Kigelia africana
Kigelia africana, commonly known as the sausage tree, is a remarkable medicinal plant native to sub-Saharan Africa. Renowned for its large, pendulous fruits, it is widely used in traditional medicine to treat skin conditions, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances, offering a rich source of bioactive compounds for modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Kigelia africana
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Kigelia africana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Bignoniaceae and is categorized under the genus Kigelia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Bignoniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Kigelia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Kigelia africana, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Burkina Faso. Additionally, the species is present in the nation of Gambia. Its geographical range further extends into the territory of Ghana. Finally, the plant is also documented to inhabit 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 | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Chemicals
Kigelia africana has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 45 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, saponins.
- Total chemicals
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 45
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naphthoquinones | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| verbascoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| verminoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Kigelia africana has 11 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Analgesic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Kigelia africana has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, cancer, analgesic, antioxidant, atherosclerosis.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fungal infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |