A Review on Adansonia digitata: An African Tree

 

Ganesh R Bharskar

Department of Pharmacy, Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy, Pravaranagar

 

Abstract:

Adansonia digitata native to Africa, also found in India belongs to Bombacaceae family. Every part of the plant should be edible. Baobab is older than 4000 years. Adansonia digitata consists of various phytochemical constituents identified from various parts which are vitamin-C, steroids, flavonoids, epicatechin, campesterol, amino acid etc. It is used in the treatment of bronchial asthma, dermatitis, sickle cell anemia, diuretic, anti-diabetic, diarrhoea, dysentery, laxative, hiccough in children, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidote for poison, anti-trypanosome uses. The present article summarizes the review of phytochemical, pharmacological activity.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Adansonia digitata is a native deciduous tree of African savannas belongs to Bombacaceae family, the bombax or kapok family. African baobab also known as dead rat tree, Ethiopian sour gourd, Judas’s bag, lemonade tree, monkey bread tree, monkey tamarind, Senegal calabash, and upside-down tree, there are 8 species of ad Adansonia genus.¹ Adansonia digitata a curious shaped, medium sized, deciduous tree. Native to tropical Africa, baobab trees are bizarre in appearance with grotesquely swollen trunks the tree is usually massive, with a barrel like trunks. That may reach a diameter of 9 meter; few trees are tall as 25 meters. Baobab generally produce leaves during the rainy season and shed their foliage during the dry season to reduce moisture loss, the tree produces large white flowers these hang down on long stalks. Fruit of the baobab large gourd like with velvety skin also hang down by long stalks. Leaves and fruits are eaten, commonly used as medicine. phyto chemical investigation revealed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Adansonia digitata has numerous medicinal and non-medicinal uses. Every part of the tree is reported to be very useful. The tree is named as: “The small pharmacy or chemist tree” for the reason that all parts like the leaves, bark and fruits, seeds are used as foodstuffs and medicines. It is used in scurvy related diseases, laxative purpose. antidiabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti- trypanosomal activities Up to 21 meter in height and spreading branches, bark – smooth grayish, often with purplish tinge (or) brown, leaves digitate, leaflets 3 in young plants 5(or) 7 in older plants. 5cm×12.5cm obviates oblong (or) lanceolate; flowers solitary, one of the longest-lived trees of the world. It can tolerate well high temperature upto 40-42°C. The tender roots, tubers, twigs, fruits, seeds, leaves and flowers are all edible and they are common ingredients in traditional dishes in rural areas in Africa.^2–4

 

History^5–7:

Adansonia native to Africa, also native to Madagascar and Australia. There are 8 species of baobab trees (of the genus adansonia), 6 natives to Madagascar, one in Australia, and one in Africa. The genus name Adansonia is used in honour of Michel Adanson (1727–1806) who brought seeds to Paris in 1754 and who was the first person to provide a comprehensive description accompanied by a drawing of the plant after a trip to West Africa (Senegal). Its growth is rapid and recorded girth of the tree in India is more than 13.8m. In its natural habitat, it is one of the largest and reportedly longest- lived (6000 years) trees of the world. It has equal number of right-handed flower (with petals that coil toward the right while still in the bud) and left-handed flowers (with petals that coil toward the left while still in the bud). However, right-handed flowers tend to have more male organs (stamens, which may number unto 1600 in a flower) than left-handed flowers. Some baobab has continued to grow while lying flat on the ground. The authentic reports are dead rat trees bursting into flame from spontaneous combustion. ⁸

 

Habitat:

Baobab found in areas of south Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and other tropical African countries where suitable habitat occurs. In southern Africa, A. digitata is commonly found in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa especially in the warm parts of the Limpopo Province, while in West Africa, it is found in Mali, Benin, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Burkina Faso. In East Africa, the plant is found in countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Tree grown various parts of India chiefly in Bombay, Anthra, Bihar, utter Pradesh, Gujarat, Coromandel Coast and Ceylon. Adansonia is regarded as the “Queen of all carbon storage trees”.^9,10

 

Taxonomic Classification¹¹:

 

Vernacular Names^12,13:

·       English: Baobab, monkey bread tree, Ethiopian sour gourd, cream of tartar tree, senegal calabash (fruit), upside-down tree

·       French: Baobab, pain de singe (fruit), arbre aux calebasses, arbre de mille ans, calebassier du Senégal

·       Hindi: Gorakh-imli, hathi-khatiyan

·       Tamil: Papparappuli, anaipuliya-marum

·       Bengali: Gorakamali

·       Marathi: Gorakh chinch

·       Ayurvedic: Sheet–phala, Ravanaam-likaa. Gorakshi, Panchparni.

