoic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| kolaflavanone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Garcinia kola has 16 reported activities identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neuroprotective, Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Antibacterial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotective | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Garcinia kola has 42 reported medicinal uses identified across 57 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, bronchitis, malaria, oxidative stress, bacterial infections.
- Total uses
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 57
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| laryngitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neuroinflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 1 diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |