Agelathus dodoneifolius (African Mistletoe): A Review

Abstract

Agelanthus dodoneifolius DC Danser synonym to Tapinanthus dodoneifolius, (family Loranthaceae) popularly called African mistletoe is a hemi-plant parasite used ethnomedicinally as a remedy for various diseases affecting humans and animals that include stomach ache, diarrhoea, dysentery, wound and cancer by the Hausa and the Fulani tribes of Northern Nigeria. Ailments such as circulatory and respiratory diseases, malaria, diabetes, hypertension and sterility have been treated using different parts of the plants. Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones cardiac glycosides, saponins, glycosides, sterols, resins, volatile oil, terpenes and phenols have been reported in the plant. This review covers its phytochemistry and pharmacology.