Traditional uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Feretia apodanthera Del. (Rubiaceae): a literature review

Feretia apodanthera Delile (Rubiaceae) is a plant found mainly in tropical Africa. In this region, the different parts of Feretia apodanthera Delile (roots, bark, leaves, fruits) are used as traditional remedies in human medicine. Its uses are diverse and include infectious, metabolic and neurological diseases. The objective of this review was to explore the pharmacological activities, chemical constitution and to give an overview of the traditional medicinal uses of the plant. A search for relevant articles on the subject was carried out in the Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed bibliographic databases. In traditional medicine, Feretia apodanthera Del. has therapeutic potential for treating various conditions such as malaria, hypertension, diabetes, pain, epilepsy, mental disorders, abdominal pain, wounds, fibroids, urinary tract infections, vomiting, dysentery, headache, constipation, hepatitis, dermatoses. Studies have made it possible to isolate and describe the chemical formula of certain phytochemicals contained in the plant, in particular the iridoid glucosides. Feretia apodanthera Del. extracts have various pharmacological activities such as anti-epileptic, antibacterial, antimalarial, antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity. Regarding toxicity, data are limited so far and studies need to be conducted for a better exploration of it. Although Feretia apodanthera Del. has been used extensively in traditional medicine, there is still a lack of pharmacological studies. Based on the ethnopharmacological data, more chemical and pharmacological studies are needed to refine the knowledge on the active principles underlying the uses of the plant in traditional medicine. Similarly, the toxicological profile of the plant should be clearly established for safe use as a phytomedicine.