Strychnos spinosa
Strychnos spinosa, commonly known as the Monkey Orange, is a versatile medicinal plant native to African savannas. Renowned for its nutritional fruit and woody bark, it is traditionally used to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin infections, playing a vital role in indigenous healing and holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Strychnos spinosa
- Family: Loganiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Gentianales and the family Loganiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Strychnos.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Loganiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Strychnos | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Strychnos spinosa, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic and regional contexts. In Portuguese, it is referred to as Maboqueiro, while in Russian, it is called Стрихнос колючий. In South Africa, it is commonly known as Groenklapper in Afrikaans, and among speakers of Tsonga, it is called Nsala. Additionally, in Arabic, the plant is identified as إسطركن شوكي.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Maboqueiro | Wikidata |
| ru | Стрихнос колючий | Wikidata |
| af | Groenklapper | Wikidata |
| ts | Nsala | Wikidata |
| ar | إسطركن شوكي | Wikidata |
| zh | 綠猴橙 | Wikidata |
| dag | Gingaɣigoo | Wikidata |
| bm | Nkankoroba | Wikidata |
| sg | Pêpëlêpendo | Wikidata |
| arz | اسطركن شوكى | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence can be recorded within the borders of Benin. It also thrives in the environmental conditions found in Burkina. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the nation of Gambia. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the coastal regions 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, known as Strychnos spinosa, utilizes various components for its traditional medicinal applications. The leaves are often collected and processed to harness their specific bioactive properties, while the dried branches are frequently employed in decoctions or infusions to treat different ailments. Together, these plant parts serve as essential elements in the preparation of herbal remedies derived from this species.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried branches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Strychnos spinosa has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include triterpenoids, 24-hydroperoxy-24-vinylcholesterol, flavonoids, saponins, saringosterol.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| triterpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 24-hydroperoxy-24-vinylcholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saringosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stryspinoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Strychnos spinosa has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Strychnos spinosa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, malaria, trypanosomiasis.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trypanosomiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |