Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: A review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology

Abstract

Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver have a long history of ethnomedicinal use in the management of various diseases in Africa. Due to the frequent use of its stem bark and roots in traditional phytotherapy, the species is getting threatened in its distributional ranges. The current review was sought to document information on the ethnobotany, phytochemicals and pharmacology of different parts of A. coriaria, so as to highlight the gaps thereof for future studies. Data retrieved revealed that medicinal uses of A. coriaria have been reported for both human and veterinary ailments. Though the bark is the most commonly used, different parts of the plant are used to prepare herbal remedies for treatment of malignancies, odontological, dermatological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, central nervous system infections/conditions and ailments. Preliminary phytochemical screening has indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenes, cardiac glycosides and steroids as the major secondary metabolites in the stem bark and leaves. Like for other Albizia species, at least six triterpenoidal saponins have been characterized in organic extracts of A. coriaria stem bark and roots. Extracts and some pure compounds from A. coriaria stem bark, leaves and roots have exhibited antiproliferative (cytotoxic), antiplasmodial, molluscicidal, antigiardial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Further research should evaluate pharmacological properties such as antisnake venom, aphrodisiac, antiviral and antimycobacterial activities of the different parts of A. coriaria claimed in traditional folklore. In-depth studies on the pharmacokinetics, in vivo and clinical research utilizing extracts and isolated compounds from A. coriaria are required.

Full text

Vol.:(0123456789)
1 3
Advances in Traditional Medicine (2023) 23:631–646
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-021-00600-8
REVIEW
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany,
phytochemistry andethnopharmacology
TimothyOmara1,2,3 · AmbroseK.Kiprop1,2 · ViolaJ.Kosgei1,2
Received: 1 February 2021 / Accepted: 11 July 2021 / Published online: 21 July 2021
© Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University 2021
Abstract
Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver have a long history of ethnomedicinal use in the management of various diseases in
Africa. Due to the frequent use of its stem bark and roots in traditional phytotherapy, the species is getting threatened in
its distributional ranges. The current review was sought to document information on the ethnobotany, phytochemicals and
pharmacology of different parts of A. coriaria, so as to highlight the gaps thereof for future studies. Data retrieved revealed
that medicinal uses of A. coriaria have been reported for both human and veterinary ailments. Though the bark is the most
commonly used, different parts of the plant are used to prepare herbal remedies for treatment of malignancies, odontologi-
cal, dermatological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, central nervous system infections/conditions and ailments.
Preliminary phytochemical screening has indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenes,
cardiac glycosides and steroids as the major secondary metabolites in the stem bark and leaves. Like for other Albizia species,
at least six triterpenoidal saponins have been characterized in organic extracts of A. coriaria stem bark and roots. Extracts
and some pure compounds from A. coriaria stem bark, leaves and roots have exhibited antiproliferative (cytotoxic), anti-
plasmodial, molluscicidal, antigiardial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Further research should
evaluate pharmacological properties such as antisnake venom, aphrodisiac, antiviral and antimycobacterial activities of the
different parts of A. coriaria claimed in traditional folklore. In-depth studies on the pharmacokinetics, in vivo and clinical
research utilizing extracts and isolated compounds from A. coriaria are required.
Keywords Albizia coriaria· Cytotoxicity· Fabaceae· Flavonoids· Triterpenoidal saponins· Traditional medicine
Introduction
Albizia coriaria Welw ex. Oliver (A. coriaria) is a plant spe-
cies belonging to the Albizia genus of family Fabaceae. The
genus Albizia first appeared in the literature by Durazzini
(in 1772) who described A. julibrissin Durazzin. The
propagation seeds of A. julibrissin were delivered from
Constantinople to Tuscany, Florence (Italy) by Fillippo
Degli Albizzi in 1749 (Nielsen, 1979). The Albizia genus
encompasses over 140 fast-growing subtropical and tropi-
cal trees and shrubs in subfamily Mimosoideae of family
Fabaceae (Lewis & Arce, 2005; Tree Names, 2019). It is
a pan tropical genus, with the species mostly distributed in
Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australia and Southern North
America (Janani, Lukyambuzi, & Kodi, 2014; Singab, Bah-
gat, Al-Sayed, & Eldahshan, 2015; Wikipedia, 2020). The
genus contains highly valued multipurpose medicinal plants
across Asian and African countries (Kokwaro, 1976). The
distribution range in tropical Africa is from Cote d’ivore to
Southern Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Uganda and South Angola (Tropical Plants Data-
base, 2020).
Medicinal plants such as A. coriaria from the Albizia
genus have been a veritable source of cure for human and
veterinary ailments as evidenced by their wide use in various
communities (Schultz, Anywar, Quave, & Garbe, 2021a).
* Timothy Omara
prof.timo2018@gmail.com; prof.timo2018@mu.ac.ke
1 Department ofChemistry andBiochemistry, School
ofSciences andAerospace Studies, Moi University, Eldoret,
Kenya
2 Africa Center ofExcellence II inPhytochemicals, Textile
andRenewable Energy (ACE II PTRE), Moi University,
Eldoret, Kenya
3 Department ofQuality Control andQuality Assurance,
Product Development Directory, AgroWays Uganda Limited,
Jinja, Uganda

632 T.Omara et al.
1 3
This is attributed to their inherent possession of second-
ary metabolites (phytochemicals) that have pharmacologi-
cal activities. The common plant secondary metabolites
include flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols
and quinones. These phytochemicals form part of the herbal
remedies prepared from plants and used traditionally for
management of diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated at least
80% of the world’s population especially in low- and mid-
dle-income countries rely on herbal medicines for primary
health care (WHO, 2019). Utilization of ethnomedicinal
plants in the management of ailments in rural communi-
ties continue to gain prominence due to their availability,
affordability, perceived effectiveness and cultural acceptabil-
ity (Obakiro etal., 2020; Schultz, Anywar, Wack, Quave, &
Garbe, 2020b). This study was sought to provide a compre-
hensive overview of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and
pharmacology of A. coriaria which is a revered medicinal
plant in Africa. The study further emphasizes the impor-
tance of conserving this medicinal plant amidst the growing
destruction of natural resources for settlement, industrializa-
tion, construction and energy production.
Methodology
This study is a non-systematic review which examined peer-
reviewed articles and reports published on A. coriaria in
open literature dated until June 2021. The reviewed reports
were sourced electronically from Science Direct, PubMed,
Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science Core Collec-
tion. A more general search was further performed using the
Google search engine to capture documents, reports, botani-
cal databases and theses from various University reposito-
ries. The search keywords used were Albizia coriaria, A.
coriaria, Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver, Albizia coriaria
Welw ex Oliv. and A. coriaria Welw ex Oliv.
The retrieved reports were screened for their relevance
and inclusion in the review. The data collected were on the
ethnobotany (traditional medicinal uses), non-medicinal
uses, morphology, geographical distribution, phytochem-
istry, pharmacology and toxicity profile of A. coriaria to
highlight the gaps that are available for future studies and
consideration.
Results anddiscussion
Morphology andgeographical distribution
ofAlbizia coriaria
Albizia coriaria is a deciduous heavily-branched slow grow-
ing tree (Omeli, 2011; Orwa, Mutua, Kindt, Jamnadass, &
Simons, 2009; Tropical Plants Database, 2020), often up to
36 m tall (Fig.1). The tree crown is spreading and flat with
characteristically twisted trunk (The Plant List, 2019). The
young branchlets are hairy whereas the leaves are bipin-
nate, oblong to elliptic 13–33 mm long, 5–17 mm wide and
rounded. The bark is grey-black, rough and raggedly scaling.
Flowers are white, sweet smelling with half-spherical heads
and hanging red stamen filaments. The fruit is a pod, brown
or purplish-brown with a tapered apex (Ganza, 2014). The
plant propagates vegetatively, using seedlings or wildings
(World Agroforestry, 2019).
Albizia coriaria bear resemblance to A. ferruginea, a
close member of the Albizia genus which it is often confused
with as they also share some medicinal uses. The synonyms
of this species are A. katangensis De Wild. and A. poissonii
A. Chev. (Tropical Plants Database, 2020). The epithet in
Fig. 1 Albizia coriaria Welw.
ex Oliver (a) tree, (b) leaves
(photos taken by Timothy
Omara from a tree in Mbarara
district, Western Uganda)

633
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
the species name ‘‘coriaria’’ describes the leathery texture
of its upper leaf surfaces (Ganza, 2014).
Local names, non‑medicinal andethnomedicinal
uses ofA. coriaria
A. coriaria is a treasured plant as evidenced by the exist-
ence of its name in various local languages and high fre-
quency of citation in ethnobotanical surveys (Anywar etal.,
2020a; Johns, Kokwaro, & Kimanani, 1990; Mugisha,
Asiimwe, Namutebi, Borg-Karlson, & Kakudidi, 2014;
Namukobe etal., 2011; Omara, Kiprop, & Kosgei, 2021;
Schultz etal., 2021a; Schultz etal., 2020b; Shehu etal.,
2018; Ssebulime etal., 2019; Tsabang, Yedjou, & Tchoun-
wou, 2017). In Uganda, it is known as Itek, Bata in Lango
(Opio, Andama, & Kureh, 2017), Ober, Ayekayek in Acholi
(Oryema, Bukenya-Ziraba, Omagor, & Opio, 2010), Musita
in Lusoga (Mwanjalolo etal., 2016), Mugavu in Luganda,
Musiisa in Lukiga and Lutoro, Etek, Etekwa in Ateso, Oyo in
Madi, Chesovio, Kumoluko in Lugishu, Musisa, Murongo in
Lunyankore, Musisa in Lunyoro, Muyenzayenze in Lukiga,
Musisiya in Kwamba, Mubere in Lugwe and Ecailait, Kiluku
in Karimojong (Anywar etal., 2020a; Gradé, Tabuti, & Van
Damme, 2009; Omara etal., 2020b; World Agroforestry,
2019). In Kenya, it is known as Ober, Omogi in Luo (India,
2015; Johns etal., 1990), Lotoligo in Kuria, Olerai in Massai
(Kama-Kama etal., 2016), Omubeli (Ochwang’i etal., 2014;
Omara, 2020), Musengertet in Nandi (Jeruto etal., 2010) and
Omubele in Luhya (Kokwaro, 1993), Kurnupeli, Kumuye-
beye, Musenzeli or Bukusu in Luhya (Luvonga, 2007;
World Agroforestry, 2021). It is locally known as Bitza in
Ethiopia (Mengesha, Birrie, & Gundersen, 1997), Awiamfo
semina in West Africa (Asare, 2005), Sanda, Tolo (Baya),
Pâssour (Bamoun) in Cameroon (Tsabang etal., 2017) and
Paiangonga (Kimbundu) in Angola (Bossard, 1993). In
Ghana, it is called Awiemfo samina (Kaba, Otu-Nyanteh, &
Abunyewa, 2020) while in English, it is called false-thorn,
worm-cure albizia, worm-bark or cherry-blossom tree (Tsa-
bang etal., 2017).
Albizia coriaria tree is used for timber (Ministry Of Water
And Environment, 2016; Tabuti, 2012), firewood (Katende,
Birnie, & Tengnas, 1995; Note etal., 2009; Omeli, 2011),
poles, furniture and charcoal making (Kigenyi, 2016; Nabu-
kalu & Gieré, 2019; Sebukyu & Mosango, 2012; Sseremba,
2010; Sseremba etal., 2010; Tabuti, Muwanika, Arinaitwe,
& Ticktin, 2011). It is also used as a laundry detergent due to
its saponin content (Eilu, Oriekot, & Tushabe, 2007; Tropi-
cal Plants Database, 2020), making milk jars, pounding mor-
tar and boats, fodder, bee forage. It is used to fasten banana
ripening and as an ornamental, shade or nitrogen fixing plant
(Asare, 2005; Bukomeko, Jassogne, Tumwebaze, Eilu, &
Vaast, 2019; Jagoret, Kwesseu, Messie, Michel-Dounias, &
Malézieux, 2014; Manu & Tetteh, 1987; Mwanjalolo etal.,
2016; Ssebulime etal., 2019; Ssebulime etal., 2018; Tabuti
& Mugula, 2007; World Agroforestry, 2019). The tree also
provides support for climbing food plants such as Passiflora
edulis (passion fruits) and Dioscorea species (yams), is used
as a natural dye for textiles, wind break and for religious
rituals (Tabuti & Mugula, 2007; World Agroforestry, 2019).
In Madi and West Nile areas of Uganda, Western Ethiopia
and Angola, A. coriaria bark is an ichthyotoxic utilized in
fishing and tanning leather (Bossard, 1993; Mengesha etal.,
1997; Verdcourt & Trump, 1969). The branchlets are used
as firesticks (Tropical Plants Database, 2020).
Albizia coriaria is one of the few medicinal plant species
that have been reported to be used in the treatment of various
diseases (Schultz etal., 2021a; Schultz etal., 2020b; Tabuti
& Mugula, 2007). The ethnomedicinal uses of A. coriaria
whole plant or different parts singly, and in combination
are summarized in Table1. These use reports of the species
have been recorded in Uganda, Cameroon, Angola, Kenya
and Tanzania where the species is indigenous in transition
zones between savannah and dry forests of tropical Africa.
The most used part of A. coriaria is the bark (stem bark)
for treatment of cancers, general, odontological, dermato-
logical, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive and central
nervous system infections/conditions and ailments (Fig.2).
This could be because barks are capable of accumulating
therapeutic phytochemicals which are responsible for treat-
ment of various ailments (Saxena, Saxena, Nema, Singh,
& Gupta, 2013). Conversely, reproductive/generative struc-
tures such as flowers and seeds known to accumulate phy-
tochemicals are less commonly used, probably because the
plant takes long before flowering (Omeli, 2011; Orwa etal.,
2009).
Decoction and oral intake are the most common methods
used for preparation and administration of herbal remedies
from A. coriaria, respectively. Most remedies are mono-
preparations of different parts, except in a few cases where
they are mixed (sometimes with parts of other plant species).
For example, in the recipe for treating hernia, a decoction of
a mixture of A. coriaria and Erythrina abyssinica barks is
taken 3 teaspoons thrice daily (Gumisiriza, Birungi, Olet, &
Sesaazi, 2019). The use of non-plant materials (adjuncts) in
some recipes have also been reported. For example, for treat-
ing respiratory ailments, the bark is boiled, honey is added
and 100 mL of the mixture is drunk thrice daily until recov-
ery (Mugisha etal., 2014). The bark is boiled/powdered and
mixed with petroleum jelly and applied topically as an oint-
ment for treatment of inflammatory disorders (Schultz etal.,
2020b). For albino skin burns, the stem bark powder with
bark powders of Albizia grandibracteata leaves are added to
jelly and applied topically (Namukobe, Lutaaya, Asiimwe,
& Byamukama, 2021).
Some treatments, however, involve use of mystical thera-
pies or scientifically unexplainable remedies. For instance,

634 T.Omara et al.
1 3
Table 1 Ethnomedicinal uses of different parts of A. coriaria based on literature records
Ailment(s) treated/uses Part(s) used Preparation and administration Country Author(s)
1. General infections/conditions/uses
Infections/conditions e.g. fatigue and
inflammatory disorders (pain, red-
ness, heat, swelling and wounds),
lameness (Butenge), athlete’s foot,
used as a general tonic, to concen-
trate human breast milk and as a
mosquito repellent
Stem bark, roots, leaves, whole plant Decoction taken or used in herbal
tea/herbal bath. For inflammatory
disorders, powder is applied topi-
cally or mixed with petroleum jelly
and smeared on the body part. For
lameness, Steganotaenia araliacea
leaves added to A. coriaria warm
bark decoction is used to massage the
limb. Boil and soak feet for athlete’s
foot. Logs burnt with cow dung as
mosquito repellent
Uganda, Kenya, Angola Asiimwe etal. (2021), Namukobe etal.
(2021), Schultz etal. (2020b), Anywar
etal. (2020a), Kigenyi (2016), Olala
(2014), Tabuti and Mugula (2007),
Tabuti etal. (2003), Bossard (1993)
Hypertension, heart diseases, anaemia,
diabetes, pleurisy
Stem bark, roots Decoction/infusion taken Uganda, Cameroon Schultz etal. (2020b), Tsabang etal.
(2017), Anywar etal. (2020a),
Gumisiriza etal. (2019), Ssegawa
and Kasenene (2007), Tropical Plants
Database (2020), Tabuti and Mugula
(2007)
Headache, malaria (fever, nausea) Flowers, stem bark, whole plant leaves Decoction taken/used externally for
headache. Used as a wash or steam
inhalation against fever (including
malaria). Infusion/decoction taken
(3 teaspoons thrice daily for children
and adults, respectively for a week)
for malaria
Uganda, Kenya Anywar etal. (2020a), Schultz etal.
(2020b), Tropical Plants Database
(2020), New Vision (2019), Muthaura
etal. (2015), Opio etal. (2017), Adia
etal. (2014), Olala (2014), Nanyunja
(2003), Ssegawa and Kasenene (2007)
2. Dermatological diseases
Mbahe in children, skin and soft tissue
infections/disorders, rashes/sores and
wounds/lesions, pyomyositis, (meat)
allergy, albino skin burns, jaundice,
licidal for head lice
Leaves, stem bark, roots Decoction (with rock salt) taken.
Leaves and bark pounded separately
and compressed on the affected area
(or mixed with jelly is applied for
rashes). Boiled and used for bath-
ing. Bark maybe boiled/powdered
and mixed with petroleum jelly and
applied topically. For pyomyositis,
root infusion added to tonto is taken.
For Albino skin burns, the bark pow-
der are mixed with bark powders of
Albizia grandibracteata leaves, added
to jelly and applied. Infusion applied
as a wash to kill head lice
Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon Asiimwe etal. (2021), Namukobe etal.
(2021),
Anywar etal. (2020a), New Vision
(2019), Ssegawa and Kasenene (2007),
Tropical Plants Database (2020) Adia
etal. (2014), Gumisiriza etal. (2019),
Schultz etal. (2020b), Nambejja
etal. (2019), Musinguzi etal. (2017),
Tugume etal. (2016), Tabuti and
Mugula (2007), Tabuti etal. (2003),
Johns etal. (1990), Leiderer (1982)
3. Odontological diseases
Toothache, usage as toothbrush (Mis-
wak)
Stem, stem bark, roots, root bark Stem used as a chewing stick. Stem
bark decoction used to rinse the
mouth without swallowing. Root
bark chewed and liquid swallowed
for toothache. Roots pounded with
rock salt and rubbed on the teeth
Uganda, Kenya Schultz etal. (2020b), Tropical Plants
Database (2020), Gumisiriza etal.
(2019), New Vision (2019), TRO-
FACO (2019), Araya (2007), ICRAF
(1992), Johns etal. (1990)

635
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
Table 1 (continued)
Ailment(s) treated/uses Part(s) used Preparation and administration Country Author(s)
4. Respiratory ailments
Cough (chronic/strong) in humans, and
poultry, livestock respiratory dis-
eases, tuberculosis, chest congestion,
sore throat
Stem bark, roots Infusion/decoction taken (500 mL
thrice daily for adults and 250 mL
once for children until recovery) or
decoction (100 mL) with rock salt
drunk. Decoction/infusion adminis-
tered as a prophylaxis in poultry
Uganda, Kenya Asiimwe etal. (2021), Anywar etal.
(2020a), Schultz etal. (2020b), Gumi-
siriza etal. (2019), Shehu etal. (2018),
Musinguzi etal. (2017), Tugume etal.
(2016), India (2015), Namukobe etal.
(2011), Oryema etal. (2010), Ssegawa
and Kasenene (2007), Tabuti etal.
(2003, 2007), Olila etal. (2007), Johns
etal. (1990), Bunalema etal. (2014)
Orodho etal. (2011)
5. Gastrointestinal infections and
disorders
Stomach problems, ulcers/lesions, con-
stipation, worms, colic pain, swollen
rectum, hernia, diarrhoea, typhoid
fever, stomachache, dysentery,
worms, gastrointestinal infections,
amoebiasis
Leaves, roots, stem bark Infusion/decoction taken. Boil and
sit in the water for swollen rectum.
For hernia, the bark with that of
Erythrina abyssinica are boiled
while covered to retain steam and the
cold decoction is taken. Root bark is
chewed, and the liquid swallowed.
For amoebiasis, infusion used for
bathing.
Uganda, Kenya Anywar etal. (2020a), Schultz etal.
(2020b), Gumisiriza etal. (2019),
Shehu etal. (2018), Musinguzi etal.
(2017), Kigenyi (2016), Tugume etal.
(2016), India (2015), Olala (2014),
Oryema etal. (2010), Akanga (2008),
Ssegawa and Kasenene (2007),
Nanyunja (2003), Tabuti etal. (2003),
Johns etal. (1995), Johns etal. (1990)
Livestock abdominal problems associ-
ated with protozoan parasites, lung-
worms (ascaris worms), helmintho-
sis, rinderpest (Loleo) and barrenness
(Atengina ekolupana) in cows
Stem bark, roots, leaves For lungworms, 0.5 kg of fresh bark is
added to drinking water of sick cattle,
sheep and goats. For helminthosis,
leaves and bark crushed and mixed
with water is used for drenching
the animal. Leaf infusion prepared
by mixing pounded leaves with the
pounded roots of Euclea divinorum
and Harrisonia abyssinica, is taken
orally for helminthiasis
Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Kama-Kama etal. (2016), Byaruhanga
etal. (2015), Dharani etal. (2015),
Sirama (2014), Gradé etal. (2009),
Orwa etal. (2009)
6. Reproductive diseases/conditions
Venereal diseases and conditions
(syphilis, HIV/AIDs, sexually
transmitted infections, sore eyes/
eye diseases) and boosting immune
system of people with HIV/AIDs
Whole plant, roots, stem bark, leaves Decoction/infusion taken. Decoction
may also be used for bathing to cure
syphilis. Root steam used for sore
eyes.
Uganda, Kenya Asiimwe etal. (2021), Schultz etal.
(2020b), Musinguzi etal. (2017),
Jeruto etal. (2010), Oryema etal.
(2010), Tabuti and Mugula (2007),
Tabuti etal. (2003, 2007), Kokwaro
(1993)
Infertility in men, erectile dysfunction,
menorrhagia, threatened abortion,
post-partum haemorrhage, vaginal
dryness, fibroids, abortifacient
Whole plant, stem bark, leaves Fresh bark boiled with Cymbopogon
nardus (L.) Rendle flowers in a local
brew is drunk for infertility. For other
conditions, decoction taken
Uganda, Kenya Anywar etal. (2020a, 2020b), Schultz
etal. (2020b), Tropical Plants Data-
base (2020), Namukobe etal. (2011),
Jeruto etal. (2010), Kokwaro (1993)
7. Central nervous system disorders/
conditions
Spiritual possession, mental illness,
epilepsy, snakebites
Bark, roots, leaves Infusion/decoction taken Uganda Anywar etal. (2020a), Gumisiriza etal.
(2019), Oryema etal. (2010), Ssegawa
and Kasenene (2007)

636 T.Omara et al.
1 3
remedy for pyomyositis involves administration of root infu-
sion added to tonto (a traditional beer produced from Musa
× paradisiaca L. var. sapientum) to the patient (Tabuti, Lye,
& Dhillion, 2003). Because of the frequent use of A. cori-
aria stem bark and roots in traditional phytotherapy, and
other non-medicinal uses such as timber and charcoal mak-
ing, the species is getting threatened in its distributional
ranges (Tabuti, 2012; Tabuti & Mugula, 2007; Tabuti etal.,
2011). Efforts should be launched to propagate and conserve
A. coriaria.
Phytochemistry ofA. coriaria
Over the years, some phytochemicals have been identified
in the roots and stem bark of A. coriaria. Preliminary phy-
tochemical analysis of aqueous and organic extracts of A.
coriaria stem bark indicated that the active phytochemicals
were saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids,
reducing sugars, flavone aglycones, volatile oils, polyuron-
ides, glucides, sterols, coumarins and tannins. Carotenoids,
anthracenoside aglycones and chlorophyll were not detected
(Table2). Recently, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, flavonoids,
cardiac glycosides, tannins and terpenes were reported as
the major secondary metabolites in A. coriaria leaves from
some selected agroecological zones of Uganda (Omara etal.,
2021). Extracts from the other parts of A. coriaria used in
traditional medicine have not been screened to detect the
presence of therapeutic secondary metabolites.
Two new oleanane-type saponins: coriariosides A (1)
and B (2) and a known saponin, gummiferaoside C (3)
(Fig.3) were isolated, purified and characterized using
high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
(HR-ESI-MS) and extensive Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
(NMR) spectroscopy from n-butanol fraction (obtained from
methanolic extract) of A. coriaria roots by Note etal. (2009).
Coriarioside A was identified as 3-O-{
𝛽
-D-fucopyranosyl-(1
→
6)-[
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl-(1
→
2)]-
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl}-
21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-
dimethyl-6-O-(
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl}-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl} acacic
acid 28-O-
𝛼
-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1
→
4)-[
𝛽
-D-glucopyra-
nosyl-(1
→
3)]-
𝛼
-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1
→
2)-
𝛽
-D-glu-
copyranosyl ester. Coriarioside B was deduced to be 3-O-{
𝛽
-D-fucopyranosyl-(1
→
6)-[
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl-(1
→
2)]-
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl}-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-
dimethyl-6-O-(
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-4-
O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-
2,7-dienoyl]}-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoyl}
acacic acid 28-O-
𝛼
-D-xylopyranosyl-(1
→
4)-
𝛼
-L-rhamno-
pyranosyl-(1
→
2)-
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl ester. Gummifera-
oside C, previously isolated from A. gummifera roots (Cao
etal., 2007) was identified as 3-O-{
𝛽
-D-fucopyranosyl-(1
Table 1 (continued)
Ailment(s) treated/uses Part(s) used Preparation and administration Country Author(s)
8. Cancers (malignant growths)
Breast, skin, uterine, blood, abdominal,
bone marrow, cervical, intestinal,
prostate and throat cancers
Bark, leaves Decoction taken. Poultice from leaf
powder applied topically for skin
cancer twice daily. Bark decoction
taken 2 glasses daily for 1 week
Uganda, Kenya Asiimwe etal. (2021), Anywar etal.
(2020a), Ochwang’i etal. (2014),
Schultz etal. (2020b), Ssegawa and
Kasenene (2007)

637
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
→
6)-[
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl-(1
→
2)]-
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl}-
21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-
dimethyl-6-O-(
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-
𝛽
-D-quinovopyranosyl}-2, 6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl}
acacic acid 28-O-
𝛽
-D-xylopyranosyl-(1
→
3)-
𝛼
-L-rhamno-
pyranosyl-(1
→
2)-
𝛽
-D-glucopyranosyl ester.
Further, HR-ESI-MS and NMR analyses of the chlo-
roform-methanol-aqueous fractions of methanolic extract
of A. coriaria roots revealed the presence of three acacic
acid glycosides which were previously reported in other
sister species: A. julibrissin, A. grandibracteata, A.
procera, A. adianthifolia, A. gummifera and A. chinen-
sis (Note etal., 2010). The coriariosides (triterpenoid
saponins) were characterized as 3-O-[β-D-xylopyran-
osyl-(1-2)-β-D-fucopyranosy-l-(1-6)-2-(acetamido)-
2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-
O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(β-D-quinovopyranosyl)
octa-2,7-dienoyl}acacicacid-28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-
4)-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4),
3-O-{β-D-fucopyranosyl-(1-6)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-
dlucopyranosyl}-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-
dimethyl-6-O-(β-D-quinovopyranosyl) octa-2,7-dienoyl]-
β-D-quinovopyranosyl-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl}
acacic acid-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-
glucopyranosyl ester (5) and 3-O-[β-D-fucopyranosyl-
(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-
[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(β-D-quinovopyranosyl)
octa-2,7-dienoyl)-β-D-quinovopyranosyl]octa-2,7-di-
enoyl}acacic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (6).
These were named Coriariosides C, D and E, respectively
(Fig.4).
Employing HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy, Byamu-
kama etal. (2015) reported for the first time the presence
of a triterpene (lupeol, 7), triterpenoids (lupenone, 8 and
betulinic acid, 9), acacic acid lactone (10), (+)-catechin (11)
Fig. 2 Major ailments and con-
ditions treated using prepara-
tions of A. coriaria
17
10
2
6
19
13
4
10
02468101214161
820
General infections and conditions/uses
Dermatological conditions
Odontological diseases/uses
Respiratory ailments
Gastrointestinal infections/conditions
Reproductive diseases/conditions
Central nervous system infections/conditions
Cancers
Number of ailments/conditions
Ailments/conditions
Table 2 Secondary metabolites reported in A. coriaria stem bark
Solvent(s) used Metabolites identified Author(s)
Ethyl acetate, ethanol, distilled water Alkaloids, phenols, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, terpenes Omara etal. (2021)
Methanol/dichloromethane Tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids India (2015)
Ethanol Alkaloids, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, saponins and steroids Langat (2013)
Dichloromethane Tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids Owuor etal. (2012)
Petroleum ether Steroids and triterpenoids, coumarins, tannins, reducing sugars, alkaloids Wanyama etal. (2011)
Distilled water Polyuronides, tannins, glucides and saponins Nalubega (2010)
Not reported Tannins, saponins Orwa etal. (2009)
Methanol Tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids and triterpenoids Akanga (2008)
Methanol, ethanol, distilled water Tannins Mengesha etal. (1997)

638 T.Omara et al.
1 3
and benzyl alcohol (12) in ethyl acetate extract of A. coriaria
stem bark (Fig.5).
There are no reports in open literature on the compounds
in A. coriaria leaves, flowers and seeds though triterpenoid
saponins are commonly characterized in the Albizia genus
(Note etal., 2010; Note etal., 2009). The triterpenoidal
saponins possess aglycon parts which may be oleanolic
acid, echinocystic acid, acacic acid lactone or machaerinic
acid γ-lactone (Gupta, Chaudhary, Yadav, Verma, & Dob-
hal, 2005; He, Wang, Ye, Liu, & Sun, 2020; Noté etal.,
2015; Singab etal., 2015). The sugar residues are frequently
glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy glucose, xylose, rhamnose,
fucose or arabinose (Singab etal., 2015).
Pharmacological profile ofAlbizia coriaria
The genus Albizia is known for its various pharmacologi-
cal activities (He etal., 2020; Singab et al., 2015). The
species A. coriaria has not been exhaustively investigated
for its bioactivities such as antimycobacterial, antivenom
and anticancer activities (Byamukama etal., 2015; Oba-
kiro etal., 2020; Omara etal., 2020a; Omara etal., 2020b;
Schultz etal., 2021a). Some of the species’ investigated bio-
activities include antigiardial, molluscicidal, antiplasmodial,
antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor
activities.
Antigiardial, antiplasmodial andmolluscicidal
activities
In one of the pioneering studies, crude methanolic extracts
of A. coriaria roots and bark were reported to cause 100%
death of Giardia lamblia trophozoites at 500 ppm and 1000
ppm in an in vitro study (Johns etal., 1995). Similarly,
crude methanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts of A. coriaria
resulted in 100% mortality of snails (Biomphalaria pfeifferi)
at concentrations of 50 ppm and above when exposed to the
extracts for six hours (Mengesha etal., 1997).
In another study, methanolic extracts of A. coriaria stem
bark had antiplasmodial activity with IC50 = 15.2 μg/mL
Fig. 3 Structure of saponins iso-
lated from Albizia coriaria roots
Key: Araf = -arabinofuranosyl, Fuc = -fucopyranosyl, Glc = -glucopyranosyl, MT =
monoterpenyl moiety (labelled 1 to 3), Rha =-rhamnopyranosyl, Xyl = -xylopyranosyl, Qui
= Quinovose.
MoleculeR
1R2R3
Coriarioside A (1)ArafGlc S
Coriarioside B (2)Xyl HMT3
Gummiferaoside C (3)Xyl HS

639
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
and 16.8 μg/mL against D6 (chloroquine sensitive) and
W2 (chloroquine resistant) Plasmodium falciparum strains
(Muthaura etal., 2015). The aqueous extracts on the other
hand had no bioactivity against D6 strain and IC50 >100 μg/
mL for W2 strain. These results corroborated the report by
Owuor etal. (2012) who found that dichloromethane extract
of this species was effective against P. falciparum strains
W2 and D6 with IC50 values of 6.7987 ± 3.04 μg/mL and
10.6797 ± 1.939 μg/mL, respectively. Ethanolic and ethyl
acetate extracts of A. coriaria stem bark did not inhibit heme
formation in a heme biocrystallization library screen meant
to identify if it was a potential antiprotozoal agent (Schultz
etal., 2021c). Thus, it did not merit further screening for its
antiprotozoal activity.
The reported antiparasitic (antigiardial, antiplasmo-
dial) and molluscicidal activities of A. coriaria could be
due to the secondary metabolites identified in its extracts.
For instance, flavonoids have been indicated to be effective
in vitro as antigiardial agents (Barbosa, Calzada, & Cam-
pos, 2007; Hernández-Bolio, Torres-Tapia, Moo-Puc, &
Peraza-Sánchez, 2015) through proapoptotic induction of
cell death (Argüello-García, Calzada, García-Hernández,
Chávez-Munguía, & Velázquez-Domínguez, 2020). On the
Fig. 4 Structures of triterpenoi-
dal saponins isolated from A.
coriaria roots
Ke
y: Glc = -glucopyranosyl, Rha =-rhamnopyranosyl, Xyl = -xylopyranosyl,NHAc=
2-
(acetamido)-
Acacic acid type saponinR
1R2R3R4
Coriarioside C(4)Xyl NHAc Xyl (1→4) RhaS
Coriarioside D (5)HO-GlcRha S
Coriarioside E (6)HOH HH
78
9
11
12
10
Fig. 5 Structure of compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate extract
of A. coriaria stem bark

640 T.Omara et al.
1 3
other hand, antiplasmodial and antimycoplasmal activities
of plant extracts are usually elicited by alkaloids, terpenoids,
flavonoids, coumarins, phenolics, quinones and steroids
(Bekono etal., 2020; Uzor, 2020) which have been identified
A. coriaria extracts. These metabolites elicit antiplasmodial
activity through cation chelation and P. falciparum growth
inhibition (Levrier etal., 2013). Alkaloids and saponins have
been earmarked as molluscicidal plant secondary metabo-
lites that interferes with metabolic activities in snail vectors
as well as triggering acetyl cholinesterase inhibition, leading
to paralysis and subsequent death of the animals (Abubakar,
Bala, & Singh, 2017; Akinpelu, Dare, Adebesin, Iwalewa,
& Oyedapo, 2012).
Antimicrobial, antioxidant andanti‑inflammatory
activities
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhibition diameter = 16 mm),
Bacillus subtilis (inhibition diameter = 23 mm), and Escher-
ichia coli (E. coli) with zone of inhibition diameter (ZOI)
of 10 mm were reported to be susceptible to methanolic
stem bark extract of A. coriaria indigenous to Uganda (Olila
etal., 2007). Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to the
methanol extract. All the bacteria screened were resistant
to the petroleum ether extract in this study. Contrastingly,
methanol extract of A. coriaria stem bark harvested from
Kenya elicited high bacteriostatic activity against Staphy-
lococcus aureus (S. aureus) with ZOI of 18 mm (Luvonga,
2007). In the same study, aqueous extracts recorded mini-
mum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 mg/mL for S.
aureus, 25.0 mg/mL for S. pneumoniae and 25.0 mg/mL for
P. aeruginosa. The methanolic extract had MIC of 3.13 mg/
mL for S. aureus and 25.0 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa.
The aqueous extracts had minimum bactericidal concentra-
tion (MBC) of 12.5 mg/mL for S. aureus, 12.5 mg/mL for
S. pneumoniae and 50.0 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa while its
minimum fungicidal concentration against Microsporum
gypseum was 25 mg/mL (Luvonga, 2007).
Another report indicated that methanolic extract of A.
coriaria stem bark had MIC of 12.5 mg/mL against S.
aureus isolate, 25 mg/mL against Shigella flexneri and Pro-
teus mirabilis, and 50 mg/mL against E. coli isolate, clinical
S. aureus and E. coli ATCC 25922 (Akanga, 2008). The hex-
ane and acetone extracts of the stem bark however were not
active on all the tested microorganisms. Similarly, Nalubega
etal. (2011) found that aqueous and ether extracts of A.
coriaria stem bark had zone of inhibition diameter (ZOI) of
1.6 mm and 1.9 mm, and 1.5 mm and 1.7 mm against Strep-
tococcus faecalis and S. aureus but no activity was recorded
against E. coli and Salmonella typhi. The ethanolic extracts
had ZOI of 1.7 mm, 2.0 mm and 1.6 mm against Strepto-
coccus faecalis, S. aureus and E. coli, respectively with no
activity against Salmonella typhi. The MIC were both 0.5 g/
mL for S. faecalis and S. aureus.
A recent report by Byamukama etal. (2015) indicated
that the ethyl acetate extract of A. coriaria stem bark had the
highest ZOI of 18 mm and 17 mm against E. coli and P. aer-
uginosa. The methanolic extract had a ZOI of 8 mm against
P. aeruginosa but did not inhibit the growth of E. coli. The
aqueous extract had no bioactivity against all the bacterial
strains tested. The authors argued that the bacterial species
tested were only susceptible to ethyl acetate extract as the
inhibition diameters were within the range for standard anti-
biotics such as ampicillin (ZOI of 16-22 mm), doxycycline
(ZOI of 18-24 mm) and tetracycline (ZOI of 18-25 mm). The
ethyl acetate extract had a MIC of 125 mg/mL on E. coli and
250 mg/mL on P. aeruginosa while the minimum bacteri-
cidal concentration (MBC) was 125 mg/mL for E. coli. India
(2015) reported that A. coriaria stem bark extract had mod-
erate antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus and
Methicillin resistant S. aureus with ZOI of 12 mm, 10 mm
and 13 mm, respectively. The MIC and MBC were in the
range of 1.875 to 3.75 mg/mL. It however showed very low
antibacterial activity (ZOI of 6 mm) against E. coli ATCC
25922 and Salmonella typhi ATCC 19430.
Ethanolic, methanolic and dichloromethane: methanol
(50:50) extracts of A. coriaria stem bark elicited anti-myco-
plasmal activity against Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies
mycoides (Afadé, B 237, Gladysdale, PG1 and V5) with
IC50 = 0.227 ± 0.114 mg/mL, 0.137 ± 0.092 mg/mL and
0.327 ± 0.110 mg/mL. Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies
capri (Y-Goat, 95010, G1313.94, M-18 and G1255/94) had
with IC50 = 0.237 ± 0.110 mg/mL, 0.417 ± 0.090 mg/mL
and 0.137 ± 0.092 mg/mL while Mycoplasma capricolum
subspecies capricolum (6443-90) with IC50 = 0.05 mg/mL,
0.005 mg/mL and 0.05 mg/mL (Kama-Kama etal., 2016).
Aqueous extracts only exhibited bioactivity against B 237,
Gladysdale, PG1 and V5 Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies
mycoides.
In another investigation, ethanolic extracts of A. cori-
aria stem bark did not inhibit the growth of Enterococcus
faecium EU-44, S. aureus UAMS-1, Klebsiella pneumo-
niae CDC-004 and Enterobacter cloacae CDC-0032 when
tested at 256 μg/mL (Schultz etal., 2020a). The ethanolic
extract had IC50 and MIC values greater than 256 μg/mL for
Acinetobacter baumannii CDC-0033, 32 μg/mL and > 256
μg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa AH-71. Further, ethyl
acetate and ethanolic extracts did not exhibit quorum sensing
above 40% at 16 μg/mL in a quorum-sensing inhibition plant
extract library screen on S. aureus accessory gene regulator
I reporter strain (Schultz etal., 2020a).
An extension of the foregoing study (Schultz, Osuji,
Wack, Anywar, & Garbe, 2021b) performed in vitro selec-
tive cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor,
15-Lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibition screening as well as

641
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant potential and
antibacterial assays against multidrug-resistant S. aureus,
E. coli K12 and Listeria innocua using 76 different plant
extracts including ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts of A.
coriaria stem bark. Initial COX-2 extract library screen of A.
coriaria stem bark extracts at 50 μg/mL indicated that only
the ethanolic extract had 1-40% COX-2. The extracts did not
exhibit any 15-LOX inhibition activity at 10 μg/mL (Schultz
etal., 2021b). The TPC of the ethyl acetate and ethanolic
extracts were 28.36 ± 0.97 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent/g
extract (mg CAE/gE) and 28.37 ± 0.34 mg CAE/gE while
the antioxidant potential (DPPH scavenging activity) had
half effective concentration (EC50) of 22.98 ± 2.47 μg/mL
and 18.39 ± 2.23 μg/mL, respectively. In antibacterial activ-
ity assay, the extracts had MIC between 250-500 mg/mL and
greater than 500 mg/mL for S. aureus, E. coli K12 and L.
innocua, respectively (Schultz etal., 2021b).
Investigation of the geographic variability of phyto-
chemicals, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ethyl
acetate, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of A. coriaria leaves
from Jinja, Kole and Mbarara districts of Uganda indi-
cated that the TPC and total flavonoid content (TFC) and
antioxidant activities were highest for ethanolic extracts,
with the highest contents (101.72 ± 0.22 mg GAE/g DW
and 13.23 ± 0.03 mg QE/g DW) and antioxidant potential
(IC50 = 18.65 ± 0.06 mg/mL) recorded for leaves from Mba-
rara district. Ethanolic extracts of leaves from Jinja and Kole
had TPC of 67.04 ± 0.19 and 77.99 ± 0.17 mg GAE/g DW,
TFC of 8.63 ± 0.02 to 13.23 ± 0.03 mg QE / g DW and anti-
oxidant activities (IC50 values) of 18.65 ± 0.06 to 23.41 ±
0.13 mg/mL. The TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity (IC50)
of the ethyl acetate extracts ranged from 10.93 ± 0.13 to
60.69 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g DW, 0.55 ± 0.01 to 9.66 ± 0.01
mg QE /g DW and 23.73 ± 0.16 to 26.34 ± 0.09 mg/mL,
respectively. The corresponding TPC, TFC and IC50 values
of the aqueous extracts were 5.29 ± 0.13 to 61.25 ± 0.13
mg GAE/g DW, 25.51 ± 0.14 to 29.80 ± 0.26 mg/mL. Anti-
bacterial screening of the extracts revealed that ethanolic
extracts had higher antibacterial activities with ZOI of 6.00
± 1.73 to 10.00 ± 1.73 mm, 5.00 ± 1.00 to 12.30 ± 1.53 mm,
17.00 ± 0.00 to 25.00 ± 2.65 mm, and 9.00 ± 1.73 to
16.00 ± 1.73 mm against E. coli, S. aureus, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi, respectively. Ethyl acetate
extracts of A. coriaria leaves from Kole and Mbarara had
lower antibacterial activities (ZOI = 3.00 ± 0.00 mm and
4.00 ± 0.00 mm) against E. coli while the other tested bac-
teria were resistant to the extracts. The aqueous extracts and
ethyl acetate extract of leaves from Jinja showed no antibac-
terial activity.
The secondary metabolites as well as the reported com-
pounds (1-12) in aqueous and organic extracts of A. cori-
aria stem bark, roots and leaves could be responsible for the
observed antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
activities. For instance, polyphenols, saponins, tannins and
alkaloids have reported antimicrobial activities which are
attributed to both their direct action against microorganisms
or suppression of microbial virulence factors (Daglia, 2012).
Tannins and saponins inhibit microbial growth through pre-
cipitation of microbial proteins, rendering such nutritional
proteins unavailable to the microorganisms (Panda & Tripa-
thy, 2009). Tannins may also disrupt bacterial enzymes, cell
envelope, adhesins and transport proteins. Their high affinity
for iron in microbial cell membranes inactivates membrane-
bound proteins, making extracts of gallotannin-rich plants
to exhibit antibacterial activities (Engels, Schieber, & Gän-
zle, 2011). Alkaloids exert their bactericidal effect through
penetrating cells, intercalating microbial DNA and targeting
several nucleic acid enzymes which inflict irreversible dam-
ages to microbial cells (Yi, Yu, Liang, & Zeng, 2007). On
the other hand, the antioxidant activity of phytochemical
compounds such as polyphenols (phenolics and flavonoids)
is ascribed to their reduction-oxidation properties which
enables them to function as hydrogen donators (reducing
agents), metal chelators or singlet oxygen quenchers (Flieger
& Flieger, 2020). Phenolic compounds elicit anti-inflam-
matory activities, through inhibition of proinflammatory
enzymes in the arachidonic acid pathway (e.g. COX-2 and
5-LOX) or with their free radical scavenging (antioxidant)
activity (Allegra, 2019; Eom, Kim, & Kim, 2020; Priya,
Sabu, & Jolly, 2008; Schinella, Tournier, Prieto, Mordu-
jovich de Buschiazzo, & Ríos, 2002). Thus, the observed
anti-inflammatory activity of this species could be attrib-
uted to the high phenolic content of its organs (Omara etal.,
2021; Schultz etal., 2021b). Compounds such as lupeol (7),
betulinic acid (9), benzyl alcohol (10) reported in this spe-
cies have scientifically validated antioxidant, antimicrobial
and ant-inflammatory activities (Amoussa, Lagnika, Bour-
jot, Vonthron-Senecheau, & Sanni, 2016; Beserra etal.,
2019; Egbubine, Adeyemi, & Habila, 2020; Lee, Umano,
Shibamoto, & Lee, 2005; Lucchini, Corre, & Cremieux,
1990; Moghaddam, Ahmad, & Samzadeh-Kermani, 2012;
Nguemfo etal., 2008; Tchimene, Nwaehujor, Ezenwali,
Okoli, & Iwu, 2016).
Antitumor (cytotoxicity) studies
Coriarioside A (1) and gummiferaoside C (3) isolated by
Note etal. (2009) showed cytotoxicity against two colo-
rectal human cancer cells: HCT 116 (with median inhibi-
tory concentration (IC50) of 4.2 μM for 1 and 2.7 μM for
3) and HT-29 (with IC50 6.7 μM for 1 and 7.9 μM for 3).
Molecular docking studies have shown that oleanane-type
saponins and other saponins such as coriarioside A (1) and
gummiferaoside C (3) identified in A. coriaria extracts exert
their anticancer effect through induction of cell apoptosis,

642 T.Omara et al.
1 3
proliferation and autophagocytosis (Haddad, Laurens, &
Lacaille-Dubois, 2004; Mohd & Shafiullah, 2021).
Though the whole plant and different parts of A. cori-
aria have been reported in the treatment of various ailments
(Table1), its bioactivity such as antisnake venom, analgesic,
antiulcer, wound healing, antiviral, anti-dysenteric, cardio-
protective, aphrodisiac, antihypertensive, antihemorrhagic,
antihelminthic and antimycobacterial activities have not
been investigated. Further, the mechanisms of action of the
extracts or isolated compounds requires further studies.
Toxicity andmutagenicity profile ofA. coriaria
extracts
Anywar etal. (2021) cited prolonged boiling of A. coriaria
stem bark decoctions for up to 6 hours prior to administra-
tion by herbalists in Uganda (Anywar etal., 2020a). The
authors argued that it is because the extracts have side
effects (notably vomiting, dizziness and weakness), which
explains why it is contraindicated in pregnant women and
weak patients (Anywar, 2020, a, b; Anywar etal., 2020a;
Anywar etal., 2020b).
Toxicity studies on aqueous extracts of A. coriaria stem
bark revealed that it had a median lethal dose (LD50) of
533.67 μg/mL, which is considered non-toxic (Akanga,
2008). In a study done by Kigondu etal. (2009), methanolic
and aqueous extracts of A. coriaria stem bark had very low
toxicity against human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF)
cells with median cytotoxic concentration (CC50) > 500 µg/
mL, implying that its use in traditional management of dis-
eases could not pose lethal effects to the users. However,
ethanolic extract of A. coriaria stem bark was reported to be
toxic to brine shrimps, Artemia salina (Langat, 2013). Thus,
two studies (Anywar, 2020, a, b; Langat, 2013) indicate that
A. coriaria have high toxicity.
Interestingly, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts of A.
coriaria stem were indicated to be non-mutagenic with
mutagenicity indices of 0.7 to1.6 without and with meta-
bolic activation in a Salmonella reverse mutation assay at
500 μg/plate using S. enterica subsp. enterica Typhimurium
strains TA98 and TA100 (Schultz etal., 2021c). Therefore,
further studies are warranted to generate sufficient evidence
on the safety (toxicity) and other adverse effects of A. cori-
aria extracts when utilized in traditional medicine.
Conclusion andrecommendations
The medicinal plant A. coriaria has been used in the man-
agement of various ailments in Africa but most of its phar-
macological activities have not yet been validated. Currently,
our laboratory is investigating the phytochemical composi-
tion and antimycobacterial activity (Obakiro etal., 2020)
of A. coriaria leaves and stem bark, respectively. Further
studies should be done to evaluate other bioactivities of this
medicinal plant claimed in traditional medicine. Genera-
tive structures such as seeds, flowers and fruits should be
investigated as these are known to accumulate therapeutic
phytochemicals. In-depth studies on the pharmacokinetics,
in vivo and clinical research utilizing extracts and isolated
compounds from A. coriaria are required.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the World Bank and
the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) for the fellowship
awarded to Timothy Omara through the Africa Center of Excellence
II in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE)
at Moi University, Kenya.
Authors’ contributions TO & AKK designed the study. TO performed
literature search and analyzed the collected data. AKK and VJK super-
vised the review process and gave technical input. TO wrote the first
draft of the manuscript. All authors revised and approved the final
manuscript.
Funding This study received no external funding.
Data availability This article is a review article and no raw data were
collected. Any data used and/or analyzed are within this article.
Code availability Not applicable.
Declarations
Ethical statement Not applicable.
Conflict of interest Timothy Omara has no conflict of interest. Am-
brose K. Kiprop has no conflict of interest. Viola J. Kosgei has no
conflict of interest.
Consent to participate Not applicable.
Consent for publication Not applicable.
References
Abubakar A, Bala AY, Singh K (2017) Plant molluscicides and their
modes of action: a review. Int J Sci Res Technol Appl Sci Health
Stud 2:37–49
Adia MM, Anywar G, Byamukama R, Kamatenesi-Mugisha M, Sek-
agya Y, Kakudidi EK, Kiremire BT (2014) Medicinal plants used
in malaria treatment by Prometra herbalists in Uganda. J Ethnop-
harmacol 155:580–588
Akanga JO (2008) Screening of antidiarrhoea medicinal plants for
invitro antimicrobial activity against clinical and environmental
enteropathogens. MSc Thesis. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Univer-
sity of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
Akinpelu BA, Dare CA, Adebesin FI, Iwalewa EO, Oyedapo OO
(2012) Effect of stem-bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens on
fresh water snail (Lanistes lybicus) tissues. Afri J Environ Sci
Technol 6:446–451
Allegra M (2019) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of
plants extract. Antioxidants 8:549

643
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
Amoussa AMO, Lagnika L, Bourjot M, Vonthron-Senecheau C,
Sanni A (2016) Triterpenoids from Acacia ataxacantha DC:
antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. BMC Complement
Alternat Med 16:284
Anywar G (2020) Ethnopharmacology, cytotoxicity, antiviral and
immunomodulatory profiles of medicinal plant species used by
herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
PhD thesis. Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Anywar G, Kaduidi E, Byamukama R, Mukonzo J, Schubert A,
Oryem-Origa H (2020) Indigenous traditional knowledge of
medicinal plants used by herbalists in treating opportunistic
infections among people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. J
Ethnopharmacol 246:112205
Anywar G, Kakudidi E, Byamukama R, Mukonzo J, Schubert A,
Oryem-Origa H (2020) Medicinal plants used by traditional
medicine practitioners to boost the immune system in peo-
ple living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Eur J Integrat Med
35:101011
Anywar G, Kakudidi E, Byamukama R, Mukonzo J, Schubert A,
Oryem-Origa H, Jassoy C (2021) A review of the toxicity and
phytochemistry of medicinal plant species used by herbalists in
treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Front Phar-
macol 12:615147
Araya YN (2007) Contribution of trees for oral hygiene in East Africa.
Ethnobot Leaflets 11:38–44
Argüello-García R, Calzada F, García-Hernández N, Chávez-Munguía
B, Velázquez-Domínguez JA (2020) Ultrastructural and proapop-
totic-like effects of kaempferol in Giardia duodenalis trophozo-
ites and bioinformatics prediction of its potential protein target.
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 115:e200127
Asare R (2005) Cocoa agroforestry in West Africa a look at activities
on preferred trees in the farming systems. Hørsholm: Center for
Skov, Landskab og Planlægning/Københavns Universitet. Work-
ing Papers No. 6-2005, Development and Environment, pp 1–77
Asiimwe S, Namukobe J, Byamukama R, Imalingat B (2021) Ethno-
botanical survey of medicinal plant species used by communities
around Mabira and Mpanga Central Forest Reserves, Uganda.
Trop Med Health 49:52
Barbosa E, Calzada F, Campos R (2007) In vivo antigiardial activ-
ity of three flavonoids isolated of some medicinal plants used
in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. J
Ethnopharmacol 109:552–554
Bekono BD, Ntie-Kang F, Onguéné PA, Lifongo LL, Sippl W, Fester
K, Owono LCO (2020) The potential of anti-malarial compounds
derived from African medicinal plants: a review of pharmaco-
logical evaluations from 2013 to 2019. Malar J 9:183
Beserra FP, Vieira AJ, Gushiken LFS etal (2019) Lupeol, a dietary
triterpene, enhances wound healing in streptozotocin-induced
hyperglycemic rats with modulatory effects on inflammation,
oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. Oxid Med Cell Longev
2019:3182627
Bossard E (1993) Angolan medicinal plants used also as piscicides and/
or soaps. J Ethnopharmacol 40:1–19
Bukomeko H, Jassogne L, Tumwebaze SB, Eilu G, Vaast P (2019)
Integrating local knowledge with tree diversity analyses to opti-
mize on-farm tree species composition for ecosystem service
delivery in coffee agroforestry systems of Uganda. Agroforest
Sys 93:755–770
Bunalema L, Obakiro S, Tabuti JRS, Waako P (2014) Knowledge
on plants used traditionally in the treatment of tuberculosis in
Uganda. J Ethnopharmacol 151:999–1004
Byamukama R, Ganza B, Namukobe J, Heydenreich M, Kiremire BT
(2015) Bioactive compounds in the stem bark of Albizia coriaria
(Welw. ex Oliver). Int J Biol Chem Sci 9:1013–1024
Byaruhanga C, Gakunga JN, Olinga S, Egayu G, Boma P, Aleper D
(2015) Ethnoveterinary practices in the control of helminthosis
and ticks of livestock amongst pastoralists in Karamoja Region,
Uganda. Livestock Res Rural Dev 27:8
Cao S, Norris A, Miller JS, Ratovoson F, Razafitsalama J, Andriant-
siferana R etal (2007) Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins of Albi-
zia gummifera from the Madagascar rain forest. J Nat Prod Res
70:361–366
Daglia M (2012) Polyphenols as antimicrobial agents. Curr Opinion
Biotechnol 23:174–181
Dharani N, Yenesew A, Aynekulu E, Tuei B, Jamnadass R (2015)
Traditional ethnoveterinary medicine in East Africa: a manual
on the use of medicinal plants. In: Dawson IK (ed.) The World
Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 199
Egbubine CO, Adeyemi MM, Habila JD (2020) Isolation and character-
ization of betulinic acid from the stem bark of Feretia canthioides
Hiern and its antimalarial potential. Bull Nat Res Centre 44:49
Eilu G, Oriekot J, Tushabe H (2007) Conservation of indigenous plants
outside protected areas in Tororo District, eastern Uganda. Afr
J Ecol 45:73–78
Engels C, Schieber A, Gänzle MG (2011) Inhibitory spectra and modes
of antimicrobial action of gallotannins from mango kernels
(Mangifera indica L.). Appl Environ Microbiol 77:2215–2223
Eom T, Kim E, Kim JS (2020) In vitro antioxidant, antiinflammation,
and anticancer activities and anthraquinone content from Rumex
crispus root extract and fractions. Antioxidants 9:8
Flieger J, Flieger M (2020) The [DPPH/DPPH-H]-HPLC-DAD method
on tracking the antioxidant activity of pure antioxidants and
Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) hydroalcoholic extracts.
Molecules 25:6005
Ganza B (2014) Isolation and Characterization of the bioactive com-
pounds in the stem bark of Albizia coriaria. MSc Thesis, Mak-
erere University, Kampala, Uganda
Gradé JT, Tabuti JRS, Van Damme P (2009) Ethnoveterinary
knowledge in pastoral Karamoja, Uganda. J Ethnopharmacol
122:273–293
Gumisiriza H, Birungi G, Olet EA, Sesaazi CD (2019) Medicinal
plant species used by local communities around Queen Eliza-
beth National Park, Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve and
Ihimbo Central Forest Reserve, South western Uganda. J Eth-
nopharmacol 239:111926
Gupta RS, Chaudhary R, Yadav RK, Verma SK, Dobhal MP (2005)
Effect of Saponins of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth bark on the
reproductive system of male albino rats. J Ethnopharmacol
96:31–36
Haddad M, Laurens V, Lacaille-Dubois MA (2004) Induction of apop-
tosis in a leukemia cell line by triterpene saponins from Albizia
adianthifolia. Bioorg Med Chem 12:4725–34
He Y, Wang Q, Ye Y, Liu Z, Sun H (2020) The ethnopharmacology,
phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of genus Albizia:
a review. J Ethnopharmacol 257:112677
Hernández-Bolio GI, Torres-Tapia LW, Moo-Puc R, Peraza-Sánchez
SR (2015) Antigiardial activity of flavonoids from leaves of
Aphelandra scabra. Rev Bras Farmacogn 25:233–237
ICRAF (1992) A selection of useful trees and shrubs for Kenya. Inter-
national Centre for Research in Agroforestry. Nairobi: Kenya
India J (2015) Efficacy of some medicinal plants used in various parts
of Kenya in treating selected bacterial and fungal pathogens.
MSc Thesis, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Jagoret P, Kwesseu J, Messie C, Michel-Dounias I, Malézieux E (2014)
Farmers’ assessment of the use value of agrobiodiversity in com-
plex cocoa agroforestry systems in central Cameroon. Agroforest
Sys 20:983–1000
Janani L, Lukyambuzi H, Kodi P (2014) Mordanting methods for dye-
ing cotton fabrics with dye from Albizia coriaria plant species.
Int J Sci Res Publ 4:1–5
Jeruto P, Mutai C, Ouma G, Lukhoba C, Nyamaka RL, Manani
SD (2010) Ethnobotanical survey and propagation of some

644 T.Omara et al.
1 3
endangered medicinal plants from south Nandi district of
Kenya. J Animal Plant Sci 8:1016–1043
Johns T, Faubert GM, Kokwaro JO, Mahunnah RLA, Kimanani EK
(1995) Anti-giardial activity of gastrointestinal remedies of the
Luo of East Africa. J Ethnopharmacol 46:17–23
Johns T, Kokwaro JO, Kimanani EK (1990) Herbal remedies of the
Luo of Siaya District, Kenya: establishing quantitative criteria
for consensus. Econ Bot 44:369–381
Kaba JS, Otu-Nyanteh A, Abunyewa AA (2020) The role of shade
trees in influencing farmers’ adoption of cocoa agroforestry
systems: Insight from semi-deciduous rain forest agroecologi-
cal zone of Ghana. NJAS 92:100332
Kama-Kama F, Midiwo J, Nganga J, Maina N, Schiek E, Omosa
LK etal (2016) Selected ethno-medicinal plants from Kenya
with invitro activity against major African livestock pathogens
belonging to the “Mycoplasma mycoides cluster.” J Ethnop-
harmacol 192:524–534
Katende AB, Birnie A, Tengnäs B (1995) Useful trees and shrubs
for Uganda: identification, propagation and management for
agricultural and pastoral communities. Technical Handbook
No. 10. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya
Kigenyi J (2016) Coping with resource extinction: the case of medic-
inal plants in Kawete village, Iganga district, Uganda Culture
and Environment in Africa Series Vol. 9, The Cologne African
Studies Centre, Cologne, Germany
Kigondu EV, Rukunga GM, Kerik JM, Tonui WK, Gathirwa JM,
Kirira PG etal (2009) Anti-parasitic activity and cytotoxicity
of selected Medicinal Plants from Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol
123:505–509
Kokwaro JO (1993) Medicinal plants of East Africa, 2nd Edn. East
African Literature Bureau, Nairobi, Kenya,pp 416
Kokwaro JO (1976) Medicinal plants of East Africa. East African
Literature Bureau, Nairobi, Kenya
Langat PK (2013) Ethnobotanical study, toxicity and phytochemi-
cal screening of selected medicinal plants of Tinderet district,
Nandi county, Kenya. MSc Thesis: University of Nairobi, Col-
lege of Biological and Physical Sciences
Lee SJ, Umano K, Shibamoto T, Lee KG (2005) Identification of
volatile components in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme
leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and their antioxidant properties.
Food Chem 91:131–137
Leiderer (1982) La médécine traditionnelle chez les Bekpak (Bafia)
du Cameroun. St. Augustin, Deutschland: Haus Volker und
kulturen
Levrier C, Balastrier M, Beattie KD, Carroll AR, Martin F, Choom-
uenwai V, Davi RA (2013) Pyridocoumarin, aristolactam and
aporphine alkaloids from the Australian rainforest plant Gonio-
thalamus australis. Phytochem 86:121–126
Lewis GP, Arce RL (2005) Tribe Ingeae. In: Lewis G, Schrire B, Mac-
inker B, Lock M (eds) Legumes of the World. Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, UK, pp 1–577
Lucchini JJ, Corre J, Cremieux A (1990) Antibacterial activity of
phenolic compounds and aromatic alcohols. Res Microbiol
141:499–510
Luvonga MW (2007) Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of some
plants used by traditional healers for treatment of microbial
infections in Kakamega district: Kenya. MSc Thesis, Kenyatta
University, Nairobi, Kenya
Manu M, Tetteh EK (1987) A guide to cocoa cultivation. Cocoa
Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG)
Mengesha H, Birrie H, Gundersen G (1997) The molluscicidal effect
of the bark of “Bitza” tree: a local discovery towards the control
of schistosomiasis in the Abay river valley of Western Ethiopia.
Ethiopian J Health Dev 11:89–92
Ministry of Water and Environment (2016). State of Uganda’s Forestry,
pp 152
Moghaddam MG, Ahmad FBH, Samzadeh-Kermani A (2012) Bio-
logical activity of betulinic acid: a review. Pharmacol Pharm
3:119–123
Mohd R, Shafiullah (2021) The anticancer activity of oleanane-type
saponin from Bombax ceiba (in vitro) and theoretical investiga-
tion of signaling pathway. Malaysian J Chem 23(1):33–47
Mugisha MK, Asiimwe S, Namutebi A, Borg-Karlson AK, Kakudidi
EK (2014) Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on
medicinal and nutritious plants used to manage opportunistic
infections associated with HIV/AIDS in Western Uganda. J Eth-
nopharmacol 155:194–202
Musinguzi M, Tumushabe A, Sekabira K, Basamba TA, Byarugaba D
(2017) Medicinal plants use in and around Kalinzu Central forest
reserve, Western Uganda. J Med Plants Stud 5:44–49
Muthaura CN, Keriko JM, Mutai C etal (2015) Antiplasmodial poten-
tial of traditional phytotherapy of some remedies used in treat-
ment of malaria in Meru-Tharaka Nithi County of Kenya. J Eth-
nopharmacol 175:315–323
Mwanjalolo JGM, Muwanika V, Tabuti JRS, Luswata CK, Nampiija J,
Sebuliba E etal (2016) Farmers’ preferred trees carbon seques-
tration capacity in Lake Victoria’s rural landscapes. Afr J Rural
Dev 1:305–315
Nabukalu C, Gieré R (2019) Charcoal as an energy resource: global
trade, production and socioeconomic practices observed in
Uganda. Resources 8:183
Nalubega R, Kabasa JD, Olila D, Kateregga J (2011) Antibacterial
activity and phytochemical screening of eleven plants used as
poultry ethnomedicines in Southern Uganda. Agric J 6:303–309
Nalubega R (2010) Antibacterial and phytochemical properties of
selected poultry ethnomedicinal plants in Masaka district. MSc
Thesis. Kampala: Makerere University, School of Veterinary
Medicine and Animal Resources
Nambejja C, Tugume P, Nyakoojo C, Kamatenesi-Mugisha M (2019)
Medicinal plant species used in the treatment of skin diseases
in Katabi Sub- County, Wakiso District. Uganda. Ethnobot Res
Appl 18:20
Namukobe J, Kasenene JM, Kiremire BT etal (2011) Traditional plants
used for medicinal purposes by local communities around the
northern sector of Kibale National Park, Uganda. J Ethnophar-
macol 136:236–45
Namukobe J, Lutaaya A, Asiimwe S, Byamukama R (2021) An eth-
nobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the management
of dermatological disorders in Buyende and Kayunga Districts,
Uganda. Eur J Med Plants 32:15–40
Nanyunja KR (2003) Indigenous knowledge of the abundance of
medicinal and food plants in Mount Moroto forest reserve. Pro-
ceedings of the 11th World Forestry Congress
New Vision (2019) ‘‘Omugavu’’ the multipurpose tree
Nguemfo EL, Dimo T, Dongmo AB etal (2008) Anti-oxidative and
anti-inflammatory activities of some isolated constituents from
the stem bark of Allanblackia monticola Staner L.C (Guttiferae).
Inflammopharmacol 17:37–41
Nielsen IC (1979) Notes on the genus Albizia Durazz. (Leguminosae-
Mimosoideae) in mainland SE Asia. Adansonia 19:199–229
Note OP, Chabert P, Pegnyem DE, Weniger B, Lacaille-Dubois M,
Lobstein A (2010) Structure elucidation of new acacic acid-type
saponins from Albizia coriaria. Mag Res Chem 48:829–836
Note OP, Jihu D, Antheaume C, Zeniou M, Pegnyemb DE, Guillaume
D etal (2009) Cytotoxic acacic acid glycosides from the roots of
Albizia coriaria. J Nat Prod 72:1725–1730
Noté OP, Jihu D, Antheaume C, Zeniou M, Pegnyemb DE, Guillaume
D etal (2015) Triterpenoid saponins from Albizia lebbeck (L.)
Benth and their inhibitory effect on the survival of high-grade
human brain tumor cells. Carbohydr Res 404:26–33
Obakiro SB, Kiprop A, Kowino I, Kigondu E, Odero MP, Omara
T, Bunalema L (2020) Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and

