Myrsine africana
Myrsine africanica, commonly known as the African Myrtle, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to various African regions. Renowned for its medicinal properties, it is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammation. Its bioactive compounds make it a significant subject in ethnobotanical and pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Myrsine africana
- Family: Primulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ericales and the family Primulaceae, it is classified under the genus Myrsine.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Primulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Myrsine | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans multiple continents and climates. In the northern reaches of its range, it can be found in Great Britain within Northern Europe. Its presence extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically documented in the Azores. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, the species is located in both Rwanda and the DR Congo. Finally, its distribution reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is found in Eritrea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Socotra | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
Chemicals
Myrsine africana has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-hydroxychrysophanol, 5-methoxy-7-hydroxyphthalide, Nepodin, emodin, p-coumaric acid.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2-hydroxychrysophanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-methoxy-7-hydroxyphthalide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nepodin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| emodin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-coumaric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Myrsine africana has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Myrsine africana has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MRSA, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, tuberculosis.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| MRSA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |