Biophytum petersianum Klotzsch [OXALIDACEAE]

Local name: Nieleni tulotugu and Djutuguni. This is a slender annual herb with stems up to 25 cm long, and the leaves in a terminal crown. The plant is growing throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Madagascar. B. petersianum (syn. Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC) is recognized as a plant traditionally used in medicine. In Congo it is used as a sedative, in Nigeria for stomach-ache, wounds and urinary stone. In Malian traditional medicine it is used in the treatment of malaria, fever, wounds, and different types of skin disorders. It has previously been reported that crude extracts from B. petersianum exert hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects in rodents. The study demonstrated that a 50% ethanolic extract of the aerial parts stimulated corticosterone and aldosterone secretion from perifused rat adrenal glands. The plant has undergone certain investigations on the low molecular weight bioactive compounds, and different types of polyphenolic compounds have been isolated. These compounds have been reported to influence the COX-1/COX-2 system, and exert insulinotropic and hypoglycaemic effects in rat. In addition, aqueous and methanol extracts of the aerial parts have shown anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. Written by Kari Inngjerdingen

Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G.Don) Benth. [RUBIACEAE]

Local name: Balembo. Plant fruits are used for the production of Improved Traditional Medicine "Syrup Balembo" for adults and children.Monography of C. febrifuga, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here.

Cochlospermum tinctorium A. Rich [COCHLOSPERMACEAE]

Local name: N'tiribara. This is a plant of widespread occurence in the savannah and scrub land throughout the drier parts of the West African region. The plant has been reported to be used as traditional medicine in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali. The roots are the most frequently used parts of the plant and traditionally they are used in the treatment of various types of illnesses. Malaria, jaundice or liverish fevers are reported as the main indications. In Mali the roots are also widely used against gastric ulcer and as a remedy for improving gastrointestinal health.
A hot water extract, essential oils and an ethanolic fraction of C. tinctorium roots have shown antimalarial activities. A coumaryl derivative, an alphitolic acid and a related betulinic acid has been identified as antiplasmodial compounds. In a search for potential new disinfectants or antiseptics, C. tinctorium was regarded as a promising candidate as the EtOH extract inhibited viral replication of Herpex simplex virus type I in vitro. Another study has shown anti-bacterial (E. coli) and anti-fungal (Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus) effects by two apocarotenoids (cochloxanthin and dihydrocochloxanthin) from the roots. MeOH, EtOH and aqueous extracts of the roots have shown anti-hepatotoxic activities. An arjunolic acid isolated from C. tinctorium roots showed inhibitory effects on carcinogenesis in mouse skin. A polysaccharide enriched hot water extract has shown anti-ulcer activity in mice, and several pectic arabinogalactan fraction isolated from this extract have shown immunomodulating effects.
Written by Cecilie Sogn Nergård

Cola cordifolia (Cav.) R.Br. [STERCULIACEAE]

Local name: N'tabanogo. This is a large tree up to 15–25 m high and grows on the savannah in Senegal to Mali, with a short buttressed trunk, low-branching with a dense crown. It is often used as a ornamental plant and to give shade. It was identified as a woundhealing remedy in 1998, and after this field work three more has been conducted in 2003, 2007 and 2008. The results from this work indicate that this plant is used against fever, diarrhoeae, pain and differnt types of wounds. Some interesing pectin like polysaccharides has been isolated and the immunomodulary activity of these is currently beeing studied. Written by Ingvild Austarheim

Combretum glutinosum Perr. ex DC [COMBRETACEAE]

Local name: Cangara. This is a tree growing in the Sahel region and that can reach up to 14 m. It may also grow like a bush. The leaves of the tree are thick and have leather like texture being sticky on the upper surface, and almost white and hairy on the underside. This plant also produce small leaves of a different shape and texture on the same plant. In West Africa this is one of the most used medicinal plants and is in some regions said that it is the plant that never disappoints. Traditional uses reported are as a diuretic, a cholagogue, against bronchitis, severe cough, cold, stomach spasms and treatment of wounds. The leaves are also reported to be used against metroragi, gonorrhea and syncope . Relatively little research has been perfomed on this tree despite its frequent use over whole West Africa. A water extract of the leaves was shown to have antitussive effect when tested on guineapigs. A dose of 1g/kg animal of the freezedried water extract gave similar effect as a dose of 100 mg codein per kg animal. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Diospyros abyssinica (Hiern) F.White [EBENACEAE]

