Parkia biglobosa
Parkia biglobosa, commonly known as the African locust bean tree, is a vital multipurpose plant across tropical Africa. Renowned for its nutritious seeds used in fermentation, it also holds significant medicinal value. It is widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat hypertension, fever, and various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Parkia biglobosa
- Family: Fabaceae
- 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 Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Parkia, specifically the species Parkia biglobosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Parkia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Parkia biglobosa, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Japan, it is referred to as ヒロハフサマメノキ (ja), while in West Africa, particularly among Bambara speakers, it is known as Nɛrɛ (bm). It is identified as پارکیا (fa) in Persian and as 非洲刺槐豆 (zh) in Chinese. Additionally, in Korean, the plant is called 네레 (ko).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ja | ヒロハフサマメノキ | Wikidata |
| bm | Nɛrɛ | Wikidata |
| fa | پارکیا | Wikidata |
| zh | 非洲刺槐豆 | Wikidata |
| ko | 네레 | Wikidata |
| ha | Corawa | Wikidata |
| ff | Nareehi | Wikidata |
| dag | Doo | Wikidata |
| nqo | ߣߍ߬ߘߍ | Wikidata |
| kcg | a̱la̱n | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Parkia biglobosa, exhibits a specific distribution pattern within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of Benin. The species is also widely distributed across the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, its presence is documented throughout the nation of Gambia. Finally, the plant is also established within the borders of Ghana and 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 | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Parkia biglobosa, is a versatile medicinal resource where various components offer unique therapeutic benefits. The leaves are frequently utilized in traditional medicine for their cooling properties and are often prepared as decoctions to treat various ailments. The stem bark and the inner bark are also highly valued, often being processed to manage inflammation or used in topical applications. Furthermore, the seeds, which are central to the plant's nutritional and medicinal profile, are often fermented to create condiments that carry health-promoting properties. Even the hard shell surrounding the pods plays a role in the plant's ecosystem, though its primary medicinal utility is often linked to the processing and protection of the valuable seeds within.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 20
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shell | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Parkia biglobosa has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Zn, ash, calcium, copper, epi-catechin 3-O-gallate.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Zn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ash | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| copper | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epi-catechin 3-O-gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epi-gallocatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Parkia biglobosa has 12 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Parkia biglobosa has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypertension, antihypertensive, diarrhea, wounds, antidiabetic.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypertension | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arterial blood pressure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| conjunctivitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |