Warburgia Ugandensis: A Review of Compounds and Bioactivity

Abstract

Warburgia species (Canellaceae) are traditionally used to treat a wide range of illnesses including stomach ache, diarrhea, abdominal pains, toothache, oral thrush, venereal diseases, cold and cough, fever, muscle pains, weak joints, skin diseases, malaria, parasitic infections and snake bite. Therapeutic properties of medicinal plants have been linked to the secondary metabolites which are biosynthesized by the plants. The aim of this study was to review the bioactivities and chemical composition of Warburgia ugandensis. The findings from this study show that extracts from the plant have antifungal, antibacterial, antiulcer, insect antifeedant, molluscicidal, antimycobacterial, antileishmanial and anti-plasmoidal effects. The most investigated part of W. ugandensis is the stem bark (22 articles) followed by leaves (15), root bark (6), seeds (2) and fruits (2). All parts the plant have important bioactivities. Sixty nine compounds have been reported from the plant including sesquiterpenes (43), flavonoids (15), lignanamides, and macrocyclic glycosides (10) and fatty acid (1) some of which have demonstrated different bioactivities. The drimane sesquiterpenes are the main class of sesquiterpenes in the plant. The Further investigation of the not well studied parts of the plant such as the flowers and fruits is recommended to determine their chemical composition and efficacy in disease management.