Drypetes gossweileri (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Cereal / pulse
Medicinal
Timber

Drypetes gossweileri S.Moore

Protologue: Journ. Bot. 58: 271 (1920).

Family: Euphorbiaceae (APG: Putranjivaceae)

Synonyms

• Drypetes amoracia Pax & K.Hoffm. (1922).

Vernacular names

• Horseradish tree, okhuaba, akot (En).
• Bossmé, yungu, youngou (Fr).

Origin and geographic distribution

Drypetes gossweileri occurs from Nigeria east to the Central African Republic and south to DR Congo.

Uses

The bark has a pungent taste, and has many medicinal uses. A bark decoction or maceration is widely drunk as a purgative to expel intestinal worms and treat diarrhoea; it is also applied as an enema. The ground stem bark mixed with palm oil is rubbed in to treat headache, toothache, intercostal pain, kidney pain, rheumatism and bronchitis.

In Cameroon and Congo stem bark powder is eaten to treat sexual asthenia and to treat venereal diseases. In Congo the bark powder cooked with banana is taken as an aphrodisiac. In the Central African Republic a bark decoction is drunk as a tonic after childbirth, and to treat bronchitis, cough and other lung problems. A bark decoction is rubbed onto scabies and is also used for bathing children to treat fever. A paste of stem bark scrapings in water is applied to injuries, ulcers and swellings. In DR Congo a leaf decoction is used as a wash and is drunk as a treatment for asthma in children. The bark powder is taken by women to induce abortion.

The stem bark, leaves and fruits are used to stupefy fish to catch them more easily. In Cameroon the cooked seeds are eaten by the Baka pygmies. The wood is used for planks and carpentry, but the sawdust can cause dermatitis, ocular and respiratory problems. In Gabon the fruit husks are used in ritual dances, attached to the limbs and clothing. In Congo the strong-smelling roots are placed on the roof or a root decoction is sprinkled around the house to repel snakes.

Production and international trade

Drypetes gossweileri is only traded locally as a medicinal plant. The dried stem bark is sold in the local markets of Cameroon for the treatment of typhoid diarrhoea; in 2002 the bark was sold at about US$ 0.20 per g.

Properties

All parts of the tree when bruised or cut emit a pungent smell, resembling that of horseradish or mustard. The essential oil of the stem bark obtained from samples from the Central African Republic and Gabon contained mainly benzyl isothiocyanate (56–94%), accompanied by benzyl cyanide and benzaldehyde. The main component in a sample from Cameroon was benzyl cyanide (19.4–73.7%). Minor compounds are the triterpenes friedelin, friedelane-3,7-dione and derivatives, methyl putranjate, stearic acid, stigmasterol stearate and β-sitosterol stearate. The bark also contains the alkaloid drypetesgenine and the podocarpane diterpenoid gossweilone.

Crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of the stem bark inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp. and Proteus sp., with the ethanol extracts exhibiting the highest inhibitory activity. The acetone extract of the stem bark showed a strong purgative effect in mice. The LD₅₀ of the methanol stem bark extract in the brine shrimp test was low. The extract showed significant phytotoxic activity against Lemna minor L. as well as antifungal activity against Microsporum canis and Trichophyton longiformis. The antioxidant and antiradical activities of the essential oil were found to be low.

The wood is pale yellow or whitish with fine texture and moderately heavy, with a density of 760–800 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content. It is moderately hard, elastic and often has a bad smell.

Adulterations and substitutes

The pungent smell and medicinal uses of the stem bark of Drypetes gossweileri are similar to those of the roots of Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill. And the two species are often used indiscriminately.

Description

Medium-sized dioecious tree up to 30(–42) m tall; bole straight, up to 120 cm in diameter, often irregularly fluted; bark greyish green to yellowish green, with many lenticels, strong-smelling when cut. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules small; petiole up to 2 cm long; blade oblong, 10–24 cm × 3–9 cm, base cuneate to rounded, asymmetrical, apex acuminate, margins toothed or sometimes entire, leathery, glabrous. Inflorescence an axillary fascicle, female one few-flowered. Flowers unisexual, regular; pedicel up to 2 cm long; sepals 5, ovate, 12–16 mm long, densely short-hairy, brownish green; petals absent; male flowers with c. 30 stamens, disk cup-shaped; female flowers with superior ovary, short-hairy, styles 2. Fruit an apple-shaped drupe 8–10 cm × 5–6 cm, greenish brown or yellow, velvety brown-hairy, pulp yellow, 3– 7-seeded. Seeds compressed ovoid, pale brown.

Other botanical information

Drypetes comprises about 210 species and is distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. About 60 species occur in continental Africa and about 15 in the Indian Ocean islands. Several other Drypetes spp. are medicinally used in Central Africa.

Drypetes capillipes

Drypetes capillipes (Pax) Pax & K.Hoffm. occurs throughout Central Africa. In Cameroon pulverized root bark is applied to furuncles to ripen them. In Congo a bark decoction is used as a mouthwash to treat toothache and as a wash to treat kidney pain. The neck is massaged with the leaves to treat a stiff neck.

Drypetes klainei

Drypetes klainei Pierre ex Pax occurs in Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon, and in Gabon a maceration or decoction of fresh stem bark is rubbed in to treat rheumatism. An extract of the stem bark together with dried unripe fruits of hot pepper is drunk to expel worms.

Drypetes natalensis

A decoction of the stem bark and leaves of Drypetes natalensis (Harv.) Hutch., occurring in eastern and southern Africa, is taken to reduce fever in patients with malaria. The wood is used for firewood, charcoal, wooden spoons, tool handles and beds.

Growth and development

Drypetes gossweileri flowers from May to December and fruits mainly in June. In Cameroon it was found that it forms an association with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM).

Ecology

Drypetes gossweileri occurs in semi-deciduous humid forest, including secondary forest, at low altitudes.

Handling after harvest

The harvested stem bark is used fresh or can be dried for later use.

Genetic resources

There are no signs that Drypetes gossweileri is threatened by genetic erosion.

Prospects

Drypetes gossweileri does not seem to be of particular interest to researchers, which is possibly due to the cyanide-containing compounds in the stem bark. The stem bark is expected to remain important in traditional medicine though.

Major references

• Adjanohoun, E.J., Aboubakar, N., Dramane, K., Ebot, M.E., Ekpere, J.A., Enow-Orock, E.G., Focho, D., Gbilé, Z.O., Kamanyi, A., Kamsu, K.J., Keita, A., Mbenkum, T., Mbi, C.N., Mbiele, A.L., Mbome, I.L., Mubiru, N.K., Nancy, W.L., Nkongmeneck, B., Satabié, B., Sofowora, A., Tamze, V. & Wirmum, C.K., 1996. Contribution to ethnobotanical and floristic studies in Cameroon. CSTR/OUA, Cameroon. 641 pp.

• Bouquet, A., 1969. Féticheurs et médecines traditionnelles du Congo (Brazzaville). Mémoires ORSTOM No 36. Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer. Paris, France. 282 pp.

• Burkill, H.M., 1994. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 2, Families E–I. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 636 pp.

• Keay, R.W.J., 1958. Euphorbiaceae. In: Keay, R.W.J. (Editor). Flora of West Tropical Africa. Volume 1, part 2. 2nd Edition. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, London, United Kingdom. pp. 364–423.

• Mve-Mba, C.E., Menut, C., Bessiere, J.M., Lamaty, G., Ekekang, L.N. & Denamganai, J., 1997. Aromatic plants of tropical Central Africa. XXIX. Benzyl isothiocyanate as major constituent of bark essential oil of Drypetes gossweileri S. Moore. Journal of Essential Oil Research 9(3): 367–370.

• Neuwinger, H.D., 2000. African traditional medicine: a dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific, Stuttgart, Germany. 589 pp.

