Medicinal plants have played and continue to play a very important role as medicines or sources of therapeutic molecules throughout the world. Numerous people in developing countries use their therapeutic virtues to treat their health. Among those plants, Alchornea cordiflia is in a prominent position due to its numerous beneficial effects on both human and animal health. This plant is known in several African pharmacopoeias as an effective remedy against many diseases, including toothaches, inflammation, malaria, and worms. Advanced research on this plant has revealed a number of bioactive compounds such as cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, polyphenols, triterpenes, and steroids, which give this plant its extraordinary pharmacological activities. Thus, many biological activities such as anti-inflammation, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antiplasmodial are reported in this plant. More recently, a study has reported that this plant is included in the food chain of the Okapia johnstoni in the wild. Because of its composition rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, an assessment of the anthelmintic activity of this plant on the intestinal worms of the Okapia johnstoni would be very interesting for the ex situ conservation of this emblematic animal.

Keywords: Alchornea cordifolia, pharmacologic property, compound isolated, traditional uses

Folk medicine is based exclusively on the use of plants endowed with therapeutic properties.^1-3 Because of their relatively easy accessibility and cheapness, medicinal plants are very important for populations in developing countries.^4,5 Several research and publications highlight that populations in developing countries are increasingly using medicinal plants for their health care.^6,7 Thus, it is notable that plants are a significant source of molecules used not only in traditional medicine, but also in modern medicine around the world.^2,8-10 This renewed interest in plant-based molecules is accentuated by the emergence of the chemoresistance phenomenon, which obliges researchers to find palliative solutions to this problem.^11,12 Alchornea cordifolia is counted among the plants traditionally used in the pharmacopoeia of several African countries for the treatment of various diseases such as wound, rheumatism, arthritis, pile, toothache, inflammatory, malaria, worms.^13-17 Several compounds possessing therapeutic virtues have been isolated and identified from this plant, including gallic acid (1), protocatechuic acid (2), quercetin (3), quercetin arabmose (4), Stigmasterol (5), Flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, polyphenols, triterpenes, steroids, saponins and tannins;^18-20 these provide A. cordifolia with its numerous pharmacological properties, including entomotoxicant, antiplasmodial, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal activities.^16,37,21

Native of Sub-Saharan African countries, this plant belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family.^22,23 Web data certify that almost all parts of this plant (roots, bark, leaves, fruits, etc.) play a role in the treatment of many diseases.^24-26 In addition to being counted among the most widely used medicinal plants in Africa for human health, this plant is also found to be one of the most prized by the iconic Okapia Johnstoni, an endemic species of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.²⁸ The Okapi's choice of this plant is not trivial, but is thought to be motivated by the need for self-care.^27,28 Literature shows that A. cordifolia is rich in secondary metabolites such as Stigmasterol, stigmasta-4,22-dien-3-one, friedelin, methylgallate, L-chicoric acid, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids and triterpen glycoside,^18,29-35 which confer anthelmintic properties to many plants.³⁶ The aim of this review is to collect data on A. cordifolia, a plant species which is part of the Okapi diet in the wild which will help to guide future researchers on the investigation into the structure and reactivity of biologically secondary metabolites for controlling gastrointestinal helminths of Okapi in order to ensure its survival in captivity.

The information presented here is derived from scientific articles published in English or French that were found using Internet search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, and any other useful search engine. The keyword Alchornea cordifolia was used alone or associated with any biological activity, with time restriction, from 1990 until now. In total, 120 articles were downloaded from scientific engines, but only 75 items that focused on at least one biological activity and/or on the chemical composition of A. cordifolia were selected. Finally, the selected papers were divided and classified according to the type of biological activity.

Alchornea cordifolia (Shum & Thon.) is a small tree or shrub growing in swampy or dry areas, which can reach 5 m high and approximately 30 cm in circumference. This tree is sometimes climbing or erect with stems armed with blunt spines. The leaves are long-stalked and broadly oval. The flowers are greenish in hanging clusters measuring 30 cm in length, grouped in spikes or racemes. Regarding the fruits, they are two-celled, small, stellate and pubescent. This plant can reproduce both by seed and by cuttings.^14,30,37,38

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Angiosperme

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Subfamily: Acalyphoideae

Genus: Alchornea

Species: Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg (Figure 1).³⁹

Figure 1 A. cordifolia parts (A: Fruits; B: Leaves; C: Flowers).

Table 1 presents a description of the data collected during the ethnopharmacological survey on the Internet. It contains information including the names of the parts used, vernacular names, traditional uses, formulations/method of administration and references for each country. The results show that the leaves were the most used parts, followed by the stem bark. Several authors defended the leaves as the most commonly used component in traditional medical remedies all over the world. Moshi et al.⁴⁰ stipulated that the frequent use of leaves would be associated with their relatively easy access compared to other aerial plant parts in nature. Furthermore, the same result (Table 1) shows that decoction is the most commonly used formulation method, followed by infusion. It is stated that decoction is the method of preference when working with tough and fibrous plants, barks and roots, as well as plants with water soluble chemicals.⁴¹

Table 2 describes compounds isolated and characterized from A. cordifolia. Some of those compounds are drawn by using the ChemBioDraw Ultra 12.0 software package (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Structures of some significant compounds from A. cordifolia (Chem BioDraw Ultra 12.0 software package).

In relation to various medicinal uses, A. cordifolia is reported in the treatment of several pathologies in humans, including cold, cough and diarrhea, feverish chills, rheumatic pains, sores, sore feet, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory and urinary tract infections in different countries.

Several bioactive compounds were isolated and characterized from A. cordifolia such as gallic acid (1), protocatechuic acid (2), quercetin (3), quercetin arabmose (4), Stigmasterol (5), tigmasta-4,22-dien-3-one (6), Friedelin (7), Friedelane-3-one-28-al (8), 3-o-acetyl-erythrodiol (9), Methyl gallate (10), L-chicoric acid (11), O- acetyl-aleuritolic acid (12), Myricentin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (13), Methyl salicylate (14); terpinolene (15); (E)-2-Hexenyl benzoate (16); Alloaromadendrene (17); Bicyclogermacrene (18).^20,58,59 

The subchronic toxicity of a total aqueous extract of leaves of Alchornea cordifolia was assessed for 28 and 60 days in rats. The final result concluded that the total aqueous extract of Alchornea cordifolia is not toxic by once-a-day administration. The daily treatment with A. cordifolia did not significantly alter the body weight of the animals, neither did it affect the vital organs. Thus, kidney, heart and liver function were not affected by administration of A. cordifolia and are not toxic at the drug doses of 100 mg/kg bw, 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw in rats.⁵⁵

Ansah et al.,⁵⁶ evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of A. cordifolia on cells and blood chemistry, histology and relative weight of some organs in mice. It was concluded that the treatment of rats with the extract of Alchornea cordifolia in doses ranging from 250-2000 mg/kg daily for a period of two weeks did not significantly affect the weight of vital organs, neither the blood cells nor the renal function. The histological section of the liver and kidney for the dose reaching 1000 mg/kg was normal compared to that of the vehicle-treated controls. However, for mice treated with the dose of 2000 mg/kg, the liver sections of the mice showed some damage to the liver.

A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of methanolic extract of A. cordifolia leaf on some reproductive and hematological parameters of male rats. The toxicological results of the extract at the dose of 1600 mg/kg showed some non-significant alterations in white blood cells, while there was a significant decrease in the number of erythrocytes, blood volume, hemoglobin concentration and hematometric indices. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg caused a significant increase in testicular weight, sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone levels.²⁶

Umukoro & Aladeokin,⁵¹ assessed the anti-stress and anticonvulsant activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia in mice for 24 h after treatment. The result of acute toxicity conducted in mice showed that the extract was well tolerated by the animals, because there was no death observed at oral doses of 500-4000 mg/kg.

Gatsing et al.,¹⁸ evaluated the antibacterial activities of four extracts (aqueous, methanol, acetone and hexane) of Alchornea cordifolia against Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella paratyphi B, using the agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. The main results showed the high activity of aqueous, methanol and acetone extracts against S. typhi with respective diameters of 24, 23 and 25 mm as inhibition zone diameters, secondly, 24, 24 and 25 mm respectively as inhibition zone diameters against S. paratyphi A and finally, 24, 24 and 26 mm respectively as inhibition zone diameters against S. paratyphi B. While there was no activity of hexane extract on the three bacterial strains used.

Ezeokeke et al.,⁵⁷ investigated the sub-acute toxicity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia in Swiss albino rats. The authors concluded that the doses ranging from 0.125 to 0.75 g/kg administered daily to mice for a period of two weeks did not significantly affect relative organ weights, blood composition, or renal function. Histological analyses of the liver and kidneys at doses up to 0.5 g/kg were normal and identical to those obtained with vehicle-treated controls. However, cloudy swelling of hepatocytes with vascular degeneration was observed in liver sections of animals after treatment with ethanolic extract of A. cordifolia leaves at the dose of 0.75 g/kg.

Antimicrobial activity

Lamikanra et al.,¹⁹ tested the antibacterial activities of methanolic extracts of A. cordifolia leaves. The results reported the highest activity of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid and triisopentenyl guanidine. The aqueous ethanol extract (50%) of Alchornea cordifolia (Schum and Thonn) Muell. Arg. leaf was assessed for activity against 74 microbial strains (aerobic, facultative and anaerobic bacteria as well as fungi). A higher activity of the extract on gram-positive bacteria and yeasts was noticed with concentrations against these pathogenic organisms below 5 mg/mL.⁵⁸

Adeshina et al.,³⁰ carried out an antimicrobial study of the ethyl acetate extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaf. Results demonstrated that all the fractions possessed antimicrobial effects against the test organisms. In addition, the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and the MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) of the extract against the test microbial strains ranged between 0.625-10 mg/mL.

Ebenyi et al.,³⁷ reported antibacterial activity of Alchornea cordifolia aqueous and ethylacetate leaves extracts. The final results of this study showed that A. cordifolia aqueous and ethylacetate leaves extracts were high inhibitory effects; it was concluded that the activity was bacteriostatic on some organisms and bacteriocidal on others.

A study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of the methanol and chloroform extracts from A. cordifolia leaves. The result concluded that the concentrations of 50 mg/mL from methanol extract possessed a high antibacterial effect on the main strains tested, while only the concentration of 200 mg/mL from chloroform extracts showed high activity against the pathogens tested.⁴⁴

Adeshina et al.,⁴³ investigated the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and ethyl acetate sub-fractions of A. cordifolia leaf against the standard microorganisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600, Escherichia coli ATCC 11775, and Candida albicans ATCC 18804). The results demonstrated that both fractions of the methanol extract, ethyl acetate and residual aqueous fractions, exhibited antimicrobial activity against all standard pathogens. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest effect against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600) with a zone of inhibition of 27 mm, MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of 1.25 mg/ml and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) of 2.5mg/ml. 

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves from tree plants (Alchornea cordifolia, Boerhavia diffusa and Bridellia micrantha) were reported for antibacterial activity against some strains (H. pylori, S. typhi, S. enteritidis, S. flexneri and E. coli (EHEC). Results showed that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of all the microorganisms tested. However, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to fall between 15.6 and 31.25 mg/mL. In addition, it was demonstrated that the extracts were bacteriocidal at concentrations ranging between 31.25 and 250 mg/mL.³¹

Kigigha & Atuzie¹⁴ assessed the antibacterial activity of ethanol and expressed extracts of the leaves of A. cordifolia using E. coli and S. aureus as test organisms. The ethanol extract had the highest inhibitory zone against E. coli in all tests, ranging from 53.4 4.8 to 30.4 2.8 mm, followed by the expressed extract. Concerning the activity against S. aureus, it was the expressed extract that exhibited the higher inhibitory zone, ranging from 12.6±4.8 to 6.3±1.8 mm.

Okwu & Ukanwa⁴⁶ isolated 5-methyl 4’-propenoxy anthocyanidines 7-O-β-D-diglucopyranoside from the ethanolic extract of the leaves of A. cordifolia and evaluated its antibacterial activity on some bacterial strains. The results demonstrated that this compound successfully inhibited P. aerguinosa, E. coli, P. mirabilis, K. pueumonia and S. aureus.

Ajali⁴⁷ tested the antibacterial efficiency of stem bark from petroleum ether, acetone, ethanol, and methanol extracts of A. cordifolia on standard strains. It was concluded that all tested extracts of A. cordifolia stem bark exhibited antimicrobial activities, but only the petroleum ether extract did not show any good effects. Ebi⁶⁴ carried out tests on the antibacterial proprieties of leaf, stem, and root bark extracts of A. cordifolia. The study concluded that fractions containing phenolics and terpenoids, showed significant activity against P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and E. coli.

A study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of methanol leaf extract of M. arboreus, aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of A. cordifolia, two medicinal plants. Results concluded that all extracts from both plants exhibited antimicrobial effects against standard strains. In particular, ethanol leaf extracts of A. cordifolia gave appreciable antimicrobial properties against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans with MICs of 3.0; 4.0; 6.0; 4.0 and 4.0 mg/mL, respectively, while aqueous showed MICs of 2.5; 3.0; 10.0; 4.0, and 3.0 mg/mL, respectively. The IC50 of aqueous and ethanolic A. cordifolia leaf were 0.79 and 0.78 μg/mL, respectively.⁶⁵

Djimeli et al.,³³ assessed the antimicrobial activity of an aqueous extract of A. cordifolia leaf against E. coli. The conclusion suggested that aqueous extract possessed bacteriostatic activity with an MIC value of 1500 μg/ml. additionally, it was noticed that the dose-dependent efficiency of the extract was orally administrated at 232, 112 and 58 g/kg. The infection was eradicated after 13 days of treatment.

Antidiabetic activity

Thomford et al.,²¹ carried out the antidiabetic effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia using the dexamethasone-induced diabetic rat model. The final results showed that two doses of ethanolic leaf extract [(250 mg/kg, p.o.; (5.35 0.95 mmol/L) and 500 mg/kg, p.o.; (5.98 1.12 mmol/l)] demonstrated good activity by preventing an increase in fasting blood glucose level.

Antidiarrhoeal Activity

Agbor et al.,³⁸ evaluated the antidiarrhoeal propriety of an ethanolic extract from Alchornea cordifolia leaf against castor oil induced diarrhea in mice, using morphine as the standard reference drug. The finding demonstrated that the dose of 800 mg/kg was the most effective in rats and blocked the production of diarrhea after intraluminal administration. The anti-diarrhoeal activity of aqueous and ethanol bark extract of Alchornea cordifolia on castor oil-induced diarrhoeal; gastrointestinal motility; and enteropooling was conducted. It was found that both extracts have anti-diarrhoeal effects in a dose-dependent fashion at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg.⁴⁸

Anti-inflammatory activity

Manga et al.,⁴⁹ evaluated the In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous decoction and methanol leaf extracts of Alchornea cordifolia to reduce Croton oil-induced oedema in the mouse ear, after topical application. In addition, four bio-assays guided liquid-liquid fractionation (water insoluble, hexane, ethyl acetate and water) of methanol extract provided four different active fractions. The results showed that methanol leaf extract (dose-dependent) suppressed the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice (ID₅₀ <500µg/cm²). Only the hexane fraction showed a very high effect with 42% inhibition at 0.7µg/cm² while the other fractions were less active.

 The anti-inflammatory properties of crude methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves and the five fractions were assessed using rats. The authors concluded that the LD₅₀ value of the aqueous extract was 1131.4 mg/kg while the methanolic extract at a dose of 50mg/kg exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, the dose of 100mg/kg of terpenoid fraction and the tannin-containing multi-component fraction showed the best activity, with a percentage inhibition of oedema value of 87.69 each.⁵²

Antioxidant activity

Kolawole et al.,⁶⁶ tested the In vivo antioxidant activity and glutathione S-Transferase inhibitory effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia in acetaminophen-induced liver injury. The final results suggested that the ethanolic extract highly decreased the level of hepatic glutathione S-transferase nevertheless it generated (dose dependently) an important rise in the levels of glutathione S-transferases in the presence of the toxicant.

Effo et al.,⁶⁰ conducted an in vitro antioxidant effect of an aqueous extract of A. cordifolia leaves by using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and by measuring the iron reduction capacity. The results concluded that aqueous extract alone did not alter transaminases, isoniazid while the combination of isoniazid and rifampicin caused an elevation of transaminase enzymes (ALT and AST) by over 48% while aqueous extract of A. cordifolia at the concentration of 800 mg/kg decreased AST and ALT levels by over 45%. Finally, AEAC administrated at concentrations ranging from 200 mg/kg to 400 mg/kg reduced ALT levels by more than 40%.

A study was carried out to test the antioxidant capacity of the chloroform, methanol, and petroleum ether leaf extracts of A. cordifolia. The IC₅₀ values for methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether extracts in the DPPH and H₂O₂ assays were 35.22, 94.77, and 93.02 ppm, and 272.0, 626.5, and 898.O₄ ppm, respectively, in the DPPH radical and H₂O₂ assays. The Total Total antioxydant Activity (gAAE/100 g) for chloroform, petroleum ether and methanol extracts were 25.85, 40.0 and 40.08 g, respectively.⁶⁷

Antiplasmodial activity

Ayisi et al.,⁶⁸ conducted In vitro study to assess the selectivity of action of chloroquine, Alchornea cordifolia (fruit), Ficus polita, and other antimalarial drugs by a tetrazolium-based colorimetric selective assay. This study used Plasmodium falciparum-strain-3D7-infected (1% parasitemia) and uninfected cultures. It was concluded that the aqueous extracts from the fruits of Alchornea cordifolia were very effective against P. falciparum strain 3D7 with IC₅₀ values of 4.9μg/mL and selective index (SI) values of >69.4μg/mL by comparison with chloroquine (EC₅₀ values of 0.025μg/mL and SI values of >2,000μg/mL).

Banzouzi et al.,⁵⁰ evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of chloroformic, ether, and ethanolic extracts of leaves of A. cordifolia. The authors observed a moderate activity of ethanolic extract against Plasmodium falciparum while chloroformic and ether extracts were inactive.

Antisickling activity

An In vitro study was carried out to assess the antisickling activity of aqueous extracts of three Congolese plants (A. senegalensis, V. unguiculata and A. cordifolia). It was concluded that the three plants possess an interesting capacity to prevent the sickling and hemolysis of red blood cells.⁶⁹

Mpiana et al.,⁷⁰ evaluated the antisickling activity of aqueous and diethyl ether extracts of anthocyanins from two Congolese medicinal plants: A. cordifolia and C. retusa using Emmel’s test. Additionally, thin layer chromatography (TLC) helped to prepare with methanol two different fractions (Rf: 0.76; 0.68) for A. cordifolia. The antisickling test showed the highest activity for the second fraction (Rf: 0.68) isolated from A. cordifolia.

Anti-stress activity

Umukoro and Aladeokin⁵¹ conducted a study to investigate the anti-stress and anticonvulsant activities of the aqueous leaf extract of A. cordifolia in mice. After oral treatment (100-400 mg/kg), the authors noticed good anti-stress/anti-fatigue activity. Extracts decrease the duration of immobility significantly.

Antiviral activity

Aqueous extracts of O. gratissimum, F. polita, C. anisata, A. cordifolia, and E. drupifera were tested for antiviral activity in vitro. The effects were compared with AZT on HIV-1 and HIV-2 replication and cytopathicity. The results showed that the seeds of A. cordifolia had high antiviral indices (90) against HIV-1 strain HTLVIIIB cytopathicity but did not have any active against HIV-2 strain GH1 in comparison with AZT.⁶⁸

Noundou et al.,²⁹ assessed the in vitro and in silico anti-HIV-1 integrase capacity of methylgallate from methanolic extract of A. cordifolia stem bark. The authors concluded that all the isolated compounds from A. cordifolia methanolic crude extract (3-O-acetyl-aleuritolic acid, methylgallate, stigmasterol) and the crude methanolic extract showed good effect against HIV-1 IN with the IC₅₀ of the crude extract of 8.5 ng/ml. In addition, the IC₅₀ values of methylgallate, stigmasterol, and 3‐O-acetyl aleuritolic acid were found to be 3.7, 20.5 and 83.7 nM, respectively.

Reproductive activity

Njila et al.,¹⁷ evaluated the effect of the methanolic extract of A. cordifolia leaves on the sexual behavior of senescent and sexually inexperienced rats. The results showed that 14 days after the treatment, the extract significantly increased libido and a good improvement of sexual parameters. In addition, the extract also increased the duration of coitus by significantly increasing the ejaculation latency and the average mating interval. The treatment with the extract also increased the fertility and implantation numbers in female rats mated with males.

Antipyretic and Analgesic activity

A study was carried out to investigate the analgesic and antipyretic activities of aqueous, ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts of two plants which are Q. africana (bark) and A. cordifolia (leaves and fruits). It was demonstrated that all A. cordifolia extracts showed the highest antipyretic and analgesic activities at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg per os.²⁴

Antiamoebic activity

Tona et al.,⁷¹ tested the in vitro antiamoebic activity of forty-five (45) Congolese medicinal plant extracts. Which plants include A. cordifolia. The final results showed that extract from A. cordifolia root bark was among the most active (MIC<100µg/ml) against the Entamoeba histolytica strain.

Anthelminthic activity

Akoto et al.,⁶⁷ evaluated anthelminthic activity of chloroform, methanol, and petroleum ether leaf extracts of A. cordifolia. It was concluded that the extracts were higher anthelminthic effects in comparison of albendazole-treated helminths.

Healing property

Agyare et al.,⁶⁵ evaluated the healing activity of methanol leaf extract of M. arboreus, aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of A. cordifolia, two medicinal plants. The final finding suggested that all extracts from both plants exhibited higher wound healing ability with better wound closure (p<0.05) on day 1 and day 9 (p<0.001) in comparison with untreated wounds. In addition, a histological survey demonstrated an improvement in wound tissue proliferation, fibrosis, and re-epithelization compared with the untreated wound tissues.

Lymphoproliferative effects

This study was carried out to investigate the in vitro immunostimulant activities of two flavonoid-rich fractions [methanol extract into ethylacetate fractions (EAC) and acetone soluble fractions (AAC)] of A. cordifolia leaves extract. In the conclusion, it was demonstrated that the concentration close to 10-250μg/ml from both fractions (EAC and AAC) raised the proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes cultures in comparison with the mitogenic property of standard mitogens [lipopolysaccharide LPS (10 μg/ml) and concanavalin A, ConA (2 μg/ml)].²⁵

Immunostimulatory and adjuvant properties

Nworu et al.,⁷² evaluated the in vitro immunostimulatory and adjuvant properties of AcF1, a flavonoids-rich fraction of A. cordifolia. The results were very encouraging. The adjuvant AcF1 significantly (P<0.05) elevated the level of OVA-specific antibody titres in the sera of immunised mice in comparison with the control group immunized with OVA alone.

Antidepressant-like effect

The antidepressant-like property of hydroethanolic extract of A. cordifolia in the forced swimming test was examined. Results showed a dose dependent (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and significant (P<0.001) antidepressant-like effect of the extract. In addition, the combination of subeffective doses of imipramine (5mg/kg, p.o.) or fluoxetine (5mg/kg, p.o.), with hydroethanolic extract (25 mg/kg, p.o.) induces a synergistic antidepressant-like effect in the forced swimming test.⁷³

Effect against Babesia duncani disease

A. cordifolia was included amongst herbal medicines which possess very good in vitro inhibitory activity in the treatement of human babesiosis caused by duncani with 54% inhibition capacity.⁷⁴

Effect against hemorrhoidal disease

Nga et al.,³⁵ assessed the anti-hemorrhoidal property of aqueous extracts from two African medicinal plants (M. indica and A. cordifolia). The concentrations of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and inhibited some mediators (histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, kinins, and prostaglandins) which cause inflammation.

Entomotoxicant effect

Koomson & Oppong¹⁶ investigated the entomotoxicant effect of leaf powder of A. cordifolia on Sitophilus zeamais the maize storage pest. Results confirmed that the powder was toxic to the insect (P<0.05) at the concentration of 5.0g by causing very high mortality of 93% after 21 days. In addition, the repellent effect on insects (97%) was also observed at the same concentration.

This mini-review is a compilation of the various properties of the plant Alchornea cordifolia. The various traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of this plant are briefly presented. The research has elucidated several interesting bioactive compounds that have been found to treat various human and animal diseases. Future research should lead researchers to further investigate the antihelminthic activity of some compounds of this plant on Okapi helminths in order to formulate a phytomedicine that will allow the conservation of this emblematic animal threatened with extinction.

None.

Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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