Harrisonia abyssinica

Harrisonia abyssinica, commonly known as the "African Harrisonia," is a significant medicinal shrub native to East Africa. Renowned in traditional medicine, its leaves and roots are utilized to treat various ailments, including malaria, stomach aches, and inflammation, offering valuable ethnobotanical insights for modern pharmacological research and development.

  • Scientific name: Harrisonia abyssinica
  • Family: Rutaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Harrisonia abyssinica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic position is defined by its placement within the genus Harrisonia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Rutaceae WCVP
Genus Harrisonia WCVP

Distribution

This plant, Harrisonia abyssinica, exhibits a specific geographical presence within the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural distribution can be traced across several distinct nations in this part of the continent. Specifically, it is found growing in the territories of Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the countries of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Finally, its documented occurrence includes the nation of Liberia, completing its regional distribution pattern.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana 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 Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Burundi WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP

Chemicals

Harrisonia abyssinica has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 12beta-acetoxyharrisonin, 3-friedelanone, Deoxyobacunone, cycloabyssinone, flavonoid.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
12beta-acetoxyharrisonin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-friedelanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Deoxyobacunone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cycloabyssinone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
harrisonin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
obacunone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pedonin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Harrisonia abyssinica has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Alzheimer's Disease, Helicobacter pylori, anaplasmosis, bacterial infections.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Plasmodium falciparum 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Alzheimer's Disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Helicobacter pylori 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anaplasmosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neurodegenerative disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