·       Unanai: Gorakh imli

·       Gujarati: Sumpura

·       Telegu: Brahma-mlinka, seemasinta

 

Phytochemistry:

Various compounds isolated from fruit pulp, seed oil, root isolates terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, vitamins, amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids. From pericarp using column chromatography epicatechin isolated it have strong anti- oxidant property can also promote survival in diabetic mice. From roots 3,7 di hydroxyl –flavan4-one-5-o-ß-d- galacto pyranosyl (1→4)-ß-d- glucopyranoside and a flavanone 3,3’, 4’- tri hydroxy flavan-4-one-7-o-ά-lrhamnopyronoside and quercetin-7-o-ß-d-xylopyranoside. From seed oil campesterol, cholesterol, isofucosterol, ß-sito sterol, stigma sterol and tocopherol are isolated.¹² Several compounds have been isolated from the pericarp using column chromatography and include: (–)-epicatechin, epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (B2), epicatechin-(4β→6)-epicatechin (B5), epicatechin- (2β→O→7, 4β→8)-epicatechin (A2), and epicatechin-(4β→8) epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (C1).¹⁴ Baobab pulp is found to be rich in ascorbic acid (AA) or vitamin C, the leaves are rich in good quality proteins and minerals, and the kernels are rich in fat. Most essential amino acids are present in the leaves. The pulp and the leaves also exhibit antioxidant activity.¹⁵

 

Pharmacological Uses:

It has various usage used as Antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, etc. activities.

 

Antibacterial activity:

The study was designed to determine the antibacterial activity of Adansonia digitata leaf and stem bark extracts. The plant material was extracted using aqueous, ethanol and methanol; and their activity against the three clinical isolates Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) was ascertained using agar well diffusion method. The extracts were found to be effective against the tested organisms. The methanolic extracts showed significantly higher activity against the test organisms compared to aqueous and ethanolic extracts (p = 0.000). The methanolic and ethanolic leaf extracts exhibited highest inhibitions zone of 19mm and 16mm against E. coli at concentration of 1000mg/mL respectively.¹⁶

 

The extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against clinical bacterial isolates of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus species using disc diffusion and microbroth dilution technique.  Results of sensitivity test showed that ethanol extracts of the plant were more active than chloroform extract on the isolates tested irrespective of the method of extraction employed. The results of phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, steroids and tannins in either or both extracts. This indicates that Adansonia digitata root bark has the potential for the production of drugs against some clinical bacterial isolates.¹⁷

 

Antiviral activity:

Standardized commercial preparations of Adansonia digitata leaves, fruit-pulp and seeds were acquired and extracted with three different solvents, water, methanol and DMSO. The extracts were compared quantitatively for antiviral MIC100 (minimal inhibitory concentration) values against influenza virus, herpes simplex virus and respiratory syncytial virus and for their effects on cytokine secretion (IL-6 and IL-8) in human epithelial cell cultures. The leaf extracts had the most potent antiviral properties, especially the DMSO extracts and influenza virus was the most susceptible virus. Pulp and seed extracts were less active but significant.¹⁸

 

Anti-Inflammatory activity:

In this study several of the extracts, especially leaf extracts, were also active as cytokine modulators, some being pro-inflammatory and others being anti-inflammatory. The results overall indicated the presence of multiple bioactive compounds in different parts of the plant and these activities could explain some of the medical benefits attributed to traditional leaf and pulp preparations, in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.¹⁸

 

The in -vitro anti-inflammatory effects have been studied by human albumin denaturation and plant extracts showed remarkable activity. Leaf extracts showed highest anti-inflammatory activity (76.714% for A. digitata).¹⁹

 

Antioxidant activity:

The aim of this study is to investigate phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity of plants fruit, leaf and bark ethanolic extracts. The highest antioxidant activity showed in A. digitata parts. The fruit extracts of plants showed the highest antioxidant activity (84.07 % for A. digitata).¹⁹

 

Hepatoprotective activity:

The methanol extract of the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) was examined for its hepatoprotective activity against liver damage induced by acetaminophen in rats. The principle depends on the fact that administration of acetaminophen will be associated with development of oxidative stress. In addition, hepato-specific serum markers will be disturbed. Treatment of the rats with the methanol extract of the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata L. prior to administration of acetaminophen significantly reduced the disturbance in liver function. Liver functions were measured by assessment of total protein, total bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and AST. Oxidative stress parameter and antioxidant markers were also evaluated. Animals were observed for any symptoms of toxicity after administration of extract of the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata L. to ensure safety of the fruit extract.²⁰

 

Ameliorative activity:

