30/05/2015
Combretum molle
LOCAL NAMES
English (velvet leaf
willow,velvet leaf combretum,velvet bush willow);
Luganda (ndagi); Swahili (msana,mlama);
Commonly found in the dry corridors of Central Uganda, especially in Nakasongola.
PARTS USED: Roots, stem bark and leaves
C. molle (soft-leaved Combretum, velvet bush willow) is a tree with a larger, straighter trunk compared to most species of Combretum, further distinguished by its rough bark and dense crown. It occurs throughout tropical Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula in areas where woodlands and wooded grasslands predominate, often forming pure stands on hillsides.
C. molle has been widely used as a medicinal plant to treat various diseases such as parasitic, protozoan and other infectious diseases in East and West Africa. Antibacterial studies have demonstrated its activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori at different extract concentrations.
Antifungal activity was reported in models that used Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Candida albicans,
C. neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Sporothrix schenckii and Microsporum canis. Molle was also able to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antitrypansomal and anthelmintic activities of different extracts have also been reported.
It can treat the following: -
1. Syphillis
2. Gonorrhea
3. Influenza
4. Oedema
5. Skin diseases
6. Treatment of wounds
Toxicity studies have reported the activity of aqueous and acetone extracts against Artemia salina.
Furthermore, it is reported antimalarial activity of the methanolic extract against Plasmodium falciparum at different concentrations were tested. Molluscicidal effect of aqueous extract against Biomphalaria pfeifferi was also observed. Meanwhile, embryotoxic effects have not been reported.
Methanolic extracts of the roots and leaves (25 μg/mL) of C. molle showed strong cytotoxic effects against T-24 bladder cancer cells. In addition, the aqueous and methanol extracts of C. molle were screened for inhibitory effects against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. These extracts produced relatively strong inhibition of RNA-dependent-DNA polymerase (RDDP) activity. The compounds responsible for these activities in this plant were not sought.
In the case of compounds obtained from C. molle, the analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of mollic acid glucoside (MAG) a 1α-hydroxycycloartenoid extracted from
Combretum molle leaves, have been investigated in mice and rats The results of this laboratory animal study indicate that MAG possesses analgesic and antiinflammatory effects in the mammalian models used. The author suggested that MAG possesses both centrally- and peripherally-mediated analgesic effects.
Ojewole also reported on the cardiovascular effects of MAG. The results of this study showed that this compound was capable of causing bradycardia, vasorelaxation and hypotension in the animals evaluated. In addition, hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity have also been demonstrated.
In vitro anti-HIV activity of two isolated tannins from an acetone fraction, punicalgin and CM-A (whose structure has not yet been fully elucidated), was assessed against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2). The results displayed selective inhibition of HIV-1 replication with selective indices (ratio of 50% cytotoxic concentration to 50% effective antiviral concentration) of 16 and 25, respectively and afforded complete cell protection against the virus-induced cytopathic effect when compared to control samples. Neither of the tannins was able to inhibit HIV-2 replication
PRODUCTS:
Fodder: The leaves are browsed by cattle.
Apiculture: Flowers attract bees and make good forage for honey production.
Fuel: Wood burns slowly, giving intense heat, and is suitable for firewood and production of high quality charcoal.
Timber: Combretum wood is yellow, hard, coarse, and brittle when dry and rots easily. It is said to be reasonably termite resistant and is suitable for implement handles, poles, stools, construction and fence posts.
Tannin or dyestuff: A red dye can be obtained from the leaves and yellow dye from the roots.
Medicine: Boiled root decoction is used to induce abortion and treat constipation, leprosy, headaches, stomach pains, fever, dysentery, general pains, swellings and as an anthelmintic for hookworm. The root and leaf together are believed to be an antidote for snake bite; leaves are chewed or pounded, soaked in water and the juice drunk for chest complaints and as an anthelmintic, or they are used as an inhalant in hot steam bath. An infusion of the inner bark is taken orally or as an e***a to relieve various stomach ailments. The bark exudes a gum that can be used to treat wounds, or crushed dried or fresh leaves can be used for the same purpose.