Abstract
Syzygium cordatum is a valuable medicinal plant in the materia medica of east and southern Africa. The aim of this study was to review the botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological properties of S. cordatum. Relevant literature search was carried out using internet sources such as ACS, Web of Science, Wiley, SpringerLink, Scopus, Mendeley, Google Scholar, Pubmed, SciFinder, BioMed Central, Science Direct and Elsevier. Other literature sources were conference papers, book chapters, books, theses and websites. The leaves, roots, bark and fruits of S. cordatum are used as ethnomedicines against 24 human diseases such as gastro-intestinal disorders, burns, sores, wounds, colds, cough, respiratory complaints, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tuberculosis, fever and malaria. Several phytochemical compounds including alkaloids, anthocyanidin, essential oils, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanidin, phenols, phytosterols, saponins, simple sugars, terpenoids and triterpenoid have been identified from S. cordatum. Pharmacological evaluations revealed that S. cordatum is characterized by several biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, antidiarrheal, anti-sexually transmitted infections, antidiabetic, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial and anti-proteus. These pharmacological findings lend credence to the traditional ethnomedicinal uses and ethnopharmacological importance of S. cordatum. Future research on the species should identify the biological compounds, their mode of action and physiological pathways and clinical relevance.
Highlights
Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex Krauss is a valuable herbal medicine in east and southern Africa and it is included in the monographic guide of the most valuable herbal medicines inSouth Africa [1]
In South Africa, S. cordatum is used as an ornamental plant; it is an important source of strong and durable timber; the fruits are consumed by humans and animals; the fruits are made into potent alcoholic drink; the bark and leaves are consumed by livestock and game; and the bark and fruits are used for dyeing [4,5,6]
Values expressed as percentage leucocyanidin equivalents (LCE) per gram plant extracts; b Values expressed as rutin equivalent (RU) per gram of plant extracts. c Values expressed as catechin equivalents (CTE) per gram of plant extracts. d Values expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of plant extracts. e Values expressed as tannic acid equivalents (TAE) per milliliter of plant extracts
Summary
Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex Krauss (family Myrtaceae) is a valuable herbal medicine in east and southern Africa and it is included in the monographic guide of the most valuable herbal medicines in. South Africa and Kenya as traditional medicine for diarrhea and stomach ailments [7]. It is within this background that the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of S. cordatum are reviewed. Genus is the largest woody genus of the family Myrtaceae but of the flowering plants in the world, characterized by 1200–1800 species distributed throughout tropics and subtropics in Africa, Asia and Australia [11]. Syzygium cordatum is known to occur in Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia at altitude ranging 50–2300 m above sea level [13]
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