Millettia thonningii
|
|
Millettia thonningii Common Names: Milletia, Thonning’s Millettia, African
Rosewood Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Subfamily: Faboideae Genus: Millettia Species: M. thonningii Synonyms: Derris thonningii (Schumach.) Baker, Pongamia thonningii Schumach., Lonchocarpus thonningii (Schumach.) DC. Morphological Description Millettia thonningii is a deciduous tree native to tropical Africa, typically
growing 10–20 m tall, occasionally reaching 35 m. Its key features include: · Habit: Medium to large tree with a spreading crown and drooping
branches. · Bark: Grey-brown, smooth when young, becoming fissured with age;
exudes a red sap when cut. · Leaves: Compound, pinnate, 20–40 cm long, with 7–13 elliptic
leaflets, each 5–10 cm long, dark green above, paler beneath (Keay, 1989). · Flowers: Purple to violet, pea-like, 1–2 cm long, in dense, pendulous
racemes up to 30 cm long, fragrant. · Fruit: Flat, woody pods, 10–20 cm long, 2–3 cm wide, brown,
containing 2–6 flat seeds (Burkill, 1995). Its vibrant flowers and
legume pods are hallmarks of the Fabaceae family (Allen & Allen, 1981). Distribution and Habitat Millettia thonningii is widespread across tropical Africa, particularly West and
Central regions: · Countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, DR Congo, Uganda, Côte
d'Ivoire. It thrives in lowland
rainforests, gallery forests, savanna woodlands, and along riverbanks at
elevations up to 1,500 m, preferring well-drained, loamy soils (pH 5.5–7.0) and
humid climates (Burkill, 1995). Ethnopharmacology Millettia thonningii is a medicinal plant from the Fabaceae family, widely used
in traditional African medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. It is
known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antimalarial,
antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. The plant contains bioactive
compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, which
contribute to its medicinal benefits. It is used to treat wounds, skin
infections, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, and liver-related ailments. The
bark, leaves, and roots are commonly prepared as decoctions, infusions, or
poultices. Despite its benefits, caution is advised, especially regarding
dosage and prolonged use, due to potential toxicity. · Antischistosomal: Seed extracts in Ghana treat
schistosomiasis. Lyddiard et al. (2002) found isoflavonoids like
alpinumisoflavone (LC₅₀ 10 μg/mL) killed *Schistosoma mansoni* cercariae,
inhibiting mitochondrial electron transport. · Anthelmintic: Root decoctions in Nigeria expel intestinal worms. Perrett
et al. (1995) confirmed molluscicidal activity (LC₅₀ 20 ppm) against
*Biomphalaria glabrata*, snail vectors of schistosomiasis, due to robustic
acid. · Purgative: Bark infusions in Senegal act as laxatives. Burkill (1995)
notes its traditional use, supported by saponin content. · Blood Purification: Pulverized roots in Cameroon cleanse
blood. Ethnographic use aligns with antioxidant properties of flavonoids (Jena
et al., 2020). · Analgesic: Leaf poultices in Togo relieve pain. Traditional claims
suggest anti-inflammatory potential, though specific studies are limited
(Banzouzi et al., 2008). Phytochemicals include
isoflavonoids (alpinumisoflavone, robustic acid), rotenoids (rotenone),
saponins, and alkaloids, driving its medicinal efficacy (Lyddiard et al., 2002;
Jena et al., 2020). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Seeds and roots contain rotenone, a lipophilic
rotenoid (LD₅₀ 132 mg/kg in rats), highly toxic to fish (LC₅₀ 0.1 ppm) and
insects but less so to mammals due to poor absorption. Acute human toxicity is
rare (LD₅₀ 143 mg/kg in children), with vomiting limiting fatalities. Rotenone
degrades in sunlight within 6–10 days. High doses may cause liver irritation in
rats (Jena et al., 2020; Allen & Allen, 1981). Additional Uses · Construction: Durable wood used for furniture, tool handles, and carpentry
(Keay, 1989). · Fuel: Branches and logs serve as firewood in rural areas (Burkill,
1995). · Agroforestry: Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil fertility in mixed
cropping systems (Allen & Allen, 1981). · Piscicide: Seed powder poisons fish for easy capture, safe for human
consumption after cooking (Banzouzi et al., 2008). References
External Links More Pictures |
|
| Compounds of Millettia thonningii | |
| References |
