Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig: A review on its phytochemistry, pharmacological and nutritional properties
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Date
2019
Authors
Aloko, S.
Bello, O.
Azubuike, C.P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ackee plant (Blighia sapida K. D. Koenig) (Sapindaceae) is used in Sub-Saharan
Africa (where it has its origin) and in different parts of the world (The Caribbean, North and South America,
Europe). Traditionally it is used to manage numerous ailments like backache, constipation, cancer, fever in
young children, gonorrhea, dysentery, psychosis, hernia, stomach ache, malaria, rheumatism, typhoid etc. It is
also used as a cosmetic and food source. The fruit aril is the main constituent of the Jamaican National Dish. This
review summarizes its phytochemistry, nutritional properties, ethnobotany and pharmacology. The need to
gather up to date information on this plant, to facilitate in vivo and in vitro investigations for verification of
some of the local claims necessitated this review.
Materials and methods: A literature search was performed on Ackee using ethno botanical text books and scientific
databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Science-direct, Google, Google Scholar and other web sources
like records from PROTA, PROSEA, JSTOR and Botanical Dermatology Database.
Results and discussion: This review highlights the traditional uses of parts of the Ackee plant: the bark, the leaves,
capsules, roots and seeds. They are used in the management of diverse disease conditions such as diarrhoea,
conjunctivitis, fever, internal hemorrhage, dysentery, cutaneous skin infections, and bacterial infections amongst
others. Only nineteen compounds have been reportedly isolated from the parts of B. sapida; Alkaloids, quinines,
polyphenols, and steroids, their glycosides, sesquiterpenes and triterpenes. Some of the plant extracts and its
isolated compounds showed anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities
both in vitro and in vivo. The seed/leaves have also been used as insect repellants and the leaves have been
reported to have lethal effects on larvae of various mosquitoes’ species. The oil contains a lot of nutrients and
may be considered for edible consumption after safety has been confirmed. Hypoglycin A and the less malignant
hypoglycin B are found in the unripe aril of Ackee and consumption results in hypoglycemia, vomiting, gluconeogenesis
disruption which can result in coma and death. The untapped economic potential of its fruits is
glaring in West Africa countries.
Conclusion: Though B.sapida has been put to enormous traditional use, the pharmacological studies conducted
are not sufficient, most studies are either in-vivo or in-vitro. More work is required (well-designed pharmacological
tests, randomized clinical trials) to evaluate these medicinal claims. This review provides a basis for
future research. The isolation of more compounds,detailed pharmacological investigations, exploration of food
use and detoxification techniques are key areas to investigate.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
B. sapida , Phytochemistry , Ackee , Hypoglycin A , Hypoglycin B , Research Subject Categories::PHARMACY
Citation
Aloko, S., Bello, O., & Azubuike, C.P. (2019). Blighia sapida KD Koenig: A review on its phytochemistry, pharmacological and nutritional properties. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 235: 446–459