See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333374877 Ethnobotanical uses, biological activities and chemical properties of Kei- apple [Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Sim]: An indigenous fruit tree of southern Africa Article in Journal of Ethnopharmacology · May 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.111963 CITATIONS READS 8 842 3 authors: Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu Khayelihle Ncama North-West University North-West University 165 PUBLICATIONS 2,481 CITATIONS 25 PUBLICATIONS 200 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Abiodun Olusola Omotayo North-West University 87 PUBLICATIONS 438 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Socio-economic impact of herbal cosmetics used by women in Vhembe district Municipality, South Africa View project Conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants View project All content following this page was uploaded by Abiodun Olusola Omotayo on 02 July 2019. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Journal of Ethnopharmacology xxx (xxxx) xxx-xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Ethnopharmacology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com Review Ethnobotanical uses, biological activities and chemical properties of Kei-apple [Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Sim]: An indigenous fruit tree of southern Africa Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu a⁠ ,⁠ b⁠ ,⁠ c⁠ ,⁠ ∗⁠ , Khayelihle Ncama b⁠ ,⁠ d⁠ , Abiodun Olusola Omotayo b⁠ a Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, North West Province, South Africa b Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, North West Province, South Africa c School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa d Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X 2046,PROOFMmabatho, 2790, South Africa ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv.) Sim (commonly called Kei-apple) is an indige- Antioxidants nous fruit tree that has medicinal values for various ethnic groups in southern Africa. Antimicrobial Aim of the review: This review aims to provide a critical appraisal of the existing knowledge on the ethnobotan- Phytochemicals ical value, biological activities and phytochemicals of Dovyalis caffra. In addition, the potential of producing a Rheumatism functional health product from Kei-apple due to its therapeutic effects and rich pool of phytochemicals was ex- Salicaceae plored. Wild fruit Methods: A detailed literature search was conducted using various online search engines, such as Scopus, Google Scholar, Mendeley and Web of Science. Additional information was sourced from ethnobotanical literature fo- cusing on southern African flora. Results: Dovyalis caffra has diverse uses in local and popular medicine, specifically for relieving pain and rheuma- tism in humans. Ethno-veterinary potential of Kei-apple has also been documented in East Africa. Non-medici- nal uses of the tree include its role in biological hedging and as a traditional herb for African magic purpose. Regarding its biological activities, polar extracts from the seeds exhibited noteworthy antibacterial (minimum inhibitory concentration of 1 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus) activity. Quantitative analysis (e.g. GC-MS, HPLC) indicated the presence of a rich (>80) pool of chemicals, including sterols, phenolic acids and fatty acids from different parts of the plant while 11 compounds have been isolated from its leaves and twigs. Conclusions: Dovyalis caffra has been tested for various biological activities and the extracts (seeds in particular) demonstrated promising antibacterial potential. A lack of alignment between the ethno-medicinal uses and exist- ing biological screenings was observed, indicting the need for anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatism potential of Dovyalis caffra to be explored. In vivo validation of antibacterial and anti-parasitic activities against clinical bacterial strains and parasites, respectively is required. Other areas that need investigation are safety evaluations and development of integrated cultivation approach in order to fully explore the plant's potential. 1. Introduction viding nutritional and medicinal effects (Leakey, 1999; Stadlmayr et al., 2013; Awodoyin et al., 2015; Maroyi, 2016; Bvenura and Sivakumar In African traditional medicine, trees remain highly valued due to 2017; Hassanin et al., 2019). The importance of fruit trees, as one their intrinsic advantages over other plant forms, which often have lim- of the products from forests with considerable economic and ecolog- ited availability throughout the year (Brendler et al., 2010; Moyo et al., ical values, have been well-emphasized internationally (du Preez et 2015). Furthermore, many trees are known to bear edible fruits that al., 2013; Awodoyin et al., 2015; Chivandi et al., 2015). Many fruit are valued for their therapeutic potential, with the dual benefit of pro trees indigenous to Africa are well-known sources of vitamins, miner ∗ Corresponding author. IndigenousUNCORRECTEDKnowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2790, North West Province, South Africa. Email address: [email protected], [email protected] (A.O. Aremu) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111963 Received 9 December 2018; Received in revised form 14 May 2019; Accepted 17 May 2019 Available online xxx 0378-8741/ © 2019. A.O. Aremu et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology xxx (xxxx) xxx-xxx Table 1 Table 1 (Continued) Overview of the taxonomy, ethnobotanical uses and general features of Dovyalis caffra (Kei-apple). Feature Details Reference Feature Details Reference Other local uses Juice used to prepare Quin (1964); Ateba et al., (2012) (non- Bogôbè bja mahlono Botanical name Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. http://www.theplantlist.org/ medicinal) (meal porridges made & Harv.) Sim tpl1.1/record/kew-4776111 from three (3) varieties Family Salicaceae of cereal) by the Bapedi. Synonyms Aberia caffra Hook.f. & Fruit juice mixed with Harv. porridge to make a kind Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. of traditional pudding by & Harv.) Warb. the Batswana Common/local Kei-apple, Dingaan's Foden and Potter (2005); Utilized as a barrier Henderson (1983) names apricot, wild apricot Rankoana et al. (2015); (2016); plants in form of garden (English) Gakuubi and Wanzala (2012); hedge Maroyi (2017); Ateba et al., Widely used for hedges Milimo et al. (1994) (2012); Rampedi (2010) around homes and farms Kei-appel, in Southern and Eastern appelkoosdoring Africa (Afrikaans) motlhono Commonly consumed Maroyi (2017) (Sesotho sa Leboa, fruit among IsiXhosa of Setswana) Eastern Cape, South umqokolo (IsiZulu) Africa amaqokolo, Umkokolo Recognized as beverage- Rampedi (2010) (IsiNdebele) making plants among mukokolo (Shona) the VhaVendaPROOF in South incagolo (IsiXhosa) Africa mutunu, Muvhamba- Conservation Least concern Raimondo et al. (2009) nguvho (Tshivenda) status Mohlono (Sepedi) Distribution in Africa (native): National Research Council (2008); Dihlono (Northern Sotho) Africa and Botswana, Lesotho, Orwa et al. (2009) Nvisangani (Xitsonga) South Africa Namibia, Swaziland, Kariaba (Ameru, Kenya) Malawi, Zimbabwe, Uses in local Roots and thorns are Cumes et al. (2009) Mozambique, South and popular used for treating Africa medicine amenorrhoea and chest Africa (exotic): Djibouti, pain Eritrea, Ethiopia, Decoction of the bark Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk (1962) Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, and root is a Zulu Uganda remedy for rheumatism South Africa: Eastern Foden and Potter (2005); Venter Unspecified part of the Bryant (1966) Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Venter (2015) tree is used for Limpopo, Mpumalanga, alleviating pain in Western Cape rheumatic fever and Habitats Areas/regions with Orwa et al. (2009); http:// rheumatism warm summers and cjmgrowers.co.za/dovyalis-caffra- Thorns & fruit magically Rankoana et al. (2016) moderate rainfall. Found kei-apple/ prepared to use as in valley bushveld, dry charms to protect the areas, wooded grassland household & kraal and on forest edges against attack by invaders especially witches als, amino acids and essential elements for people in rural areas with Thorns considered as Magwede et al. (2018) limited access to primary healthcare (Leakey, 1999; du Preez, 2003; medicine for various du Preez et al., 2013; Stadlmayr et al., 2013; Bvenura and Sivakumar magical purposes Source of edible fruit & Magwede et al. (2018) 2017). beverage among the The local knowledge on the utilization of these fruit trees remains VhaVenda popular and valuable among many communities in Africa Thorns indicated to treat Arnold and Gulumian (1984) (Cheikhyoussef and Embashu, 2013; Stadlmayr et al., 2013; Maroyi, Amenorrhoea in Vhenda by applying powder on 2017; Magwede et al., 2018; Hassanin et al., 2019). Furthermore, fruit underwear. Decoction of trees have been identified as remedies for a wide varieties of communi- the thorn is also used for cable and non-communicable diseases that affect both humans and live- pain in the chest (heart stock (Cheikhyoussef and Embashu, 2013; Chivandi et al., 2015; Van side) Vuuren and Holl, 2017; Cock et al., 2018; Prinsloo et al., 2018). Re-