A Phytochemical Review of Healing Plants Used in West Africa

Abstract

Background: The skin is a protective, multifunctional organ that plays key roles in immunity, thermoregulation and fluid balance, and it consists of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Wound healing, especially in chronic cases, is a complex, costly, multiphase process that is often managed using modern treatments as well as traditional medicinal plants. Aims: This review aimed to review and update information on selected medicinal plants with wound-healing properties that are traditionally used in West Africa. Methodology: Relevant literature was obtained from databases and search engines, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar and Google, using the keywords "plants", "wound healing", "West Africa" and "phytochemistry". Articles published within the last 15 years were selected and reviewed. Results: Thirteen plants belonging to seven families were identified, with established phytochemical profiles. The families represented were Fabaceae (53.85%), Anacardiaceae (7.69%), Apocynaceae (7.69%), Malvaceae (7.69%), Meliaceae (7.69%), Moringaceae (7.69%) and Olacaceae (7.69%). Phytochemical screening was conducted on aqueous, hydro-ethanolic, methanolic, ethanolic, n-butanolic, acetonic and oxalic-acetate extracts. The plant parts most frequently used for extraction were bark (41.6%), leaves (33.4%), fruits (16.7%) and, rarely, seeds (4.16%) and branches (4.16%). Major phytoconstituents identified included alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, terpenoids and sterols. Constituents were more concentrated in the bark, and most of the plants showed little or no cytotoxicity, except Calotropis procera, which showed high cytotoxicity in cells. Conclusion: Knowledge of these plants may support further studies to elucidate the role of each compound in wound healing and, subsequently, the development of new medicines for wound treatment.