Common Names: Brick-red Ochna, African mickey mouse plant
Local Names: Jan-taru (Hausa), Hieke (Yoruba), Saaboule (Foufoulde), Mungwe (Swahili), Muwawani (Shona)
Species ID: NMP-217 | wfo-0000390032

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Ochnaceae

Genus: Ochna

Species: Ochna schweinfurthiana

Synonyms: Diporidium schweinfurthianum (F.Hoffm.) Tiegh., Ochnella schweinfurthiana (F.Hoffm.) Tiegh., Ochna alba (Tiegh.) A.Chev., Ochna axillaris A.Chev., Ochna suberosa De Wild., Ochnella alba Tiegh., Ochnella aurea Tiegh., Ochnella axillaris Tiegh., Ochna polyarthra Baker (Plants of the World Online, n.d.).

Ochna schweinfurthiana is a shrub or small evergreen tree, typically growing 2–7 meters tall, occasionally reaching 10 meters in favorable conditions. Its morphology is adapted to tropical and subtropical environments, with ornamental and ecological significance. Key features include:

·       Bark: Dark grey, corrugated, or reticulately fissured, corky; young branches with white to pale yellowish-brown bark peeling in papery strips, mostly lacking lenticels (Flora of Zimbabwe, n.d.).

·       Leaves: Coriaceous, obovate-oblanceolate to oblong, 5.5–13.5 cm long, 1.7–6.5 cm wide; margins densely curved-serrulate; petioles 2–5 mm long; leaves glossy green, turning yellow in autumn (Bandi et al., 2012).

·       Flowers: Bright yellow, 1.5–2 cm in diameter, short-lived (lasting 1–2 days), borne in racemes or panicles before or with young leaves; petals 5, caducous; stamens numerous; flowering from September to February in southern Africa (Flora of Zimbabwe, n.d.).

·       Fruit: Black, subglobose drupelets, 7–9 mm long, 1–5 per flower; sepals enlarge and turn cherry to brick red at maturity, persisting around fruits, resembling a Mickey Mouse face; fruiting from December to April (Plants of the World Online, n.d.).

·       Roots: Woody, fibrous, with a shallow root system, aiding soil stabilization in rocky terrains (Hyde et al., 2024).

The plant’s vibrant flowers and colorful fruiting structures make it a popular ornamental species, while its coriaceous leaves and fissured bark enhance its resilience in harsh environments (Bandi et al., 2012).

Ochna schweinfurthiana is widely distributed across tropical Africa, from Guinea and Mali in West Africa to Sudan in East Africa, and south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It is prevalent in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Preferred habitats include:

·       Deciduous Woodlands: Thrives in open woodlands with annual rainfall of 500–1,500 mm and temperatures of 20–30°C (Hyde et al., 2024).

·       Wooded Grasslands: Common in savanna ecosystems, particularly on rocky hillsides, scarps, and termite mounds, at altitudes of 750–2,100 meters (Flora of Zimbabwe, n.d.).

·       Disturbed Areas: Occurs along forest edges and in secondary growth areas, tolerating well-drained, sandy, or loamy soils with pH 5.5–7.0 (Plants of the World Online, n.d.).

Its adaptability to diverse ecological conditions contributes to its widespread distribution, though it may become invasive in some regions due to seed dispersal by birds (Bandi et al., 2012).

Ochna schweinfurthiana is extensively used in traditional African medicine, particularly in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Benin, for a range of ailments. Ethnopharmacological studies validate several traditional uses, highlighting its potential as a source of bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids. Key medicinal uses include:

·       Malaria Treatment: In northern Cameroon, pounded stem bark decoctions are used to treat malaria fever, supported by studies showing antiplasmodial activity of flavonoid-rich extracts (Kweyamba et al., 2019).

·       Wound Healing: Leaf, root, and stem bark extracts are applied as poultices or decoctions in Nigeria and Benin to promote wound healing, attributed to flavonoids and phenolic compounds with antimicrobial and tissue-regenerative properties (Adetutu et al., 2011).

·       Anti-inflammatory: In northern Nigeria, leaf infusions are used to alleviate pain and inflammation, validated by in vitro inhibition of 15-lipooxygenase and bovine serum albumin denaturation, linked to biflavonoids like amentoflavone and agathisflavone (Djova et al., 2019).

·       Antimicrobial: Stem and leaf extracts are used in Nigeria to treat bacterial and fungal infections, with studies confirming activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, due to flavonoids and terpenes (Danmusa et al., 2015).

·       Pain Management: In Cameroon, root decoctions are used for analgesic purposes, supported by antinociceptive properties of methanolic leaf extracts in animal models (Ya’u et al., 2020).

·       Fractures and Sprains: In Benin, stem bark is combined with other plants to treat fractures and sprains, with traditional healers citing its anti-inflammatory and tissue-repair properties (Favi et al., 2023).

Phytochemical analyses reveal a rich profile of flavonoids (e.g., amentoflavone, agathisflavone), glycosides, steroids, and terpenes, contributing to its pharmacological activities. However, limited clinical studies and potential cytotoxicity require cautious use (Djova et al., 2019; Ndongo et al., 2015).

⚠ Toxicity Profile: Limited data exist on the toxicity of Ochna schweinfurthiana, but preliminary studies suggest potential risks, particularly with prolonged or high-dose use. Key toxicity details include: Cytotoxicity: Ethyl acetate extracts from stem bark show cytotoxicity against cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells, with IC50 values of 10.0–20.7 μM for compounds like agathisflavone and amentoflavone, indicating potential toxicity to normal cells at high concentrations (Ndongo et al., 2015). Genotoxicity: Aqueous bark extracts exhibit no genotoxicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, suggesting low mutagenic risk, but further studies are needed (Djova et al., 2019). Human Risk: No direct human poisoning cases are reported, but traditional use in high doses or without proper preparation may cause adverse effects, particularly in pregnant women or individuals with liver conditions, due to flavonoid accumulation (Bandi et al., 2012). Precautions: Medicinal use should be supervised by trained practitioners. Avoid prolonged use or application on open wounds without dilution. Further toxicological studies are essential to establish a safety profile (Danmusa et al., 2015).

·       Ornamental: Cultivated for its bright yellow flowers and brick-red fruiting structures, used in gardens and as a bonsai species in Nigeria and South Africa (Bandi et al., 2012).

·       Dye Production: Stem bark and roots yield yellow to red dyes used in traditional textiles in Cameroon and Nigeria (Flora of Zimbabwe, n.d.).

·       Agri-horticulture: Planted as a hedge or boundary marker in rural Nigeria, aiding soil stabilization on rocky slopes (Hyde et al., 2024).

·       Firewood: Woody stems are used as fuel in rural communities, though less preferred due to its slow growth (Favi et al., 2023).

Bandi, A. K., Lee, D. U., Tih, R. G., Gunasekar, D., & Bodo, B. (2012). Phytochemical and biological studies of Ochna species. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 9(2), 251–271.

Danmusa, U. M., Nasir, I. A., Abdullahi, M. I., Ahmad, A. A., & Abdulkadir, I. S. (2015). Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activities of methanolic stem extracts of Ochna schweinfurthiana F.Hoffm. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research, 3(6), 171–182.

Djova, S. V., Nyegue, M. A., Messi, A. N., Afagnigni, A. D., & Etoa, F. X. (2019). Phytochemical study of aqueous extract of Ochna schweinfurthiana F. Hoffm powder bark and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and genotoxic properties. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, 8908343.

Favi, G. A., Bogninou, G. S. R., Dassou, G. H., Yehouenou, B. T., Houndjo, T. D. D., & Yedomonhan, H. (2023). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of fractures, wounds, and sprains in Atakora and Donga, northern Republic of Benin. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19, 48.

Flora of Zimbabwe. (n.d.). Ochna schweinfurthiana. Retrieved from https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=140320

Hyde, M. A., Wursten, B. T., Ballings, P., & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Ochna schweinfurthiana F.Hoffm. In Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved from https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=140320

Kweyamba, P. A., Zofou, D., Efange, N., Assob, J. N., Kitau, J., & Nyindo, M. (2019). In vitro and in vivo studies on anti-malarial activity of Commiphora africana and Dichrostachys cinerea used by the Maasai in Arusha region, Tanzania. Malaria Journal, 18, 1–10.

Ndongo, J. T., Issa, M. E., Messi, A. N., Mbing, J. N., Cuendet, M., Pegnyemb, D. E., & Bochet, C. G. (2015). Cytotoxic flavonoids and other constituents from the stem bark of Ochna schweinfurthiana. Natural Product Research, 29(17), 1684–1687.

Plants of the World Online. (n.d.). Ochna schweinfurthiana F.Hoffm. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:606774-1

Ya’u, A. J., Ibrahim, Y., Musa, A., & Abdullahi, M. A. (2020). Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ochna schweinfurthiana: A review. Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(6), 1–10.

Ochna schweinfurthiana - Wikipedia

Ochna schweinfurthiana - GBIF

Ochna schweinfurthiana - Plants of the World Online

Ochna schweinfurthiana - World Flora Online

Ochna schweinfurthiana - PlantBook

Ochna schweinfurthiana - PlantNet

Ochna schweinfurthiana - African Plants

• α-calacorene
• amentoflavone
• (+)-Epicatechin

Murtala Muhammad, Etal. (2023). Phytochemical analysis of Nigerian medicinal plants. NMPP-DB Project, Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil