Voacanga africana

Propagation

Germination

Protocol

1. scarify seeds in household vinegar for 5-15 minutes
2. disinfect seeds with 3% hydrogen peroxide for at least 10 minutes [optional]
3. sow in free-draining media
4. incubate at 30°C for up to 5 weeks; keep media moist
5. if ungerminated, allow media to dry completely (1-2 weeks)
6. repeat steps 4-6 until germinated

Africana seed scarification with vinegar for 5-15 minutes is commonly recommended.[3] Sometimes an additional/alternative treatment with 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes to 12 hours is recommended.[6][1] Shroomery user blazed123 recommends disinfection in mild bleach for 10 minutes after vinegar scarification.[7]

The earliest seed germination guide available online seems to be from Shroomery user CptnGarden.[1] Shroomery user World Seed Supply says, “…much of what I did was based on CaptnGarden’s tek on here.”[8]

Shroomery forum user CptnGarden also recommends allowing the germination substrate to dry completely if seeds have not sprouted after 5 weeks. Similarly, user Stonehenge suggests a “dry period” is necessary for sprouting.[1] The original germination report by Stonehenge included successive wet/dry cycles.[4]

Alternatively, whole seed pods can be planted directly and allowed to naturally decompose.[9]

Vegetative

Protocol

1. collect semi-hardwood/hardwood cuttings at least 3 nodes in length (~15 cm long × 0.5-1.5 cm diameter)
2. dip base into rooting media with NAA 5,000ppm/IBA 10,000 ppm (Dip’N Grow) or IBA 10,000ppm (Seradix “2”)
3. sow in well-draining media (sand or sand+soil)
4. keep consistently warm and damp
5. remove dead cuttings promptly

Hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings outperform softwood cuttings for vegetative propagation. However, seasonality was not measured and could therefore be a factor. Both IBA and an IBA/NAA premix hormone treatments were effective to increase the number of shoots and roots of cuttings compared to no pretreatment. A 1:1 mix of topsoil and sand was the most effective substrate compared to sand or topsoil alone. The total survival rate was not given for any of the treatments. Only the results from the surviving cuttings were shown.[10][11]

Corroboree forum user Torsten reports that the removal of cuttings (e.g. topping) will cause lower nodes to begin proliferating.[12]

In-Vitro

[13] [14] [15]

Cultivation

[16]

Harvest

[17] [18]

Yield

[19]

Soilless

Soil

Fertilization

[16]

Temperature

Corroboree forum user Torsten reports that a potted africana plant will tolerate down to 2°C once or twice. Simiarly, user Stonehenge reports tolerance to a soft freeze, and also indicates that older trees are more tolerant to the cold.[12][5]

Lighting

Pests

User Stonehenge reports susceptibility to spider mites.[5]

Ecology

An understory plant located in swampy forests or stream-side.[20]

Morphology

A small tree or shrub. Six meters tall with a low, spreading crown.[20]

[21]

Roots

Stem

Leaves

Opposite obovate and accuminate. Dark green, glossy above. Lighter green below. Usually without stalk.[20]

[21]

Inflorescence

Seeds

[22]

Phytochemistry

The roots and stems contain the ibogaine-type indoles voacamine, vobasine, voacangine, voamidine, voacarine, and others collectively known as the Voacanga alkaloids.[20]

[23] [24] [19] [22] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [17] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [13] [47] [48] [49]

Infraspecific Variation

Biosynthesis

[50]

Distribution

[22] [26] [27] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [38] [40] [41] [43] [46]

Timecourse

Improvement

Identification

Inheritance

Methods

Shroomery user Stonehenge reports fruit-set only after two plants were in bloom simultaneously after 8 or 9 years of in-ground cultivation. This may indicate self-incompatibility.[51] Those plants first bloomed at 5-6 years old.[52] However, other users on The Corroboree forum report difficulty setting seed regardless of availability of other plants, so it may be coincidentally related to age alone.[53] Corroboree user Torsten reports seed production from a single plant after three years of flowering without fruit-set.[12]

History & Society

The stem and root of africana are used to treat mental disorders. The bark is used as an analgesic.[20]

[54] [33] [55] [56] [57]

Work Log

28 Jun 2023

The users on the shroomery were regularly receiving hundreds of seeds for free with the purchase of Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds from Bouncing Bear Botanicals circa 2005 (another). At least one user reports growing the seeds with ease on the same thread and again on another. Another user reports receiving a free sample of seeds from Shamanspalace.

WSS began offering seeds circa 2012.

Stonehenge is apparently not on Shroomery anymore and thus I cannot contact them directly.

And again with the fake plants being sold](https://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?/topic/39036-my-voacanga-africana-is-flowering-wtf/&do=findComment&comment=470900)!

This german seller was actively selling the [false] plant as voacanga for at least 10 years so please be careful when getting Voacanga from someone in Europe.

Bibliography

1. {CptnGarden}, Germinating Voacanga Africana - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, August 7. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/7266329.
2. {meatcakeman}, Voacanga Africana - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, February 8. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8035675.
3. {WSS}, World Seed Supply’s Voacanga Africana Grow Guide, World Seed Supply, August 2014. url: https://www.worldseedsupply.com/world-seed-supplys-voacanga-africana-grow-guide/. Abstract
   Voacanaga Africana is a tropical shrub native to West Africa where it is used medicinally and ceremonially. Voacanga is one of the more well-known African entheogens, but its prevalence as a live plant outside of Africa is rather limited because voacanga seeds can be quite tough to germinate once they go dormant. […]
4. {Stonehenge}, Voacanga Africana Pic - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, July 4. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/4087563#4087563.
5. {Stonehenge}, Voacanga Africana, The Corroboree, February 2007. url: https://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?/topic/13298-voacanga-africana/. Abstract
   Feel free to chime in with your own stories of raising this plant. Mine are about 3 or 4 years old but might be older than that. I lost track. To sprout the seeds you need to put them through a wet dry cycle. You cant just put them in the wet and expect them to sprout. That would be too easy. You...
6. {lurker}, Germination of Voacanga Africana \& Anadenanthera Colubrina Q's, The Corroboree, April 2002. url: https://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1627-germination-of-voacanga-africana-anadenanthera-colubrina-qs/. Abstract
   If anyone can help me with this id appreciate it. with the anadenanthera colubrina (what a mouthful) i got these off the boards through Torsten and tried the grinding and etc. to no avail, so i thought id try and germinate some. put them in a pot and am waiting. also put some in water and placed ...
7. {kadakuda}, Germinating Voacanga Africana - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, March 7. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/6730113.
8. {World Seed Supply}, Voacanga Sprouting!! - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, November 12. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17254787.
9. {john}, Voacanga Seed Germination, The Corroboree, February 2021. url: https://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?/topic/47381-voacanga-seed-germination/. Abstract
   Has anyone a good process for germinating these seeds please?
10. Kontoh, Ibrahim Hakeem, Effect of Growth Regulators and Soil Media on the Propagation of Voacanga Africana Stem Cuttings, Agroforestry Systems, vol. 90, no. 3, pp. 479--488, June 2016. doi: 10.1007/s10457-015-9870-2. Abstract
    In Ghana, riverine forests (riparian buffers) have been seriously degraded resulting in drying up of several rivers, which supply water to certain communities, especially in the rural areas. Restoration of these degraded lands is mostly done using exotic tree species which have the tendency to colonize and dominate indigenous tree species and eventually lead to loss of biodiversity. This research therefore examines the propagation of Voacanga africana tree species which could be used to protect water bodies and restore biodiversity loss. An experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources lath house in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The objective was to test the efficiency of different growth media and hormones to improve rooting. The experiment consisted of three wood types of V.~africana (hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood), raised in three soil types (topsoil, sand and mixture of topsoil and sand) and treated with three growth hormones [Indobutyric acid (IBA), IBA~+~Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Control]. The results showed that, hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of V.~africana performed better in terms of sprouting and rooting. Dip‘N’grow (an IBA/NAA premix) was the best among the growth hormones. Seradix ‘3’ powder (NAA) was also consistent. Among the growing media, materials raised in a mixture of topsoil and sand performed better than any of the soil types alone. Semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings without hormone treatment (control) or treated with dip ‘n’grow in a mixture of topsoil and sand should be considered for future propagation of V.~africana stem cuttings.
11. Kontoh, Ibrahim Hakeem, Propagation Studies of Voacanga Africana Stem Cuttings for the Protection of Water Bodies in the Transitional Zone of Ghana., August 2008. url: http://ir.knust.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/996. Abstract
    In Ghana, riverine forests (riparian buffers) have been seriously degraded resulting in the drying up of several rivers, which supply water to certain communities, especially in the rural areas. The restoration of these degraded lands is mostly done using exotic tree species which have the tendency to colonise and dominate indigenous tree species and eventually lead to loss of biodiversity. This research therefore examines the propagation of Voacanga africana tree species which could be used to protect water bodies, restore biodiversity loss and also provide economic benefits to the local people by harvesting its fruits for sale. Two experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources lath house in K.N.U.S.T on 6th July, 2006 and completed on 9th December, 2006. The first experiment consisted of three wood types of Voacanga africana (hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood), raised in three soil types (topsoil, sand and mixture of topsoil and sand) and treated with three growth hormone (IBA, IBA+NAA and Control) which gave a 3x3x3 factorial in a Completely Randomised Design. The main plot factor was the growing media (soil types), the sub-plot factor was the growth hormone whiles the sub-sub plot factor was the wood types. These gave twenty -seven treatment combinations with ten cuttings each which were replicated three times. Cuttings were evaluated for shoot sprouts, rooting, number of roots, root length and disease infection. The results showed that, hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of Voacanga africana performed better in terms of sprouting and rooting. Dip'N'grow (an IBA/NAA premix) was the best among the growth hormone, Seradix '3' powder (NAA) was also consistent. Among the growing media, materials raised in a mixture of topsoil and sand performed better than any of the soil types alone. The general performance of Voacanga africana cuttings which had no cover and those that were covered with polythene were not remarkably different. The conclusion drawn from the research findings were that, a micro-climate should be created to aid in the successful sprouting of Voacanga africana stem cuttings; semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings without hormone treatment (control) or treated with dip 'n'grow in a mixture of topsoil and sand should be considered for future propagation of Voacanga africana stem cuttings. GIS and Remote Sensing technology was also identified as a very effective tool in gathering reliable and accurate information about natural resources degradation.
12. {Stonehenge}, Voacanga Africana Flowering, The Corroboree, July 2008. url: https://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?/topic/18452-voacanga-africana-flowering/. Abstract
    I dont have a pic yet, perhaps in a day or so. I was wondering how many others have had their voacangas flower? I only have one clump of flowers on one of my plants. They are white, about 3 cm across and look a little like a periwinkle flower. I have hopes of producing seed but I realize that is ...
13. Stoeckigt, J. + and Pawelka, K.-H. and Tanahashi, T. and Danieli, B. and Hull, W. E., Voafrine a and Voafrine B, New Dimeric Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Voacanga Africana Stapf, Chemischer Informationsdienst, vol. 15, no. 11, 1984. doi: 10.1002/chin.198411339.
14. Stöckigt, Joachim and Pawelka, Karl-Heinz and Tanahashi, Takao and Danieli, Bruno and Hull, William E., Voafrine A and Voafrine B, New Dimeric Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Voacanga Africana Stapf, Helvetica Chimica Acta, vol. 66, no. 8, pp. 2525--2533, 1983. doi: 10.1002/hlca.19830660818. Abstract
    The structures of voafrine A and voafrine B, two novel dimeric indole alkaloids isolated from Voacanga africana Stapf cell suspension cultures, were established and the medium-dependent formation of both alkaloids was investigated.
15. Stöckigt, Joachim and Pawelka, Karl-Heinz and Rother, Ana and Deus, Brigitte, Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Stemmadenia Tomentosa and Voacanga Africana, Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, vol. 37, no. 10, pp. 857--860, October 1982. doi: 10.1515/znc-1982-1002. Abstract
    Cell suspension cultures of Stemmadenia tomentosa synthesized under normal growth condition the eight major indole alkaloids: (-)-tabersonine, (-)-minovincinine, (+)-conoflorine (voaphyl-line), condylocarpine, (+)-tubotaiwine (dihydrocondylocarpine), (-)-norfluorocurarine (vin-canine), (-)-vinervine, and (-)-coronaridine. These alkaloids consist of the three different types, Aspidosperma, Strychnos and Iboga. In contrast, cultures o f Voacanga africana produced mainly one alkaloid group (Aspidosperma-type) represented by (-)-tabersonine, lochnericine and (-)-minovincinine. Therefore this cell culture seems to be qualified for investigation concerning the biosynthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids.
16. {Brako–Danquah}, John Okai, Voacanga Africana Farming System in the Assin South District: Socio – Economic and Soil Nutrient Implications, July 2012. url: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Voacanga-Africana-farming-system-in-the-Assin-South-Brako%E2%80%93Danquah/4162f6680b4c4264ad76f5a973cac52853c61b7f. Abstract
    A Thesis submitted to the Department of Agroforestry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agroforestry, October-2012
17. Gavilánez Quintero, Roxana Mariuxi, Extracción de aceite multiuso a partir de la semilla de Voacanga Africana, 2015. url: http://repositorio.ug.edu.ec/handle/redug/12691. Abstract
    This thesis makes multipurpose oil extraction from the seed of African Voacanga and evaluation of the operating performance of the oils in mechanical levers. It also emphasizes the need for a strategy as a means to achieve the objectives and succeed in the market. These indicators were used to assess the performance of a multi-purpose oil. The proposal to extract oil from the seed of Voacanga and prove useful in lubricating oil these indicators were used to assess the performance of a multipurpose oil. The proposal to extract oil from the seed of Voacanga and prove useful in lubricating oil hydraulic systems described in the first chapter. The problem arises, the general objective and specific objectives of this thesis, and the justification, scope and limits of the same set. The second chapter refers to the theoretical framework characteristics of vegetable oils and competitive position in choosing a better product. The main objective is stated. In the third chapter the methods and techniques that are used to evaluate performance in research for oil extraction and the standards used are presented. In the fourth and final chapter the conclusions that were reached by the study are presented. The general and specific objective of the thesis is answered; and the recommendations set out to increase the economic value of the company described in the first chapter. The problem arises, the general objective and specific objectives of this thesis, and the justification, scope and limits of the same set. The second chapter refers to the theoretical framework characteristics of vegetable oils and competitive position in choosing a better product. The main objective is stated. In the third chapter the method 10 and techniques that are used to evaluate performance in research for oil extraction and the standards used are presented. In the fourth and final chapter the conclusions that were reached by the study are presented. The general and specific objective of the thesis is answered; and the recommendations set out to increase the economic value of the company.
18. Jenks, Christopher, Extraction Studies of Tabernanthe Iboga and Voacanga Africana, Natural Product Letters, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 71--76, January 2002. doi: 10.1080/1057563029001/4881. Abstract
    The root bark of Tabernanthe iboga contains ibogaine as its predominant alkaloid and has been an important source of it. Ibogaine is used experimentally to interrupt drug addiction and allow therapeutic intervention, but is currently unaffordable to doctors in less economically developed countries. To meet this need, an extraction of alkaloids from T. iboga root bark was optimized and simplified to use only diluted vinegar and ammonia, and was successfully applied to related alkaloids from Voacanga africana bark also. The alkaloids were converted to their hydrochlorides and purified, and the minor alkaloids were recovered.
19. González, Bruno and Fagúndez, Catherine and {Peixoto de Abreu Lima}, Alejandro and Suescun, Leopoldo and Sellanes, Diver and Seoane, Gustavo A. and Carrera, Ignacio, Efficient Access to the Iboga Skeleton: Optimized Procedure to Obtain Voacangine from Voacanga Africana Root Bark, ACS Omega, vol. 6, no. 26, pp. 16755--16762, June 2021. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00745. Abstract
    , Iboga alkaloids are a group of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with promising and intriguing biological activities. Ibogaine is the representative member of the series and has become widely known as a potent atypical psychedelic with promising effects to treat substance use disorder. Nowadays, an efficient and scalable enantioselective total synthesis of ibogaine and related iboga alkaloids is still lacking, so direct extraction from natural sources or semi-synthetic schemes are the methods of choice to obtain them in a preparative scale. In particular, ibogaine can be obtained either by a low yielding direct isolation from Tabernanthe iboga or using a semi-synthetic procedure from voacangine, an iboga alkaloid occurring in a higher yield in the root bark of Voacanga africana. In this work, we describe an optimized process to obtain voacangine from V. africana root bark as a precursor of the iboga scaffold. Using a direct acetone-based extraction procedure (0.5 kg of root bark), voacangine was isolated in ∼0.8\% of root bark dried weight, while the major alkaloids isolated from the bark were identified as iboga-vobasinyl dimers (∼3.7\%) such as voacamine and voacamidine. Since these alkaloids contain the voacangine moiety in their structure, the cleavage of the dimers was further optimized, affording an extra amount of voacangine in ∼50\% isolated molar yield. In this manner, the total amount of voacangine obtained by application of the whole procedure to the plant material (extraction and dimer cleavage) could almost duplicate the content originally found in the root bark.
20. Iwu, Maurice M., Handbook of African Medicinal Plants, February 2014. Abstract
    With over 50,000 distinct species in sub-Saharan Africa alone, the African continent is endowed with an enormous wealth of plant resources. While more than 25 percent of known species have been used for several centuries in traditional African medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases, Africa remains a minor player in the global natural
21. Newcombe, F and Patel, B A, Comparative Anatomy of the Leaves of Voacanga Schweinfurthii Stapf and Voacanga Africana Stapf, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 18, no. Supplement\_1, pp. 133S-141S, April 2011. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1966.tb07975.x. Abstract
    Abstract There is a marked similarity in the anatomical structures of the leaves of the closely related species Voacanga schweinfurthii and V. africana which are here described and compared. The evidence suggests that these two species should be considered as a single species.
22. Li, Xuan and Deng, Yuan and Kang, Lianchang and Chen, Lianghua and Zheng, Zhizhong and Huang, Wen and Xu, Chuanjun and Kai, Guoyin and Lin, Dingbo and Tong, Qingxuan and Lin, Yi and Ming, Yanlin, Cytotoxic Active Ingredients from the Seeds of Voacanga Africana, South African Journal of Botany, vol. 137, pp. 311--319, March 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.sajb.2020.10.028. Abstract
    Voacanga africana is a medicinal tree used in Ghana in West Africa for treatment of various diseases. Using MTT assay-guided separation, 6 compounds were isolated and identified. Compound 1 was a new compound, and the rest 5 compounds were 3-oxo-tabersonine (2), 3α- acetonylvoafrine B (3), lochnericine (4), 17,18-dehydrovincamine (5) and tabersonine (6). Amongst these compounds, tabersonine exhibited a remarkable cytotoxic activity and the IC50 value of tabersonine on 10 types of human cancer cell lines range from 4.8 ± 0.4~µg/mL to 22.5 ± 1.4~µg/mL. The cytotoxicity of tabersonine may be through inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, this study is the first report about the isolation and evaluation of anti-tumor components in Voacanga africana seeds. From these results, the alkaloid compound tabersonine could be considered as a potential anti-tumor agent.
23. Fouotsa, Hugues and Le Pogam, Pierre and Mkounga, Pierre and Lannang, Alain Meli and Bernadat, Guillaume and Vanheuverzwijn, Jérôme and Zhou, Zhiyu and Leblanc, Karine and Rharrabti, Somia and Nkengfack, Augustin Ephrem and Gallard, Jean-François and Fontaine, Véronique and Meyer, Franck and Poupon, Erwan and Beniddir, Mehdi A., Voatriafricanines A and B, Trimeric Vobasine-Aspidosperma-Aspidosperma Alkaloids from Voacanga Africana, Journal of Natural Products, vol. 84, no. 10, pp. 2755--2761, October 2021. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00812. Abstract
    Voatriafricanines A and B (1 and 2), the first examples of vobasine-aspidosperma-aspidosperma monoterpene trisindole alkaloids, were isolated from the stem barks of Voacanga africana, guided by a molecular networking strategy. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and ECD calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 possess intramolecular hydrogen bonding, sufficiently robust to transfer homonuclear and heteronuclear magnetizations. Compound 1 exhibited potent antimycobacterial activity with no discernible cytotoxic activity.
24. Zhao, Qian and Zhu, Wen-Tao and Ding, Xiao and Huo, Zong-Qing and Donkor, Paul O. and Adelakun, Tiwalade A. and Hao, Xiao-Jiang and Zhang, Yu, Voacafrines A-N, Aspidosperma-Type Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Voacanga Africana with AChE Inhibitory Activity, Phytochemistry, vol. 181, pp. 112566, January 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2020.112566. Abstract
    Fourteen undescribed monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, voacafrines A-N, along with 7 known monoterpenoid indole alkaloids were isolated from the seeds of Voacanga africana Stapf. Among them, voacafrines A-G were aspidosperma-aspidosperma type bisindole alkaloids, while voacafrines H–N were aspidosperma-type monomers. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by a combination of NMR, MS, and ECD analyses. Voacafrines A-C were characterized by an acetonyl moiety at C-5′, while voacafrine H possessed a methoxymethyl moiety at C-14 within aspidosperma-type alkaloids. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of voacafrines A-N were evaluated. Voacafrines A-C and E-G were bisindole alkaloids that exhibited AChE inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 4.97–33.28~μM, while voacafrines I and J were monomers that showed cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 4.45–7.49~μM.
25. Babiaka, Smith B. and Simoben, Conrad V. and Abuga, Kennedy O. and Mbah, James A. and Karpoormath, Rajshekhar and Ongarora, Dennis and Mugo, Hannington and Monya, Elvis and {Cho-Ngwa}, Fidelis and Sippl, Wolfgang and Loveridge, Edric Joel and {Ntie-Kang}, Fidele, Alkaloids with Anti-Onchocercal Activity from Voacanga Africana Stapf (Apocynaceae): Identification and Molecular Modeling, Molecules, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 70, December 2020. doi: 10.3390/molecules26010070. Abstract
    A new iboga-vobasine-type isomeric bisindole alkaloid named voacamine A (1), along with eight known compounds, voacangine (2), voacristine (3),coronaridine (4), tabernanthine (5), iboxygaine (6), voacamine (7), voacorine (8), and conoduramine (9), were isolated from the stem bark of Voacanga africana. The structures of the compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were found to inhibit the motility of both the microfilariae (Mf) and adult male worms of Onchocerca ochengi, in a dose-dependent manner, but were only moderately active on the adult female worms upon biochemical assessment at 30 μM drug concentrations. The IC50 values of the isolates are 2.49-5.49 μM for microfilariae and 3.4517.87 μM for adult males. Homology modeling was used to generate a 3D model of the O. ochengi thioredoxin reductase target and docking simulation, followed by molecular dynamics and binding free energy calculations attempted to offer an explanation of the anti-onchocercal structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the isolated compounds. These alkaloids are new potential leads for the development of antifilarial drugs. The results of this study validate the traditional use of V. africana in the treatment of human onchocerciasis.
26. Oyawaluja, Bamisaye Olaofe and Williams, Josephine Aribiba and Coker, Herbert A. B., Investigation Of Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activity Of The Methanolic Extract Of The Leaves Of Voacanga Africana Stapf. (Apocynaceae) And Psydrax Subcordata (Dc.) Bridson (Rubiaceae), The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 53, no. 1, January 2019. url: https://psnnjp.org/index.php/home/article/view/50. Abstract
    Background The importance of medicinal plants in traditional and modern health care practices and in providing clues to new areas of research is now well recognised. Bacterial resistance has been increasingly reported worldwide and is one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases. Plant derived antioxidant could be useful as food additives to prevent food deterioration and also to impart human health and prevent oxidative stress associated diseases. Natural based products, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), can be exploited to ameliorate the problem of microbial resistance and oxidative stress. The choice of plants (Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata) for this study was based on folkloric use and literature search to authenticate the traditi on claims. Methods The leaves methanolic extract of Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata were investigated for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The antimicrobial activities were also evaluated using the agar well diffusion method while the antioxidant activities of the plants were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, lipid peroxidati on scavenging assay, total antioxidant capacity assay, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and ferric reducing power assay. Results The extracts of Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata significantly inhibited DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 69.2±11.6µg/ml and 106.9±5.3µg/ml respectively), inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC50 value of 65.7±13.5µg/ml and 75.4±11.6 µg/ml respectively) and\ also inhibited the accumulation of nitrite in vitro (IC50 value of 75.1±11.7µg/ml and 80.1±12.9µg/ml respectively). The plant extracts yielded 47.8±0.07 and 65.2±0.04mg Gallic acid equivalent/100g phenolic content respecti vely, 2.8±0.05mg and 28.2±0.05mg\ quercetin equivalents/100g flavonoid content respectively, total antioxidant capacity of 160.6±0.05 and 110.7±0.05mg ascorbic equivalent/100g and reducing power of 0.2±0.07 and 0.2±0.05µg/ml, respecti vely. The anti microbial assay showed that Voacanga africana has activity against gram positive and gram negati ve bacteria organisms, which include\ Staphylococcus aureus (34.0±1.2), Bacillus subtilis (37.5±0.0) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35.5±0.9) at 50µg/ml. Psydrax subcordata was only active against Staphylococcus aureus (20.8±0.5). However, no antifungal activity was observed for both plants. Conclusion Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata possess anti oxidant and anti microbial acti viti es and these results therefore provide evidence to support their traditional uses. The observed antioxidant potentials and phenolic content of the extract suggest that the\ methanolic leaves extract of Voacanga africana and Psydrax subcordata is a potential source of natural antioxidants.
27. Owolabi, Tunde A. and Ezenwa, K. C. and Amodu, E. and Iyoriobhe, O. C. and Okubor, P. C. and Aigbe, D. P. and Okogun, J. I., Antidepressant Potentials of Aqueous Extract of Voacanga Africana Stept. Ex Eliot (Apocynaceae) Stem Bark, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, vol. 8, no. 12, pp. 2623, 2019. doi: 10.20546/ijcmas.2019.812.306. Abstract
    A large number of the world’s population suffer from depression and anxieties at some points in their life time, the sufferers are however sceptical about the available orthodox drugs largely because of side effects, cost and availability. This
28. Ding, Cai-Feng and Ma, Hong-Xia and Yang, Jing and Qin, Xu-Jie and Njateng, Guy S. S. and Yu, Hao-Fei and Wei, Xin and Liu, Ya-Ping and Huang, Wan-Yi and Yang, Zi-Feng and Wang, Xin-Hua and Luo, Xiao-Dong, Antibacterial Indole Alkaloids with Complex Heterocycles from Voacanga Africana, Organic Letters, vol. 20, no. 9, pp. 2702--2706, May 2018. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b00913. Abstract
    Voacafricines A and B, two unique monoterpenoid indole alkaloids each bearing five fused heterocycles, were obtained from the fruits of Voacanga africana. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and computational studies. A plausible biogenetic pathway was proposed from a common precursor, 19-epi-voacristine. Both compounds exhibited potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi, and their activities were superior to those of the well-known antibacterial drugs berberine and fibrauretine.
29. Joshua, P. E. and Oka, S. A. and Eze, C. S., Estimation of Phytochemical, Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoid Contents of Methanol Extract of Voacanga Africana Root Bark and Its Fractions, Bio-Research, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 988--993, 2017. doi: 10.4314/br.v15i1. Abstract
    Phenolic and flavonoid contents in plants play a great role in scavenging free radicals in the body and act as antioxidants; thus making their determination very vital. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the methanol extract of Voacanga africana root bark and its fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) were carried out in this study. The total phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau assay while the the total flavonoid content was determined by the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay method. The result obtained showed that n-hexane fraction of the plant exhibited the highest (116.607±95.13 mgGAE/g) total phenolic content (TPC) at all concentrations followed by ethyl acetate fraction of the plants. The highest total flavonoid content across concentrations (300, 250, 200, 100, 50 and 25 μg/ml) was exhibited by n-hexane fraction (467.143±44.22 mg QE/g). From the results, it was concluded that n-hexane fraction of V. Africana root bark exhibited the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents at all concentrations (ppm), followed by ethyl acetate. It could be deduced that V. africana root bark possesses phenolic and flavonoid contents depending on the type of extract or fraction; thus justifying its folkloric use in the treatment of diseases.Keywords: Phytochemicals, Phenols, Flavonoids, Voacanga africana, Root bark, Fraction
30. Niu, Yifeng and Yang, Chen and Zhou, Jing and Huang, Shen and Liu, Jiajia, Two New Compounds with Antimicrobial Activities from the Seeds of Voacanga Africana, Phytochemistry Letters, vol. 18, pp. 208--212, December 2016. doi: 10.1016/j.phytol.2016.10.019. Abstract
    Two new compounds, (R)-4-(2-methylpentyl)-4H-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e]pyran (1) and 4-(2-ethylbutyl)-4H-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e]pyran (2) were extracted from the seeds of Voacanga africana. The molecular structures of these compounds were measured with the help of broad spectroscopic (1D and 2D-NMR, IR, ESI-TOF-MS, HR-MS) analyses. The primary pharmacological operations of these compounds were brought to evaluation by applying the antibacterial extrasomatic test. The results revealed that compound 1 and 2 were in an effective position to stop the growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and Salmonella typhi. On the other hand, the inhibitory impacts on Staphylococcus aureus as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not apparent.
31. Chen, Hong-Mei and Yang, Yu-Ting and Li, Hong-Xiang and Cao, Zhi-Xing and Dan, Xiao-Mei and Mei, Ling and Guo, Da-Le and Song, Chuan-Xia and Dai, Yu and Hu, Jia and Deng, Yun, Cytotoxic Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids Isolated from the Barks of Voacanga Africana Staph., Natural Product Research, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 1144--1149, May 2016. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1046132. Abstract
    A new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid compound (1) and six known monoterpenoid indole alkaloids compounds (2–7) were isolated from the barks of Voacanga africana Staph. The structures were established by spectral analysis as ibogamine-16-carboxylic acid,17,20-didehydro-5,6-dioxo-10-methoxy-methyl ester (1), voacamine (2), vobasine (3), voacangine (4), voacristine (5), 19-epi-voacristine (6) and 19-epi-heyneanine (7). Compound 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five cell lines (HEPG-2, A375, MDA-MB-231, SH-SY5Y, CT26). Among them, compounds 2 and 6 displayed significant inhibitory activities, compounds 3, 4 and 5 showed moderate inhibitory activities, while compounds 1 and 7 showed no inhibitory activities against the five cell lines.
32. Ighodaro, Igbe and Innih, Silvanus and Vincent Ogedengbe, Stephen and Amamina, Lucy, Chronic Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Leaf Extract of {\emph{Voacanga Africana}} in Wistar Rats, Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 639, March 2016. doi: 10.4314/jasem.v19i4.11.
33. Smith, Babiaka Borakaeyabe and James, Ajeck Mbah and Fidelis, Cho Ngwa and Jonathan, Alunge Metuge and Simon, Mbua Ngale Efange, Isolation and Characterization of Filaricidal Compounds from the Stem Bark of Voacanga Africana, a Plant Used in the Traditional Treatment of Onchocerciasis in Cameroon, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, vol. 9, no. 14, pp. 471--478, April 2015. doi: 10.5897/JMPR2014.5791. Abstract
    This study was carried out to isolate active ingredients from Voacanga africana Stapf (Apocynaceae) used as herbal medicine in Cameroon, and also to assess the efficacy of the compounds on Onchocerca ochengi and Loa loa worms. The compounds were isolated using solvent partitioning, column chromatography and fractional crystallization. The O. ochengi worms were isolated from cow skin while Loa loa was isolated from humans. Filaricidal activity was determined based on motility for adult male worms and microfilariae (Mfs), while adult female worm viability was assessed biochemically by the dimethylthiazol (MTT)/formazan assay. Cytotoxicity was assessed using monkey kidney epithelial cells. Auranofin was used as the positive control drug. Two compounds, voacangine (compound 1) and voacamine (compound 2) were isolated from the stem bark of Voacanga africana. Both compounds were found to inhibit the motility of both the microfilariae (Mfs) and adult male worms of O. ochengi in a concentration-dependent manner, but were only moderately active on the adult female worms upon biochemical assessment at 30 µM drug concentration. The IC50s for voacangine were 5.49 µM for Mfs and 9.07 µM for adult male worms; while for voacamine the values were 2.49 µM for Mfs and 3.45 µM for adult males. At 10 µM, voacamine showed 100\% inhibition of Loa loa Mfs motility after 24 h. This is the first report of the anti-Onchocerca activity of voacangine (compound 1) and voacamine (compound 2) as well as activity of voacamine (compound 2) on L. loa. The results of this study support the traditional use of V. africana in the treatment of human onchocerciasis.
34. {Shao-son}, Liu, Studies on the Determination of Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities in Seeds of Voacanga Africana, undefined, 2014. url: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Studies-on-the-Determination-of-Chemical-and-in-of-Shao-son/eed6f24518a8ec2917a0edafdaf9e433b4db0842. Abstract
    In this study, the total alkaloids, total flavonoids and water-soluble polysaccharides of seeds of Voacanga africana native to Ghana were determined by means of spectrophotometry, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of different isolation from ethanol extract by MTT and DPPH method, respectively. The results revealed that the content of total alkaloids, total flavonoids and water-soluble polysaccharides were 3.04\%, 0.41\% and 3.04\%, respectively. The alkaloid isolation exhibited strong cytotoxity against the human hepatocarcinoma cells SMMC7721, the human gastric carcinoma cells SGC7901 and human normal liver cells Chang-liver and the IC50 values were 11.99±2.22, 8.72±6.11 and 7.31±4.39 μg·mL-1 respectively. The n-butanol isolation displayed antioxidant activity and the IC50 value was 0.268±0.002 mg·mL-1
35. Terada, Yuko and Horie, Syunji and Takayama, Hiromitsu and Uchida, Kunitoshi and Tominaga, Makoto and Watanabe, Tatsuo, Activation and Inhibition of Thermosensitive TRP Channels by Voacangine, an Alkaloid Present in Voacanga Africana, an African Tree, Journal of Natural Products, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 285--297, February 2014. doi: 10.1021/np400885u. Abstract
    Voacangine (1) is an alkaloid found in the root bark of Voacanga africana. Our previous work has suggested that 1 is a novel transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) antagonist. In this study, the agonist and antagonist activities of 1 were examined against thermosensitive TRP channels. Channel activity was evaluated mainly using TRP channel-expressing HEK cells and calcium imaging. Herein, it was shown that 1 acts as an antagonist for TRPV1 and TRPM8 but as an agonist for TRPA1 (EC50, 8 μM). The compound competitively blocked capsaicin binding to TRPV1 (IC50, 50 μM). Voacangine (1) competitively inhibited the binding of menthol to TRPM8 (IC50, 9 μM), but it showed noncompetitive inhibition against icilin (IC50, 7 μM). Moreover, the compound selectively abrogated chemical agonist-induced TRPM8 activation and did not affect cold-induced activation. Among these effects, the TRPM8 inhibition profile is unique and noteworthy, because to date no studies have reported a menthol competitive inhibitor of TRPM8 derived from a natural source. Furthermore, this is the first report of a stimulus-selective TRPM8 antagonist. Accordingly, 1 may contribute to the development of a novel class of stimulus-selective TRPM8 blockers.
36. Owusu, Affram Kevin Osei, Identification of a Biomarker and Development of an HPLC Method for Quality Control of the Seeds of Voacanga Africana (Fam: Apocynaceae), undefined, 2013. url: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Identification-of-a-Biomarker-and-Development-of-an-Owusu/0a043a4676ee505d69f7578039a19d281a2fae8f. Abstract
    A thesis submitted to the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Masters of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. A thesis submitted to the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Masters of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences. 2013.
37. Harada, Masaya and Asaba, Ken Nunettsu and Iwai, Masumi and Kogure, Noriyuki and Kitajima, Mariko and Takayama, Hiromitsu, Asymmetric Total Synthesis of an Iboga-Type Indole Alkaloid, Voacangalactone, Newly Isolated from Voacanga Africana, Organic Letters, vol. 14, no. 22, pp. 5800--5803, November 2012. doi: 10.1021/ol3027945. Abstract
    A new hexacyclic iboga-type indole alkaloid, voacangalactone (1), was isolated from Voacanga africana, and its structure including the absolute configuration was established by asymmetric total synthesis involving such key steps as the asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction using an aminodiene and the construction of an isoquinuclidine ring and an indole skeleton.
38. Dura, C. M. and Onyedineke, N. E., In Vitro Study on the Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Ethanolic Extracts of the Mesocarp of Voacanga Africana., American Journal of Plant Physiology, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 163--169, 2010. doi: 10.3923/ajpp.2010.163.169. Abstract
    This study seek to establish the medicinal relevance of the fruit mesocarp of Voacanga africana, using standard methods of microbial sensitivity test and phytochemical analysis. Dried mesocarp samples of V. africana were extracted with hot and cold absolute ethanol. The extracts were screened for their phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities. The results revealed the presence of...
39. African Natural Plant Products: New Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry and Quality, vol. 1021, January 2010. doi: 10.1021/bk-2009-1021.
40. Ameyaw, Yaw and {Duker-Eshun}, G, The Alkaloid Contents of the Ethnoplant Organs of Three Anti Malarial Medicinal Plant Species in the Eastern Region of Ghana, International Journal of Chemical Science, vol. 7, January 2009. Abstract
    A survey research was conducted on Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schtr., Morinda lucida Benth and Voacanga africana Stapf antimalarial plant species harvested from Mampong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Comparative studies were performed using the total alkaloid content of the plant organs of three plant species used ethnobotanically for the preparation of antimalarial decoctions. Statistically, a series of linear models (SPSS 10.0, Minitab 13.32 and MStats for WINDOWS, Version 6.1) was fitted to the dataset to determine whether variations do exist. Results showed that: (i) Phytochemical screening of the plant confirmed the presence of alkaloid in the plant organs (ii) The alkaloid contents of the plant organs of the plant species were significantly different from one another and (iii) The total alkaloid content of V. Africana was the highest among the three plant species.
41. Christopher, M. D. and Uchechukwu, E. E. and Ernest, A. A., Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of the Bark Extracts of Voacanga Africana Stapf, Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 61--65, 2009. doi: 10.4314/njb.v20i1. Abstract
    Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity hot water, hot and cold ethanolic extracts of the bark of Vocanga Africana stapt. on Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescen, Staphyloccus aureus, Alternaria solani , Aspergellius niger and Penicillium notatum were investigated using paper disc diffusion technique. Results showed that the bacteria Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to hot ethanol extract, E.coli and Serretia marcescen were susceptible to hot water extract, S. aureus was not. Pencillium notatum was susceptible to hot water, hot and cold ethanol extracts, A.niger was susceptible to only the ethanol extract; while Alternaria solani was resistant to the bioactivity of the extract. The presence of active principles, Alkaloids, Anthranoid, cardiac glycosides, Polyphenol, saponin and starch, detected in the phytochemical analysis might be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the extract.Key Words: Phytochemical, antimicrobial, susceptibility, Vocanga
42. Ehiabhi, O.S. and Edet, U.U. and Walker, T. M. and Schmidt, J. M. and Setzer, W. N. and Ogunwande, I.A. and Essien, E. and Ekundayo, O., Constituents of Essential Oils of Apium Graveolens L., Allium Cepa L., and Voacanga Africana Staph. from Nigeria, Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 126--132, January 2006. doi: 10.1080/0972060X.2006.10643483. Abstract
    In this work, the volatile oils from the plants of Apium graveolens L., Voacanga africana Staph. and Allium cepa L. were analysed for their constituents by GC-MS. Limonene (40.5\%), β-selinene (16.3\%), cis-ocimene (12.5\%) and β-caryophyllene (10.5\%) were the main compounds of A. graveolens, while V. africana was predominantly comprised of precocene I (7-Methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene) (95.2)\%. On the other hand, the volatile oil of A. cepa was characterized by sulphur compounds, of which diallyl trisulphide (58.8\%), methyl allyl trisulphide (18.5\%) and diallyl disulphide (17.7\%) were in abundance.
43. Olaleye, S. B. and Oke, J. M. and Etu, A. K. and Omotosho, I. O. and Elegbe, R. A., Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of A Flavonoid Fraction From The Leaves Of Voacanga Africana, Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 69--76, 2004. doi: 10.4314/njps.v19i1.32638. Abstract
    In this study we used several models for evaluation of probable anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the flavonoid fraction of the leaves of Voacanga Africana, using mice and rats. The extract (50 - 150mg/kg, p.o) inhibited, in a dose-related manner, carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats. The extract caused a significant inhibition of the cotton-pellet granuloma. Vascular permeability induced by acetic-acid in the peritoneum of the animals was equally inhibited. The extract also exhibited significant analgesic action in acetic acid- induced pain in mice. There was reduction of writhings induced by acetic acid. In the formalin test, the extract caused inhibition of the neurogenic (first phase) and inflammatory phase (second phase) of formalin-induced pain. The extract also produced anti-nociception in the animals, as assessed by the tail flick, hot-plate and limb-withdrawal tests. These findings suggest that the leaf extract of Voacanga Africana has potent anti-imfiammatory and anti-nociceptive action. Key words: Voacanga africana; anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1\&2) 2004: 69-76
44. Tan, P. V. and Nyasse, B., Anti-Ulcer Compound from Voacanga Africana with Possible Histamine H2 Receptor Blocking Activity, Phytomedicine, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 509--515, December 2000. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80037-9. Abstract
    Voacanga africana is used in Cameroonian ethnomedicine for the treatment of peptic ulcers. We have tested the cytoprotective, anti-secretory and ulcer healing actions of an alkaloid (TN) obtained from the fruit extract. Oral administration of TN (50–100 mg/kg) dose-dependently prevented ulcer formation by HCl/ethanol (36–75\%), absolute ethanol (43–75\%), HCl-ethanol/indomethacin (58–84\%), Pylorus ligation (31–100\%), cold restraint stress (68–100\%) and histamine (49–100\%). The inhibitory effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg against HCl/ethanol was not suppressed by pre-treatment with indomethacin (20 mg/kg, i.p.). TN reduced Shay-ligated gastric acid secretion from 77 mEq/1 in the controls to 46 and 25 mEq/l for the 50 and 100 mg/kg doses. Augmented histamine-induced gastric acid secretion was reduced from 84 mEq/l in the controls to 45 and 21 mEq/l for the two doses of TN, with total inhibition of gastric and duodenal ulcers by the 50 mg/kg dose. Healing rate of chronic acetic acid-induced ulcers was 62 and 83\%, respectively, for the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg of TN compared with the controls. TN has gastric anti-secretory effects similar to histamine receptor blockers. Its cytoprotective and ulcer healing properties are related to its ability to strengthen gastric mucosal defenses through enhanced gastric mucus production.
45. Tan, Paul V and Penlap, Veronique B and Nyasse, Barthelemy and Nguemo, Joseph D. B, Anti-Ulcer Actions of the Bark Methanol Extract of Voacanga Africana in Different Experimental Ulcer Models in Rats, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 73, no. 3, pp. 423--428, December 2000. doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00292-0. Abstract
