Xylopia aethiopica
Xylopia aethiopica, commonly known as African nutmeg or Grains of Selim, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its aromatic seeds, it is widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and inflammation, offering potent antioxidant and antimicrobial therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Xylopia aethiopica
- Family: Annonaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales, it falls into the family Annonaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Xylopia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Magnoliales | WCVP |
| Family | Annonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Xylopia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across various regions of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also documented within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species inhabits parts of Gambia and Ghana. Finally, the geographical range extends to the nation of 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 | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Chemicals
Xylopia aethiopica has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, xylopic acid, DPPH, N-methyllaurotetanine.
- Total chemicals
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| xylopic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DPPH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-methyllaurotetanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Na | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bis(4-methylheptyl) phthalate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ent-15-oxokaur-16-en-19-oic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Xylopia aethiopica has 8 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antineoplastic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Xylopia aethiopica has 33 reported medicinal uses identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, leukemia, oxidative stress, Bacillus subtilis, Cancer.
- Total uses
- 33
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leukemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HepG2 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |