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Scientific
Classification:
- Kingdom:
Plantae
- Clade:
Angiosperms
- Order:
Gentianales
- Family:
Apocynaceae
- Genus:
Picralima
- Species:
Picralima nitida (Stapf)
Synonyms:
- Tabernaemontana
nitida Stapf
- Picralima
klaineana Pierre
- Picralima
macrocarpa A.Chev.
Species
ID: NMP-292,NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 52846,wfo-0000273290 Common
Names: Osu abwa (Igbo, Nigeria - Ogwashi), Kakooli (Nzema,
Ghana), Dangne (Gbe-Fon, Dahomey), Ekuama (Vulgar, Ghana), Aboya (Akan-Asante,
Ivory Coast), Abere, Agege, Agege-arin, Erin (Yoruba, Nigeria), Kpete-kpetetcho
(Adangme, Ghana), Kahana (or Kakana) (Anyi-Sehwi, Ghana), Akuama, Onwenma,
Owema (Fante, Ghana), K-baba Pempe (Anyi, Ivory Coast), Akuama, Ekuama,
Atiridii (fever), O-kanwen, O-nwenma (Twi, Ghana), Krigbe (Kru-Guere, Ivory
Coast - Chiehn), Akuama, Ekuama, Kanwini, Nwenma (Akan-Asante, Ghana), Osu Igwe
(Igbo, Nigeria), Balunyi, Ninge-Exunye (Susu, Sierra Leone), Akuama, Owema,
Swenma (Kwawu, Ghana), Akuama, Ekuama, Akuamma, Kanwene, Panwe (Wasa, Ghana),
Ebissi (Abure, Ivory Coast). Local
Names:
- Yoruba:
"Abere"
- Igbo:
"Osi Igwe"
- Edo:
"Osu"
Basic
Description: Picralima nitida
is a deciduous tree or shrub found across tropical Africa. It typically grows
to a height of 9–22 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm.
- Leaves:
Simple, opposite, elliptical, or oblong with a glossy upper surface.
- Flowers:
White to yellow, fragrant, and arranged in terminal inflorescences.
- Fruits:
Large, oblong, green when unripe, turning yellow or orange when mature.
- Seeds:
Brown, hard, and surrounded by a soft, pulpy aril.
Distribution
and Habitat:
- Native
Range: West and Central Africa,
including Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Uganda, and Cameroon.
- Preferred
Habitat: Thrives in rainforests and
secondary forest regions, often found in humid, lowland tropical areas.
- Elevation
Range: Grows from sea level up to 1,200
meters.
Medicinal
Properties: Picralima nitida
has been used extensively in African traditional medicine. Below are its
primary medicinal applications: Antimalarial
Properties:
- The
seeds, bark, and roots are traditionally used for treating malaria and
fever.
- Active
Compounds: Indole alkaloids, particularly
akuammine and akuammidine, show antimalarial efficacy.
- Research
has confirmed the plant's effectiveness in inhibiting Plasmodium
falciparum.
Analgesic and
Anti-inflammatory Effects:
- The
seeds contain alkaloids such as akuammidine, which have analgesic
properties comparable to morphine.
- Traditionally
used to treat body pain, arthritis, and inflammatory conditions.
- Akuammine
also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cytokine
production.
Antimicrobial
Activity:
- Extracts
from seeds, bark, and leaves show broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects.
- Effective
against bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia
coli.
- Antifungal
activity has also been observed against species like Candida albicans.
Antidiabetic
Properties:
- The
seeds and leaves are used in managing diabetes in traditional medicine.
- Studies
indicate hypoglycemic effects, reducing blood glucose levels and enhancing
insulin sensitivity.
Antioxidant Activity:
- The
plant contains high levels of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which
scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
- This
activity supports its use in preventing degenerative diseases such as
cardiovascular disorders.
Gastroprotective
Effects:
- Traditionally
used to treat gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and ulcers.
- Alkaloids
like akuammine provide protection to the stomach lining and aid in
digestion.
Immune Modulation:
- Picralima
nitida extracts boost the immune system,
making the body more resistant to infections.
Known
Toxicity:
- Toxic
Alkaloids: Overuse or improper preparation
of the plant can result in adverse effects due to its potent alkaloids.
- Side
Effects: High doses may cause dizziness,
nausea, or sedation.
- Safety
Studies: The LD50 (lethal dose) in
experimental animals is relatively high, indicating moderate toxicity when
used appropriately.
- Recommendation:
Use under supervision by trained herbalists or healthcare professionals.
Additional
information: Traditional Herbal
Formulations:
- Used
in Nigeria to prepare "MAMA powder," an antimalarial herbal
remedy developed at Obafemi Awolowo University and approved by NAFDAC.
Cultural
Significance:
- In
some cultures, the seeds are worn as talismans for protection against evil
spirits.
Potential
Pharmaceutical Applications:
- The
bioactive alkaloids from Picralima nitida are being explored for
drug development, particularly in pain management and antimalarial
treatments.
Key Bioactive
Compounds:
- Akuammine:
Primary analgesic and antimalarial alkaloid.
- Akuammidine:
Exhibits potent pain-relief and antimicrobial effects.
- Pseudo-akuammigine:
Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
References: - Nigeria’s medicinal plants: Picralima
nitida (Abere). (2019, April 14). Punch Newspapers. Retrieved from https://punchng.com/nigerias-medicinal-plants-picralima-nitida-abere/
- Picralima nitida. (n.d.). In Useful
Tropical Plants. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Picralima+nitida
- Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand
& H. Durand. (n.d.). In Plants of the World Online. Retrieved from
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:81115-1
- Akuammine and Akuammidine: Potential
analgesic alkaloids. (2021). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Retrieved
from https://www.sciencedirect.com
- Traditional Medicine Practices in West
Africa. (2022). Springer Nature. Retrieved from https://www.springer.com
External links - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picralima
- https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Picralima+nitida
- https://www.gbif.org/species/3617063
- https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:81115-1
- https://journalejmp.com/index.php/EJMP/article/view/665
- https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-13-175
- https://plants.jstor.org/compilation/picralima.nitida
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