Maesobotrya barteri

Maesobotrya barteri

Scientific Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Order: Malpighiales
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Genus: Maesobotrya
  • Species: M. barteri

Synonyms:

  • Maesobotrya barteri (Baill.) Hutch.

Species ID: NMP-293,NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 1317856,wfo-0000232924

Common Names:

English bush cherry (Liberia), Sowundio (Kissi, Sierra Leone), Keleninko (Koranko, Sierra Leone), Njayai, Toye(-i) (Mende, Sierra Leone), Forsokwe (Susu, Sierra Leone), An-titi (Temne, Sierra Leone), Kai (Mano, Liberia), Wuniogpa, Wuniongpagba (Abe, Ivory Coast), Kokobri (Adyukru, Ivory Coast), Patroa (Akan-Asante, Ivory Coast), Abidjakue, Habizakue (Akye, Ivory Coast), Kautie-kuale, Kuatie-kuale (Anyi, Ivory Coast), Kanle (Dan, Ivory Coast), Bugbonotu (Kru, Ivory Coast), Zahalo (Kru-Guere, Ivory Coast), Kopie, Padrea (Kyama, Ivory Coast), Kade (Nzema, Ivory Coast), Apotorowa, Apostrewa, Kwadrega, Podirire (Akan-Fante, Ghana), Asansambro, Asansammuro, Apostrewa (Twi, Ghana), Apostrewa, Kwadrega, Podirire (Wasa, Ghana), Apostrewa, Kwadrega, Podirire (Anyi-Aowin, Ghana), Kwadrega, Podirire (Nzema, Ghana), Ntum Kache (Bokyi, Nigeria), Oruru (Edo, Nigeria), Miri Ogu (Igbo, Nigeria), Mmiri Ogwu (Igbo, Nigeria - Umuahia), Odun, Olohun, Olowun, Orowo (Yoruba, Nigeria), Obomodu (Yoruba, Nigeria - Ikale)

Local Names:

Mmiri Ogwu, Miri Ogu (Igbo, Nigeria), Ntum Kache (Bokyi, Nigeria), Obomodu, Odun ,Olohun ,Olowun , Orowo (Yoruba, Nigeria), Oruru (Edo, Nigeria).

Basic Description:

Maesobotrya barteri is a broad-leafed plant that can grow up to 10 meters in height. It produces succulent black-purple berries that are edible and known to stain the tongue. The plant bears fruit from April to June.

Distribution and Habitat:

This species is predominantly found in the southern and eastern regions of Nigeria, as well as in Sierra Leone and other parts of West Africa. It thrives in rainforest environments.

Medicinal Properties:

Maesobotrya barteri has been studied for various medicinal properties:

  • Antioxidant Activity: Phytochemical analyses reveal the presence of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and saponins, which exhibit antioxidant properties. These compounds may help in managing oxidative stress-related diseases.
  • Analgesic Properties: Ethanolic leaf extracts have demonstrated analgesic effects in experimental models, suggesting potential for pain management.
  • Antimicrobial Activity: The essential oil derived from the leaves has shown antimicrobial efficacy against various pathogens, indicating its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent.
  • Hepatoprotective Effects: Aqueous leaf extracts have been reported to offer protective effects on the liver, particularly against paracetamol-induced toxicity in animal studies.

Known Toxicity:

While Maesobotrya barteri exhibits several beneficial properties, it is essential to consider potential toxicity:

  • Cytotoxicity: Studies indicate that certain extracts may possess cytotoxic effects, which could be harnessed for anticancer applications but also warrant caution regarding dosage and usage.

Additional Information:

The fruits of Maesobotrya barteri are not only consumed for their taste but also valued for their nutritional content. They are rich in essential nutrients, making them a valuable food source in the regions where the plant is indigenous.

References:

  1. Shemishere, U. B., Anyebe, D. A., Bashir, A. Y., Emmanuel, J., Ifie, J., & Yahaya, T. (2019). Phytochemical constituents and In vitro Antioxidant Activities of Methanol leaf extracts of Musanga cercropioides and Maesobotrya barteri. Savanna Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 1(1), 145–153.
  2. Peters, D., & Bassey, E. (2021). Phytochemical Composition and Analgesic Property of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Maesobotrya barteri. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, 24(6), 1–8.
  3. Onocha, P. A., Ibok, M. G., Olaoluwa, O. O., Oloyede, G. K., & Flamini, G. (2023). Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Apocarotenoid Rich Leaf Essential Oil of Maesobotrya barteri Var. barteri (Baill.) Hutch. Trends in Technical & Scientific Research, 6(1), 555677.
  4. Ogunka-Nnoka, C. U., & Mazi, E. A. (2019). Bioactive components and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Maesobotrya barteri (Baill.) Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae) on the haematological profile of paracetamol-induced Wistar albino rats. Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(14), 305–312.
  5. Ogbuagu, M. N. (2008). Fruit nutritive composition of Maesobotrya barteri, an under-exploited tropical African tree. Fruits, 63(6), 357–361.

External Links

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maesobotrya_barteri_var._sparsiflora
  2. https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.upwta.2_208
  3. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77170326-1
  4. https://www.gbif.org/species/3079229
  5. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000232926
  6. https://www.gbif.org/species/192029622

 More Pictures
Compounds of Maesobotrya barteri
References

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM THE AERIAL PARTS OF Maesobotrya barteri [HUTCH]. BY CHRISTIANA ENE OGWUCHE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FACULTY OF SCIENCES AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA . OCTOBER, 2015