Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Celtis zenkeri Leaves

Abstract

Celtis zenkeri Engl. (Cannabaceae), a deciduous West and Central African tree used in traditional medicine, has attracted growing phytochemical and pharmacological interest. Recent analyses reveal that leaf essential oil is dominated by the diterpene alcohol phytol (~46% of oil composition), and leaf extracts contain diverse non-volatile phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These constituents confer potent in vitro antioxidant activity, demonstrable antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects at extract/volatile levels, and promising antihyperglycaemic effects in preclinical models. Acute and subchronic toxicity screening suggests a favourable safety margin at tested doses, although comprehensive chronic and reproductive toxicology remain lacking. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemistry and bioactivities of C. zenkeri leaves, highlights mechanistic hypotheses for observed pharmacology, and identifies prioritized research needs to support development of nutraceuticals or phytotherapeutics from this species.