Local name: Kôforonto and Baforonto. This is a high tree (up to 35 m) which is widely dispersed in Africa. In Mali the tree is located in the southern part, especially in the Sikasso-area. Diospyros species is widely used in traditional medicine, but few studies of the traditional use of D. abyssinica have been done. In Malian traditional medicine the tree is used in the treatment of several diseases. In the Dioila area in Mali, the decoction of leaves is used against malaria and in wound healing, the roots against dysentery. Extracts of the root bark have been reported to show activity both as radical scavengers and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors. This may be due to the presence of phenolic substances (bergenin and flavanols). The triterpenoids betulin, betulinic acid and lupeol have been isolated from the stem bark. All of these are known anti-inflammatory compounds. The two bisnaphtoquinones diospyrin and isodiospyrin have been isolated from the bark of D. abyssinica. They are known to exhibit activities against protozoan parasites. They have also shown inhibitory activities against murine tumors in vivo and inhibition of blood platelet aggregation. Written by Kristin Odlo

Erythrina senegalensis A.rich [FABACEAE]

Local name: N'té. E. senegalensis, is a tree in the pea family. It is 5-15 m tall and grows in West-African tropical and sub-tropical areas from Senegal to Cameroon. It is a plant that is used in traditional medicine to cure several diseases. In 2005 and 2007, surveys were performed in three different regions in Mali (West Africa). The results showed that this plant is mainly used against amenorrhea, but also against different types of infections. Literature search shows that the anti microbial activity of this plant has beenextencively investigated and that this effect can explain the traditional use of the plant. However, when compared with the local knowledge, the literature data are far from giving confirmation of all the activities claimed for this plant. Several traditional uses are still to be explored both in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Written by Adiaratou Togola and Ingvild Austarheim

Entada africana - Guill. & Perrott. [FABACEAE]

Local name: Samanèrè.This tree is used in traditional medicine for various types of illnesses and leaves, stem bark and root of the tree are used. E. africana is used in Mali as a medicinal plant against fever, including the type of fever caused by malaria. Based on our primary ethnobotanical field research with healers in Mali, various uses were attributed to the tree related to anti-inflammatory effects, like hepato-protective and woundhealing. A decoction of the roots is drunk for the treatment of hepatitis. Decoction of the root or the bark is also used to wash wounds and a powder of the same plant parts is applied topically as a wound healer. The leaves are also used as wounddressings to prevent suppuration. The juice of the fresh root or the bark is also used for its hemostatic properties. An infusion of the leaves or of the bark is taken as a tonic in the areas of northern Nigeria and Ghana. In Guinea-Bissau, the roots are used for treating wounds. Reports from Senegal mention various uses of E. africana as a medicinal plant. In Senegal the tree is used as a decoction of roots and the trunk bark as an anti-poison remedy; a macerate of the bark against bronchitis and cough; as an antiseptic andas a wound-healing agent. Roots are also known as a ‘fortifier’, diuretic, and as anti-gonococci an anti-syphilitic agents. The tree yields a gum, which content varies depending on the place of origin. It is reported that it may consist of 10% tragacanth and 90% water-soluble polymers of the gum arabic type. Rotenone and tannins are also present, and these compounds have been shown to have antiseptic, astringent, haemostatic and anti-parasitic properties, which may partly explain the use of the gum for wound-dressing and on sores and psoriasis. The seeds are also used in treating wounds, sore, skin-eruptions, rheumatism, cataract, fevers and dysentery.The leaves are commonly used for their pharmacological properties. These are as a vulnerary, haemostatic and antiseptic on wounds, sore and skin-infections; as an emetic administrated as an antidote in food-poisoning; as a tonic and stomachic; as an abortifacient; as an antipyretic and for rheumatism. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Glinus oppositifolius (.) Aug. DC [AIZOACEAE]

Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC. (Aizoaceae) has also been described under the names Mollugo spergula L. or Mollugo oppositifolia L. The plant is a slender spreading or ascending annual herb, and the stems can get 40 cm high. The leaves are opposed two by two, but they seem verticillate by three to five according to the development of axial leaves. The plant grows on damp sandy sites, occurring across West Africa from Senegal to South Nigeria, and is widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics generally. In Mali the plant can be found in the Gourma, Dire, Hauossa areas and in the region near Lac Horo. In Mali, aerial parts of G. oppositifolius is used for treating abdominal pain and jaundice. Fresh leaves are reported to be used against dizziness and to stimulate the appetite. The plant has also been reported used against joint pains, inflammation, diarrhoea, intestinal parasite, fever, malaria, furuncles, skin disorders and wounds. G. oppositifolius has previously been shown to possess antimalarial activity by its triterpenoid saponins. A DCM-extract was reported to have fungicidal activity by inhibition against Candida albicans and larvicidal activity against Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. A molluscicide effect has been obtained by MeOH and DCM extracts on three types of snails, Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncates. Written by Kari Inngjerdingen

Lannea velutina A. Rich [ANACARDIACEAE]

Local name: Bakoro m'pégu. L. velutina is a shrub or tree 15 m high of the wooded savanna from Senegal to Ghana. The leaves are very fluffy, pubescent (hairy) on top and with dense tomenta on the lower surface.  Lannea species are native to Tropical Africa. Some Lannea species yield timber that is used locally; others are employed for a variety of purposes in indigenous medicine. The roots and bark are recorded to be used against diarrhoea and for treatment of rachitic children and strained muscles. In the Ivory Coast the bark is used for treatment of diarrhoea, oedema, paralysis, epilepsy, and insanity. In Mali L. velutina is used in treatments for chest pain, gastric ulcer, wounds, skin diseases, respiratory tract diseases and fever. The bark is rich in proanthocyanidines witch may explain its anti-diarrhoeal activity. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen and Karl E. Malterud

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. [MIMOSACEAE]

Local name: Nere. Parkia biglobosa is a tree being up to 20 m high, bole stout, not buttressed, low-branching, bearing a large wide-spreading crown, deciduous, flowering while leafless; flowers in pendulous capitula bearing also pendulous, large fruit pods; of the Soudanian/Guinean savannah and transition woodland, from Senegal and on into southern Sudan.The bark-infusion is taken in Kordofanan in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and South-East Nigeria as a tonic and anti-diarrhoetic. The bark is commonly sold in herbalist shops in the western part of the Region for the analgesic action it confers in mouthwashes and steam-inhalations for toothache. A red colour is imparted to the mouth while the saponins in the bark contribute asepsis. In Casmance, Senegal, the bark has wide usage: alone for female sterility, baths and by draughts, and similarly administrated in prescription with other drug-plants for skin-infections and leprosy, and for blennorrhoea. Fula and Tukulor people of Senegal drink a decoction against Schistosoma infection. In Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso the pounded bark with lemon juice added is applied to sores and ulcers; a decoction is considered anti-rachitic, tonic and febrifugal; and it is one of 32 other plants in a complex prescription used in the Kaya region for leprosy. Our work on this plant will start in 2009. Written by Tom Erik Grønhaug

Opilia celtidifolia Endl. [OPILIACEAE]

Local name: Korogow. This is a woody climber, spreading, heavily-branched shrub or tree up to 10 m high, which grows in fringing forest and savannah, often on anthills. It is widespread from Senegal to Nigeria and dispersed over the drier parts of tropical Africa. A decoction of the leaves is used against fever in Ivory Coast. In Senegal a decoction is used as a gargle for dental abscesses, to treat oedema and as a general stimulant. The plant has internal and external use; against leprosy, acting as a purgative, and leaves reduced to ash are used against headache. The plant is said to have a violent action on the digestion system, and the stem and root are anthelmintic. Pectins isolated from this plant shows are highly potent an a various bioassays. Currently this plant is beeing investigated further in our lab. Written by Tom Erik Grønhaug

Syzygium guineense D.C. [MYRTACEAE]

Local name: Kofing. This is a flowering tree growing wild in sub-Sahara all the way from West Africa across to the eastern areas near rivers as well as in southern regions of Africa. A decoction of its leaves have in traditional Malian medicine as well as in Senegal and  Sierra Leone been used for the treatment of wounds, ulcers and infections. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Trichilia emetica Vahl. [MELIACEAE]

Local name: Sula fizan. T. emetica has many different uses in traditional medicine, but the main indication is as a wound healing remedy. Some of these wounds can be connected to infested wounds, phagedenic ulcer or cancerous wounds. Powder of the grounded roots also is used against cirrhosis, onchocerca, ascaris, stomach-aches and dysmenorrhoea. This powder mixed with milk is used as a purgative and a poison antidote, and mixed with honey it is used against asthma. The powder mixed with lukewarm water is used for vomiting. The macerate or decoction of the root bark is used to make women fecund, against hepatitis, gastric affections, fever and as an antiepileptic. The powder of the stem bark is traditionally used against fever, cough, bronchial trouble, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and for dressings on injuries. The bark is also used against troubles associated with the stomach such as gastritis, hepatitis, internal tumour and ulcer.  The leaves are used in decoctions against scabies, malaria, wounds, hypertension, weak children, burns, intestinal parasites, cutaneous or mouth infections; in infusion against rheumatism and lumbago. This plant is rich in hydrolyzable tannins. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. [COMBRETACEAE]

Local name: Woloba. This tree has traditionally been said to have antimicrobial effect and based on this had several uses. In Mali a decoct of Terminalia macroptera and Angeissus leiocarpa  is used to give a yellow to ochre colour to cotton material. This is then said to have an antimicrobial effect. This material is then used for boys and girls just after circumcision to avoid infection. In Guinea Bissau Terminalia macroptera has traditionally been used against malaria. It is primarily the root bark that has been used as a decoction, both for drinking and for bathing the body. The leaves are said to have effect against gastritis, colic and high blood pressure. The roots have also been used as a tonic and astringent as a diuretic agent and as an aphrodisiac. They have also been used against weakness, depression, cough, ichterus, syphilis and urinary infections. Wounds, snakebites, skin diseases, diarrhea, dysentery, tuberculosis and hemorrhoids are other ailments they are used against. The bark on the tree has been used against colic and  toothache. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Vernonia kotschyana Sch. Bip. ex Walp. [ASTERACEAE]

Local name: Boye. The roots of this plant is frequently used in Mali as a remedy for gastric ulcer and stomac pain. Department of traditional medicine makes the improved traditional medicine "Gastrosedal" that is sold and used everywhere in Mali. Monography of V. kotschyana, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here. This plant is beeng further investigated in our laboratory by Kari Inngjerdingen and Ingvild Austarheim.

Ximenia americana L. [OLACACEAE]

Local name: N'tonkè. This is a very variable shrubby tree up to 5 m high. It is often semi-parasitic, with strong thorns, or thornless, in savannah. The tree grows from Senegal to West Cameroon and is also widely dispersed in tropical Africa, America and Asia. X. americana is well known for its medicinal properties, and all parts of the tree are used. In Mali wounds are treated with a wash with a decoction of leaves or a combination of a wash with a decoction of bark and applying powdered bark is to the wounds.The pulverised bark and roots are used in West Africa for epidermal troubles like ulcers, craw-craw, ringworm, sores, etc. Powdered bark is deemed to be a good cleansing agent. Tenda in Casamance, Senegal, soak infected feet in boiled water with crushed bark and salt and bind them in cloth overnight, and then dead skin will be sloughed off. Root-bark is put into febrifugal medicines in Casamance, Senegal, and the plant is used against schistosomiasis in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.Our work on this plant will start in 2009, based on traditional knowledge.Written by Tom Erik Grønhaug

Acmella oleraceae L. [ASTERACEAE]

Local name: Farimani. (Synonyms Spilanthes oleracea and Spilanthes acmella). This plant is known under the name ”toothache plant”. Both the leaves and the flowerheads contain the compound spilanthol which is known as an analgesic compound being responsible for the numb feeling when applies on toothache.  Spilanthol is an alkylamide, and several compounds belonging to this class of compounds have been found in the plant. Traditionally a decoction or infusion is made of flowers and leaves against toothache, throat soreness and stomatitis. It is also said to have diuretic effect.  Spilanthol has also been shown to be effective in killing mosquitoes and their larvae. The flowers of the plant are in Mali used as one of the plant parts present in the ITM ”Malarial” being used against malaria, and it is said (not yet proven) that spilanthol is the active ingredient against malaria. A recent patent application describes an anti-wrincle activity of spilanthol. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Argemone mexicana L. [PAPAVERACEAE]

Local name: Bozobo and Sayi kala. Argemone mexicana, also called mexican poppy is native to Mexico and North America, and is now grown in many countries due to its interesting properties. In Mali this plant is used by the traditional healers to treat malaria. The oil from the seeds is also used for the treatment of  jaundice, dropsy and certain skin diseases. The oil has been shown to contain the alkaloids sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine. The plant itself contains the alkaloids berberine and protopine. Due to the content of the alkaloids, the oil is characterized as non-edible, but strangely, in Ethiopia the oil is used on the cooking plate used for making the local bread injera. The seed have a look and taste as mustard seeds and have thus been mistaken for mustard seed, causing severe poisoning. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Cassia occidentalis L. [CAESALPINACEAE]

Local name: Mpalampalan. This plant is in english called "coffee senna" or "negro coffee". The plant is a annual herb and it is basically the seeds that have been used for medicinal purposes.  They contain different types of anthraquinones, amongst these rhein and aloe emodin, and also the polysaccharide galactomannan.  Traditionally the powder of the seeds is applied on skin diseases as well as wounds. The seeds are also used as a bitter agent or tonic and as a purgative, i.e. as a laxative that can be attributed to the presence of the antraquinones. The dried leaves are in Mali used as one of the plant parts present in the ITM ”Malarial”. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Cassia italica (Mill.) Lam. ex F.W. Ander [FABACEAE]

Local name: Balibali. This is the main ingredient of the Improved traditional medicine "Laxa-cassia". This tree has been shown to contain anthraquinones, substances known to have laxative properties. Its effect has been shown in in vivo animal studies. Traditionally people in Mali use this against constipation. Monography of C. italica, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here.Written by Karl Egil Malterud

Combretum micranthum G. Don [COMBRETACEAE]

Local name: N'golobè. The true "Kinkeliba". The leaves are used for the production of the Improved Traditional Medicine "Hepatisane" used in the symptomatic treatment of hepatic insufficiency, in colds, in hepatitis and dyspepsia and constipation. Monography of C. micranthum, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here.

Euphorbia hirta L. [EUPHORBIACEAE]

Local name: Demba sindji. Plant aerial parts are used for the production of Improved Traditional Medicine "Dysenteral" used in the treatment of constipation.

Monography of E. hirta, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here.

Guiéra senegalensis J. F. Gmel [COMBRETACEAE]

Local name: Kundjè. This is an important West African medicinal plant and has a frequent use in Mali as well. One of the main uses is to treat infections of different kinds. The leaf is the plant part most frequently used as extracts of these have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity as shown by various in vitro studies. The leaves as well as the roots have been shown to contain various alkaloids of the harmantype. They have been shown to have interesting antiplasmodial activity that was associated with low cytotoxicity. A compound of naphthylbutenone type had a strong antiplasmodial as well as cytotoxic activity towards human monocytes. Written by Berit Smestad Paulsen

Lippia chevalerii Hoscht [VERBENACEAE]

Local name: Nganiba. The false "Kinkeliba". This plant is used as a coffee substitute in many West African countries including Mali. A decoction of the leaves gives a dark colored water extract, and the taste is pleasant but do not reminde you too much of real coffee. It is also one of the components of the improved traditional medicine "Malarial".

Monography of L. chevalierii, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here.

Psorospermum guineense Hochr [CLUSIACEAE]

Local name: Karidiakuma. The roots are used for the production of Improved Traditional Medicine "Psorospermine ointment" to treat skin affections.

Monography of P. guineense, written by Dr. Rokia Sanogo, is found here.