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The sausage tree (<em>Kigelia pinnata</em>): ethnobotany and recent scientific work
Abstract
Kigelia pinnata (Bignoniaceae), colloquially called the Sausage Tree, or Worsboom,
on account of its large fruits, has a variety of medicinal uses throughout
Africa where it grows as an endemic species in many areas. Chemical examination
has resulted in the isolation of iridoids and naphthoquinoids as important
secondary metabolites but flavonoids and lignans have also been isolated. Investigation
into the biological activity of K. pinnata has focussed on its antibacterial
activity and its cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines. These are related
to the traditional uses of bark and fruit extracts for treating diseases caused
by micro-organisms and as a remedy for skin cancer. The iridoids and naphthoquinones
have been shown to display antibacterial activity and also the ability to inhibit
the growth of yeasts. Considerable in vitro cytotoxicity has been demonstrated
by extracts of the fruits and barks and the iridoid-related compound norviburtinal
and the naphthoquinone isopinnatal have been shown to be two of the compounds
responsible. Although little ethnopharmacological evidence exists, the naphthoquinones
are active against several protozoal species associated with disease. The compounds
also show cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines. More research is needed
to investigate further the reputed effects on the skin of extracts of this
plant.
South African Journal of Botany 2002, 68: 14–20
on account of its large fruits, has a variety of medicinal uses throughout
Africa where it grows as an endemic species in many areas. Chemical examination
has resulted in the isolation of iridoids and naphthoquinoids as important
secondary metabolites but flavonoids and lignans have also been isolated. Investigation
into the biological activity of K. pinnata has focussed on its antibacterial
activity and its cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines. These are related
to the traditional uses of bark and fruit extracts for treating diseases caused
by micro-organisms and as a remedy for skin cancer. The iridoids and naphthoquinones
have been shown to display antibacterial activity and also the ability to inhibit
the growth of yeasts. Considerable in vitro cytotoxicity has been demonstrated
by extracts of the fruits and barks and the iridoid-related compound norviburtinal
and the naphthoquinone isopinnatal have been shown to be two of the compounds
responsible. Although little ethnopharmacological evidence exists, the naphthoquinones
are active against several protozoal species associated with disease. The compounds
also show cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines. More research is needed
to investigate further the reputed effects on the skin of extracts of this
plant.
South African Journal of Botany 2002, 68: 14–20
