Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, Bioactivities, and Toxicities of Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae): A Systematic Review

Samuel Baker Obakiro; Ambrose Kiprop; Elizabeth Kigondu; Isaac K'Owino; Mark Peter Odero; Scolastica Manyim; Timothy Omara; Jane Namukobe; Richard Oriko Owor; Yahaya Gavamukulya; Lydia Bunalema

doi:10.1155/2021/5513484

Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, Bioactivities, and Toxicities of Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae): A Systematic Review

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Mar 3:2021:5513484. doi: 10.1155/2021/5513484. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Samuel Baker Obakiro^{1

2

3}, Ambrose Kiprop^{2

3}, Elizabeth Kigondu⁴, Isaac K'Owino^{5

3}, Mark Peter Odero^{2

3}, Scolastica Manyim^{2

3}, Timothy Omara^{2

3

6}, Jane Namukobe⁷, Richard Oriko Owor⁸, Yahaya Gavamukulya⁹, Lydia Bunalema¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda.
² Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
³ Africa Centre of Excellence II in Phytochemicals, Textiles and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE), Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
⁴ Centre of Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁵ Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masinde-Muliro University, P.O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya.
⁶ Department of Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Product Development Directory, AgroWays Uganda Limited, Plot 34-60, Kyabazinga Way, P.O. Box 1924, Jinja, Uganda.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
⁸ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Education, Busitema University, P.O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda.
⁹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda.
¹⁰ Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Many studies have been undertaken on the medicinal values of Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae). The details, however, are highly fragmented in different journals, libraries, and other publication media. This study was therefore conducted to provide a comprehensive report on its ethnobotany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemicals, and the available pharmacological evidence supporting its efficacy and safety in traditional medicine.

Method: We collected data using a PROSPERO registered systematic review protocol on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology of Erythrina abyssinica from 132 reports that were retrieved from electronic databases. Documented local names, morphology, growth habit and habitat, ethnomedicinal and nonmedicinal uses, diseases treated, parts used, method of preparation and administration, extraction and chemical identity of isolated compounds, and efficacy and toxicity of extracts and isolated compounds were captured. Numerical data were summarized into means, percentages, and frequencies and presented as graphs and tables.

Results: Erythrina abyssinica is harvested by traditional herbal medicine practitioners in East, Central, and South African communities to prepare herbal remedies for various human and livestock ailments. These include bacterial and fungal infections, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea, cancer, meningitis, inflammatory diseases, urinary tract infections, wounds, diabetes mellitus, and skin and soft tissue injuries. Different extracts and phytochemicals from parts of E. abyssinica have been scientifically proven to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antiproliferative, antifungal, antimycobacterial, antidiarrheal, anti-HIV 1, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities. This versatile pharmacological activity is due to the abundant flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids present in its different parts.

Conclusion: Erythrina abyssinica is an important ethnomedicinal plant in Africa harboring useful pharmacologically active phytochemicals against various diseases with significant efficacies and minimal toxicity to mammalian cells. Therefore, this plant should be conserved and its potential to provide novel molecules against diseases be explored further. Clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracts and isolated compounds from E. abyssinica are recommended.

Publication types

Review