Guiera senegalensis
Guiera senegalensis, commonly known as the "desert tree," is a resilient shrub native to the Sahelian regions of Africa. Renowned for its profound ethnobotanical significance, various parts of this plant are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to gastrointestinal issues and inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Guiera senegalensis
- Family: Combretaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Guiera, specifically as the species Guiera senegalensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Combretaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Guiera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Guiera senegalensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Arabic, it is called غويارة سنغالية (ar) and غوياره سنغاليه (arz), while in French, it is known as nguere (fr). Locally, in different African languages, it is called Kunjɛ (bm) and Masàsèɗ (kai).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | غويارة سنغالية | Wikidata |
| bm | Kunjɛ | Wikidata |
| arz | غوياره سنغاليه | Wikidata |
| kai | Masàsèɗ | Wikidata |
| fr | nguere | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing in the country of Benin. Additionally, its presence extends to the nation of Burkina. The species is also documented in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | 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 | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Guiera senegalensis, is a versatile medicinal shrub where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves are frequently harvested for their bioactive compounds, and a concentrated leaves extract is often prepared to treat various ailments. Beyond the foliage, the leaf is sometimes used in traditional decoctions, while the stem bark is stripped to access medicinal constituents used in topical or oral applications. Additionally, the roots are highly valued in folk medicine, providing a potent source of healing agents that contribute to the plant's overall pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Guiera senegalensis has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-methylflavasperone, gallic acid, harman, quercetin, rutin.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-methylflavasperone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| harman | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tetrahydroharman | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-methyldihydroflavasperone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Guieranone A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PG I2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpinumisoflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Guiera senegalensis has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiprotozoal, Tonic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Guiera senegalensis has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fowlpox, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, bronchiolitis, bronchitis.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fowlpox | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchiolitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis B virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| otitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |