Plants · 1 author, 1 centre
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This review documents 101 Fabaceae species used as traditional medicines in Zimbabwe, primarily for gastrointestinal and female reproductive conditions. Roots are the most commonly used plant part, and many species contain bioactive compounds like flavonoids and terpenoids that support their medicinal use. The findings highlight the need for further toxicological and clinical studies to validate the therapeutic potential of these plants.
**Background:** The Fabaceae (legume) family is the third largest plant family, with approximately 770 genera and 19,500 species worldwide. In Zimbabwe, about 665 Fabaceae species occur, of which 101 are used for medicinal purposes. Many communities in peri-urban, rural, and marginalized areas rely on traditional medicines due to limited access to healthcare. This systematic review aimed to document the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of Fabaceae species used as traditional medicines in Zimbabwe, covering literature from 1959 to 2022.
**Methods:** A literature search was conducted from September 2021 to November 2022 using databases including BioMed Central, Web of Science, Springerlink, Google Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Science Direct, ACS Publications, Scopus, and JSTOR. Additional sources included theses, dissertations, book chapters, books, and scientific reports from the University of Fort Hare (South Africa) and the National Herbarium in Harare, Zimbabwe. Keywords such as "Zimbabwe," "ethnobotany," "ethnomedicine," "Fabaceae," and "traditional medicine" were used. Data collected included scientific names, growth form, plant parts used, preparation methods, and medicinal uses. Medicinal use categories followed the Economic Botany Data Collection Standard, and scientific names were updated according to Plants of the World Online.
**Key Results:** The study recorded 101 Fabaceae species used as traditional medicines in Zimbabwe, of which 91 (90.1%) are indigenous and 9 (8.9%) are exotic. The subfamilies Caesalpinoideae and Faboideae dominate, with 54 (53.5%) and 55 (54.5%) species, respectively. The genera with the highest number of medicinal species are Indigofera (12 species), Senna (6 species), and Albizia, Rhynchosia, and Vachellia (5 species each). The genera with the highest number of literature records are Elephantorrhiza (12 records), Pterocarpus (11 records), Senna (10 records), Albizia and Erythrina (9 records each), and Vachellia (8 records). The number of medicinal species per genus is significantly correlated with the total number of species in that genus in Zimbabwe (p < 0.01, r = 0.772).
Shrubs (39.0%), trees (37.0%), and herbs (18.0%) are the primary growth forms used. The most frequently used plant parts are roots (81 species, 80.2%), leaves (37 species, 36.6%), bark (28 species, 27.7%), fruits (9 species, 8.9%), seeds (4 species), twigs (3 species), and tubers (2 species). The 134 medical use reports are classified into 19 health disorder categories. The most common categories are gastrointestinal problems (92 usage reports) and female reproductive problems (58 usage reports). Other frequently treated conditions include respiratory problems and sexually transmitted infections. Fifteen species have more than eight usage reports, including Albizia amara, Albizia antunesiana, Brachystegia boehmii, Cassia abbreviata, Dichrostachys cinerea, Elephantorrhiza goetzei, Erythrina abyssinica, Peltophorum africanum, Piliostigma thonningii, Pterocarpus angolensis, Schotia brachypetala, Senna singueana, Vachellia karroo, Vigna unguiculata, and Xeroderris stuhlmannii.
Phytochemical analysis shows that the majority of species contain flavonoids (57.4%), terpenoids (42.6%), tannins (40.6%), saponins (34.7%), phenolics (30.7%), and alkaloids (28.7%). Documented pharmacological activities include inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifertility, anthelmintic, antiamoebic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, and immunomodulatory effects. About 10% of the documented species are commercially important, including Abrus precatorius, Albizia adianthifolia, Cajanus cajan, Colophospermum mopane, Dichrostachys cinerea, Lessertia frutescens, Senna italica, Senna occidentalis, Tamarindus indica, Vachellia karroo, and Vachellia nilotica.
**Clinical Implications:** The review confirms that Fabaceae species are widely used in Zimbabwean traditional medicine, particularly for gastrointestinal and female reproductive conditions, which are among the top causes of morbidity in the country. The presence of bioactive compounds supports many traditional uses, but most studies are limited to in vitro assays. There is a critical need for toxicological studies, in vivo models, biochemical assays, and pharmacokinetic research to validate safety and efficacy. Additionally, the overharvesting of roots and bark threatens the sustainability of several species, including Afzelia quanzensis, Baikiaea plurijuga, Dalbergia melanoxylon, and Pterocarpus angolensis, which are listed in the Zimbabwean Red Data List. Future ethnopharmacological research should focus on dosage, administration, and cultural practices to fully harness the therapeutic potential of these plants.