Khaya senegalensis

Khaya senegalensis, commonly known as the African Mahogany, is a majestic evergreen tree prized for its medicinal properties and high-quality timber. Found across tropical Africa, various parts of this plant are traditionally used to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, offering significant ethnobotanical value to local communities.

  • Scientific name: Khaya senegalensis
  • Family: Meliaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Khaya senegalensis, 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 Meliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Khaya.

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

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Its natural range also extends into the nation of Burkina. Furthermore, the species is documented to exist in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the geographical presence of this medicinal plant includes the country of 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

Chemicals

Khaya senegalensis has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, khayanone, tannins, 2-hydroxyseneganolide, K2S.

Total chemicals
18
Scientific sources
22

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 3 ★★☆☆☆
khayanone 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
2-hydroxyseneganolide 1 ★☆☆☆☆
K2S 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anthocyanins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chromones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
curcumin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Khaya senegalensis has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial, Antiviral.

Total activities
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anthelmintic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Khaya senegalensis has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, cancer, malaria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Total uses
19
Scientific sources
24

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Plasmodium falciparum 3 ★★☆☆☆
Leishmania donovani 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Schistosomiasis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anxiety 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
generalized tonic-clonic seizures 1 ★☆☆☆☆