Title:Triterpenoid and Saponin Rich <i>Phytolacca dodecandra</i> L’Herit (Endod): A Review on Its Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Kebede Taye Desta* and A.M. Abd El-Aty*
Affiliation:Department of Applied Chemistry College of Applied Natural Sciences, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O. Box: 1888, Adama, State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, College of Food Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Science, Jinan 250353
Keywords:Endod, pharmacology, phytochemical, Phytolacca dodecandra, triterpenoids, saponins, schistosomiasis.
Abstract:Phytolacca dodecandra L’Herit (Endod) is the most extensively studied plant among 35
known species in the genus Phytolacca (Family: Phytolaccaceae). The plant has been used as a viable
treatment for various ailments, such as malaria, rabies, ascariasis, and skin disorders, in many parts of
Africa. In Ethiopia, the dried and powdered Endod berries have been used for a long period of time as
a detergent to clean clothes. Since the discovery of the molluscicidal activities of its berries more than
five decades ago, P. dodecandra has been a research focus worldwide and several phytochemicals
mainly of triterpenoids and saponins were reported. Additionally, various biological activities, including
larvicidal, insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities of its isolated
compounds and crude extracts were investigated. Furthermore, some of the findings from pharmacological
and phytochemical investigations were patented to be used in various medicinal formulations.
The plant is still the subject of many investigations and hence, a thorough up-to-date review is required
to provide comprehensive information needed for future exploitation of the plant. In this review, the
phytochemical compositions and pharmacological activities are comprehensively addressed and discussed
in details.