Common Names: African Peach, Pin Cushion Tree, Nauclea
Local Names: Egbeyesi, Egbesi (Yoruba, Nigeria), Igiyaa, Tafashiy, Tafiyayaiga (Hausa, Nigeria), Ubulinu, Ovoroilu (Igbo, Nigeria), Mbomibong (Ibibio, Nigeria), Itu (Itsekiris, Nigeria)
Species ID: NMP-118 | wfo-1200061522 |  NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 43573

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Order: Gentianales

Family: Rubiaceae

Genus: Nauclea

Species: N. latifolia

Authority: Sm.

Synonyms: Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A.Bruce, Nauclea esculenta (Afzel. ex Sabine) Merr.

Nauclea latifolia is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree in the Rubiaceae family, typically 3–10 m tall, occasionally reaching 33 m in moist forests:

·       Bole: Crooked, 20–60 cm in diameter, with grey-brown, fissured bark, often peeling in strips (Burkill, 1997).

·       Leaves: Broad, oblong-elliptic, 15–30 cm long, 10–20 cm wide, glabrous, glossy dark green above, paler beneath (Fern, 2024).

·       Flowers: Terminal, spherical heads, 3–5 cm across, creamy white, fragrant, with protruding stamens resembling a pin cushion (Barwick, 2004).

·       Fruit: Globose, 6–8 cm in diameter, deep red when ripe, with sweet, watery, apple-like pulp containing numerous seeds (Burkill, 1997).

Nauclea latifolia is widespread across tropical Africa:

·       Range: Sierra Leone to Angola, east to Ethiopia and Sudan, thriving in West and Central Africa (Fern, 2024).

·       Habitat: Humid rainforests, savannah woodlands, riverbanks; adaptable to 1,000–2,700 mm annual rainfall, 0–1,200 m elevation, prefers loamy, well-drained soils (Burkill, 1997).

Nauclea latifolia is a cornerstone of African traditional medicine, rich in alkaloids (e.g., strictosamide, tramadol), flavonoids, and tannins (Boucherle et al., 2016):  It is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine for its diverse health benefits. It exhibits antidiabetic properties by lowering blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity, while its antimalarial and antimicrobial effects help combat malaria, bacterial, and fungal infections. The plant has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it useful for pain relief, arthritis, and fever. It supports liver health, aids in detoxification, and protects against oxidative stress. Additionally, its antioxidant and anti-cancer potential help neutralize free radicals and inhibit tumor growth. It is traditionally used for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, dysentery, and stomach ulcers, while also showing promise in lowering blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health. The plant is known for its aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing effects, supporting male reproductive health. Its leaves and bark aid in wound healing and skin infections, while its neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties make it beneficial for epilepsy and nervous disorders. These medicinal attributes make Nauclea latifolia a versatile natural remedy in herbal medicine.

·       Antimalarial: Root decoctions in Nigeria treat malaria. Alaribe et al. (2020) found aqueous root extract (500 mg/kg) reduced Plasmodium berghei parasitemia in mice by 70%.

·       Antimicrobial: Leaf infusions in Ghana combat infections. Uwah et al. (2013) showed root sap (MIC 25 µg/mL) inhibited Escherichia coli.

·       Analgesic/Anti-inflammatory: Root bark in Mali relieves pain. Abbah et al. (2010) confirmed 200 mg/kg extract reduced rat paw edema by 50%, linked to tramadol (Boucherle et al., 2016).

·       Febrifuge/Tonic: Stem bark in Niger reduces fever. Abbah et al. (2010) noted 200 mg/kg extract lowered yeast-induced pyrexia in rats by 1.5°C.

·       Antidiabetic: Leaves in Côte d’Ivoire manage diabetes. Abubakar et al. (2009) reported 400 mg/kg leaf extract reduced glucose in diabetic rats by 40%.

·       Respiratory Health: Fruit in Nigeria eases coughs. Burkill (1997) documents its use for bronchitis and asthma.

⚠  Toxicity Profile: High doses of root extract (>2,000 mg/kg) caused sedation and hepatotoxicity in rats. Fruit overconsumption may lead to mild diarrhea due to tannins. Avoid in pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulation (Adeneye et al., 2006).

·       Culinary: Ripe fruit eaten raw or fermented into wine; flower heads boiled as a vegetable in Nigeria (Burkill, 1997).

·       Agroforestry: Responds well to coppicing, used for shade and soil stabilization (Fern, 2024).

·       Timber: Lightweight wood (density 0.4 g/cm³) for carvings, fuelwood (Barwick, 2004).

• Abbah, J., Amos, S., Chindo, B., Ngazal, I., Vongtau, H. O., Adzu, B., & Gamaniel, K. S. (2010). Pharmacological evidence favouring the use of Nauclea latifolia in malaria ethnopharmacy: Effects against nociception, inflammation, and pyrexia in rats and mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(1), 85–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.045

• Abubakar, G., Danladi, A. A., Sunday, E. A., & Sani, I. (2009). Antidiabetic effect of Nauclea latifolia leaf ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pharmacognosy Research, 1(6).

• Adeneye, A. A., Ajagbonna, O. P., Adeleke, T. I., & Bello, S. O. (2006). Preliminary toxicity and phytochemical studies of the stem bark aqueous extract of Musanga cecropioides in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 105(3), 374–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.11.027

• Alaribe, C. S., Oladipupo, A. R., Nani, M. O., Ijeoma, I. N., Olanipekun, B. D., & Coker, H. A. (2020). Suppressive and curative antiplasmodial properties of Nauclea latifolia root extract and fractions against erythrocytic stage of mice-infective chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK-65. Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development, 4(1), 1-6

• Barwick, M. (2004). Tropical and subtropical trees: A worldwide encyclopaedic guide. Thames & Hudson.

• Boucherle, B., Haudecoeur, R., Queiroz, E. F., De Waard, M., Wolfender, J. L., Robins, R. J., & Boumendjel, A. (2016). Nauclea latifolia: Biological activity and alkaloid phytochemistry of a West African tree. Natural Product Reports, 33(9), 1034–1043. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6NP00039H

• Burkill, H. M. (1997). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa (Vol. 4). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

• Fern, K. (2024). Nauclea latifolia. Useful Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved from http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Nauclea+latifolia

• Uwah, A. F., Otitoju, O., Ndem, J. I., & Peter, A. I. (2013). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of adventitious root sap of Musanga cecropioides. Der Pharmacia Lettre, 5(2), 13-16..

• Wikipedia - Nauclea latifolia

• Useful Tropical Plants - Nauclea latifolia

• Plants of the World Online - Nauclea latifolia

• iNaturalist - Nauclea latifolia

• Betulinic acid

Asanga, E. E., Igile, G. O., Eseyin, O. A., Ebong, P. E., Essien, E. E., Thomas, P. S., & Johnson, E. C. (2022). Isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenoid from the antiplasmodial bioactive fraction of Nauclea latifolia (Sm) roots. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 21(3), 611-618.