Nauclea latifolia
Nauclea latifolia, commonly known as the African apricot, is a versatile medicinal tree native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its potent pharmacological properties, various parts of the plant are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as malaria, inflammation, and fever, offering significant potential for modern therapeutic development.
- Scientific name: Nauclea latifolia
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Nauclea, which includes the species Nauclea latifolia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Nauclea | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Its presence can be documented in the country of Benin, where it plays a role in the local ecosystem. It is also found within the borders of Burkina, contributing to the region's botanical diversity. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical reach includes the coastal and inland territories of Guinea-Bissau.
| 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-Bissau | 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 | Mauritania | WCVP |
Chemicals
Nauclea latifolia has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include saponins, tramadol, Betulinic acid, N-desmethyltramadol, O-desmethyltramadol.
- Total chemicals
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tramadol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Betulinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-desmethyltramadol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| O-desmethyltramadol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proanthocyanidins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Strictosamide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| daucosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Nauclea latifolia has 9 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antinociceptive.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacteriostatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spasmolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Nauclea latifolia has 32 reported medicinal uses identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, diarrhea, E. coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Gram-negative bacterial infections.
- Total uses
- 32
- Scientific sources
- 38
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Entamoeba histolytica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HSV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abdominal pains | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |