Ethnomedicinal Applications, Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Combretum zeyheri Sond

Alfred Maroyi

Combretum zeyheri Sond. has several ethnomedicinal applications in tropical Africa, some of them known since prehistoric times. The current study reviewed the ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. zeyheri. A search for literature on the ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. zeyheri was conducted by systematically searching the scientific databases such as PubMed^®, ScienceDirect^®, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SpringerLink^®, SciELO and Scopus^®, as well as pre-electronic literature sources such as book chapters, books and other scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study showed that the bark, leaves, roots and root bark of C. zeyheri are used as ethnoveterinary medicine and as traditional medicine against menstrual problems, bleeding nose, infertility in women, sores, wounds, skin infections, eye problems, respiratory infections and gastrointestinal problems. The phytochemical assessment of C. zeyheri revealed that it contains phospholipids, fatty acid amides, glycosides, flavonoids, cholesterols, amines, amino acids, phenols, alcohols, triterpenoids and alkaloids. Ethnopharmacological assessments showed that the crude extracts and phytochemical compounds isolated from the species have anticholinesterase inhibition, antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitrypanosomally and cytotoxicity activities. The ethnopharmacological properties of C. zeyheri documented in this review will assist in understanding the therapeutic relevance and potential of the species in the discovery of novel plant-based health products required to manage both animal and human health-related ailments or diseases.

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