Botanically called Chrysophyllum albidum, African star apple, which belongs to the plant family Sapotaceae is an edible tropical fruit known by various tribal names. It is called Utieagadava in Urhobo, agbalumo in Yoruba, udara in Ibo, Efik and Ibibio, ehya in Igala, agwaluma in Hausa tribes of Nigeria. In southern Benin, it is called azongogwe or azonbobwe in local language “Fon, Goun” and azonvivo, azonvovwe or azonbebi in local language “Aïzo”.
It is best remembered for its delicious pulpy fruit with sweet-bitter taste, but a comprehensive review on ethno-medicine, phyto-chemistry and ethno-pharmacology of African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) concluded: “The present review showed that the phyto-chemistry and ethno-pharmacology (anti- oxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti- microbial, hepato-protective, analgesic, anti- inflammatory and anti-plasmodial activities) of Chrysophyllum albidum mentioned above can be attributed to its phyto-constituents, which justifies its benefit in alternative medicine in the treatment of numerous diseases.”
The study published last year in Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences J. O. T. Emudainohwo, E. O. Erhirhie, E. G. Moke and K. E. Edje from Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University, Abraka, recommended: “Chrysophyllum albidium is a potential source for useful drug and its continued traditional medicinal uses should be encouraged.
“Although, the ethno-pharmacological properties of Chrysophyllum albidium highlighted above had been determined, anti-ulcerative, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-spasmodic, wound healing activities and other reported ethno-medicinal uses should be validated ethno-pharmacology through standard experimental models.
“Also, the biological mechanisms of its constituents are needed to be unveiled by incoming researchers in the aforementioned areas. This would offer a persuasive support on the clinical uses of Chrysophyllum albidium in modern medicine.”
The abstract of the study noted: “Chrysophyllum albidum (Sapotaceae), commonly called white star apple is a very useful medicinal plant common in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. This review is an update assemblage on the traditional, phytochemical and ethno-pharmacological studies carried out on it.
“Its reported pharmacological activities in this review include; antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-plasmodial anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties, which justifies its traditional uses. The information in this work is intended to serve as a reference guide to researchers in the fields of ethno-pharmacology, drug discovery and development of natural products from medicinal plants.”
According to the review, “in folklore medicine, Chrysophyllum albidum bark is employed for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria. The leaf is used as an emollient and for the treatment of stomachache and diarrhoea. The leaf and cotyledons from its seed are used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological infections in Western Nigeria. The roots, barks and leaves of C. albidum are are widely used as an application to sprains, bruises and wounds in southern Nigeria. The seeds and roots extracts of C. albidium is used to arrest bleeding from fresh wounds, and to inhibit microbial growth of known wound contaminants and also enhance wound healing process.
“Chrysophyllum albidum leaves were occasionally used for fodder. Rotten or damaged fruits are also used to feed pigs. In southern Benin, it is useful in traditional rituals and also has medico- magical properties apart from its common uses. According to local socio-cultural considerations, it was also mentioned to be used to chase bad spirits and the trees can only be cultivated by older people in order to avoid early death of a young person who would attempt to propagate the species from seed.”
Study by Okoli, on the phytochemistry of Chrysophyllum albidum stem slash, seed cotyledon, leaves and root revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols and flavonoids; except cardiac glycosides in the root; tannins in leaves; and phenol in seed...
(TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW)