Table 2.
An inventory of African herbal therapies against human gastrointestinal pain and diarrhea.
| Species | Family name | Part used | Diseases or symptoms | Reference | Analgesia/anti-inflammatory/anti-diarrhea tests | Compounds/class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpobrotus edulis (L.); Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.)L. bolus and Carpobrotus muirii (L.) L. bolus † | Aizoaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 5,90] | ||
| Achyranthes aspera | Amaranthaceae | Whole plant (root, leaves and aerial parts) | Chest pain and stomach complaints | [ 84] | Achyranthine and glycosides | |
| Hermbstaedtia odorata | Amaranthaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Guilleminea densa (Willd. ex Schult.) Moq. | Amaranthaceae | Root | Diarrhea | [ 91] | ||
| Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal | Amaryllidaceae | Bulb & roots | Stomach ailments and diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Tulbaghia alliacea L.f. | Amaryllidaceae | Bulb | Stomach ailments and rheumatism | [ 5] | ||
| Anacardium Occidentale | Anacardiaceae | Fruit/Bark | Pain and diarrhea | [ 52] | Tested for diarrhea [92] | |
| Rhus chirindensis † | Anacardiaceae | Stem bark | Stomach ailments, and diarrhea; inflammation, rheumatism, analgesic and neurologic complaints | [ 84] | Hot-plate and acetic acid-induced pain and egg albumin-induced pedal edema [93] | Flavonoids, triterpenoids |
| Mangifera indica L. † | Anacardiaceae | Stem bark | Diarrhea and dysentery; inflammation and neuropathic pain | [ 52,94] | Tail flick, writhing tests carrageenan- and formalin-induced oedema [95,96] | Polyphenols |
| Protorhus longifolia (Bernh. ex C. Krauss) Engl. | Anacardiaceae | Bark | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 5] | ||
| Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst † | Anacardiaceae | Root, leaves and stem bark | Diarrhea, dysentery and pain | Egg albumin-induced paw oedema and heat-induced pain [55,62] | Tannins, alkaloids, vitamin C and flavonoids | |
| Lannea schimperi (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) Engl. | Anacardiaceae | Roots/bark leaves; Bark | Stomach ache, chronic diarrhea | [ 94,97] | ||
| Ozoroa insignis Delile | Anacardiaceae | Roots/stem bark/leaves | Diarrhea and stomach ache | [ 91,94] | ||
| Ozoroa paniculosa (Sond.) R. Fern. & A. Fern. | Anacardiaceae | Bark/root bark | Diarrhea and abdominal pain | [ 53,65] | ||
| Searsia incica, L.F. Searsia leptodictya (Diels) and other related species. | Anacardiaceae | Root/bark/leaves | Diarrhea and pain | [ 53,57,65] | Flavonoids | |
| Annona senegalensis † | Annonaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea (bark), toothaches and body pain | [ 52] | Egg albumin-induced paw oedema heat-induced pain [59,60] (antimotility mice; anti-cholinergic in rabbits) | |
| Annona senegalensis Pers. | Annonaceae | Roots | Stomachache | [ 94] | ||
| Uvaria chamae P.Beauv. † | Annonaceae | Roots/stem bark | Gastroenteritis, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain; sedative and analgesic | [ 52,98] | Paw edema [98] | Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phenols [98] |
| Foeniculum vulgare Mill. † | Apiaceae | Stem/leaves | Cramp; colic, diarrhea | [ 84] | [99] | Quercetin derivatives and volatile oils |
| Heteromorpha trifoliate (H.L.Wendl.) Eckl. & Zeyh † | Apiaceae | Root/leaves | Diarrhea; anti-inflammatory; painful joints, backache and headache | [ 84,100] | COX-1 inhibition test: [101]; TPA-induced ear and carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mouse | Falcarindiol and sarisan |
| Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.† | Apiaceae | Root/rhizome | Diarrhea, headache and rheumatism | [ 84,102] | [102] | Terpenoids |
| Centella spp | Apiaceae | Roots | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 23,28] | ||
| Calotropis procera | Apocynaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea and pain | [ 52] | Alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols and/or triterpenes in aerial parts [103] | |
| Cynanchum acutum L. † | Apocynaceae | Aerial parts | Diarrhea | [ 104] | Castor oil- induced diarrhea; anti-motility assay | Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins and amino acids |
| Landolphia heudelotii A.DC. | Apocynaceae | Roots | Body pain and diarrhea | [ 52] | ||
| Acokanthera oppositifolia (Lam.) Codd | Apocynaceae | Roots/leavs | Stomach ache, diarrhea, painful feet, rheumatism andtoothache | [ 5,84] | Amorphous acokantherin, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins [105] | |
| Asclepias fruticosa | Apocynaceae | Roots/stem/leaves | Stomach pain and diarrhea | [ 84] | Aardenolide glycoside, steroidal glycosides and 5,11-epoxymegastigmanes [106] | |
| Amorphophallus consimilis Blume | Araceae | Bark | Diarrhea | [ 52] | ||
| Xysmalobium undulatum (L.)† | Apocynaceae. | Roots | Diarrhea, dysentery, stomach pain and headaches | [ 5] | ||
| Aloe ferox | Asparagaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 5,107] | ||
| Aloe greatheadii Schönland | Asparagaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea, | [ 107] | ||
| Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. † | Asparagaceae | Bulb | Abdominal pain and diarrhea; and back pain | [ 5] | ||
| Eucomis comosa † | Asparagaceae | Root/bulb | Rheumatism and teething baby | [ 84] | Homoisoflavones, nortriterpenes, and eucosterol | |
| Ledebouria ovatifolia | Asparagaceae. | Bulb | Gastroenteritis and backache | [ 84] | Bufadienolides | |
| Scilla nervosa † | Asparagaceae. | Bulb | Dysentery and rheumatism | [ 84] | Digitalis, homoisoflavonoids and stilbenoids [108] | |
| Kigelia Africana † | Bignoniaceae | Bark/dried fruit | Diarrhea; painful joints, back and rheumatism | [ 84] | Castor oil-induced diarrhea Antimotility [109]; Writhing and paw edema tests [110] | Luteolin, flavonoids isocoumarins, sterols and iridoid glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides and reducing sugars |
| Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K.Schum. ex Engl. | Bignoniaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 66] | ||
| Sarcophyte sanguinea † | Balanophoraceae | Whole plant | Diarrhea, dysentery and pain | [ 84] | Exocarpic acid, naringenin, | |
| Tecomaria capensis † | Bignoniaceae | Bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery, stomach pains; and chest pains | [ 84] | Flavonols, alkaloids and tannins | |
| Diplotaxis acris (Forssk.) Boiss. † | Brassicaceae | Aerial parts | Diarrhea | [ 104] | Castor oil induced diarrhea | Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids |
| Schouwia thebaica † | Brassicaceae | Aerial parts | Diarrhea | [ 104] | Castor oil induced diarrhea, anti-motility assay | Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids |
| Boscia salicifolia Oliv.† | Capparaceae | Roots/bark | Diarrhea, pain, rheumatism | [ 94] | ||
| Capparis erythrocarpos Isert † | Capparaceae | Roots | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Humulus lupulus L. † | Cannabaceae | Seeds | Diarrhea, inflammatation, pain, sedative | [ 68,70] | COX-2 inhibition and arthritis in mice [69] | Phenolics and proanthrocyanidins [70] |
| Catha edulis ’ † | Celastraceae | Bark/leaves | Pain and amoebic dysentery | [ 64] | Hot-plate, tail-flick, and writhing tests in mice [111] | |
| Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell | Celastraceae | Roots/bark | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes. | Celastraceae | Diarrhea | [ 62] | |||
| Allanblackia gabonensis (Pellegr.) Bamps † | Clusiaceae | Stem bark | Diarrhea, dysentery; inflammations and pain | Hot-plate, tail-flick, writhing, paw edema tests [112] | ||
| Allanblackia floribunda var. gabonensis Pellegr. † | Clusiaceae | Stem bark/fruit | Dysentery, diarrhea, toothache | [ 113] | ||
| Garcinia buchananii Baker † | Clusiaceae | Stem bark | Diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain | [ 37,114] | Inhibits GI motility and neurotransmission, lactose diarrhea [37,114,115,116] | Biflavanones, alkaloids and steroids [34,37] |
| Garcinia livingstnei T.Anderson | Clusiaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 62] | ||
| Combretum micranthum | Combretaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea, chest pain | [ 52] | Saponins, glucosides and triterpenes | |
| Combretum hypopilinum (Diels)† | Combretaceae | Leaves | Bloody diarrhea | [ 52] | Saponins, glucosides and triterpenes | |
| Combretum zeyheri Sond. † | Combretaceae | Root | Bloody diarrhea | [ 117] | ||
| Combretum nigricans | Combretaceae | Root/leaves | Body pain | [ 52] | Flavonoid, Saponins, glucosides and triterpenes | |
| Combretum paniculatum / C. molle R. Br. ex G. Don † | Combretaceae | Root/leaves | Diarrhea and pain | [ 52] | Thermally- and chemically-induced nociceptive pain in mice [118] | Saponins, glucosides, triterpenes, flavonoids in similar species inhibit pain [119] |
| Terminalia albida Scott-Elliot † | Combretaceae | Root/leaves | Stomach and back pain | [ 52] | Thermal - induced pain in rat (Terminalia bellirica fruits extract) | Furanoid and diterpene |
| Terminalia phanerophlebia | Combretaceae | Root bark | Diarrhea and colic | [ 84] | Triterpenoids, tannin, nerifolin and sericoside | |
| Terminalia sericae DC.† | Combretaceae | Roots/bark leaves Root bark | Diarrhea and colic, diarrhea, stomachache, limb pain | [ 84,94,120] | Indian Arjuna has been tested for pain | Triterpenoids, tannin, nerifolin and sericoside |
| Guiera Senegalensis J.F.Gmel.† | Combretaceae | Roots/leaves | Diarrhea; stomach pain and body pain | [ 52] | Castor oil-induced diarrhea [121] | Alkaloids, steroids and cardiac glycosides [122] |
| Combretum zeyheri Sond.† | Combretaceae | Roots/bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery Stomach ache and body pain | [ 94] | ||
| Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.)Kuntze | Compositae | Whole plant | Diarrhea | [ 62] | ||
| Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. † | Compositae | Stomach ailments, and wounds | [ 123] | |||
| Bidens bipinnata L. † | Compositae | Leaves, aerial parts | Diarrhea | [ 5,104] | Castor oil diarrhea, anti-motility assay [104] | Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids |
| Dicoma capensis Less. | Compositae | Roots/herbs | Diarrhea | [ 28] | ||
| Senecio speciosus Willd. | Compositae | Stem/leaves | Chest pain and headache | [ 84] | ||
| Vernonia adoensis † | Compositae | Roots/stem/leaves | Diarrhea and stomach, painful joints, back and chest pain | [ 84,97] | Glaucolides | |
| Helichrysum spp | Compositae | Root | Diarrhea | [ 124] | ||
| Pentzia incana (Thunb.) Kuntze | Compositae | Root | Diarrhea | [ 28] | ||
| Printzia pyrifolia | Compositae | Root | Somach ache | [ 84] | Coumarate | |
| Berkheya speciosa (DC.) O.Hoffm. | Compositae | Root/leaves | Abdominal pains | [ 84] | Sesquiterpenoids and socomene | |
| Bidens pilosa L. † | Compositae | Root/leaves | Diarrhea, stomach pain, colic | [ 84,125] | Chalchones and polyacetylenes | |
| Brachylaena elliptica (Thunb.) Less. | Compositae | Leaves | Stomach and back pain | [ 84] | Mucilage, tannins and onopordopicrin | |
| Brachylaena discolor var. transvaalensis (E.Phillips & Schweick.) Beentje | Compositae | Bark/leaves | Diarrhea | [ 62] | ||
| Vernonia amygdalina Delile† | Compositae | Leaves, fruit | Dysentery and pain, chronic diarrhea | [ 52,64,97] | Writhing, formalin test, and tail-flick test [74] | Polyphenols; sesquiterpene and lactones [75] |
| Xanthium strumariumv † | Compositae | Root | Analgesic, dysentery, inflammation | [ 117] | Tested Analgesic [126] | |
| Convolvulus fatmensis G. Kunze. † | Convolvulaceae | Aerial parts | Diarrhea | [ 104] | Castor oil-induced diarrhea; anti-motility assay; anti-nociceptive tests [104] | Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids |
| Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. | Ebenaceae | Leaves/unripe fruits | Diarrhea | [ 84] | ||
| Curtisia dentata (Burm.f.) C.A.Sm. | Curtisiaceae | Root/bark | Diarrhea and stomach ailments | [ 5] | ||
| Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce/Crassula tetragona L. | Crassulaceae. | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 28] | ||
| Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth. † | Chrysobalanaceae | Root/bark | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Diospyros villosa | Ebenaceae | Roots/leaves | Painful and intestinal complaints | [ 84] | Flavonoids | |
| Croton gratissimus † | Euphorbiaceae | Stem bark | Diarrhea, dysentery and pain | [ 84,127] | ||
| Euphorbia hirta L † | Euphorbiaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea; dysentery | [ 66,128] | Tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, Alkanes, phytosterols and triterpenes [128] | |
| Euphorbia cooperi N.E.Br. ex A.Berger | Euphorbiaceae | Bark of root | Diarrhea and stomach disorders | [ 5] | ||
| Euphorbia paralias L. | Euphorbiaceae | Aerial parts | Diarrhea | [ 104] | Castor oil diarhhea, anti-motility assay [104] | Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids |
| Pelargonium sidoides DC.† | Geraniaceae | Roots/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery and vomiting | [ 5] | ||
| Pelargonium luridum † | Geraniaceae | Root/leaves | Dysentery | [ 5] | ||
| Pelargonium reinforme curtis † | Geraniaceae | Root tuber | Diarrhea, dysentery | [ 28] | ||
| Pelargonium triste L'Hér.† | Geraniaceae | Tuber | Diarrhea, dysentery | [ 28] | ||
| Monsonia emarginata L'Hér./Monsonia burkeana Planch. Ex. Hrv.† | Geraniaceae | Roots/herb | Diarrhea dysentery, inflammation | [ 28] | ||
| Gunnera perpensa L. | Gunneraceae | Root | Diarrhea, pain | [ 84] | Hot Plate, writhing, and paw edema [129] | Bitter principles |
| Hymenocardia acida Tul. | Hymenocardiaceae | Roots/leaves | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Hypericum perforatum | Hypericaceae | Pods/aerial parts | Diarrhea analgesic, and psychomotor disturbances | [ 70] | Castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice [77] | Phenolic compounds and hyperforin [67,70] |
| Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir. | Hypericaceae | Bark/leaves | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Hydnora africana Thunb. | Hydnoraceae | Tuber/fruits/leaves | Dysentery and diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Hypoxis latifolia Hook. (African potato (Eng.) † | Hypoxidaceae | Tuber | Diarrhea and headaches | [ 5] | ||
| Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. | Hypoxidaceae | Tuber | Diarrhea | [ 84] | ||
| Icacina senegalensis | Icacinaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea and back pain | [ 52] | Turpentine | |
| Gladiolus sericeovillosus subsp. calvatus (Baker) Goldblatt† | Iridaceae | Corm | Diarrhea, dysentery and pain | [ 5] | ||
| Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel † | Iridaceae | Corm | Diarrhea, dysentery, pain | [ 78] | ||
| Vitex doniana | Lamiaceae | Root/leaves | Diarrhea | Castor oil-induced diarrhea [77] | ||
| Vitex mombassae Vatke † | Lamiaceae | Root/leaves | Stomach ache and diarrhea | [ 94] | ||
| Premna senensis Klotzsch | Lamiaceae | Root/leaves | Stomach ache and body pains | [ 94] | ||
| Clerodendrum glabrum E.Mey† | Lamiaceae | Root/leaves | Diarrhea; fracture, painful joints and rheumatism | [ 84] | Electric current anxious stimulus [130] | |
| Leonotis leonurus | Lamiaceae | Stem bark/leaves | Dysentery and headache | [ 84] | Heat, acetic acid, egg-edema [95] | Phenolic compounds, resins and carotenoid |
| Ocimum gratissimum L. | Lamiaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Salvia africana-caerulea L. | Lamiaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 28] | ||
| Ocotea bullata † | Lauraceae | Bark | Diarrhea; pains and headache | [ 79,84] | Tannins | |
| Acacia albida | Leguminosae | Root | Stomach pain | [ 52] | ||
| Acacia catechu | Leguminosae | Leaf | Stomach pain | [ 64] | ||
| Acacia burkei Benth. | Leguminosae | Root/stem bark | Diarrhea and painful back | [ 84] | ||
| Acacia mearnsii De Wild. † | Leguminosae | Bark of root | Diarrhea and stomach disorders | [ 5] | ||
| Acacia mellifera (M.Vahl) Benth. | Leguminosae. | Roots/bark/leaves | Stomach ache and diarrhea | [ 96] | ||
| Acacia polyacantha | Leguminosae | Root | Body pain | [ 52,80] | ||
| Acacia sieberiana | Leguminosae | Stem bark | Diarrhea; and back pains and aches | [ 84] | ||
