![PRISMA flow diagram showing the search and retrieval steps of the study (adopted from Moher et al. [48]).](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Timothy-Omara/publication/346027817/figure/fig1/AS:1080258564489276@1634565120499/PRISMA-flow-diagram-showing-the-search-and-retrieval-steps-of-the-study-adopted-from_Q320.jpg)
![Native geographical distribution of E. abyssinica (based on retrieved literature [4, 10, 11, 15, 21, 23–25, 27–29, 58–63]).](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Timothy-Omara/publication/346027817/figure/fig5/AS:1080258564489315@1634565120855/Native-geographical-distribution-of-E-abyssinica-based-on-retrieved-literature-4-10_Q320.jpg)
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Review Article
Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, Bioactivities, and
Toxicities of Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae): A
Systematic Review
Samuel Baker Obakiro ,
1
,
2
,
3
Ambrose Kiprop ,
2
,
3
Elizabeth Kigondu,
4
Isaac K’Owino,
5
,
3
Mark Peter Odero ,
2
,
3
Scolastica Manyim ,
2
,
3
Timothy Omara ,
2
,
3
,
6
Jane Namukobe,
7
Richard Oriko Owor ,
8
Yahaya Gavamukulya ,
9
and Lydia Bunalema
10
1
Department of Pharmacology and erapeutics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale, Uganda
2
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900-30100,
Eldoret, Kenya
4
Centre of Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
10
Department of Pharmacology and erapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences,
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
5
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masinde-Muliro University, P.O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega,
Kenya
3
Africa Centre of Excellence II in Phytochemicals, Textiles and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE), Moi University,
P.O. Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
9
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale,
Uganda
7
Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062,
Kampala, Uganda
6
Department of Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Product Development Directory, AgroWays Uganda Limited, Plot 34-60,
Kyabazinga Way, P.O. Box 1924, Jinja, Uganda
8
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Education, Busitema University, P.O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda
Correspondence should be addressed to Samuel Baker Obakiro; sobakiro@gmail.com
Received 12 January 2021; Revised 16 February 2021; Accepted 22 February 2021; Published 4 March 2021
Academic Editor: Riaz Ullah
Copyright ©2021 Samuel Baker Obakiro et al. is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.
Background. Many studies have been undertaken on the medicinal values of Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae). e
details, however, are highly fragmented in different journals, libraries, and other publication media. is study was therefore
conducted to provide a comprehensive report on its ethnobotany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemicals, and the available
pharmacological evidence supporting its efficacy and safety in traditional medicine. Method. We collected data using a
PROSPERO registered systematic review protocol on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology of Erythrina
abyssinica from 132 reports that were retrieved from electronic databases. Documented local names, morphology, growth habit
and habitat, ethnomedicinal and nonmedicinal uses, diseases treated, parts used, method of preparation and administration,
extraction and chemical identity of isolated compounds, and efficacy and toxicity of extracts and isolated compounds were
captured. Numerical data were summarized into means, percentages, and frequencies and presented as graphs and tables. Results.
Erythrina abyssinica is harvested by traditional herbal medicine practitioners in East, Central, and South African communities to
prepare herbal remedies for various human and livestock ailments. ese include bacterial and fungal infections, tuberculosis,
malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea, cancer, meningitis, inflammatory diseases, urinary tract infections, wounds, diabetes mellitus, and
skin and soft tissue injuries. Different extracts and phytochemicals from parts of E. abyssinica have been scientifically proven to
possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antiproliferative, antifungal, antimycobacterial, antidiar-
rheal, anti-HIV 1, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities. is versatile pharmacological activity is due to the abundant flavonoids,
Hindawi
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2021, Article ID 5513484, 43 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5513484
alkaloids, and terpenoids present in its different parts. Conclusion.Erythrina abyssinica is an important ethnomedicinal plant in
Africa harboring useful pharmacologically active phytochemicals against various diseases with significant efficacies and minimal
toxicity to mammalian cells. erefore, this plant should be conserved and its potential to provide novel molecules against diseases
be explored further. Clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracts and isolated compounds from E. abyssinica
are recommended.
1. Introduction
Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Fabaceae) is an important
medicinal plant as evidenced by the existence of its names in
various local languages and high frequency of citation in
ethnobotanical surveys [1–4]. e genus Erythrina derives
from the Greek word “erythros,” translated to mean red (a
reflection of the showy red flowers of its various species). e
epithet ‘‘abyssinica’’ means ‘‘from Ethiopia’’ [5]. e
Erythrina genus houses at least 120 species distributed
mainly in tropical and subtropical zones [6]. Plants in this
genus are usually referred to as “coral trees” due to their red
flowers and branches that resemble the shape of sea coral [7].
Erythrina abyssinica is a deciduous leguminous tree native to
East Africa but also found in Central and South Africa [8, 9].
Tropical Asia and Central America have E. abyssinica as an
exotic species. e common English names of E. abyssinica
are coral tree, Uganda coral, kaffir boom, erythrina, flame
tree, red-hot-poker tree, and lucky-bean tree [10]. Some of
the local names used across indigenous communities are
summarized in Table 1.
Medicinal plants have been a veritable source of cure for
a number of human and livestock diseases, and thus, they are
widely used in many communities. is is because plants
house abundant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals)
with potential pharmacological activities. ese include
flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols, chalcones, qui-
nones, aromatic hydrocarbons, chromones, and coumarins.
It is these phytochemicals that are locally extracted in herbal
preparations and used as remedies for the management of
several diseases. e World Health Organization (WHO)
estimated that 80% of the world’s population especially in
low- and middle-income countries rely on herbal medicines
for primary health care [30]. e use of herbal medicines in
the management of several ailments among people con-
tinues to gain momentum due to their availability, afford-
ability, perceived effectiveness, and cultural acceptability
across ethnic backgrounds [31].
Globally, there has been an increase in natural product
research in the last two decades [30, 32]. is has been partly
in response to the increasing antimicrobial resistance,
emergence of new diseases, and decrease in the chemical
diversity of natural product libraries [30, 32–36]. It has also
been so in an effort to continue the search for more effective,
safer, and cheaper therapeutic agents for existing diseases, to
substitute expensive prescription drugs [37–40]. Erythrina
abyssinica is among those revered plants [40, 41] that has
been widely researched [3]. However, the information on it
is highly fragmented in different journals, books, university
libraries, and other publication media platforms. is review
was therefore undertaken to compile a comprehensive
document that describes the ethnobotany, phytochemistry,
and ethnopharmacology of E. abyssinica so as to generate
integrated and sufficient scientific evidence to support its
medicinal use. e study further emphasizes the importance
of conserving this medicinal plant amidst the growing de-
struction of natural resources for settlement, industrializa-
tion, construction, and energy production [27, 42–47].
2. Methods
2.1. Protocol Registration and Reporting. e protocol used
in this systematic review was registered with the Interna-
tional Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROS-
PERO) and can be accessed from their website (https://www.
crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?
ID�CRD42020187081) with the registration number
CRD42020187081. e Preferred Reporting Items for the
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide-
lines [48] have been used in the reporting of this study
(Figure 1).
2.2. Literature Search. Electronic data on ethnobotany,
phytochemistry, efficacy, and toxicity of E. abyssinica were
retrieved from electronic databases such as Scopus, Web of
Science Core Collection, PubMed, American Chemical
Society, ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online
(SciELO), Google Scholar, and NAPRALERT (a compre-
hensive natural products database with ethnomedical and
pharmacological information of extracts and isolated
compounds). Sets of keywords such as “ethnobotany,”
“traditional medicine,” “ethnobotany,” “alternative medi-
cine,” “ethnopharmacology,” “phytochemistry,” “extrac-
tion,” “isolation,” “efficacy,” “safety,” “toxicity,”
“phytochemicals,” “structural elucidation,” and clinical
study were combined with “Erythrina abyssinica.” e re-
trieved articles were downloaded and stored in EndNote X9
(omson Reuters, San Francisco, CA, USA) by three in-
dependent authors (SBO, TO, and YG). Duplicate articles
were then removed from the file. Further, manual search
from the reference lists of screened eligible articles and
deposited electronic copies of dissertations and theses in
University online libraries were done. e authors contin-
uously received notifications of any new “similar reports”
meeting the search criteria from ScienceDirect, Scopus, and
Google Scholar.
2.3. Screening. Retrieved articles were first screened based
on the titles and abstracts for relevance to the study by three
independent reviewers (MPO, SM, and YG). Articles that
reported on other species of Erythrina but not abyssinica and
2Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
ScreeningIncluded Eligibility Identification
Records aer duplicates removed
(n = 802)
Records excluded based
on titles and abstracts
(n = 601)
Full-text articles assessed for
eligibility (n = 201)
Studies included in the
review (n = 132)
Duplicates removed
(n = 30)
Records identified through scopus, web
of science, PubMed, scienceDirect,
American chemical society
(SciFinder scholar), NAPRALERT,
SciELO, and Google scholar (n = 819)
Additional records identified through
other sources such as University
electronic libraries (n = 13)
Full-text articles excluded, with reasons
(n = 39) articles not in English or
French (n = 8) review articles (n = 11)
did not rovide an data (n = 22)
Full-text articles retrieved
from reference list check
through manual search
(n = 11)
Full articles assessed
for eligibility (n = 121)
Figure 1: PRISMA flow diagram showing the search and retrieval steps of the study (adopted from Moher et al. [48]).
Table 1: Local names of Erythrina abyssinica used across African communities.
Folk name (local language) Country Authors
Ejjirikiti (Luganda), Murinzi,Kiko Omoko/Echuko (Rutoro, Rukonzo), Oluo (Lugbara),
Kisoro, Lochoro, Oding, Loting (Acholi), Kikiri (Kwamba), Engosorot (Ateso), Olawu
(Madi), Koli (Jopadhola), Owila kot (Lango), Muyirikiti,Ekilama (Lusoga), Cheroguru,
Muragolo (Lugishu), Mutembetembe (Lugwe), Bwiko (Lukiga), Kaborte (Sebei), Kiko,
Muko (Lunyangkore, Lutoro), Mudongodongo, Mukobe (Lunyuli)
Uganda [2, 3, 10–15]
Omotembe (Kisii), Muhuti (Kikuyu), Ekirikiti or Ol-Goroshe (Maasai), Muuti (Meru),
Kivuti or Muvuti (Kamba), Mulungu (Taita), Mwamba ngoma,Mbamba ngoma,Muhuti,
Mjafari or Mwamba (Kiswahili), Kumurembei (Luhya)
Kenya [10, 16–19]
Qanqari (Iraqw), Mriri (Chagga), Muhemi (Hehe), and Muungu (Pare), Kisebhe (Rungwe) Tanzania [20–22]
Kuara,Korra, Korch (Amharic) Ethiopia [10]
Umuko (Lunyarwanda) Rwanda [23–26]
Dus (Arabic), Hab al Arous Sudan, South Sudan [10, 27, 28]
Chisunga (Lunda) Democratic Republic of Congo [10]
Mulunku (Chokwe) Angola [4]
Mulunguti, Mwale (Nyanja) Mozambique, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Malawi [10]
Mulunguti (Bemba, Tongan) Zambia, Mozambique,
Zimbabwe [5, 10]
Mutiti (Shona) Zimbabwe [5]
Suwawue, Soaueh (Tigrigna) Eritrea, Ethiopia [10, 29]
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 3
also abyssinica but not of genus Erythrina were also ex-
cluded. For example, we excluded articles on Entada
abyssinica, Erythrina variageta,Erythrina suberosa,Albuca
abyssinica,Dregea abyssinica,Harrisonia abyssinica, and
Wahlenbergia abyssinica although they appeared in the
search results. During the screening, every time a dis-
agreement occurred it was resolved through a discussion
between the reviewers and/or by the principal investigator
(SBO). e eligible articles were then assessed further for
inclusion in the study using the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
2.4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Full-text articles that at
least reported on ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and
phytochemistry of Erythrina abyssinica written in English or
French but translated to English and published in peer-
reviewed journals, reports, books, theses, and dissertations
dated until January 2021 were considered. All publishing
years were included without any geographical restrictions.
Articles that reported data not relevant to the study, reviews,
and not written in English or French were excluded from the
study.
2.5. Data Extraction. A data collection tool was designed in
Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, USA) to capture
data on different aspects of E. abyssinica. ree reviewers
independently extracted relevant data from the included
articles regarding the ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and
phytochemistry of E. abyssinica. For ethnobotanical data, the
diseases or ailments managed, parts used, and mode of
preparation and administration were captured. For phyto-
chemistry, the name of isolated pure compounds, chemical
class, extraction solvent, and their efficacy and toxicity were
captured. For ethnopharmacology, extraction solvent used,
bioassay/model used, results of efficacy, and toxicity of
extracts were captured. e collected data were checked
for completeness and processed independently by two
reviewers.
2.6. Data Analysis and Synthesis. Descriptive statistical
methods were used to analyse the collected data. Results
were expressed as percentages and frequencies and subse-
quently presented as tables and charts. e analyses were
performed using SPSS statistical software (version 20, IBM
Inc.).
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Literature Search and Publications. A total of 201 reports
were retrieved out of which 132 met the inclusion criteria
and were reviewed. Of these, 78 articles reported only on the
ethnobotany, 27 articles on pharmacology only, 15 articles
on both pharmacology and phytochemistry, 5 articles on
phytochemistry only, and 3 articles on both ethnobotany
and pharmacology while 4 articles on ethnobotany, phar-
macology, and phytochemistry.Most of the articles (56.8%)
were published in the 2010–2019 decade, indicating a lot of
research is being done as compared to the preceding decades
(Figure 2). is could be due to the (1) growing need for
more effective and less toxic medicinal products of plant
origin, (2) emerging antimicrobial resistance that has ren-
dered most chemotherapeutic agents less effective, (3) new
disease outbreaks like Ebola, and (4) increase in non-
communicable diseases such as cancers, hypertension, di-
abetes mellitus, and sexual dysfunction that require readily
available, affordable, effective, and safe therapies.
3.2. Taxonomy, Morphology, Distribution, and Propagation.
Erythrina abyssinica belongs to the kingdom Plantae, phy-
lum Spermatophyta, subphylum Magnoliophyta (flowering
plants), class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons), order Fabales,
family Fabaceae (legumes), subfamily Papilionoideae, genus
Erythrina (L.), and species abyssinica (Lam ex. DC.). e
frequently encountered synonyms of this species include
E. kassneri Baker f., Corallodendron suberifera (Welw. ex
Baker) Kuntze, E. bequaerti De Wild., E. tomentosa R. Br.,
Chirocalyx abyssinicus (Lam.) Hochst., and C. tomentosus
Hochst. [3].
Erythrina abyssinica grows as a multibranched decidu-
ous tree or shrub up to a height of 12–15 m tall usually with a
rounded spreading crown (Figure 3). e branches have a
corky thick deeply fissured bark with prickles (4–8 mm
long). e leaves are trifoliate alternately arranged with long
(6–20 cm) petiole. e leaflets can be ovate, cordate, and
almost circular, rounded at the base and obtuse or notched at
the apex, with network venation, dense hair usually at the
abaxial surface, and prickles [49, 50]. e inflorescence is
raceme, dense, pyramidal, and either terminal or axial with a
long peduncle (up to 20 cm) and caducous bracts. Flowers
are bisexual and papilionaceous having densely hairy, cy-
lindrical, split at one side calyx, brightly coloured (orange to
red) corolla with free keel petals, 10 fused and one free
stamen, one carpel with a superior cylindrical oblong ovary,
long style, and flat stigma head [51]. e fruits are linear-
oblong pods, brown to black in colour, usually hairy, dehisce
at two values to release ellipsoid, long (6–12mm), and bright
red seeds [52]. e tree is anchored firmly in the ground by a
deep root system [13, 20].
Erythrina abyssinica can be propagated either using
seeds, wildings [40], or cuttings, but the former has com-
paratively lower germination rates of 10–30% with propa-
gation restricted to rainy seasons [3, 11, 53]. It grows
naturally in woodland and wooded grasslands (savannah
woodlands, grasslands, and scrublands, secondary scrub
vegetation, regions with 500–2000 mm annual rainfall and
optimal temperatures of 15–25°C) [11, 54–57]. us, it is
widespread from Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya,
Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo
(Brazzaville), Tanzania to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Angola, Nami-
bia, Botswana, Central African Republic, Swaziland, Leso-
tho, Gabon, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique
(Figure 4) [3, 10, 11, 53]. It has also been introduced as an
ornamental in Mauritius and various places in Tropical Asia
and Central America, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka [10, 53]. In
South Sudan for instance, the tree grows at up to 2000 m
4Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
altitude while in Tanzania, they are found at up to 2300 m.
e tree naturally grows on loamy to clay soils, with pref-
erence for deep well-drained soils on plateaus and slopes
with a pH of 3.5–5.5. e tree is termite- and fire-resistant
primarily due to its deep root system but cannot tolerate
frost, explaining its limited distribution in cold regions
[11, 53].
3.3. Ecological, Traditional, and Medicinal Uses. Erythrina
abyssinica being a legume is well known for fixing nitrogen
into the soil and thus enhances soil fertility. Because of this,
it plays an important role in phytorestoration and forest
regeneration in polluted soils [64–66]. Its flowers also secrete
nectar that is fed on by pollinating insects especially bees
hence being important in both horticulture and apiculture
[67]. Although this plant usually grows naturally in the wild,
some communities cultivate it in their homesteads as an
ornamental plant, for live fencing purposes due to its
brightly coloured flowers and prickles, a material for dye,
and craft materials such as curios and necklaces (from seeds)
[9, 20, 68, 69]. e stem of this plant is also harvested to
obtain timber and charcoal for furniture and energy pur-
poses, respectively [20]. In livestock farming, the plant leaves
are used as fodder for animals [5, 70, 71].
e stem bark, seeds, roots, root bark, leaves, and flowers
of E. abyssinica and the whole plant either in combination or
(a) (b)
Figure 3: Erythrina abyssinica: (a) tree growing in its natural habitat and (b) leaves (photos taken by Samuel Baker Obakiro from Katakwi
District, Eastern Uganda).
4
9
12
26
75
6
0
Before 1980
1980 – 1989
1990 – 1999
2000 – 2009
2010 – 2019
2020 – present
80604020
Figure 2: Number of reports on ethnomedicinal and nonmedicinal traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of
E. abyssinica published up to date.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 5
singly are used to prepare herbal remedies for various hu-
man ailments (Table 2). However, the stem bark and roots
are the most commonly used parts in the preparation of
herbal remedies. Even in efficacy, toxicity, and phyto-
chemical studies, the stem bark and roots were the most
investigated. is could probably be due to high yield as-
sociated with them because of their high potential in con-
centrating and storing phytochemicals. e seeds were
indicated to be poisonous when crushed [11]. e com-
monest methods of preparation and administration of
herbal medicines from this plant are boiling (decoctions)
and then drinking, cold infusions (taken orally), pounding
dried samples into powder and then licking, pounding fresh
samples into a paste and applying topically, squeezing fresh
samples and mixing with bathing water, or direct chewing of
the different parts (Table 2).
Among the frequently reported ailments for which
herbal medicines containing E. abyssinica are used include
bacterial and fungal infections, malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis
(cough), inflammatory diseases, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and
metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and
anaemia. Other conditions treated using this plant include
snake bites, antagonizing poisons, venereal diseases (sexu-
ally transmitted diseases, e.g., gonorrhea, syphilis, and
urinary tract infections including schistosomiasis), soft
tissue and skin infections, diarrhea, infertility and preg-
nancy-related conditions, pneumonia, epilepsy, central
nervous system- (CNS-) related disorders, vomiting, hep-
atitis, and helminthiasis. In ethnoveterinary medicine, ex-
tracts of E. abyssinica are used in the management of poultry
and livestock diseases such as new castle disease, anaplas-
mosis, and helminthosis [43, 89, 119, 123, 124].
3.4. Phytochemical Profile of E. abyssinica
3.4.1. Preliminary Phytochemical Analyses. Qualitative
phytochemical screening of medicinal plants is an essential
step to their detailed phytochemical and pharmacological
investigation [125]. Preliminary phytochemical screening of
different solvent extracts of E. abyssinica indicated the
presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids as
the main therapeutic secondary metabolites (Table 3).
3.4.2. Structural Elucidation. Like in many natural product
research studies, chromatography has been used in the
isolation of compounds from crude extracts of E. abyssinica.
e most widely used techniques included high-perfor-
mance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography
(GC), high-performance thin-layer chromatography
(HPTLC), and ultraperformance liquid chromatography
(UPLC) [129]. Spectroscopic techniques such as mass
spectrometry (MS), ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry,
one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D-NMR)
spectroscopy, and its complementary techniques (hetero-
nuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) spectroscopy,
heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC)
spectroscopy, nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy
(NOESY), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy) have
been used to elucidate chemical structures of the isolated
compounds [130]. Chromatography-spectroscopy hyphen-
ated techniques have become more commonly used in recent
decades due to the increased efficiency, sensitivity, and
detection limits [1]. ese include LC-MS, GC-MS, UPLC-
MS, HPTLC-UV, HPLC-photodiode array detection, LC-
Figure 4: Native geographical distribution of E. abyssinica (based on retrieved literature [4, 10, 11, 15, 21, 23–25, 27–29, 58–63]).
6Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Table 2: Ethnobotanical uses of Erythrina abyssinica reported in the literature.
No. Disease/ailments treated Parts
used
Method of preparation and
administration Country Authors
1 Malaria, fevers R, SB,
L, F Boiled and taken orally
Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania, Ethiopia,
Eritrea, DR Congo,
Sudan, Rwanda
[9, 13, 18, 21, 24, 28, 58, 72–82]
2Inflammatory disorders,
eye problems, and pain
SB, R,
Sd
Boiled and taken orally;
powdered, mixed with
petroleum jelly, and smeared
on the wound/swollen part.
For eye problems, it is applied
as liniment
Uganda, Tanzania,
Kenya, South
Sudan
[13, 19, 20, 27, 72, 83–88]
3Bacterial and fungal
infections
SB, L,
F, WP
Decoction taken orally;
powdered and licked; sliced
bark chewed; cold infusion
taken orally
Uganda, Kenya,
Burundi [13, 72, 89–91]
4
Skin and soft tissue
infections, leprosy, and
wounds
SB, F,
L
Boiled in petroleum jelly and
smeared at the tissue, herbal
bath of infected skin part
Uganda, Kenya,
Zimbabwe,
Rwanda
[20, 24, 72, 81, 87, 92–95]
5 Tuberculosis (cough) SB, R,
L, F
Decoction taken orally;
powdered and licked
Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania, Burundi,
Zimbabwe
[31, 61, 72, 73, 95–99]
6 Cancer SB, L,
FBoiled and taken orally Uganda, Kenya [39, 72, 100]
7 HIV/AIDS SB, R,
LDecoction taken orally Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania [2, 39, 72, 98, 101–103]
8
Infertility, birth control,
pregnancy related
conditions
SB, R Decoction, squeezing,
chewing, taken orally Uganda, Kenya [31, 72, 73, 104–106]
9Blood disorders (anaemia
and jaundice)
R, SB,
L, F Boiled and taken orally Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania [27, 31, 72, 84, 107–109]
10 Venereal diseases SB, L,
F, RB Boiled and taken orally
Uganda, Kenya,
Zimbabwe,
Rwanda
[19, 20, 63, 72, 87, 92, 100, 105, 110–112]
11 Diabetes mellitus SB, L Boiled and taken orally Uganda [72, 113, 114]
12
Hepatitis, measles, scabies,
herpes, mumps, liver
diseases
SB, R,
L
Decoction and cold infusions
taken. Dried leaf ash is mixed
with oil or butter and applied
externally to treat scabies
Rwanda, Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania [22, 23, 101, 115]
13 Pneumonia SB Boiled in water and taken
orally Kenya [92, 100]
14 Convulsions and CNS
disorders SB Decoction, pound, and add
salt Uganda [31]
15
Gastrointestinal disorders
(diarrhea, stomach ache,
vomiting, constipation,
ulcers, dysentery, colic)
SB, R,
L
Boiled, honey added, and
taken orally. Decoction taken,
or pounded, salt added, and
taken. Root decoction with
Rhamnus prinoides roots
taken for colic. Decoction of
young roots taken for
constipation in children
Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania, Eritrea,
Angola, Rwanda
[4, 19, 26, 29, 31, 87, 92, 101, 106,
107, 116–118]
16 Helminthiasis SB Decoction taken orally Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania [87, 105, 119, 120]
17 Snake bites/antidote for
poisoning
R, SB,
RB
Sap used/pounded and
applied at the bite. Boiled and
taken orally
Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania [15, 16, 19, 109, 121, 122]
Parts used: L: leaves, R: roots, RB: root bark, Sd: seeds, SB: stem bark, F: flowers, and WP: whole plant.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 7
NMR-MS, GC-NMR-MS, and high-resolution electron
spray ionization (ESI)-MS [130].
A total of 122 phytochemicals which are primarily al-
kaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoids have been isolated
from E. abyssinica (Figure 5; Table 4). Some of the isolated
compounds are specific to E. abyssinica while others have
been reported to be present in other species of the genus
Erythrina [149]. Because genus Erythrina belongs to the
family Fabaceae, its members have a rich diversity of sec-
ondary metabolites (phytochemicals) amongst themselves
due to possession of various biosynthetic pathways [150].
However, some species share common phytochemicals, and
hence, these act as biomarkers for nutraceutical, pharma-
cological, and toxicological potentials in the food and drug
industries [130, 151].
(1) Alkaloids. In the present study, we retrieved thirteen
alkaloids (1–12 and 95) that have been isolated from
E. abyssinica (Table 4, Figure 5). e Erythrina alkaloids have
a tetracyclic carbon skeleton with three rings (A, B, and C)
common to all the alkaloids and the fourth ring (D) which
varies among the different alkaloids [1, 152]. Lactonic al-
kaloids contain ring D as an unsaturated δ-lactone, dienoid
alkaloids possess a benzenoid ring D (with two double bonds
at C-1 and C-2, and C-6 and C-7), and alkenoid alkaloid
possess a benzenoid ring D with a double bond between C-1
and C-6. Aromatic alkaloids and those containing a double
bond at C-16 undergo stereoisomerism to give rise to other
alkaloid derivatives [152].
(2) Flavonoids. A total of 106 flavonoids have been isolated
and identified from E. abyssinica. ese include five ben-
zofurans, six chalcones, two coumestans, six isoflavones and
seventy-two flavanones, four flavones, and eleven
pterocarpans.
(i) Benzofurans. Benzofurans are heterocyclic com-
pounds consisting of benzene and furan rings fused
together. Five benzofurans (65–69) have been iso-
lated from the stem bark of E. abyssinica [144].
(ii) Chalcones. Chalcones, also known as chalconoids or
benzyl acetophenones, are α,β-unsaturated ketones
made up of two aromatic rings (designated as rings
A and B) with diverse substituents. ey possess
conjugated double bonds and a completely
delocalized π-electron system on both benzene
rings. Chalcones have been widely known in me-
dicinal chemistry as potential templates for the
synthesis of therapeutic agents [153]. In this study,
seven chalcones (15,28–32, and 47) were retrieved
to have been isolated from the roots and stem bark
of E. abyssinica.
(iii) Coumestans. Coumestans are oxidized derivatives of
pterocarpans consisting of a benzoxole fused to a
chromen-2-one to form 1-benzoxolo[3,2-c]chro-
men-6-one. ey are responsible for the phytoes-
trogenic activity of most medicinal plants of the
family Fabaceae [154]. Two coumestans, eryth-
ribyssin N (62) and isosojagol (64), were isolated
from the stem bark of E. abyssinica.
(iv) Isoflavones and Flavanones. Isoflavones are a large
group of flavonoids possessing a 3-phenylchroman
skeleton that is biosynthetically obtained by rear-
rangement of the 2-phenylchroman flavonoid sys-
tem. ey are naturally occurring exclusively in the
family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). Differences among
isoflavones arise from the presence of extra het-
erocyclic rings, different oxidation states in this
skeleton, and the number of substituents on the
isoflavone moiety [155]. On the other hand, flava-
nones have the basic 2,3-dihydroflavone structure.
ey are distinguished from the rest of the flavonoid
class by the lack of a double bond between C-2 and
C-3 and the presence of a chiral center at C-2
position. Members differ from one another in the
position and/or the number of the constituent
methoxy and hydroxyl substituents [156]. Unlike
isoflavones, flavanones are naturally occurring in
members of family Fabaceae, Compositae, and
Rutaceae. A total of six isoflavones (25–27,83,110,
and 111) and 72 flavanones (14,17–22,24,33–46,
48–61,63,70–75,77–82,84,87–92,100–103,108,
109,118–119, and 121–122) have been isolated
from E. abyssinica root bark, stem bark, and roots.
(v) Pterocarpans. Pterocarpans are structural analogs to
isoflavonoids with a benzofurochromene skeleton.
ey can also be derived from coumestans through
reduction reactions. ey have two asymmetric
centers at C-6a and C-11a and may exist as cis or
Table 3: Some secondary metabolites reported in E. abyssinica extracts.
Secondary metabolites Parts
used Solvent used Yield (%) Authors
Tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids Bark Hexane 2.0 [60]
Alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, and flavones Root
bark
Methanol
(crude) Not reported [126]
Alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, and
anthraquinone derivatives Roots Methanol 23.6 [127]
Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides Stem Water 0.34 (alkaloidal and flavonoid
content) [128]
Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins Stem
bark Methanol 4.82 [62]
8Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3COH3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO
H3CO H3CO
H3CO
H3CO H3CO
H3CO
OOOO
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
HH
HH
N
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
HH
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
HH
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
NN
N
N
N
N
N
NN
N
N
HO
HOHO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
R1
OH
OH
OH OH
H
HHH
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
R1
R1 = H R1 = H, R2 = OCH3
R1 = H, R2 = OH
R1 = OH, R2 = OH
R2
R1 = OH
19
20
21
17
18
16
13 14 15
1211109
5678
4321
(a)
Figure 5: Continued.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 9
HO
O
O
O
OH
OH OH
OH
OHOHOH
OH OH
OH
OH
OH
OHOH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
HO
HO
HO
HO HO
HOHO
R3
R4
R5
R2
OHO
R1O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
OH
HO
R3
R2
R1O
O
O
OO
O
OO O
H3CO
OCH3
33 R1 = prenyl, R2 = OH, R3 = CH3
34 R1 = H, R2 = OH, R3 = CH2OH
35 R1 = H, R2 = OCH3, R3 = CH2OH
32 36
313029
26 27 28
2522 23 R1 = R2 = H, R3 = OH, R4 = OCH3, R5 = prenyl
24 R1 = R4 = R5 = OH, R2 = R3 = Prenyl
(b)
10 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
HO
R1O
O
R2
R4
R5
R3
O
HO O
OH
OH
OHOH
OHOH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
45
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
O
OOH
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
37 R1 = R5 = OH, R2 = R4 = H, R3 = prenyl
38 R1 = R5 = OH, R2 = R4 = H, R3 = OCH3
39 R1 = R4 = R5 = OH, R2 = R3 = H
40 R1 = R4 = R5 = OH, R2 = H, R3 = prenyl
41 R1 = R4 = R5 = OH, R2 = prenyl, R3 = OH
42 R1 = R3 = OH, R2 = R5 = H, R4 = ( = 0)
43 R1 = R2 = R4 = H, R3 = R5 = OH
44 R1 = R2 = H, R3 = R4 = R5 = OH
52 53 54
49 50 51
46 47 48
(c)
Figure 5: Continued.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 11
HO O
O
O
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO HO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
HO O
O
O
C5H9
C5H9
C5H9
C5H9
C5H9
C5H9
C5H9
C5H9
H3CO
OR2
OR2
HO O O
OR2
R1
R1
R1
HO
O
OH
R1O
R2R3
R3
OCH3
OCH3
OCH3
R
68 R = Alpha H
69 R = CHO
70 R1 = H, R2 = CH3
71 R1 = R2 = H
72 R1 = OH, R2 = H
62 R1 = H, R2 = COOH, R3 = prenyl
63 R1 = H, R2 = CHO, R3 = prenyl
64 R1 = CH3, R2 = CHO, R3 = H
73 R1 = OCH3, R2 = H, R3 = prenyl
75 R1 = R2 = H,R3 = CHO
76 R1 = R2 = H, R3 = prenyl
77 R1 = R2 = R3 = H
78 R1 = R2 = H, R3 = OCH3
65 R1 = H, R2 = CH3
66 R1 = Prenyl, R2 = H
67 R1 = R2 = = H
55 56 57
58
61
59 60
(d)
Figure 5: Continued.
12 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
HO
HO HO
HO
HOHO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OCH3
OR3
OCH3
O(CH2)27-CH3
R
R2
R1H
81 R = prenyl
82 R = H
85 R1 = H, R2 = OH, R3 = CH3
86 R1 = CH2CH = C(CH3)2, R2 = H, R3 = H
84 87
90
8988
83
80
74 76 79
(e)
Figure 5: Continued.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 13
OH
OH
OH
OCH3
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH OH
OH OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
H3CO
H3CO
HO
N
HO HO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OR2
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
OO
O
O
H
H
R2
R3
R1
97 R1 = H, R2 = Rha (1→2)Gal
98 R2 = H, R2 = Rha(1→2))Glc
99 R1 = OH, R2 = Rha(1→2)Gal
100 R1 = OH, R2 = Glc, R3 = Quin
101 R1 = OH, R2 = Quin, R3 = Glc
102 R1 = H,R2 = H, R3 = Rha(1→2)Glc
103 R1 = H, R2 = H, R3 = Xyl (1→2)Glc
104 R1 = OH, R2 = Glc, R3 = Ara
105 R1 = OH,R2 = Ara, R3 = Glc
106 R1 = OH, R2 = Glc, R3 = Glc
96 OH = beta
115 OH = alpha
95
94
92 9391
R1
107 108 109
(f)
Figure 5: Continued.
14 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
HO
HO
HO
HO HO
HO
HO
HO
OH O
OH
O
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
OO
O
OO
OO
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
H
H
H
H
H
110 111 112
116
114
113
117 118 119
121120
122
(g)
Figure 5: Chemical structures of the phytochemicals isolated from E. abyssinica. e numbers: 1–122 correspond to compounds mentioned
in Table 4.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 15
Table 4: Phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of compounds isolated from different parts of Erythrina abyssinica.
Name of the compound
identified Chemical class Part
used Solvent used Techniques
used
Bioactivity
tested Result Authors
(+)-Erysotrine (1) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-Erythravine (2) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-Erythristemine (3) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-Erysovine (4) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-Erysodine (5) Alkaloid Sd Chloroform,
ethanol NMR Curare-like
activity
Strong
activity [131, 132]
(+)-Erysopine (6) Alkaloid Sd Chloroform,
ethanol NMR Curare-like
activity
Strong
activity [131, 132]
(+)-Erythraline (7) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-8-Oxoerythraline (8) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-11-Oxoerysodine (9) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-11-Methoxyerysovine
(10) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-Erythratidine (11) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
(+)-Erythratine (12) Alkaloid NS NS NMR Not tested Not
applicable [131]
8-Methoxyneorautenol
(13) Pterocarpan RB Acetone
HRMS,
NMR,
HMBC
Radical
scavenging
properties
Moderately
active [133]
Eryvarin L (14) Benzofuran Rt
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Good
antioxidant
activity
[134]
Licoagrochalcone A (15) Chalcone Tw
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Good radical
scavenging
activity
[134]
3-Hydroxy-9-methoxy-
10-(3,3-dimethylallyl)
pterocarpene (16)
Pterocarpan RB Acetone
HRMS,
NMR,
HMBC
Radical
scavenging
properties
Very active [133]
(2S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3′-
prenyl-2″ξ-(4″-
hydroxyisopropyl)
dihydrofurano[1″,3″:
4′,5′] flavanone (17)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [135]
(2S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3′-
prenyl-2″ξ-(4″-hydroxy-
isopropyl)-3″-hydroxy-
dihydrofurano[1″,3″:
4′,5′]flavanone, and (2S)-
5,7,3′-trihydroxy-2′-
prenyl-2″ξ-(4″-
hydroxyisopropyl)-3″-
hydroxy-dihydrofurano
[1″,3″: 4′,5′] flavanone
(18)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [135]
(2S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3′-
methoxy-2″ξ-(4″-
hydroxyisopropyl)
dihydrofurano[1″,3″:4′,
5′]flavanone (19)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [135]
16 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Table 4: Continued.
Name of the compound
identified Chemical class Part
used Solvent used Techniques
used
Bioactivity
tested Result Authors
(2S)-5,7,3′-Trihydroxy-
2″ξ-(4″-
hydroxyisopropyl)
dihydrofurano[1″,3″:
4′,5′] flavanone (20)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [135]
(2S)-5,7,3′-Trihydroxy-
2″ξ-(4″-
hydroxyisopropyl)-3″-
hydroxy-dihydrofurano
[1″,3″:4′,5′] flavanone
(21)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [135]
Erythrabyssin I (22) Pterocarpan Rt Methanol UV, NMR,
HPLC
Antimicrobial
activity
Moderate
antiyeast and
antifungal
activities
[136]
Erylatissin C (23) Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [135]
Abyssinin III (24) Flavanone SB Methanol
HPLC,
NMR,
HREI-MS,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82]
Indicanine B (25) Coumarin RB DCM:
MeOH
FTIR, UV,
EI-MS,
NMR
Antimicrobial
activity Active [137]
Indicanine C (26) Isoflavone RB DCM:
MeOH
FTIR, UV,
EI-MS,
NMR
Antimicrobial
activity Not active [137]
Cajanin (27) Isoflavone RB DCM:
MeOH
FTIR, UV,
EI-MS,
NMR
Antimicrobial
activity Not active [137]
Abyssinone A (28) Chalcone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
Not tested Not
applicable [138]
Abyssinone B (29) Chalcone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
Not tested Not
applicable [138]
Abyssinone C (30) Chalcone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
Not tested Not
applicable [138]
Abyssinone D (31) Chalcone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
Not tested Not
applicable [138]
3-Methylbutein (32) Chalcone Rt
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Good
bioactivities [134]
2(S)-5,5′,7-Trihydroxy-2′-
prenyl-(2″,2″-
dimethylpyrano)-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (33)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
i2(S)-5,5′,7-Trihydroxy-
[2’’-(5″- hydroxy)-
methylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (34)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [138]
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 17
Table 4: Continued.
Name of the compound
identified Chemical class Part
used Solvent used Techniques
used
Bioactivity
tested Result Authors
2(S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3′-
methoxy-[2’’-(5″-
hydroxy)-methylpyrano]-
(5″,6’’:3′,4′)flavanone (35)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
2(S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-
[(5″,6’’:3′,4′)-(2″,2″-
dimethylpyrano)-(5‴,6‴:
5′,6′)]-(2‴,2‴-
dimethylpyrano)
flavanone (36)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [138]
2(S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-5′-
prenyl-[2″,2’’-(3″-
hydroxy)-
dimethylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (37)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
2(S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-5′-
methoxy-[2″,2’’-(3″-
hydroxy)-dimethyl-
pyrano]-(5″,6’’:3′,4′)
flavanone (38)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
2(S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-
[2″,2’’-(3″,4″-dihydroxy)-
dimethylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (39)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [138]
2(S)-5,7-Dihydroxy-5′-
prenyl-[2″,2’’-(3″,4″-
dihydroxy)-
dimethylpyrano)]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (40)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
2(S)-5,6′,7-Trihydroxy-5′-
prenyl-[2″,2’’-(3″,4″-
dihydroxy)-
dimethylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (41)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
2(S)-5,5′,7-Trihydroxy-
[2″,2’’-(4″-chromanone)-
dimethylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (42)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [138]
2(S)-5′,7-Dihydroxy-
[2″,2’’-(3″-hydroxy)-
dimethylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (43)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [138]
2(S)-5′,7-Dihydroxy-
[2″,2’’-(3″,4″-dihydroxy)-
dimethylpyrano]-(5″,6’’:
3′,4′)flavanone (44)
Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, CD,
NMR,
HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [138]
Abyssinin I (45) Flavanone SB Methanol
HPLC,
NMR,
HREI-MS,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82]
Abyssinin II (46) Flavanone SB Methanol
HPLC,
NMR,
HREI-MS,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82]
18 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Table 4: Continued.
