Boscia angustifolia
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Boscia angustifolia (8605213001).jpg
| genus = Boscia
| species = angustifolia
| authority = A.Rich.
}}
Boscia angustifolia is a shrub or small tree with lanceolate leaves commonly found in the savannah zones of Africa, from Senegal moving eastwards to Sudan. It is part of the Capparaceae family.{{cite journal |last1=Chini |first1=Caterina |last2=Bilia |first2=Anna |last3=Keita |first3=Arouna |last4=Morelli |first4=Ivano |title=Protoalkaloids from Boscia angustifolia |journal=Planta Medica |date=October 1992 |volume=58 |issue=5 |pages=476 |doi=10.1055/s-2006-961522 |pmid=17226509 |s2cid=260282953 }} The plant is also known as the rough-leaved shepherds tree.
Description
It is a smooth, grey barked shrub or small tree that is capable of reaching {{Convert|7|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height and with a short trunk.{{cite book |editor1-last=Schmelzer |editor1-first=Gaby H. |editor2-last=Gurib-Fakim |editor2-first=Ameenah |editor3-last=Schmelzer |editor3-first=Gabriella Harriet |title=Medicinal Plants |date=2008 |publisher=PROTA |isbn=978-90-5782-204-9 |page=22 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7FJqgQ3_tnUC&pg=PA22 |oclc=297222192 }} It has leaves with simple, alternate arrangement; leaf-blade is lanceolate to oblong outline with a coriaceous and glabrous upper surface, short, fine hairs beneath; it is 1.5-5 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide, petiole is 2-7 mm long.{{cite book |last1=Baumer |first1=Michel |last2=Nations |first2=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United |title=Notes on Trees and Shrubs in Arid and Semi-arid Regions |date=1983 |publisher=Food & Agriculture Org. |isbn=978-92-5-101354-0 |page=114 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8g2IsYii6jsC&pg=PA114 |oclc=11071774 }} Flowers are greenish to white, terminal or axillary clustered in raceme type of inflorescence. Fruit is spherical berries, about 6-10 mm in diameter.
Distribution
Chemistry
Test on parts of the species identified the methylated flavonoid, ombuin, the carboxylic acid compounds: lactic and quinic acid, and about three nitrogen methyl compounds including 1-methyl imino thieno [3,4b] naphthalene.{{cite journal |last1=Salem |first1=MahaM |last2=Hussein |first2=SamehR |last3=El-Sharawy |first3=Reham |last4=El-Khateeb |first4=Ahmed |last5=Ragab |first5=EmanA |last6=Dawood |first6=KamalM |last7=El Negoumy |first7=SabryI.M. |title=Antioxidant and antiviral activities of the aqueous alcoholic leaf extract of Boscia angustifolia A. Rich. (Capparaceae) and its major component 'ombuin' |journal=Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal |date=2016 |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=1 |doi=10.4103/1687-4315.184025 |s2cid=99427496 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |id={{ProQuest|2313059058}} |last1=Maroyi |first1=Alfred |title=A review of medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Boscia angustifolia |journal=Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research |volume=11 |issue=10 |date=October 2019 |pages=3420–3428 }}
Uses
The roots are used in decoctions to treat a variety of bacteria infection and other health issues including diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, chest pain and boil.{{cite journal |last1=Hassan |first1=S. W. |last2=Umar |first2=R. A. |last3=Lawal |first3=M. |last4=Bilbis |first4=L. S. |last5=Muhammad |first5=B. Y. |last6=Dabai |first6=Y. U. |title=Evaluation of antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of root extracts of Boscia angustifolia |journal=African Journal of Biotechnology |date=2006 |volume=5 |issue=18 |doi=10.4314/ajb.v5i18.55804 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/55804 }} Its leaves and fruit are used to induce purging and to act as a cholagogue.