Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: a review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology

Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver have a long history of ethnomedicinal use in the management of various diseases in Africa. Due to the frequent use of its stem bark and roots in traditional phytotherapy, the species is getting threatened in its distributional ranges. The current review was sought to document information on the ethnobotany, phytochemicals and pharmacology of different parts of A. coriaria , so as to highlight the gaps thereof for future studies. Data retrieved revealed that medicinal uses of A. coriaria have been reported for both human and veterinary ailments. Though the bark is the most commonly used, different parts of the plant are used to prepare herbal remedies for treatment of malignancies, odontological, dermatological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, central nervous system infections/conditions and ailments. Preliminary phytochemical screening has indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenes, cardiac glycosides and steroids as the major secondary metabolites in the stem bark and leaves. Like for other Albizia species, at least six triterpenoidal saponins have been characterized in organic extracts of A. coriaria stem bark and roots . Extracts and some pure compounds from A. coriaria stem bark, leaves and roots have exhibited antiproliferative (cytotoxic), antiplasmodial, molluscicidal, antigiardial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Further research should evaluate pharmacological properties such as antisnake venom, aphrodisiac, antiviral and antimycobacterial activities of the different parts of A. coriaria claimed in traditional folklore. In-depth studies on the pharmacokinetics, in vivo and clinical research utilizing extracts and isolated compounds from A. coriaria are required.