Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potentials of Garcinia kola

Abstract

Garcinia kola is a flowering plant which produces brown, nut-like seeds and belongs to a family of tropical plants known as Clusiaceae or Guttiferae. It is native to Western and Central Africa and is commonly referred to as a "wonder plant" because all of its parts have been shown to have medicinal properties. Although various reports have documented uses for all parts of the plant (nuts/seed, leaf, stem, bark, and root), the nuts (bitter kola) are still the most commonly used part of the plant. According to ethnobotanical claims, traditional medical practitioners utilise the seed for preventive measures against menstrual pain, reflux, heart conditions, gastroenteritis, cough, dental and oral hygiene, and so on. The phytochemical constituents found in the G. kola plant, such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, phenols, sterols, proteins, and sugars, are reported to be responsible for the numerous pharmacological and therapeutic potentials of the plant. Based on numerous scientific reports, these potentials include anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-hypertensive activities, among others. The minerals found in bitter kola include phosphorus, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. There are presently limited in vivo studies on some of the plant's pharmacological and therapeutic potentials, particularly its anticancer potentials. This review aims to provide information on the pharmacological and therapeutic potentials of Garcinia kola.