Adansonia digitata L.: A Review of Its Nutritional, Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Hepatoprotective Potential

Abstract

Adansonia digitata L., commonly known as baobab, is a multipurpose tree belonging to the family Malvaceae and is widely valued for its nutritional, traditional, and medicinal applications. Different parts of the plant, including the leaves, stem bark, roots, flowers, seeds, and fruit pulp, have been traditionally used as food and remedies for a variety of health conditions. The available evidence summarized in the present review indicates that A. digitata contains several classes of bioactive phytochemicals, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, and glycosides. The fruit pulp is particularly notable for its vitamin C content, dietary fibre, and antioxidant potential. Experimental investigations have reported antioxidant, antimicrobial, amoebicidal, and hepatoprotective activities associated with different plant parts and extracts. Ethanolic leaf extract demonstrated amoebicidal activity against Entamoeba histolytica, while extracts of the leaves and stem bark exhibited antibacterial activity against bacterial isolates including Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. The plant also demonstrated free-radical-scavenging activity in the DPPH assay, although the activity varied according to plant part and extract. In an experimental model of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, methanolic fruit-pulp extract showed hepatoprotective potential. Collectively, these findings support the potential of A. digitata as a source of nutritional and biologically active compounds. However, variations in extraction procedures, plant parts, experimental models, and reported outcomes highlight the need for standardized phytochemical characterization, toxicity assessment, mechanistic investigations, and well-designed controlled studies before therapeutic applications can be established.

Keywords