Name of the compound
identified Chemical class Part
used Solvent used Techniques
used
Bioactivity
tested Result Authors
Licochalcone A (47) Chalcone Rt
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
Abyssinone V 4′-methyl
ether (48) Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC
HREIMS,
NMR,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82]
Abyssinoflavanone IV
(49)
Prenylated
flavanone SB Methanol
UV, NMR,
CD, HREI-
MS, HPLC,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82, 138]
Abyssinoflavanone V (50) Prenylated
flavanone SB Methanol
UV, NMR,
CD, HREI-
MS, HPLC,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82, 138, 139]
Abyssinoflavanone VI
(51)
Prenylated
flavanone SB Methanol
UV, NMR,
CD, HREI-
MS, HPLC,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
Not tested Not
applicable [82, 138–140]
Sigmoidin D (52) Flavanone Rt,
SB
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1), methanol
UV, NMR,
CD, EI-MS,
HRMS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities, PTP
1B inhibitory
activity
Weak
antimicrobial
and
antioxidant
activities, no
activity
[82, 134, 138]
5,7-Dihydroxy-2′,4′,5′-
trimethoxyisoflavanone
(53)
Isoflavanone Rt
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
5-Prenylpratensein (54) Isoflavone Rt
Chloroform:
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
Abyssinone I (55) Flavanone RB 80% aqueous
MeOH, ether UV, HPLC Antimicrobial
activity
Moderate
activity [136, 139, 141]
Abyssinone II (56) Flavanone RB
80% aqueous
MeOH UV, HPLC
Antimicrobial
and PTP1B
inhibitory
activities
Moderate and
no activity [136, 141]
Ether
Ethyl acetate
Abyssinone III (57) Flavanone RB
Ethyl acetate HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP1B
inhibitory and
antifungal
activities
Weak activity [136, 142]
Ether
Abyssinone IV (58) Flavanone RB
80% aqueous
MeOH UV, NMR,
HMBC, EI-
MS, HPLC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Moderate
activity [134, 136, 141]Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 19
Table 4: Continued.
Name of the compound
identified Chemical class Part
used Solvent used Techniques
used
Bioactivity
tested Result Authors
Abyssinone V (59) Flavanone Rt,
SB
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
HMBC,
HREI-MS,
CD, HPLC,
NOESY
Antimicrobial,
antiplasmodial,
antioxidant.
and PTP1B
inhibitory
activities
Weak activity [82, 134, 136, 141–143]
Methanol
Ether
Ethyl acetate
Abyssinone VI (60) Isoflavone NS Ether UV, HPLC Antifungal
activity Not reported [136]
Abyssinone VII (61) Chalcone Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1), ether
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC,
HPLC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Good activity [134, 136]
Erythribyssin N (62) Benzofuran SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Marked
stimulation [144]
Sigmoidin K (63) Benzofuran SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Marked
stimulation [144]
Isosojagol (64) Benzofuran SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Less
stimulation [144]
Erythribyssin F (65) Coumestan SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Marked
stimulation [144]
Eryvarin Q (66) Coumestan SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Less
stimulation [144]
Erypoegin F (67) Coumestan SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Marked
stimulation [144]
Erythribyssin H (68) Benzofuran SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Less
stimulation [144]
Eryvarin R (69) Benzofuran SB Methanol
HPLC, IR,
UV, MS,
NMR
AMPK activity Less
stimulation [144]
Erythribyssin E (70) Isoflavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Strong
activity [142]
Prostratol C (71) Isoflavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Strong
activity [142]
Erythribyssin J (72) Isoflavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Strong
activity [142]
5-Deoxyabyssinin II (73) Flavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Strong
activity [142]
7-Demethylrobustigenin
(74) Isoflavone Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
Erythribyssin K (75) Flavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [142]
Erythrabyssin II (76) Pterocarpan Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1), methanol
UV, NMR,
HPLC
Antimicrobial
(antibacterial)
and radical
scavenging
properties
Good radical
scavenging,
antiyeast and
antifungal
activities
[134, 136]
20 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Table 4: Continued.
Name of the compound
identified Chemical class Part
used Solvent used Techniques
used
Bioactivity
tested Result Authors
Liquiritigenin (77) Flavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [142]
Liquiritigenin-50-O-
methyl ether (78) Flavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [142]
Burttinone (79) Flavone SB Methanol UV, NMR,
CD, HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
Burttinonedehydrate (80) Flavone SB Methanol UV, NMR,
CD, HRMS
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Good activity [138]
Erythribyssin G (81) Flavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
Weak activity [142]
Erythribyssin I (82) Flavanone RB Ethyl acetate IR, UV, MS,
CD, NMR
PTP 1B
inhibitory
activity
No activity [142]
7-Hydroxy-4′-methoxy-3-
prenylisoflavone (83) Isoflavone SB Methanol
UV, FTIR,
TLC, NMR,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and
antiplasmodial
activities
Moderately
active [145]
Octacosyl-E-ferulate
(erythrinasinate A) (84) Coumaric acid Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134,145]
Erythrabyssin I (85) Pterocarpan NS Ether, 80%
MeOH
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC,
HPLC
Antifungal
activity Good activity [134, 136, 141]
Erythrabyssin II (86) Pterocarpan Rt
Chloroform :
MeOH (1 :
1), 80%
MeOH
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC,
HPLC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Moderate
activity [134, 136, 141]
Genistein (87) Isoflavone Rt,
Tw
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
Neobavaisoflavone (88) Flavanone Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
Semilicoisoflavone B (89) Isoflavone Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
EI-MS,
HMBC
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Weak activity [134]
Sigmoidin A (90) Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC
HREI-MS,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
NMR
Antilipase
activity
Exhibited
antilipase
activity
[82, 146]
Sigmoidin B (91) Flavanone Rt
Chloroform :
methanol (1 :
1)
UV, NMR,
HREI-MS,
HMBC,
NOESY
Antimicrobial
and antioxidant
activities
Good
activities [82, 134]
Sigmoidin B 4’-(methyl
ether) (92) Flavanone SB Methanol
UV, HPLC
HREI-MS,
HMQC,
HMBC,
NOESY
NMR
Not tested Not
applicable [82]
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 21