Aphloia Theiformis (Vahl.) Benn.: A Plant with Various Therapeutic Properties

Abstract

Aphloia theiformis (Vahl.) Benn. is an evergreen medicinal plant possessing multiple therapeutic virtues. Traditional use of the plant among folk populations of Madagascar, Comoros Island, Mascarenes Islands, Seychelles Archipelago, and tropical Africa was geared towards the management of dysentery, fever, rheumatism, ulcers, jaundice, gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, cataract, and diabetes mellitus. Multiple lines of evidence from the literature appraise the biological activities of Aphloia theiformis. Recent in vitro studies support the inhibitory action of Aphloia theiformis methanol leaves extract on key enzymes related to diabetes, obesity, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney stone formation. Such findings have led to the identification of mangiferin. Aphloia theiformis was also reported to possess anti-malaria, anti-Chikungunya, and “anti-aging” properties. The present monograph tries to comprehensively establish the ethnopharmacological uses, biological activities, as well as the botanical description of Aphloia theiformis. It is expected that this comprehensive monograph will support further scientific studies in order to validate other traditional use of Aphloia theiformis, hence opening avenues for the development of novel therapeutic entities.