645
Albizia coriaria Welw ex Oliver: areview ofits ethnobotany, phytochemistry and…
1 3
phytochemistry of traditional medicinal plants used in the man-
agement of symptoms of tuberculosis in East Africa: a systematic
review. Trop Med Health 48:68
Ochwang’i DO, Kimwele CN, Oduma JA, Gathumbi PK, Mbaria JM,
Kiama SG (2014) Medicinal plants used in treatment and man-
agement of cancer in Kakamega County, Kenya. J Ethnophar-
macol 151:1040–1055
Olala CN (2014) Identification of plants used for treatment of malaria
and factors influencing their use in Boro division, Siaya county,
Kenya. MSc Thesis, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Olila D, Ziraba BR, Kamoga D (2007) Bio-prospective studies on
medicinal plants used to manage poultry diseases in the Mount
Elgon region of Uganda. Res J Pharmacol 1:56–60
Omara T (2020) Antimalarial plants used across Kenyan communities.
Evid-Based Complement Alternat Med 2020:4538602
Omara T, Kagoya S, Openy A, Omute T, Ssebulime S, Kiplagat KM,
Bongomin O (2020) Antivenin plants used for treatment of
snakebites in Uganda: ethnobotanical reports and pharmacologi-
cal evidences. Trop Med Health 48:6
Omara T, Kiprop AK, Kosgei VJ (2021) Intraspecific variation of phy-
tochemicals, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of different
solvent extracts of Albizia coriaria Leaves from some agroeco-
logical Zones of Uganda. Evid-Based Complement Altern Med
2021:2335454
Omara T, Kiprop AK, Ramkat RC, Cherutoi J, Kagoya S, Nyangena
DM etal (2020) Medicinal plants used in traditional manage-
ment of cancer in Uganda: a review of ethnobotanical surveys,
phytochemistry, and anticancer studies. Evid-Based Complement
Alternat Med 2020:3529081
Omeli MRW (2011) Tree attribute ranking and phenology study: Farm-
ers’ knowledge of trees commonly found on coffee farms bor-
dering mabira forest reserve in Mukono District, Uganda. MSc
Thesis, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technol-
ogy, Kenya
Opio DR, Andama E, Kureh GT (2017) Ethnobotanical survey of anti-
malarial plants in areas of: Abukamola, Angeta, Oculokori and
Omarari of Alebtong district in Northern Uganda. Eur J Med
Plant 21:1–14
Orodho JA, Kirimuhuzya C, Otieno JN, Magadula JJ, Okemo P (2011)
Local management of tuberculosis by traditional medicine practi-
tioners in Lake Victoria region. Open Complement Med J 3:1–9
Orwa C, Mutua A, Kindt R, Jamnadass R, Simons A (2009) Agrofor-
estree Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0.
Nairobi, Kenya
Oryema C, Bukenya Ziraba R, Omagor N, Opio A (2010) Medicinal
plants of Erute county, Lira district, Uganda with particular refer-
ence to their conservation. Afr J Ecol 48:285–98
Owuor BO, Ochanda JO, Kokwaro JO, Cheruiyot AC, Yeda R, Okudo
CA, Akala HM (2012) In vitro antiplasmodial activity of selected
Luo and Kuria medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 144:779–781
Panda P, Tripathy G (2009) Wound healing activity of aqueous and
methanolic bark extract of Vernonia arborea in Wistar rats. Nat
Prod Rad 8:6–11
Priya TT, Sabu MC, Jolly CI (2008) Free radical scavenging and anti-
inflammatory properties of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L). Inflam-
mopharmacol 16:182–187
Saxena M, Saxena J, Nema R, Singh D, Gupta A (2013) Phytochem-
istry of medicinal plants. J Pharmacog Phytochem 1:168–182
Schinella GR, Tournier HA, Prieto JM, Mordujovich de Buschiazzo P,
Ríos JL (2002) Antioxidant activity of anti-inflammatory plant
extracts. Life Sci 70:1023–1033
Schultz F, Anywar G, Quave CL, Garbe L-A (2021) A Bibliographic
assessment using the degrees of publication method: medicinal
plants from the Rural Greater Mpigi Region (Uganda). Evid-
Based Complement Altern Med 2021:6661565
Schultz F, Anywar G, Tang H, Chassagne F, Lyles JT, Garbe L, Quave
CL (2020) Targeting ESKAPE pathogens with anti-infective
medicinal plants from the Greater Mpigi region in Uganda. Sci
Rep 10:11935
Schultz F, Anywar G, Wack B, Quave CL, Garbe L (2020) Ethno-
botanical study of selected medicinal plants traditionally used
in the rural greater Mpigi region of Uganda. J Ethnopharmacol
256:112742
Schultz F, Osuji O, Nguyen A etal (2021) Pharmacological assess-
ment of the antiprotozoal activity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity
of medicinal plants used in the treatment of Malaria in the greater
Mpigi Region in Uganda. Front Pharmacol 12:678535
Schultz F, Osuji OF, Wack B, Anywar G, Garbe LA (2021) Antiin-
flammatory medicinal plants from the Ugandan greater Mpigi
region act as potent inhibitors in the COX-2 / PGH2 pathway.
Plants 10:351
Sebukyu VB, Mosango DM (2012) Adoption of agroforestry systems
by farmers in Masaka District of Uganda. Ethnobot Res Appl
10:059–068
Shehu MW, Bello I, Abdulkadir N, Shehu A, Jamil SE, Waziri SA
(2018) Utilization of medicinal plants used in the management of
HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Njeru sub-county, Buikwe
district, Uganda. MOJ Bioequiv Bioavail 5:66–72
Singab AN, Bahgat D, Al-Sayed E, Eldahshan O (2015) Saponins from
genus albizia: phytochemical and biological review. Med Aromat
Plants S 3:001
Sirama VO (2014) Ethnobotanical, bioactivity and phytochemical
evaluation of anthelmintic herbal remedies of Migori County,
Kenya. MSc Thesis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Ssebulime G, Nyombi K, Kagezi G, Mpiira S, Byabagambi S etal
(2019) Assessing the potential of trees to sustain soil fertility
in the banana agroforestry system in Uganda. Agroecol Sustain
Food Sys 43:662–677
Ssebulime G, Nyombi K, Kagezi GH, Mpiira S, Byabagambi S,
Tushemereirwe WK etal (2018) Canopy management, leaf
fall and litter quality of dominant tree species in the banana
agroforestry system in Uganda. Afr J Food Agri Nutr Dev
18:13154–13170
Ssegawa P, Kasenene JM (2007) Medicinal plant diversity and uses
in the Sango bay area, Southern Uganda. J Ethnopharmacol
113:521–540
Sseremba OE, Kaboggoza JRS, Ziraba NY, Mugabi P, Banana AY,
Zziwa A etal (2010) Selected strength and machining properties
of the wood of Albizia coriaria Welw. Ex Oliv., Markhamia lutea
(Benth.) K. Schum. and Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don used in
Uganda’s furniture industry. Int Wood Prod J 1:96–101
Tabuti JR, Lye LA, Dhillion SS (2003) Traditional herbal drugs of
Bulamogi, Uganda: plants, use and administration. J Ethnop-
harmacol 88:19–44
Tabuti JRS, Mugula BB (2007) The ethnobotany and ecological sta-
tus of Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv. in Budondo Sub-county.
Eastern Uganda. Afr J Ecol 45:126–129
Tabuti JRS, Muwanika VB, Arinaitwe MZ, Ticktin T (2011) Conserva-
tion of priority woody species on farmlands: a case study from
Nawaikoke sub-county, Uganda. Appl Geog 31:456–462
Tabuti JRS (2012) Important woody plant species, their management
and conservation status in Balawoli sub-county, Uganda. Ethno-
bot Res Appl 10:269–286
Tchimene MK, Nwaehujor CO, Ezenwali M, Okoli CC, Iwu MM
(2016) Free radical scavenging activity of lupeol isolated from
the methanol leaf extract of Crateva adansonii Oliv. (Cappari-
daceae). Int J Pharmacog Phytochem Res 8:419–426
The Plant List (2019) Albizia coriaria. http:// www. thepl antli st. org/
Tree Names (2019) Albizia coriaria. https:// www. treen ames. net/ ti/ albiz
ia/ albiz ia. html

646 T.Omara et al.
1 3
TROFACO (2019) A list of tree species that communities with whom
TROFACO work have planted so far. https:// trofa co. or g/ wp- conte
nt/ uploa ds/ 2019/ 12/ TROFA CO- trees. pdf
Tropical Plants Database KF (2020) Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv.
(Fabaceae). http:// tropi cal. thefe rns. info/ viewt ropic al. php? id=
Albiz ia% 20cor iaria
Tsabang N, Yedjou CG, Tchounwou PB (2017) Phytotherapy of high
blood pressure in three phytogeographic Regions of Cameroon.
Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta 7:530
Tugume P, Kakudidi EK, Buyinza M, Namaalwa J, Kamatenesi M,
Mucunguzi P etal (2016) Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal
plant species used by communities around Mabira Central Forest
Reserve, Uganda. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 12:5
Uzor PF (2020) Alkaloids from plants with antimalarial activity: a
review of recent studies. Evid-Based Complement Altern Med
2021:8749083
Verdcourt B, Trump EC (1969) Common poisonous plants of East
Africa, HarperCollins Distribution Services, New York, NY,
USA
Wanyama PAG, Kiremire BT, Murumu JES, Kamoga O (2011) Tex-
tile dyeing and phytochemical characterization of crude plant
extracts derived from selected dye-yielding plants in Uganda.
Int J Nat Prod Res 1:26–31
WHO (2019) WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary
Medicine. https:// www . who. int/ tradi tional- com pl ement ary- integ
rativ emedi cine/ WhoGl obalR eport OnT ra ditio nalAn dComp lemen
taryM edici ne2019. pdf? ua=1
Wikipedia (2020) Albizia. https:// en. wikip edia. org/ wiki/ Albiz ia
World Agroforestry (2019) Albizia coriaria. http:// old. world agrof orest
ry. org/ usefu ltrees/ pdflib/ Albiz ia_ coria ria_ UGA. pdf
World Agroforestry. (2021). Albizia coriaria. http:// apps. world agrof
orest ry. org/ usefu ltrees/ pdflib/ Albiz ia_ coria ria_ KEN. pdf
Yi ZB, Yu Y, Liang YZ, Zeng B (2007) Evaluation of the antimicrobial
mode of berberine by LC/ESI-MS combined with principal com-
ponent analysis. J Pharmaceut Biomed Anal 44:301–304
Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to
jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.