Metabolic syndrome is a complex of metabolic disorders characterized by oxidative stress which compromises cell functions and entails multiple organs pathologies. A. digitata fruit significantly ameliorated the induced dyslipidemia (P ≤ 0.001), hyperglycaemia (P ≤ 0.001) with a significant reduction in the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (P ≤ 0.000) after 3 weeks treatment. The fruit normalized the elevated hepatic biomarkers as well as creatinine and urea. A dose dependent partial reduction in lesion intensity was observed in the hepatic tissue while the heart and kidney showed mostly reversed to normal histology. The inflammatory infiltration was eliminated. Relevant results were observed for the two higher doses. The simultaneous treatment showed significant lower levels in all biomarkers investigated compared to positive control which could be interpreted as protective activity. A reduction of 4–11% in whole body weight was achieved. Metabolic syndrome was successfully simulated with a HS/HFD formula in male Wistar rats. Treatment with aqueous A. digitata fruit showed anti-Metabolic Syndrome potential reflected by weight loss, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, hypoglycaemic, renal, hepatic and cardio-protective activities.²¹

 

Analgesic activity:

The study investigated the analgesic effect of the aqueous extract of the bark of Adansonia digitata using Wistar rats. Formalin paw-licking test showed that at early phase, animals administered with aqueous bark extract of Adansonia digitata significantly (p < 0.05) have reduced paw-licking time (47.88±3.48–40.80±3.85 s) compared with the control group (91.51±7.32 s). In the late phase, aqueous bark extract of Adansoni adigitata significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the paw-licking time (43.57±2.6–25.49±3.46 s) compared with the control group (66.3 ±5.04 s). It is hereby concluded that aqueous bark extract of A. digitata possesses a strong analgesic effect.²²

 

Anti-arthritic activity:

The present study evaluates the effect of the ethanolic extract of “Adansonia digitata” seeds on the Fruend’s Complete Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis. The parameters assessed were rat paw edema, body weight changes, haematological parameters histopathology of proximal interphalangeal joints and radiology of hind legs. In CFA induced arthritic control rats, there was significant increase in rat paw volume and decrease in body weight, whereas Adansonia digitata seed extract treated groups showed a significant reduction of paw volume and gain in body weight. The altered haematological parameters (Hb, RBC, WBC and ESR) in the arthritic control rats were significantly brought back to near normal by the Adansonia digitata seed treatment at the dose level of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg in both developing and developed phases of arthritis. Further the histopathological and radiological studies revealed the significant anti-arthritic activity of Adansonia digitata seed as indicated by fewer abnormalities in these groups when compared to the arthritic control group. The histopathological and radiological studies confirmed the anti-arthritic activity of “Adansonia digitata”.²³

 

Immune-modulatory activity:

In this study; evaluated the immune-modulatory activities of various plant parts Adansonia digitata L. using delayed-type hypersensitivity rat model. The extracts exhibited significant increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, indicating the ability of the extracts to stimulate T-cells. It also increased SRBC induced anti-body titer in immunosuppressed rats, and produced significant increase in phagocytic index by rapid removal of carbon particles from the blood stream. These results indicate that methanol extracts of the leaf, root bark and fruit pulp of A. digitata hold promise as immune-modulatory agents.²⁴

 

Antidepressant activity:

The aim of the study was to investigate the antidepressant activity of the methanol stem bark extract of A. digitata Phytochemical screening and acute oral toxicity (LD50) study were done using standard procedures. Antidepressant activity of the extract (250-1000mg/kg) was evaluated using tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) in mice. Tests for motor co-ordination deficit and stimulant activity were evaluated using beam walking assay (BWA) and open field test (OFT), respectively. The effect of the methanol stem bark extract of A. digitata was tested using the novel object recognition task (NORT). The phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of steroids, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins. The LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg orally. The extract significantly (P < 0.01) and dose-dependently decreased the duration of immobility in the TST and FST. There was no significant change in the number of lines crossed and on the number of foot slips in the OFT and BWA, respectively. The extract showed no significant effect on cognition in the NORT. In conclusion, the methanol stem bark extract of A. digitata possesses antidepressant activity.²⁵

 

CONCLUSION:

The Adansonia digitata is a widely used for food, non-food products and medicine. Baobab edible parts (leaves, seeds and pulp) are rich in nutrients. Numerous studies on the biological activities of baobab have been conducted with promising results. Baobab leaves, bark, roots, pulp, and seeds are used for multiple medicinal purposes in many parts of Africa and were found to show interesting pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti- oxidant and anti -viral activity. This review will be a strong stimulus for research and development efforts towards better understanding and utilization of the plant Adansonia digitata.

 

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Received on 17.02.2022       Modified on 03.03.2022 Accepted on 13.03.2022      ©A&V Publications All right reserved Research J. Science and Tech. 2022; 14(2):127-132. DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2022.00021