Genus Detarium: Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile

The genus Detarium (Fabiaceae, Sub family Caesalpiniaceae) is indigenous to Africa.
In west Africa the genus is represented by 8 species, however only 3 species D.
macrocarpum, D. microcarpum and D. senegalense are of ethnomedicinal and pharmacological
interest. These three species are morphologically similar, but tend to
vary in regional distribution. Detarium species are widely and commonly used in
traditional medicine in the treatment of diverse ailments, including, fever, malaria,
bronchitis, convulsions, diabetes, microbial infections, etc. Some pharmacological
studies have been carried out to authenticate some of these claims. Phytoconstituents
with biological activities have been isolated from the genus. Among the
identified compounds include, flavenes, polysaccharides, clerodane diterpenes, dihydroclerodane
diterpenes, tetranoditerpenes, anthocyanidin alkaloids, as well as other
secondary metabolites. This paper reviews the comprehensive information on the
ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities of the
genus Detarium.The genus Detarium (Fabiaceae, Sub family Caesalpiniaceae) is indigenous to Africa.
In west Africa the genus is represented by 8 species, however only 3 species D.
macrocarpum, D. microcarpum and D. senegalense are of ethnomedicinal and pharmacological
interest. These three species are morphologically similar, but tend to
vary in regional distribution. Detarium species are widely and commonly used in
traditional medicine in the treatment of diverse ailments, including, fever, malaria,
bronchitis, convulsions, diabetes, microbial infections, etc. Some pharmacological
studies have been carried out to authenticate some of these claims. Phytoconstituents
with biological activities have been isolated from the genus. Among the
identified compounds include, flavenes, polysaccharides, clerodane diterpenes, dihydroclerodane
diterpenes, tetranoditerpenes, anthocyanidin alkaloids, as well as other
secondary metabolites. This paper reviews the comprehensive information on the
ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities of the
genus Detarium.