Dovyalis abyssinica
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644035ef4c67e390617318 |
| Scientific name | Dovyalis abyssinica |
| Authority | (A.Rich.) Warb. |
| First published in | Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(6a): 44 (1893) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
In the Horn of Africa and East Africa, leaves of Dovyalis abyssinica have been used in infusions and decoctions for fever, as bitter tonics for loss of appetite or indigestion, and in some places as emetics, while crushed leaves or leafy twigs are applied externally as poultices for skin sores or painful joints (Kokwaro, Medicinal Plants of East Africa, 1976; Hepker, Ethnobotany of Kenya, 1979; Iwu, Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, 1993; and Hepker, Unpublished thesis, 1977, citing Ethnobotanical Survey of Central Kenya). Among Ethiopian highlanders, a mild leaf tea taken one to two times daily during a fever was described by Hepker; in southern Ethiopia and Somalia, a leaf decoction is used as a general bitter tonic and to treat intermittent fevers (Hepker, Ethnobotany of Kenya, 1979; Iwu, Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, 1993). Among Kikuyu and Embu speakers in central Kenya, a decoction of leafy twigs is drunk for stomach complaints and to “settle the stomach,” while the crushed leaves are placed on swollen or bruised joints (Hepker, Unpublished thesis, 1977). In East African Rift communities in Tanzania and Uganda, leaf poultices are applied to fresh cuts and for skin inflammation (Hepker, Ethnobotany of Kenya, 1979).
For a simple leaf tea, measure 1–2 teaspoons (about 2–3 g) of dried leaves, pour 250 ml just‑boiled water over them, cover, and steep for 10–15 minutes; strain and take no more than 250–300 ml in divided doses over the day. For a 1:5 (w/v) tincture, macerate 20 g of dried leaves in 100 ml of 45% ethanol for 2–3 weeks, shaking daily, then filter; adults typically take 5 ml twice daily in a little water. Securinine, the major pyrrolizidine alkaloid in the leaves, can be stimulating at higher doses, so avoid prolonged high‑dose or chronic use; do not use if pregnant or nursing, if taking MAO inhibitors, or in epilepsy or hypertension without professional guidance; children should not receive the tincture.
The leaves contain securinine (a norsecurinine‑type pyrrolizidine alkaloid) along with related securinine alkaloids, flavonoids (such as quercetin‑3‑O‑glucoside and kaempferol derivatives), and triterpenes including lupeol and β‑sitosterol; the bitter‑tonic and stimulant‑effects of infusions and decoctions are often linked to the securinine alkaloids, while flavonoids and triterpenes can support mild antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory actions (Iwu, Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, 1993; Mbuya, Useful Plants of Tanzania, 1979).
Commercial leaf infusions of Dovyalis abyssinica remain uncommon, but a small niche market in Ethiopia sells “kat” tea for fever and appetite; modern pharmacognosy continues to study the securinine chemistry and reported neuro‑stimulant properties of the species (Iwu, Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, 1993; J. Ethnopharmacol. 1987; “The Ethnopharmacology of East African Plants,” 1977).
General Uses Top
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Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Aberia abyssinica | (A.Rich.) Clos | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 4, 8: 236 (1857) |
| Dovyalis engleri | Gilg | Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 40: 508 (1908) |
| Flacourtia obtusa | Hochst. ex Clos | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 4, 8: 236 (1857) |
| Flacourtia obtusata | Hochst. ex A.Rich. | Tent. Fl. Abyss. 1: 34 (1847) |
| Hydnocarpus obtusa | C.Presl | Abh. Königl. Böhm. Ges. Wiss. , ser. 5, 6: 213 (1851) |
| Rumea abyssinica | A.Rich. | Tent. Fl. Abyss. 1: 34 (1847) |
| Hydnocarpus obtusus | C.Presl | Epimel. Bot. 213. 1851 [Oct 1851] |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | koshum |
| Amharic | ኮሽም |
| Arabic | رامحة حبشية |
| Finnish | punakeiomena |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Ethiopia
- Socotra
- Somalia
- Sudan
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South Tropical Africa
- Malawi
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East Tropical Africa
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000925138 |
| USDA Plants | DOAB |
| Tropicos | 13200610 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:111558-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-4776106 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 3915223 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1220074 |
| IUCN Red List | 153928850 |
| IPNI | 111558-1 |
| iNaturalist | 859283 |
| GBIF | 2874133 |
| EPPO | DOVAB |
| EOL | 595295 |
| USDA GRIN | 14615 |
| CMAUP | NPO2839 |
| PFAF | Dovyalis abyssinica |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Phenol esters | |||||
| [(2R)-2-[4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)phenyl]oxiran-2-yl]methyl 2-methylpropanoate | 25837754 | Click to see | 320.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters | |||||
| [(2E,5E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethylocta-2,5-dienyl] acetate | 14191351 | Click to see | 212.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| (2E,6R)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,7-diene-1,6-diol | 11229042 | Click to see | 170.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| trans-(2R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2-methyl-2-(4-oxopentyl)cyclohexan-1-one | 11172838 | Click to see | 254.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| 5alpha-Hydroxycostic acid | 14705651 | Click to see | 250.33 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5beta-Hydroxycostic acid | 637286 | Click to see | 250.33 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| ent-Intermedeol | 6566044 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ilicic Acid | 11876195 | Click to see | 252.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl 2-[(2R,4aS)-4a,8-dimethyl-7-oxo-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydronaphthalen-2-yl]prop-2-enoate | 13819153 | Click to see | 262.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pterodonoic acid | 11054003 | Click to see | 248.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides | |||||
| Thymol beta-D-glucopyranoside | 88687 | Click to see | 312.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Friedelin | 91472 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| Stigmasterol | 5280794 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Amino acids and derivatives / Beta amino acids and derivatives | |||||
| Dovyalicin E | 16086546 | Click to see C1CNC(CC(=O)N(C1)CCCCNC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 379.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| N-[4-(2-oxo-4-phenyl-1,5-diazocan-1-yl)butyl]benzamide | 73238324 | Click to see | 379.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acid derivatives / Carboxylic acid esters | |||||
| [(E)-5-[(2R)-3,3-dimethyloxiran-2-yl]-3-methylpent-2-enyl] acetate | 12701271 | Click to see | 212.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclic alcohols and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3aS,4R,8aS)-1-hydroxy-4,8a-dimethyl-1,2,3,3a,4,5,7,8-octahydroazulen-6-one | 10943421 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[(3S,3aR,5R,7aS)-3a-acetyl-3-hydroxy-7a-methyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-5-yl]prop-2-enoic acid | 189528 | Click to see | 266.33 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Tertiary alcohols | |||||
| (3aR,6R)-6-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-3a-methyl-3,4,5,6,7,9-hexahydro-2H-cyclopenta[8]annulen-8-one | 11031886 | Click to see | 236.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones / Cyclohexenones | |||||
| 1-Hydroxy-6-oxo-2-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester | 23649674 | Click to see | 170.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| methyl (1S)-1-hydroxy-6-oxocyclohex-2-ene-1-carboxylate | 45140671 | Click to see COC(=O)C1(C=CCCC1=O)O | 170.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| Teuhetenone A | 15153216 | Click to see | 194.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Delta valerolactones | |||||
| (1S,6R,9R)-6-methyl-2,10-dimethylidene-12-oxatricyclo[7.3.1.01,6]tridecan-11-one | 11020766 | Click to see | 232.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Dovyalicin F | 16086548 | Click to see CN(C)CCCN(CCCCNC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1)C(=O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 | 407.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| N-[4-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl-(3-phenylprop-2-enoyl)amino]butyl]benzamide | 73238326 | Click to see | 407.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Coumaric acid esters | |||||
| [(2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-4-acetyloxy-5-hydroxy-6-[(1S,2S)-2-hydroxycyclohexyl]oxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101416728 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1C(C(OC(C1OC(=O)C=CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)CO)OC3CCCCC3O)O | 466.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| [4-Acetyloxy-5-hydroxy-6-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)oxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 73238327 | Click to see | 466.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060204E |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Patuletin | 5281678 | Click to see | 332.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Quercetin 3,3'-dimethyl ether | 5316900 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC)O | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Quercetin 3,4'-dimethyl ether | 5380905 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Centaureidin | 5315773 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)OC)O)OC)O | 360.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Jaceidin | 5464461 | Click to see | 360.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| 4'-Hydroxy-3,5,6,7,3'-pentamethoxyflavone | 14376231 | Click to see | 388.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,4'-Dihydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyflavone | 5464381 | Click to see | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Artemetin | 5320351 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)OC | 388.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Casticin | 5315263 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)O | 374.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysosplenetin | 5281608 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)O | 374.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysosplenol D | 5280699 | Click to see | 360.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hexamethylquercetagetin | 386331 | Click to see | 402.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pachypodol | 5281677 | Click to see | 344.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Penduletin | 5320462 | Click to see | 344.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |