Picralima nitida
Picralima nitida, commonly known as a significant medicinal plant in West African traditional medicine, holds immense therapeutic potential. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, this species is frequently utilized to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammatory conditions. Exploring its phytochemical properties offers promising insights for modern pharmacological advancements.
- Scientific name: Picralima nitida
- Family: Apocynaceae
- 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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and is identified by the genus Picralima. Specifically, it is known as Picralima nitida.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Picralima | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Picralima nitida, is known by several different names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently referred to as Bitter Leaf or African Timber Tree, while in French, it is commonly called la feuille amère. Within various West African linguistic groups, it is identified by names such as afitin in Yoruba and ebun in Igbo.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant, Picralima nitida, is distributed across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the natural habitats of Benin and Ghana. Its geographical range also extends into the territories of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species is well-documented within the borders of Nigeria. Collectively, these locations define its primary ecological presence in West Africa.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Picralima nitida, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The medicinal potential is often derived from the stem bark, which is frequently decocted to treat various ailments, as well as the leaf, which can be processed for its bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the fruit rind holds significant value in traditional medicine, and the reproductive elements, including the seeds and the individual seed, are also documented parts of the plant used in diverse pharmacological applications.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 19
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| stem bark | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit rind | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fresh fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Picralima nitida has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, polyphenols, steroids, tannins, akuammicine.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| akuammicine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| akuammidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| akuammigine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| akuammine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Picralima nitida has 10 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Picralima nitida has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, Diabetes mellitus, Malaria.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fever | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-malarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| biofilm | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |