Terminalia avicennioides (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa
Introduction


General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Dye / tannin
Essential oil / exudate
Medicinal
Timber
Fuel
Forage / feed
Auxiliary plant

Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr.

File:Map Terminalia avicennioides.gif

distribution in Africa (wild)

File:Linedrawing Terminalia avicennioides.gif

Protologue: Fl. Seneg. tent.: 277, t. 64 (1832).

Family: Combretaceae

Origin and geographic distribution

Terminalia avicennioides occurs from Senegal eastwards to the Central African Republic.

Uses

The roots of Terminalia avicennioides are commonly used by traditional medical practitioners in decoction, infusion, maceration or powder to treat wounds and skin infections, including stubborn sores, furuncles, impetigo, athletic foot, burns, bruises, toothache, conjunctivitis, leprosy, venereal diseases and respiratory tract infections including cough, pneumonia and tonsillitis. A root decoction or maceration is taken as a tonic and also to treat dizziness, haemorrhoids, amoebiasis, dysentery and diarrhoea. The bark powder is taken as a purgative and emetic. Leaves are chewed to treat coughs. Pulverized leaves are applied on burns and bruises. Ashes of burnt leaves together with fried bulbs of a Crinum species are mixed with butter and applied as an ointment to parts affected by articular rheumatism or to swollen joints. A decoction of leafy twigs plus Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. & Diels is drunk and used for bathing persons suffering from epilepsy. A leaf decoction or root powder mixed with shea butter is used as a dressing for bone fractures.

A decoction of the leaves and roots is used to treat gastro-intestinal worms in domestic animals. The wood of Terminalia avicennioides is used to make poles for fencing or construction, insides of wells, tool handles and clubs. In Nigeria bows and walking sticks are made from the roots. First the bark is removed, after which the roots are soaked in oil. Its also a source of firewood and charcoal. Rotted wood becomes reddish and spongy, and pieces are sold in markets in Mali for burning as incense. The leaves are used as forage for sheep, and to a lesser extent to cattle. In northern Nigeria the roots are used as chew-sticks. The leaves are used for covering baskets. The leaves are used to dye cloth black, the stem bark is used to dye cloth yellowish-brown and the roots to dye cloth yellow. In Senegal it occurs on fixed sand dunes and probably contributes to their stabilization.

Production and international trade

The roots and leaves of Terminalia avicennioides are only traded on a local scale.

Properties

Preliminary phytochemical screening of roots, bark and leaves revealed the presence of tannins, anthraquinones, ellagic acid, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, steroids and glycosides. An ethanolic root extract showed moderate antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium spp., Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton rubrum. Ethanolic extracts of the stem bark, root bark and leaves showed a significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, moderate activity against Escherichia coli and very low activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Terpenoid fractions isolated from the ethanolic root extract showed significant antibacterial activity against the 3 bacteria. Both water and ethanol extracts of the roots were significantly active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The hexane fractions of the crude methanolic root extract also showed significant activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. Root and stem bark extracts showed significant in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, but the activity of the leaf extract was low. Crude root and stem bark extracts, administered to rats intraperitoneally, two times a day for 3 days, reduced parasite infestation, alleviated anemia and prolonged lifespan in a dose-dependent way. The butanol fraction of the crude methanolic root extract showed significant anthelmintic activity against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, in orally infected rats.

A methanolic stem bark extract showed significant inhibition of gastric acid secretion in rats pre-treated with histamine. Rats treated with a methanolic stem bark extract at a dose of 350 mg/kg also showed a significant reduction of gastric lesions produced by HCl, while the reduction in gastric damage was highly significant at doses of 500 and 900 mg/kg.

The wood is yellowish-brown, hard, tough and durable.

Description

Shrub or small tree up to 7–8(–10) m tall, with short and low-branched bole, crown open; bark deeply cracked, corky, dark grey to black, thick, slash yellowish, turning brown. Leaves alternate, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 1–1.5(–3) cm long, velvety whitish-hairy, less so above when older; blade narrowly elliptical, 10–15(–20) cm × (3–)5–6(–7) cm, with velvety greyish-beige hairs, base cuneate, apex rounded, pinnately veined with 10–12 pairs of barely prominent lateral veins, sometimes 2 glands at base below. Inflorescence an axillary spike-like raceme, velvety hairy, somewhat pink, up to 10–12 cm long. Flowers bisexual or male, regular, 5-merous; receptacle spindle-shaped, velvety hairy; sepals 1–2 mm long, acute, velvety hairy; petals absent; stamens 10, free; ovary inferior, 1-celled, style hairy. Fruit a winged nut, oblong-elliptical in outline, 5–7 cm × 2.5–3 cm including the wing, velvety hairy, white, indehiscent, 1-seeded. Seed spindle-shaped.

Other botanical information

Terminalia is a pantropical genus of about 200 species. In tropical mainland Africa about 30 species occur naturally, in Madagascar about 35.

Terminalia albida

Another Terminalia species with medicinal uses in West Africa is Terminalia albida Scott-Elliot. It is a shrub or small tree with silvery-white leaves, and occurs in Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, northern Côte d’Ivoire and southern Mali. Its medicinal uses are similar to those of Terminalia avicennioides. The wood is used for poles for fencing and construction, and also as firewood and charcoal. Ethanolic root, stem and leaf extracts showed significant antibacterial activity in vitro.

Growth and development

Terminalia avicennioides flowers during the second half of the dry season, just after the first leaves appear.

Ecology

Terminalia avicennioides occurs in savanna and dry forest, especially on sandy soils and in fallow land, from sea-level up to 1600 m altitude. The tree does not tolerate saline soil, but the rough, corky bark renders it somewhat fire resistant.

Propagation and planting

Terminalia avicennioides is propagated by seeds. Germination tends to be problematic as the viability of the seeds is poor, the endocarp is very hard, and there can be a high rate of insect damage (in general more than 50%). Pre-treatment, by crushing the seed slightly or chipping both ends to make a v-shaped incision, improves germination. Seed germination is stimulated by smoke. Average 1000 seed weight is 333 g.

Harvesting

The roots can be harvested throughout the year.

Genetic resources

Terminalia avicennioides has a wide range of distribution and is locally common. Therefore it is not threatened with genetic erosion.

Prospects

Terminalia avicennioides has important uses in traditional medicine. Very few information is available concerning its active compounds, however, and more research is warranted. Different root extracts show interesting antibacterial, anthelmintic and anti-ulcer activities in vitro and in vivo. Further research into its efficacy and safety is warranted to enhance its wider utilisation.

Major references

Atawodi, S.E., Bulus, T. & Mamman, M., 2011. Bioassay guided fractionation and anti-trypanosomal effect of fractions and crude aqueous and methanolic extracts of Terminalia avicennioides (Guill. & Perr.) parts. International Journal of Biology 3(3): 19–30.
Atawodi, S.E., 2005. Comparative in vitro trypanocidal activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of some Nigerian savannah plants. African Journal of Biotechnology 4(2): 177–182.
Bizimana, N., Tietjena, U., Zessina, K.-H., Diallo, D., Djibril, C., Melzig M.F. & Clausen. P.-H., 2006. Evaluation of medicinal plants from Mali for their in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (20)3: 350–356.
Burkill, H.M., 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 1, Families A–D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 960 pp.
Griffiths, M.E., 1957. A revision of the African species of Terminalia. Journal of the Linnean Society of London 55: 818–907.
Mann, A., Banso, A. & Clifford, L.C., 2008. An antifungal property of crude plant extracts from Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides. Tanzania Journal of Health Research 10(1): 34–38.
Mann, A., Barnabas, B.B. & Daniel, I.I., 2010. The effect of methanolic extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides on the growth of some food-borne microorganisms. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 4(12): 6041–6045.
Mann, A., Ifarajimi, O.R., Adewoye, A.T., Ukam, C., Udeme, E.E., Okorie, I.I., Sakpe, M.S., Ibrahim, D.R., Yahaya, Y.A., Kabir, A.Y. & Ogbadoyi, E.O., 2011. In vivo antitrypanosomal effects of some ethnomedicinal plants from Nupeland of North Central Nigeria. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 8(1): 15–21.
Neuwinger, H.D., 2000. African traditional medicine: a dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific, Stuttgart, Germany. 589 pp.
Suleiman, M.M., Yusuf, S. & Amaechi, E.L., 2006. Effect of crude methanol extract of Terminalia avicennioides in normal gastric/histamine-induced HCl secretions in rats. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants 12(4): 29–37.

Other references

Abdullahi, A.L., Agho, M.O., Amos, S., Gamaniel, K.S. & Wambebe, C., 2001. Antidiarrhoeal activity of the aqueous extract of Terminalia avicennoides roots. Phytotherapy Research 15(5): 431–434.
Akinyemi, K.O., Oladapo, O., Okwara, C.E., Ibe, C.C. & Fasure, K.A., 2005. Screening of crude extracts of six medicinal plants used in South-West Nigerian unorthodox medicine for anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus activity. [Internet] BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 5(6). 7 pp.
Arbonnier, M., 2004. Trees, shrubs and lianas of West African dry zones. CIRAD, Margraf Publishers Gmbh, MNHN, Paris, France. 573 pp.
Ayodele, S.M., Alpheus, G. & Iruaga, O.M., 2010. Antibacterial screening of the root, stem and leaf extracts of Terminalia albida Sc. Elliot on selected pathogenic bacteria. African Journal of Microbiology Research 4(13): 1457–1459.
Baerts, M. & Lehmann, J., 2011. Terminalia avicennioides. [Internet] Prelude Medicinal Plants Database. Metafro-Infosys, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium http://www.metafro.be/prelude. Accessed December 2011.
Basséne, E., Mahamat, B., Lo, M., Boye, C.S.B. & Faye, B., 1995. Comparison of antibacterial activity of three Combretaceae: Combretum micranthum, Guiera senegalensis and Terminalia avicennioides. Fitoterapia 66(1): 86–87.
Berhaut, J., 1974. Flore illustrée du Sénégal. Dicotylédones. Volume 2. Balanophoracées à Composées. Gouvernement du Sénégal, Ministère du Développement Rural et de l’Hydraulique, Direction des Eaux et Forêts, Dakar, Sénégal. 695 pp.
Dayamba, S.D., Tigabu, M., Sawadogo, L. & Oden, P.C., 2008. Seed germination of herbaceous and woody species of the Sudanian savanna-woodland in response to heat shock and smoke. Forest Ecology and Management 256(3): 462–470.
Mann, A., Amupitan, J.O., Oyewale, A.O., Okogun, J.I & Ibrahim, K., 2009. Antibacterial activity of terpenoidal fractions from Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides against community acquired infections. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 3(1): 22–25.
Mann, A., Amupitan, J.O., Oyewale, A.O., Okogun, J I., Ibrahim, K., Oladosu, P., Lawson, L., Olajide, I. & Nnamdi, A., 2008. Evaluation of in vitro antimycobacterial activity of Nigerian plants used for treatment of respiratory diseases. African Journal of Biotechnology 7(11): 1630–1636.
Mann, A., Yahaya, Y., Banso, A. & John, F., 2008. Phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of Terminalia avicennioides extracts against some bacteria pathogens associated with patients suffering from complicated respiratory tract diseases. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 2(5): 94–97.
Suleiman, M.M., 2007. Gastroprotective effect of the crude methanol extract of Terminalia avicennioides in rats. Veterinarski Arhiv 77(4): 345–354.
Suleiman, M.M., Mamman, M., Aliu, Y.O., Ajanusi, J.O. & Abubakar, M.S., 2005. Anthelmintic effect of extracts of Terminalia avicennioides against experimental nippostrongylosis in rats. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal plants11(3): 117–126.
Vitouley, H.S., Bengaly, Z., Lapo, R.A., Gbati, O.B. & Assane, M., 2007. Etude du potentiel trypanocide d’extraits aqueux de plantes médicinales pour le traitement de la trypanosomose animale africaine. Revue Africaine de Santé et de Productions Animales 5(1/2): 9–15.
Yaméogo-Gaméné, C.S. & Somé, L.M., 1993. Contribution to determining the causes of poor germination of Terminalia avicennioides seeds. Proceedings of the IUFRO Symposium ‘Seed problems’, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 23 November 1992. pp. 198–202.

Sources of illustration

Griffiths, M.E., 1957. A revision of the African species of Terminalia. Journal of the Linnean Society of London 55: 818–907.

Author(s)

R.B. Jiofack Tafokou, Millennium Ecologic Museum of Cameroon, P.O. Box 8038, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Correct citation of this article

Jiofack Tafokou, R.B., 2012. Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota 11(2): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 2. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 17 September 2026.

See this page on the Prota4U database.