Prunus africana
Pygeum africanum
Prunus africana, commonly known as African cherry, is a medicinal tree native to the montane forests of Africa. Renowned for its bark, it contains phytosterols essential in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. This precious resource is vital to traditional medicine, though sustainable harvesting remains crucial for its conservation.
- Scientific name: Prunus africana
- Family: Rosaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, falling into the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Prunus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rosaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Prunus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Prunus africana, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Afrikaans, it is called Afrika gavalısı, while in Russian, it is referred to as Слива африканская. In Kinyarwanda, the plant is known as Umwuamba, and in Chinese, it is called 非洲李. Additionally, in Hungarian, it is identified as afrikai szilvafa.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| az | Afrika gavalısı | Wikidata |
| ru | Слива африканская | Wikidata |
| rw | Umwumba | Wikidata |
| zh | 非洲李 | Wikidata |
| hu | afrikai szilvafa | Wikidata |
| af | Rooistinkhout | Wikidata |
| fa | پیجیوم آفریکانوم | Wikidata |
| bg | африканска череша | Wikidata |
| ar | خوخ أفريقي | Wikidata |
| am | ጥቁር እንጨት | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Ghana. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Burundi and Rwanda. It also inhabits the Gulf of Guinea Islands within the West-Central Tropical Africa zone. Additionally, the plant is documented as growing in Cameroon.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Prunus africana, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its various therapeutic components, with different parts offering unique medicinal properties. The bark is perhaps the most significant part used, as it is frequently harvested for its ability to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Additionally, the leaves are often utilized in various decoctions to address different ailments, while the root is also employed in traditional healing practices to treat various conditions. Together, these plant parts make Prunus africana a vital resource in both folk and pharmacological applications.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Prunus africana has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, docosyl ferulate, fatty acids, gallic acid, phytosterols.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| docosyl ferulate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Prunus africana has 8 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antiandrogenic, Antiangiogenic.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiandrogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiangiogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astringent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Prunus africana has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, malaria, Aspergillus flavus.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| prostate cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| benign prostatic hyperplasia | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus flavus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chest pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| family planning | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schistosomiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |