Terminalia superba
|
|
Terminalia superba Common Names: Limba, White Afara, Korina, Frake,
Superb Terminalia, Congo Walnut Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Order: Myrtales Family: Combretaceae Genus: Terminalia Species: T. superba Binomial Name: Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels Synonyms: Terminalia altissima A.Chev. Morphological Description Terminalia superba, commonly known as Limba or Superb Terminalia, is a large
deciduous tree typically growing to 30–60 m in height, with exceptional
specimens reaching 70 m. It is characterized by: · Trunk: Straight, cylindrical, up to 1.5–2 m in diameter, often with
prominent buttresses at the base, bark grey to brownish, peeling in strips · Crown: Domed or flat, spreading up to 20–30 m wide, branchless for
up to 30 m of its height · Leaves: Simple, alternate, oblong to elliptic (8–12 cm long, 4–6 cm
wide), dark green, shedding November to February · Flowers: Small, whitish to pale yellow (0.5–1 cm in diameter),
fragrant, borne in terminal spikes (10–15 cm long), appearing late dry season · Fruit: Two-winged samaras (3–5 cm long, 1–2 cm wide), green turning
brown, wind-dispersed, maturing post-rainy season The tree’s towering
stature and light-colored wood make it a standout in West African forests and
plantations. Distribution and Habitat Terminalia superba is native to West Tropical Africa, ranging from Guinea Bissau
and Sierra Leone east to the Democratic Republic of Congo and south to Angola.
It has been introduced to Uganda, Tanzania, Malaysia, and Brazil for timber
plantations. It thrives in: · Habitats: Deciduous and semi-deciduous forests, secondary forests, riverine
zones, and forest gaps · Climate: Wet tropical biomes, with rainfall of 1,200–3,000 mm
annually, temperatures of 22–32°C · Soil Conditions: Well-drained loamy or sandy soils (pH
5.5–7.0), tolerating moderate drought As a pioneer species, it
regenerates rapidly in disturbed areas, making it valuable for reforestation
(Orwa et al., 2009). Ethnopharmacology Terminalia superba is widely used in West African traditional medicine, with
ethnopharmacological studies validating its applications: Terminalia superba, commonly known as white
afara, limba, or fraké, is a tropical hardwood tree native to West and Central
Africa and has several traditional medicinal applications. Various parts of the
plant have been used in African ethnomedicine to treat ailments such as fever,
dysentery, wounds, cough, bronchitis, and malaria. Phytochemical screening of
T. superba extracts has revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids,
tannins, saponins, phenolics, and terpenoids, which are associated with its
biological activities. Scientific studies have demonstrated its antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. For instance,
extracts from the bark and leaves have shown effectiveness against bacterial
and fungal pathogens in laboratory conditions. Additionally, its antioxidant
properties are believed to contribute to its traditional use in managing
inflammatory conditions and oxidative stress-related disorders. Despite its
traditional use, there is limited toxicity data, and further pharmacological
and clinical studies are necessary to validate and standardize its therapeutic
use. · Antimicrobial: Bark extracts inhibit *Staphylococcus aureus* and
*Escherichia coli* (MIC 0.019–0.039 mg/mL), used in Ghana for wounds and
infections (Kuete et al., 2010). · Anti-inflammatory: Leaf decoctions reduce inflammation · Antidiabetic: Stem bark methanol extracts show α-glucosidase inhibition
(IC₅₀ 5.2 µM), used in Côte d'Ivoire for diabetes (Zhang et al., 2019). · Trypanocidal: Ethanol root extracts reduce *Trypanosoma brucei*
parasitemia in mice, a remedy for sleeping sickness in Cameroon (Antia et al.,
2009). · Expectorant/Diuretic: Bark and leaf infusions treat cough and
urinary issues in Mali. ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Safe in traditional doses (LD₅₀ > 5,000 mg/kg
in rats for bark extracts), with no significant human toxicity reported. High
doses may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in animal models; sawdust
inhalation may irritate respiratory tracts due to silica. Use under guidance is
recommended (Antia et al., 2009). Phytochemistry The plant’s medicinal
properties are attributed to a rich phytochemical profile: · Tannins: Gallotannins and ellagitannins provide astringent and
antimicrobial effects · Phenolics: Gallic acid and methyl gallate exhibit glycosidase
inhibition and antioxidant activity · Flavonoids: Quercetin supports anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
properties · Terpenoids: Triterpenes contribute to trypanocidal and anti-inflammatory
benefits · Saponins: Enhance diuretic and expectorant actions These compounds,
identified via HPLC-MS, underpin its therapeutic potential (Zhang et al.,
2019). Additional Uses · Timber: Light (white limba) or dark-striped (black limba) wood
(density 550–650 kg/m³) used for furniture, musical instruments (e.g., guitar
bodies), and plywood · Dyeing: Bark yields a yellow dye for textiles and fibers in Nigeria · Ecological: Shade tree in cocoa, coffee, and banana plantations; aids
reforestation and soil stabilization · Fodder: Leaves occasionally browsed by livestock in dry seasons References
External Links More Pictures |
|
| Compounds of Terminalia superba |
|
| References |