Pittosporum viridiflorum Sims (Pittosporaceae): A review on a useful medicinal plant native to South Africa and tropical Africa

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pittosporum viridiflorum Sims, a Pittosporaceae species, is used extensively in African traditional medicine (ATM) by various tribes. This review is an appraisal of the information concerning the description, distribution, conservation status, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of this species with the aim of reconciling it with its traditional use.

Materials and methods: A wide-ranging literature search was conducted using database platforms such as Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed and books including local reports and thesis submissions.

Results: Ten categories to which P. viridiflorum finds use in traditional medicine (TM) were found, and they include well-being, wounds, treatment of veterinary ailments, gastrointestinal and sexually transmitted diseases, kidney, circulatory and inflammatory disorders, as well as diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and malaria. Pharmacological tests conducted include those investigating antimicrobial, antidiarrhoeal, antimalarial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and acaricidal properties. Promising activity was shown in a number of assays. Toxicological effects have also been reported from this species. However, it is recommended to conduct a detailed toxicological study, including genotoxicity, as this has not yet been evaluated. Compound(s) with antimalarial, anticancer and acaricidal properties have been isolated from P. viridiflorum.

Conclusions: The collective pharmacological and phytochemical properties of P. viridiflorum gives credence to the use of this plant species against various diseases in ATM, thus steering significant interest towards in vivo studies and further research.

Keywords: Acaricidal; Anticancer; Antimalarial; Glycosides; Pittosporaceae; Pittosporum viridiflorum; Triterpenoids.