Leptadenia hastata
|
|
Leptadenia hastata Common Names: leafy wild vine, African edible vine Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae) Genus: Leptadenia Species: L. hastata Synonyms: Cynanchum hastatum Pers., Leptadenia lancifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Decne., Leptadenia senegalensis Decne. (now treated as conspecific or
closely allied in several regional floras). Morphological Description Leptadenia hastata is an evergreen, latex-bearing climbing or scrambling shrub,
usually 0.5–1.5 m high in open savanna but capable of reaching 3–5 m when
supported by shrubs or small trees. It forms dense, leafy patches that are conspicuous
in the dry season when many associated grasses have senesced. · Stems: Numerous, slender, soft and flexuous when young, becoming
somewhat woody at the base; cylindrical to slightly angular; surface green to
yellow-green; exudes copious white latex when cut. Stems are glabrous or finely
pubescent, often forming sprawling mats over the ground or climbing on nearby
vegetation (Burkill, 1985; Yaro, 2023). · Leaves: Simple, opposite (sometimes appearing sub-opposite on
rapidly growing shoots), shortly petiolate; blades ovate, ovate-lanceolate to
narrowly lanceolate, typically 3–10 cm long × 1–4 cm wide, with entire margins,
acute to acuminate apex, and cuneate to rounded base. The upper surface is
medium to dark green and glabrous; the lower surface is paler or glaucous with
more conspicuous venation. · Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow to yellowish-cream, 3–5 mm in
diameter, borne in axillary or terminal cymes of several to many flowers.
Corolla is rotate to campanulate with five reflexed lobes; a corona typical of
Asclepiadoideae is present in the throat. Flowers are often fragrant and are
visited by bees and other small insects. · Fruit: Pairs of narrowly fusiform follicles (5–10 cm long) that
diverge and eventually dehisce along one suture; interior lined with silky
floss. Each follicle bears numerous flattened, oblong seeds (c. 5–7 mm) crowned
with a tuft of long, silky hairs (coma) that facilitate wind dispersal (Fern,
2024). · Root system: Deep-penetrating roots with lateral fibrous roots, allowing
survival during prolonged drought and efficient uptake of soil moisture; roots
are also harvested locally for medicinal preparations (Burkill, 1985; Namadina
et al., 2019). · Diagnostic features: Combination of climbing habit, opposite
entire leaves with milky latex, small greenish-yellow cymose flowers, and
paired dehiscent follicles with silky-haired seeds distinguishes L. hastata from other edible Sahelian vines (Yaro,
2023). Distribution and Habitat Leptadenia hastata is characteristic of the Sahel and Sudan savanna belts of
Africa and is widely used as a leafy vegetable and medicinal plant throughout
its range (Burkill, 1985; PlantUse/PROTA, 2015). · Geographic Range: Native from Senegal and Mauritania in West
Africa across Mali, Niger, northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Sudan,
eastwards to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia, and southwards into Uganda,
northern Kenya, and parts of Tanzania. It is particularly abundant in northern
Nigeria (e.g., Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, Borno) and in semi-arid regions of
Cameroon and Niger (Burkill, 1985; Mathieu & Meissa, 2007). · Habitat: Occurs in dry savannas, shrub steppes, fallow fields,
Acacia-dominated bushland, and open woodland; often climbing over shrubs,
fences, or small trees. It prefers sandy or sandy-loam soils with good drainage
(pH 5.5–7.5) and annual rainfall of about 300–1,000 mm, at elevations up to c.
1,800 m (Fern, 2024; PlantUse/PROTA, 2015). · Ecological Role: Functions as a pioneer species on
disturbed or degraded sites; provides nectar and pollen for insects and nutritious
foliage for browsing livestock (goats, sheep, camels). The extensive root
system helps stabilize soil and reduce erosion in semi-arid landscapes
(Burkill, 1985; Yaro, 2023). Ethnopharmacology Leptadenia hastata is a key multipurpose species in Sahelian ethnomedicine and
nutrition. Leaves, young shoots, latex, stems, and roots are used for food and
as remedies for metabolic, infectious, inflammatory, and reproductive disorders
in Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, and neighboring countries (Burkill, 1985; Mathieu
& Meissa, 2007; Yaro, 2023). Traditional Uses · Diabetes and metabolic disorders: Leaf decoctions and macerations are widely
used in northern Nigeria and Niger to manage “sugar disease” and to reduce
thirst, often prepared as a daily tea or combined with other antidiabetic
plants (Bello et al., 2011b; Chukwuma et al., 2022). · Infectious and parasitic diseases: Crushed leaves and roots are applied to
skin infections, furuncles, and boils, and decoctions are taken for dysentery,
diarrhea, and suspected sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea
(Abubakar et al., 2014; Yaro, 2023). In some communities, root preparations are
used in mixtures for trypanosomiasis and other febrile conditions (Mann &
Ogbadoyi, 2012). · Inflammation and pain: Leaf infusions and latex are used to
relieve rheumatism, back pain, headaches, and inflammatory swellings, including
furuncles; poultices are applied directly to affected areas (Burkill, 1985;
Ezike et al., 2016). · Hypertension and cardiovascular complaints: Aerial part decoctions are taken in parts
of Senegal and northern Nigeria as traditional remedies for high blood pressure
and palpitations, often in combination with dietary salt restriction (Mathieu
& Meissa, 2007). · Reproductive health and fertility regulation: In Sahelian ethnomedicine, leaf and root
preparations are used to treat male sexual impotence and as antifertility
agents or abortifacients; some traditional birth attendants employ the plant to
regulate menstruation and postpartum recovery ( Lapo et al., 2003; Maina et
al., 2016). · Gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders: Root or leaf decoctions are taken for
stomachache, dyspepsia, and diarrhea (especially in children), and infusions
are employed to relieve catarrh and rhinopharyngitis in northern Nigeria (
Aliero & Wara, 2009). · Nutritional and famine food: Young leaves, shoots, and flowers are
eaten as a cooked vegetable with cereal dishes or pulses throughout the Sahel
and are considered both food and medicine, contributing to protein, mineral,
and micronutrient intake (Freiberger et al., 1998; PlantUse/PROTA, 2015;
Abubakar et al., 2014). Pharmacological Studies · α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition: Ethanol leaf extracts showed potent in
vitro inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 ≈ 14.1 µg/mL) and
α-glucosidase (IC50 ≈ 4.2 µg/mL), with molecular docking
indicating favorable interactions of rutin, kaempferol, and related flavonoids
within human pancreatic amylase binding sites (Chukwuma et al., 2022). · Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in vivo: In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, repeated
administration of leaf extracts significantly lowered fasting blood glucose and
improved serum lipid profiles, reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides
while increasing HDL cholesterol, thereby supporting traditional antidiabetic
use (Bello et al., 2011b). · Functional nutrition and glycemic control: Integration of L. hastata leaves into diets has been proposed as a
functional food approach for metabolic syndrome because of combined fiber,
mineral, and flavonoid content and demonstrable enzyme-inhibitory effects
(Abubakar et al., 2014; Chukwuma et al., 2022). · Murine models of acute and chronic inflammation: Methanol leaf extract and fractions (hexane,
ethyl acetate, methanol) significantly suppressed xylene-induced ear edema,
carrageenan-induced paw edema, and formaldehyde-induced arthritis, and reduced
granuloma formation in rats. The ethyl acetate fraction, rich in flavonoids,
showed the greatest inhibition. The extract also reduced acetic acid-induced
vascular permeability, inhibited leucocyte migration, and stabilized
erythrocyte membranes (Ezike et al., 2016). · Mechanistic implications: Anti-inflammatory effects are attributed
to synergistic actions of triterpenes (lupeol, amyrins), flavonoids (vicenin
II, schaftoside), and coumarins (scopoletin), acting via modulation of
prostaglandin pathways, membrane stabilization, and attenuation of
pro-inflammatory cytokines (Nikiéma et al., 2001; Ezike et al., 2016; Galani et
al., 2020). · Broad-spectrum antibacterial activity: Ethanolic or methanolic leaf extracts
exhibited growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and other enterobacteria, with minimum
inhibitory concentrations typically in the sub-mg/mL range, corroborating uses
for skin and gastrointestinal infections (Abubakar et al., 2014; Hoekou et al.,
2015; Yaro, 2023). · Antifungal and anti-Aspergillus potential: Green-synthesized gold nanoparticles
derived from L. hastata extracts
demonstrated significant therapeutic effects against invasive pulmonary
aspergillosis in experimental models, reducing fungal burden and inflammatory
cytokines, highlighting the plant’s potential in adjunct antifungal strategies
(Abdallah & Ali, 2022). · Protozoal and helminthic infections: Some ethnopharmacological surveys report
the use of L. hastata against
trypanosomiasis and helminths; experimental work on crude extracts has shown limited
but notable anti-trypanosomal activity without major toxicity, warranting
further investigation (Mann & Ogbadoyi, 2012). · Protection against acetaminophen-induced
hepatotoxicity: In mice, aqueous
stem decoctions significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin,
and improved histological markers of liver injury following acetaminophen
overdose. Molecular docking suggested key roles for quinine-like alkaloids and
scopoletin in modulating inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and COX-2,
supporting traditional use for liver support (Galani et al., 2020). · Antifertility and anti-androgenic activity: Aqueous leaf extracts administered orally
to male rats produced dose-dependent decreases in sperm count, motility, and
normal morphology, with histological evidence of seminiferous tubule depletion,
consistent with traditional antifertility claims (Maina et al., 2016). · Uterine contractility and abortifacient
potential: Experimental
studies on isolated rat uterus and in vivo models have shown contractile and
abortifacient effects of L. hastata extracts, supporting caution in pregnancy and explaining its
use in some cultures for pregnancy termination or labor induction (Lapo et al.,
2003; Omeh et al., 2016). · Diuretic effects: Aqueous root extracts increased urine
volume and electrolyte excretion in acute and subacute rat models, supporting
use in conditions associated with fluid retention and complementing its
antihypertensive ethnomedical role (Fidele et al., 2022; Yaro, 2023). · Neurobehavioral and antioxidant effects: Recent work points to antidepressant-like
and anxiolytic activities linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
mechanisms, although these findings are still emerging and require confirmation
(Yaro, 2023; GSCBPS study, 2024). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Overall, Leptadenia hastata leaf appears relatively safe when consumed
as a food or in moderate medicinal doses, but several studies highlight
specific toxicological concerns and the need for caution in reproductive and
long-term use. Acute toxicity: Methanol leaf
extract showed an oral LD50 greater than 5 g/kg in mice, with
no mortality and limited signs of acute toxicity (Ezike et al., 2016).
Pharmacognostic work on roots also reported LD50 values above 5
g/kg, supporting a wide acute safety margin (Namadina et al., 2019). Sub-chronic and
reproductive toxicity: High doses or
prolonged use of leaf extracts caused reductions in sperm concentration and
motility, altered testicular histology, and changes in sex hormone profiles in
experimental animals, indicating potential antifertility risks (Maina et al.,
2016). Extracts with uterotonic activity raise concerns about miscarriage when
used during pregnancy (Lapo et al., 2003; Omeh et al., 2016). Allergic and local
reactions: The milky latex
may cause skin or mucosal irritation in sensitive individuals; contact should
be minimized, and protective handling is recommended, especially for concentrated
preparations. Additional Uses · Nutritional and forage value: Leaves and young shoots are consumed as a
vegetable in soups and sauces, often mixed with beans, cowpeas, or millet
porridge. The plant also provides good forage for goats, sheep, and camels,
especially at the end of the dry season (Freiberger et al., 1998;
PlantUse/PROTA, 2015; Abubakar et al., 2014). · Ecological and agronomic role: Its drought tolerance, rapid regrowth, and
sprawling habit make L. hastata useful
for soil protection in agro-pastoral systems and as a component of traditional
fallow vegetation (Burkill, 1985; Yaro, 2023). · Cultural significance: In Hausa and Fulani communities, L. hastata is valued as both “medicine” and “food”,
used in rituals for cleansing and protection, and regarded as a strategic
famine food that sustains households during periods of cereal scarcity (Mathieu
& Meissa, 2007). References
External Links More Pictures |
|
| Compounds of Leptadenia hastata | |
| References |