The Mondia whitei Project

Mondia

Class                            Magnoliopsida

Order                           Gentile

Family                         Apocynacease

Genus                          Mondia

Scientific name:          Mondia whitei

Common name:           (Hook. F) Skeels

Local name:                 “nkang bongo” “yang” and “ndrah nditeh” (Banwa language).

Mondia whitei is a popular medicinal plant that is endemic to Africa. In Cameroon, the plant is found in only three regions of Cameroon- the South West, West, and the North West Regions. Even in these regions, it is found only in some specific areas. In the South West, the plant can be found in Lebialem located in the North-Eastern part of the South West Region of Cameroon between Latitudes 5º 38′ N and 5º43′ N and Longitude 9º58, E Of 10º27′ E.

Mondia whitei is a Liana or climbing shrub that grows up to 8-20 meters long; roots woody when old, aromatic; latex belonging to the order of Apocynacease. The genus Mondia is native to Africa in the following countries: Cameroon, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Uganda, Malawi, Sudan, Angola Zambia, and Burundi. The Plant is found mainly in swamp forest in the tropical regions of Africa and occasionally in the riverine and coastal forest, further north it is found in montane forests. It is currently restricted to lower devotions although historically it was recorded in the higher altitude midlands forest.

Research

Research on the roots showed the presence of a volatile oil at 1-1.2%, a fixed oil at 2.8%, glucose at 20%, resin at 0.7% and a glycoside at 0.045%, as well as an unidentified glycoside in roots, stem, and seeds. The roots contain the minerals Zn, Fe, Ca, Se and Mg and vitamins A, D and K. The volatile oil of the roots caused inflammation and reddening of the skin, irritation of the mucous membranes and relaxes mammalian intestinal smooth muscles. In mice, a motor excitation was observed. In frogs, the glycoside caused respiratory paralysis and paralysis of the spinal reflexes. The heart increased first in force, then weakened and finally ended into a heart block. The species probably more of this glycoside.

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