• Ngoupayou, J., 2003. Contribution à l’étude phytochimique de deux plantes médicinales du Cameroun: Drypetes gossweileri (Euphorbiaceae) et Parkia filicoidea (Mimosaceae). Thèse de doctorat 3e cycle, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 128 pp.

• Tailfer, Y., 1989. La forêt dense d’Afrique centrale. Identification pratique des principaux arbres. Tome 2. CTA, Wageningen, Pays Bas. pp. 465–1271.

• Vivien, J. & Faure, J.J., 1985. Arbres des forêts denses d’Afrique Centrale. Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, Paris, France. 565 pp.

Other references

• Agnaniet, H., Mounzeo, H., Menut, C., Bessiere, J.M. & Criton, M., 2003. The essential oils of Rinorea subintegrifolia O. Ktze and Drypetes gossweileri S. Moore occurring in Gabon. Flavour and Fragrance Journal 18(3): 207–210.

• Betti, J.L., 2002. Medicinal plants sold in Yaoundé markets, Cameroon. African Study Monographs 23(2): 47–64.

• Dupont, M.P., Llabrès, G., Delaude, C., Tchissambou, L. & Gastmans, J.P., 1997. Sterolic and triterpenoidic constituents of stem bark of Drypetes gossweileri. Planta Medica 63(2): 282–284.

• Gessler, M.C., Msuya, D.E., Nkunya, M.H.H., Mwasumbi, L.B., Schär, A., Heinrich, M. & Tanner, M., 1995. Traditional healers in Tanzania: the treatment of malaria with plant remedies. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 48: 131–144.

• Ijah, U.J.J. & Oyebanji, F.O., 2003. Effects of tannins and polyphenols of some medicinal plants on bacterial agents of urinary tract infections. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 9(2): 193–198.

• Lovett, J.C., Ruffo, C.K., Gereau, R.E. & Taplin, J.R.D., 2006. Field guide to the moist forest trees of Tanzania. [Internet] Centre for Ecology Law and Policy, Environment Department, University of York, York, United Kingdom. http://www.york.ac.uk/ res/celp/webpages/projects/ecology/ tree%20guide/guide.htm. February 2007.

• Ndouga, M., Mpati, J., Chen Jian, M., Zhou Yuan, P., Bilala, J.P., Sianard, D.F. & Koubemba, M.C., 1991. Etude préliminaire de l’activité antibactérienne de quelques plantes médicinales de la flore congolaise. Revue de Médecines et Pharmacopées Africaines 5(1): 33–42.

• Ngouela, S., Ngoupayo, J., Noiungoue, D.T., Tsamo, E. & Connolly, J.D., 2003. Gossweilone: a new podocarpane derivative from the stem bark of Drypetes gossweileri. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia 17(2): 181–184

• Raponda-Walker, A. & Sillans, R., 1961. Les plantes utiles du Gabon. Paul Lechevalier, Paris, France. 614 pp.

• Sow, H.D., Koudogbo, B., Dhal, R. & Robin, J.-P., 1994. Drypetes gossweileri S. Moore: isolement des triterpènes pentacycliques. Revue de Médecines et Pharmacopées Africaines 8(1): 17–21.

• Thirakul, S., 1983. Manuel de dendrologie. Centre National de Développement des Forêts (CENADEFOR), Yaoundé, Cameroun. 640 pp.

• Vivien, J. & Faure, J.J., 1988. Fruitiers sauvages du Cameroun. Fruits Paris 43(11): 657–676.

Author(s)

• A.T. Tchinda, Institut de Recherches Médicales et d’Etudes des Plantes Médicinales (IMPM), Ministère de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation, B.P. 6163, Yaoundé, Cameroun

• V.S.T. Sob, Département de Chimie Organique, Université de Yaoundé I, B.P. 812, Yaoundé, Cameroun

Correct citation of this article

Tchinda, A.T. & Sob, V.S.T., 2008. Drypetes gossweileri S.Moore. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 18 December 2024.

• See the Prota4U database.