Enantia chlorantha
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Annickia chlorantha Common Names: African Yellow Wood, Yellow Moabi,
Moambe Jaune Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Magnoliids Order: Magnoliales Family: Annonaceae Genus: Annickia Species: A. chlorantha Binomial Name: Annickia chlorantha (Oliv.) Setten & P.J.Maas Synonyms: Enantia chlorantha Oliv., Enantia chlorantha var. soyauxii Engler & Diels, Enantia chorantha Oliv. Morphological Description Annickia chlorantha is a tropical deciduous tree, growing 20–30 m tall,
occasionally up to 40 m. Key features include: · Bark: Rough, grey to yellowish-brown, fissured, aromatic, 5–10 mm
thick · Leaves: Oblong to elliptic, 10–20 cm long, 5–10 cm wide, glossy
green, smooth · Flowers: Hermaphroditic, small (1–2 cm), pale yellow, in axillary
panicles · Fruit: Yellow to orange berries, 2–3 cm, many-seeded, ripening in
clusters The tree’s dense crown
and fluted bole are distinctive (Versteegh & Sosef, 2007). Distribution and Habitat Annickia chlorantha thrives in: · Native Range: West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, DR Congo,
Angola) · Habitat: Lowland rainforests, riverbanks, secondary forests; 150–850
m altitude · Climate: Humid, tropical, 25–30°C, rainfall 1,500–3,000 mm · Soil: Well-drained, loamy, pH 5–6.5 It is widespread in
dense forest ecosystems (Olivier et al., 2015). Ethnopharmacology Annickia chlorantha (commonly known as African yellow wood) is a medicinal plant
widely used in traditional African medicine due to its antimalarial,
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and
antidiabetic properties. It is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins,
saponins, and phenolics, which contribute to its therapeutic effects. One of
its most well-known uses is as a natural antimalarial remedy, primarily due to
the presence of benzophenanthridine alkaloids, which exhibit strong activity against
Plasmodium species. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making
it effective against various infections, including typhoid, gastrointestinal
diseases, and skin infections. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of
Annickia chlorantha help relieve pain and swelling, making it useful for
treating arthritis and muscle pain. Additionally, this plant has shown
hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects, aiding in the management of liver
disorders such as hepatitis and jaundice. Its antioxidant compounds help
neutralize free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Some studies also suggest that it has antidiabetic activity, as it may help
regulate blood sugar levels. While widely used in herbal medicine, further
scientific validation is necessary to fully confirm its pharmacological
benefits and safety. · Antimalarial: Bark decoction in Nigeria; reduces Plasmodium berghei parasitemia (70% at 500 mg/kg) (Boyom et
al., 2009). · Liver Disorders/Jaundice: Stem bark in Cameroon; hepatoprotective in
rats (CCl₄ model, 300 mg/kg) (Tcheghebe et al., 2016). · Anti-inflammatory: Leaf extract in Benin; reduces edema (40%
at 200 mg/kg) (Adesokan et al., 2008). · Antipyretic: Bark infusion in Ghana; lowers fever in rats (38% at 250
mg/kg) (Agbaje & Onabanjo, 1998). · Analgesic: Root decoction in Nigeria is used for pain relief. · Gastrointestinal: Bark in Cameroon is used as anti-ulcer
(Tan et al., 2007). · Antimicrobial: Stem extract in Ivory Coast; active against S. aureus (MIC 0.5 mg/mL) (Moody et al., 1995). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Safe at <500 mg/kg (LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg/kg in
rats); high doses (>1,000 mg/kg) may cause liver, kidney, and lung damage
(Tan et al., 2007). Additional Information · Extraction: Bark dried, powdered, or boiled into decoctions (e.g.,
‘agbo’ in Nigeria) (PROTA, 2019). · Research: Antimalarial protoberberines (e.g., Hepasor) commercialized
in Cameroon (Fokunang et al., 2011). · Conservation: Overharvesting threatens populations; listed as vulnerable
in some regions (Olivier et al., 2015). · Other Uses: Timber for construction; yellow dye from bark (Versteegh
& Sosef, 2007). References
External Links More Pictures
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| Compounds of Enantia chlorantha |
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