| Abrus precatorius L. | Leguminosae | Root | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Albizia harveyi E. Fourn. | Leguminosae | Roots/leaves | Stomach ache and chest pain | [ 94] | ||
| Cassia abbreviata Oliv † | Leguminosae | Roots/bark/leaves | Diarrhea and stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Cassia occidentalis L | Leguminosae | Leaves | Body pain | [ 52] | ||
| Calpurnia aurea † | Leguminosae | Root/bark | Stomach ache and dysentery | [ 64,131] | ||
| Cassia sieberiana DC † | Leguminosae | Root/bark | Diarrhea, stomach pains, dewormer, inflammation | [ 52] | Writhing test in mice; and paw oedema in rats [132] | |
| Dalbergia nitidula Baker | Leguminosae | Roots/bark | Diarrhea and toothache | [ 94] | ||
| Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn; .Dichrostachys cinerea † | Leguminosae | Roots/bark/leaves | Abdominal pains, diarrhea | [ 84] | Writhing tests and castor oil- induced diarrhea [133] | Triterpenoids, beta-amyrim, beta sitosterol, alkaloids and saponin |
| Dichrostachys glomerata | Leguminosae | Leaves | Diarrhea, toothache | [ 52] | Alkaloids, phenols and tannins | |
| Eriosema psoraleoides (Lam.) G.Don | Leguminosae | Leaves | Diarrhea, chronic diarrhea | [ 66,97] | ||
| Erythrophleum lasianthum | Leguminosae | Stem bark | Body pain and intestinal spasm | [ 84] | Erythrophleine, alkaloids and glucopyranosides | |
| Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels † | Leguminosae | Root/stem (Mixed with Acokanthera Oblongifolia) | Dysentery, diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Indigofera spp | Leguminosae | Whole plants/roots | Diarrhea | [ 53,91] | ||
| Moghania faginea (Guill. & Perr.) Kuntze † | Leguminosae | Root/leaves | Stomach/body/chest pelvic/back pain | [ 52] | Flavonol glycosides | |
| Mundulea sericea (Willd.) A.Chev. | Leguminosae | Roots/bark | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) G.Don † | Leguminosae | Bark | Diarrhea and tooth ache | [ 52] | Castor oil diarrhea [134] writhing + hot plate tests [81] | Cardiac glycosides, steroids, tannins and alkaloids |
| Peltophorum africanum Sond. | Leguminosae | Root/stem bark | Colic, painful joints, toothaches and backaches | [ 53,84] | Flavonoids, gallic and chlorogenic acid | |
| Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. † | Leguminosae | Leaves | Diarrhea, and body pain | [ 52] | Edema + writhing tests, castor oil-induced diarrhea, intestinal transit time [82,83] | Friedelin, lupeol and epicathechin |
| Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.)† | Leguminosae | Leaves/fruit/seed pod | Stomach pain; headache, back and chest pain. | [ 52] | Piliostigmin, 2-phenoxychromone, and C-methylflavonols | |
| Rhynchosia adenodes Eckl. & Zeyh.† | Leguminosae | Roots | Dysentery and pain | [ 135] | ||
| Senna italica Mill. | Leguminosae | Roots/stem bark | Diarrhea | [ 53] | ||
| Senna occidentalis (L) Link. | Leguminosae | Roots/leaves | Diarrhea, chronic diarrhea | [ 62,97] | ||
| Schotia latifolia Jacq./Schotia brachypetala Sond.† | Leguminosae | Bark | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 62,102,136] | ||
| Sutherlandia frutescens L. | Leguminosae | Root, stem bark, leaves/flower | Diarrhea and pain | [ 84] | Hot plate, acetic acid, paw edema tests [55] | Canavanine and free amino-acids, flavonoids and triterpenoids [70] |
| Stylosanthes mucronata Willd. | Leguminosae | Leaves | Diarrhea and chest pain | [ 52] | ||
| Taverniera abyssinica A.Rich. † | Leguminosae | Root | Stomach pain and headaches. | [ 64] | Hot plate, writhing [85] | Phytoalexins and isoflavonoids |
| Trigonella foenum-graecum L. | Leguminosae | Fruit/leaves | Stomach pain and headaches | [ 64] | Hot plate, writhing, paw edema tests [137] | Flavonol glycosides, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and phenols |
| Zornia milneana Mohlenbr. † | Leguminosae | Root/stem/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery and pain | [ 58] | ||
| Linum thunbergii Eckl. & Zeyh. | Linaceae | Root | Abdominal pains and diarrhea | [ 84] | ||
| Strychnos henningsii Gilg † | Loganiaceae | Root/bark | Diarrhea; pain and arthritis | [ 84,138,139] | Alkaloid (O-acetylretuline) and triterpenoid (Friedelin) [140] | |
| Strychnos spinosa Lam.† | Loganiaceae | Root/bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ache and body pain | [ 52,94,141] | Secoiridoid glucosides | |
| Strychnos potatorum L.f. | Loganiaceae | Roots/leaves | Stomach ache, toothache | [ 94] | ||
| Tapinanthus bangwensis (Engl. & K.Krause)Danser | Loranthaceae | Leaves | Stomach pain | [ 52] | ||
| Punica granatum L. † | Lythraceae | Roots/fruit rind | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 28] | Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and sterols [142] | |
| Dissotis princeps (Kunth) Triana † | Melastomataceae | Leaves | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 78] | ||
| Bombax buonopozense † | Malvaceae. | Bark/root | Diarrhea and dysentery and chest pain | [ 52] | Methanolic extract tested against castor oil-induced diarrhea [143] | Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, phlobatannins, anthraquinones and carbohydrates [144] |
| Adansonia digitata L.† | Malvaceae | Bark/leaves/fruit | Diarrhea, stomach pain | [ 52] | Hot plate, human diarrhea [86] | |
| Dombeya rotundifolia Planch. | Malvaceae | Root/bark/wood | Diarrhea and pain | [ 79] | ||
| Grewia bicolor Juss. | Malvaceae | Roots/bark/leaves | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Sida alba L. | Malvaceae | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 57] | |||
| Hibiscus aethiopicus | Malvaceae | Root | Painful swollen joints | [ 84] | ||
| Hibiscus fuscus Garcke | Malvaceae | Leaves | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Azadirachta indica †, Azadirachta indica A.Juss. | Meliaceae | Leaves, roots/bark/leaves | Stomach pain Headache, analgesic & anti-inflammatory | [ 52,94] | Tail flick, writhing-opioid [145] and non-opioid | Nimbin, nimbinin, nimbidin and azadirachtin |
| Ekebergia capensis † | Meliaceae | Root | Dysentery, diarrhea, intestinal complaints; chest pains and headache | [ 79,84] | ||
| Ekebergia benguelensis Welw. ex C.DC. | Meliaceae | Roots/bark leaves | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Khaya senegalensis (Ders.) A. Juss. | Meliaceae | Stem bark | Diarrhea, | [ 61] | ||
| Melia azadirachta | Meliaceae | Root/stem/leaves/fruit seed | Abdominal pains | [ 84] | Effective writhing test not carageenan [146] | Triterpenoids, steroids, gedunin, limonoids, coumarins, flavonoids |
| Trichilia emetica; relatedspp † | Meliaceae | Bark, leavesand seeds | Stomach and intestinal pains and rheumatism | [ 84] | Tannin and resins | |
| Turraea floribunda | Meliaceae | Roots | Painful joints, rheumatism | [ 84] | Limonoids | |
| Melianthus comosus Hochst. † | Melianthaceae | Root and leaves | Dyspepsia, diarrhea; rheumatism and painful feet | [ 84] | Triterpenoids and bufadinolides | |
| Albertisia delagoensis (N.E.Br.) Forman † | Menispermaceae | Roots | Diarrhea, dysentery, colic | [ 147] | Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids [147] | |
| Antizoma angustifolia (Burch.) Miers ex Harv. † | Menispermaceae | Roots | Diarrhea, dysentery, colic | [ 147] | ||
| Cissampelos mucronata A.Rich. | Menispermaceae | Roots | Stomach pain | [ 52] | Sedative effects [87] | Alkaloids, triterpenes, tannins, sterols, carbohydrates, glycosides, and flavonoids |
| Cissampelos pareira L. | Menispermaceae. | Roots | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Cissampelos capensis (L.f.) Diels | Menispermaceae | Rhizome | Dysentery | [ 62,147] | ||
| Cissampelos torulosa E.Mey. ex Harv. & Sond. | Menispermaceae | Rhizome | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 57] | ||
| Ficus gnapalocarpa | Moraceae | Leaves | Chest pain | [ 52] | ||
| Ficus vogelii | Moraceae | Roots | Body pain | [ 52] | ||
| Psidium guajava L. † | Myrtaceae | Roots/bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery | [ 5,88,94,97] | ||
| Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Myrtaceae | Bark | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex Krauss | Myrtaceae | Bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery | [ 79] | ||
| Ximenia caffra Sond. | Olacaceae | Roots/leaves | Stomach ache, | [ 94] | ||
| Olea europaea subsp. Africana. | Olacaceae | Fruit | Dysentery, diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Papaver somniferum L. | Papaveraceae | Narcotic; analgesic | [ 70] | Known | Alkaloid (opium poppy) [70] | |
| Harpagophytum procumbens | Pedaliaceae | Anti-inflammatory; anti-rheumatic | [ 70] | Standard pain test (HP, PE). Used in humans [22,148] | Coumarins and phenolic glycosides [70] | |
| Ceratotheca triloba (Bernh.) Hook.f. | Pedaliaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea, gastrointestinal cramps | [ 125] | ||
| Clutia spp | Peraceae | Leaves | Painful joints, back and rheumatism | [ 84] | ||
| Phytolacca americana | Phytolaccaceae | Roots/leaves/Fruit | Diarrhea, rheumatism | [ 84] | Triterpenoids and saponin | |
| Antidesma venosum E.Mey. ex Tul. | Phyllanthaceae | Roots | Chronic diarrhea | [ 97] | ||
| Bridelia micrantha † | Phyllanthaceae | Root/stem bark/leaves | Diarrhea, epigastric pain, toothache | [ 84] | Castor-oil, charcol meal anti-motility in rats [149] | Friedelin, epi-friedelin, gallic acid, anthocyanidin, taraxerol, taraxerone and caffeic acid. |
| Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia Pax | Phyllanthaceae | Roots/bark/leaves | Diarrhea; stabbing sensations | [ 94] | ||
| Pittosporum viridiflorum sims | Pittosporaceae | Stem bark | Stomach and abdominal, chest and back pains | [ 84] | Saponins and sesquiterpenoids | |
| Scoparia dulcis L. | Plantaginaceae | Stalk | Severe chest pain | [ 52] | ||
| Plantago major L. | Plantaginaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea and pain | [ 104] | Castor oil-induced diarrhea, anti-motility assay | Tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, unsaturated sterols, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates and lactones |
| Plumbago auriculata | Plumbaginaceae | Root/leaves | Painful joints, fractures | [ 84] | Naphthoquinone and plumbagin | |
| Plumbago zeylanica L. | Plumbaginaceae | Root, leaves | Diarrhea, headaches | [ 52] | ||
| Imperata cylindrical | Poaceae | Root | Darrhea, dysentery and pain | [ 52] | ||
| Cenchrus ciliaris L. | Poaceae | Rhizome | Bovine viral diarrhea, pain | [ 84,150] | ||
| Protea simplex † | Poaceae | Root bark | Dysentery, diarrhea and stomach pain | [ 78] | ||
| Protea welwitschii Engl. | Poaceae | Root bark | Dysentery and diarrhea | [ 53] | ||
| Securidaca longipedunculata Fres. | Polygalaceae | Roots, leaves | Stomachache, headache and toothache | [ 94] | ||
| Rumex obtusifolius L. | Polygalaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Rapanea melanophloeos (L.)Mez | Primulaceae | Bark/root | Stomach pain and diarrhea | [ 84,136] | Tannin, triterpenoids and saponin | |
| Berchemia zeyheri | Rhamnaceae | Stem bark | Backache | [ 84] | Pentahydroxychachones | |
| Helinus intergrifolius | Rhamnaceae | Root | Painful joints and backache | [ 84] | Scyllitol, tannins and saponin | |
| Prunus africana Hook. f. | Rosaceae | Roots, bark/fruits | Diarrhea, abdominal ailments, intercostal-pain | [ 5,84] | Amygdalin, friedelin, hydrocyanic, ursolic acids, sterols, cyanogenic glycosides and saponins | |
| Rubus rigidus spp | Rosaceae | Roots | Diarrhea, dysentery and toothache | [ 84] | Tannins and pyragallol | |
| Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Hepper & J.R.I.Wood † | Rubiaceae | Bark | Diarrhea, bloody stool and colic | [ 151] | ||
| Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. | Rubiaceae | Roots/bark | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Crossopteryx febrifuga (G.Don) Benth. † | Rubiaceae | Roots/bark | Diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Gardenia erubescens | Rubiaceae | Roots | Headache | [ 52] | Polyphenols | |
| Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) Kuntze | Rubiaceae | Stem/leaves | Body pain, diarrhea | [ 52] | Anti-motility effect in rat ileum [152] | Triterpenoid saponins and alkaloids |
| Nauclea latifolia (Sm.) E.A.Bruce † | Rubiaceae | Root/bark | Diarrhea/dysentery/pain/inflammation | [ 52,153,154,155] | Chemical pain, hot-plate and tail flick; opioid, purinergic, GABAergic; diarrhea + antimotility tests [153,156] | Polyphenolics, flavonoids, triterpenes and sterols [107,157] |
| Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch) Walp. † | Rubiaceae | Roots/bulb/leaves | Diarrhea, abdominal and chest-pains and rheumatism | [ 5,84] | ||
| Psychotria capensis (Eckl.) Schönland | Diarrhea | [ 5] | ||||
| Rubia petiolaris DC. | Rubiaceae | Root | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 28] | ||
| Agathosma betulina (P.J.Bergius) Pillans † | Rutaceae | Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery and antispasmodic | [ 158] | |||
| Agathosma crenulata (L.) Pillans † | Rutaceae | Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery, and antispasmodic | [ 158] | |||
| Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. | Rutaceae | Root/stem/leaves | Abdominal pain toothache and rheumatism | [ 84,131] | Terpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins and limonoids | |
| Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle | Rutaceae | Root | Stomach pain | [ 52] | Lime | |
| Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.)Zepern. & Timleror (Fagara Zanthoxyloides) † | Rutaceae | Stem bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dyspepsia, toothache, abdominal pain | [ 52,138] | Tested against pain [159] | Alkaloids, flavonoids and coumarins |
| Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. | Rutaceae | Roots/bark /leaves | Stomachache, headache, and toothache | [ 94] | ||
| Ziziphus mucronata Willd. † | Rutaceae | Roots/bark/leaves | Stomach ache, diarrhea, dysentery and chest pains | [ 79,94] | ||
| Ziziphus Zeyheriana Sond. † | Rutaceae | Roots | Diarrhea and general gastrointestinal ailments | [ 53] | ||
| Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr. | Salicaceae | Roots/leaves | Stomach ache | [ 94] | ||
| Hippobromus pauciflorus Radlk. | Sapindaceae | Root/bark/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery and headache, | [ 5] | ||
| Paullinia pinnata L. | Sapindaceae | Leaves | Diarrhea, body pain | [ 52] | Triterpenoids and flavone glycosides | |
| Zanha africana (Radlk.)Exell | Sapindaceae | Roots/bark | Stomachache, headache | [ 94] | ||
| Manilkara concolor Harv. † | Sapotaceae | Root/stem bark | Diarrhea; joint and back pain | [ 84] | ||
| Datura suaveolens | Solanaceae | Leaves | Internal inflammation and body pain | [ 52] | GABA receptors [160] | Scopolamine (hyoscine), ropine, hyoscyamine, and other alkaloids |
| Physalis peruviana L. | Solanaceae | Leaves | Abdominal ailment | [ 5] | ||
| Solanum spp | Solanaceae | Root/bark /leaves/fruits | Abdominal pain, toothache, rheumatism | [ 84] | Alkaloids, vitamin C and carotene | |
| Solanum aculeastrum Dunal | Solanaceae | Roots/leaves/fruits | Dysentery, diarrhea | [ 5] | ||
| Solanum incanum L. | Solanaceae | Stomach ache, | [ 94] | |||
| Pouzolzia mixta Solms † | Urticaceae | Roots/leaves | Diarrhea and dysentery | [ 57,79] | ||
| Lippia multifora Moldenke | Verbenaceae | Leaves | Chest and body pain | [ 52] | ||
| Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng. † | Verbenaceae | Root/stem/leaves | Diarrhea, dysentery, chest pain, rheumatism | [ 84,117] | Pentacyclic triterpenoids, essential oil, amino acids, and other acids | |
| Bulbine abyssinica † | Xanthorrhoeaceae | Tubers/leaves | Diarrhea; rheumatism | [ 5] | ||
| Bulbine asphodeloides † | Xanthorrhoeaceae | Tuber/leaves | Dysentery and diarrhea | [ 84] | ||
| Bulbine latifolia † | Xanthorrhoeaceae | Leaves | Dysentery diarrhea and pain | [ 84,102] |
Blanks: Unknown or the existence of this information was not determined through literature search. However, for the majority the listed plant species the information is not known. † The extracts of these plant species are recommended for high throughput screening for bioactive agents to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as diarrhea, inflammation and chronic pain. These plants have potential for novel complementary drugs against GI disorders presenting with diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic pain and hence complementary usage with acupuncture and western medications.