Medicinal trees; Warburgia salutaris, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, Cassia abbreviata, and Zahna africana for long have been considered important sources of antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for medical...
moreMedicinal trees; Warburgia salutaris, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, Cassia abbreviata, and Zahna africana for long have been considered important sources of antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for medical importance by natives of Tanzania. The primary objective of this study was to assess and document the bioactive ingredient/ compounds found in prioritized medicinal plant species that are commonly used in Tanzania. A systematic review utilizing meta-analysis approach was used to obtain pertinent information based on the selected medicinal trees. Reasonable amount of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, terpenes, volatile oils and organic acids were commonly reported by reviewed studies. Z. chalybeum possessed phytochemical compounds alkaloids that combat malaria and microorganism infections. The terpenes and phenolics in W. salutaris were sufficiently reported and the tree was used as an antimalarial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and being tested for anti-viral activity. C. abbreviata (long pod cassia) had less reported information on the presence of phytochemicals. The cassinidin A and B, and tannin in C. abbreviata functioned as malaria parasite cytological inhibitors, and acted against bacterial and fungal infections. Compounds in Z. africana were found as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacteria and anti-fungi. The secondary compounds zanha saponins were less reported for their anti-malaria active function.
