nyala tree
Xanthocercis zambesiaca · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (23 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Nyala tree, scientifically known as Xanthocercis zambesiaca, is a versatile medicinal plant native to southern Africa. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is frequently utilized in traditional healing to treat various ailments. This hardy shrub offers significant ethnobotanical value, serving as a vital resource for local community wellness.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaves · Root
- Common names
- Nyala-Tree · Mashatu Tree · 1 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Pseudocadia Zambesiaca · Sophora Zambesiaca
Names
Common Names
- nyala-tree
- Mashatu Tree
- Nyala Tree
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Xanthocercis zambesiana
- Pseudocadia zambesiaca
- Sophora zambesiaca
German:
- Nyalabaum
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Xanthocercis zambesiacaSynonyms
- Pseudocadia zambesiaca
- Sophora zambesiaca
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the Fabaceae family within the genus Xanthocercis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Xanthocercis | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the regions of South Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Malawi and Mozambique. Its presence also extends into the territories of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Additionally, the species inhabits parts of Southern Africa, particularly in Botswana. These diverse locations highlight the plant's wide range across the southern portion of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Xanthocerecis zambesiaca, utilizes various anatomical structures for its medicinal properties. The roots are often harvested for their therapeutic potential, and even a single root can contain concentrated bioactive compounds used in traditional remedies. Additionally, the leaves serve as another significant part of the plant, often being processed or infused to harness the specific phytochemicals necessary for healing.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Xanthocercis zambesiaca has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-DEOXYNOJIRIMYCIN, 2,5-Dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-mannitol, 3,4-di-epi-fagomine, 3-Epifagomine, 3-epi-fagomine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 1-DEOXYNOJIRIMYCIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,5-Dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-mannitol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,4-di-epi-fagomine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-Epifagomine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-epi-fagomine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fagomine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-Homonojirimycin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| castanospermine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
1-DEOXYNOJIRIMYCIN
- Journal of natural products
2,5-Dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-mannitol
- Journal of natural products
3,4-di-epi-fagomine
- Journal of natural products
3-Epifagomine
- Journal of natural products
3-epi-fagomine
- Journal of natural products
Fagomine
- Journal of natural products
alpha-Homonojirimycin
- Journal of natural products
castanospermine
- Journal of natural products
Activities
Xanthocercis zambesiaca has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperglycemic | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 50% aqueous MeOH extracts from the leaves and roots | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone extracts | African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous MeOH extract of the leaves and root | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |