Evaluation of Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Combretum vendae A.E. Van Wyk (Combretaceae)

Combretum vendae A.E. Van Wyk, commonly known as "Venda bushwillow", is a deciduous shrub or small tree endemic to the Blouberg and Soutpansberg mountain ranges in the Limpopo province in South Africa. A critical review is presented here that focuses on the medicinal uses, phytochemicals and in vitro biological activities of C. vendae. To this end, multidisciplinary scientific publications, which included books, book chapters and scientific journals obtained from the university library and scientific databases such as PubMed®, Web of Science, Scopus®, Google Scholar, SciELO, ScienceDirect® and SpringerLink® were surveyed for the medicinal uses, phytochemical and in vitro biological activities of C. vendae. The leaf or root decoctions of C. vendae are taken orally or applied topically as traditional medicine for bacterial and fungal infections, blood purification, leprosy and as an ophthalmic. Phytochemical compounds identified from C. vendae include flavonoids, polyphenolics, tannins, proanthocyanidin, anthocyanin, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides and flavanols. The phytochemical compounds isolated from C. vendae and its extracts demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet and cytotoxicity activities. Future research on C. vendae should focus on detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations, as well as in vivo and clinical studies.