A review on ethnomedicine, pharmacological activity and phytochemistry of rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) wild & drumm

Nambooze Jennifer, Rosa Mhlanga Chinheya, Ibeabuchi Ali, Sekandi Peter

Abstract


Rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) Wild & Drumm, a perennial climbing shrub belonging to the family Vitaceae, is a traditional medicinal plant of importance in southern Africa. Traditionally used to manage reproductive disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, inflammatory conditions, and liver diseases. This review critically evaluates its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological data. The literature data on R. tridentata were retrieved from scientific databases, including ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, and Elsevier. Phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites, including triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, and anthocyanins. These compounds contribute to the plant’s pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, uterotonic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, and antiplasmodial effects, as shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Despite these promising findings, limited data exist on the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and molecular mechanisms of its bioactive constituents. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of R. tridentata as a promising source of bioactive natural products and emphasizes the need for further pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical studies to support its development into standardized phytomedicines.

Received 26 April 2026

Accepted 14 June 2026

Published 10 September 2026


Keywords


Rhoicissus tridentata; Traditional medicine; Phytochemistry; medicinal plant, pharmacological activity, Safety profile

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References


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/AMPDR.2026.06.2.2104

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Copyright (c) 2026 Nambooze Jennifer, Rosa Mhlanga Chinheya, Ibeabuchi Ali, Sekandi Peter

Advances in Medical, Pharmaceutical and Dental Research

E-ISSN: 2812-4898

P-ISSN: 2812-488X

 

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

ampdr@aast.edu