    The antiulcerogenic effects of the bark methanol extract of Voacanga africana were studied using various experimental ulcer models in rats. The effects of the extract on the volume of gastric juice, gastric pH, acid output, mucus production and peptic activity were recorded, as well as the preventive action against lesions caused by HCl/ethanol and indomethacin. Oral administration of the extract (500–750 mg/kg) inhibited the formation of gastric lesions induced by HCl/ethanol (40–63\% inhibition). The inhibitory effect against HCl/ethanol was significantly (P{$<$}0.01) suppressed by pre-treatment of the rats with indomethacin (30 mg/kg, i.p.). The extract significantly reduced gastric lesion formation in pylorus ligated rats, but this was not associated with an increase in gastric mucus production or with a reduction in acid content, volume of gastric secretion or pepsin activity of the gastric juice.
46. Pegnyemb, D. E and Ghogomu, R. T and Sondengam, B. L, Minor Alkaloids from the Seeds of Voacanga Africana, Fitoterapia, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 446--448, August 1999. doi: 10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00050-7. Abstract
    The isolation and 13C-NMR spectra of Δ14-vincanol, O-methyl-16-epi-Δ14-vincanol, Δ14-vincamone from the seeds of Voacanga africana are reported.
47. Thomas, D. W. and Biemann, K., The Hydroxyindolenine Derivative of Voacangine, a New Indole Alkaloid from Voacanga Africana, Tetrahedron, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 4223--4231, January 1968. doi: 10.1016/0040-4020(68)88184-0. Abstract
    A new alkaloid from Voacanga africana was identified as the hydroxyindolenine derivative (6) of voacangine, and its structure was proven by synthesis. A rearrangement product of 6, the pseudoindoxyl 9, was also encountered and characterized. Two additional new alkaloids, the hydroxyindolenine (7) and pseudoindoxyl (10) derivatives of voacristine were synthesized. Mass spectra of all compounds are presented and interpreted.
48. Igbe, Ighodaro and Edike, Tarimobowei, In Vivo Antinociceptive Activity of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Voacanga Africana Stapf (Apocynaceae) in Mice, Journal of Science and Practice of Pharmacy, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 51--54, December 2015. doi: 10.47227/jsppharm/v2i1.11. Abstract
    Purpose: To investigate the analgesic activity and phytochemical constituents of aqueous extract of Voacanga africana leaves and validate it use in folklore medicine.
49. Duru, Christopher M and Onyedineke, Nkechi E, In Vitro Antimicrobial Assay and Phytochemical Analysis of Ethanolic Extracts of Voacanga Africana Seeds, Journal of American Science, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 119--122, 2010. url: https://www.jofamericanscience.org/journals/am-sci/am0606/18_2255_Invitro_am0606_119_122.pdf. Abstract
    Dried and pulverized seeds of Voacanga africana were extracted with hot and cold absolute ethanol. The extracts were screened for their phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities. The results revealed the presence of some bioactive compounds; alkaloids, anthranoids, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, phenols, phlobatanins, starch and tannins. The crude extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (34.61 and 25\%), Serretia marcescens (45.08 and 29.16\%) and Staphylococcus aureus (42.10 and 34.21\%). Others are Alternaria solani (33.33 and 25\%), Aspergilus flavus (33.33 and 22\%), A. niger (25 and 00\%) Candida albicans (29.62 and 25.92 \%) and Rhizopus stolonifer (22.58 and 19.35 \%); relative to the standard antibiotics, Gentamicin and Clotrimazole; in the Agar Well. Diffusion sensitivity test. The efficacy of the hot extract was greater than the cold extracts in the test organisms, except in Pseudomonas aeruginosa where they appeared equipotent. [Journal of American Science 2010; 6(6):119-122]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).
50. Soysal, Esra N. and Fındık, Volkan and Dedeoglu, Burcu and Aviyente, Viktorya and Tantillo, Dean J., Theoretical Investigation of the Biogenetic Pathway for Formation of Antibacterial Indole Alkaloids from Voacanga Africana, ACS Omega, vol. 7, no. 35, pp. 31591--31596, September 2022. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04591. Abstract
    The energetic viability of the previously proposed biogenetic pathway for the formation of two unique monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, voacafricine A and B, which are present in the fruits of Voacanga africana, was investigated using density functional theory computations. The results of these calculations indicate that not only is the previously suggested pathway not energetically viable but also that an alternative biosynthetic precursor is likely.
51. {Stonehenge}, My Voacanga Africana Is Bearing Fruit - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, September 13. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18907436#18907436.
52. {Stonehenge}, Voacanga Africana in Bloom - The Ethnobotanical Garden, Shroomery, August 8. url: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8713076.
53. {Scientician}, Getting Voacanga Africana to Set Seed, The Corroboree, April 2013. url: https://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?/topic/35365-getting-voacanga-africana-to-set-seed/. Abstract
    I have a number of large V. Africana plants that have flowered profusely 2 years in a row without setting any seed. insects were all over them \& I had a go at hand pollination which is difficult given the design of the flowers. It is too late now to do anything this year but am really keen to...
54. Vilgiate, Timothy, The Invention of {\emph{Voacanga Africana}} as a Ceremonial Psychedelic., July 2019. doi: 10.5282/RCC/8635. Abstract
    Timothy Vigliate examines transformations in the meaning and value of the tree Voacanga africana, considering its identity as a so-called “ceremonial psychedelic” on the international market, as well as how this label uses Orientalist ideas about Africa as a marketing resource.
55. Olorunnisola, O. S. and Adetutu, A. and Afolayan, A. J., An Inventory of Plants Commonly Used in the Treatment of Some Disease Conditions in Ogbomoso, South West, Nigeria, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 161, pp. 60--68, February 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.001. Abstract
    Ethnopharmacological relevance This study was designed to take an inventory of medicinal plants, recipes and methods commonly used traditionally to treat some cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases in five local government areas in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Material and methods First-hand field survey through semi-structured questionnaire was employed in the 5 months study. Results A total of 101 plant species (medicinal plants (80.90\%), spices (17.5\%) and vegetables (1.53\%)) belonging to 51 different families were mentioned for the treatment of various types of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The survey revealed that 51.5\% of the plants mentioned are used for the management of inflammatory diseases, 34.7\% for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and 11.9\% of the plants are used for the treatment of both diseases. Euphorbiaceae (7.9\%) are the most frequently used families of plants for the treatment of the various types of diseases mentioned, followed by Caesalpiaceae, (4.9\%), Apocynoceae (4.9\%) and Poaceae (4.9\%). Fifty-nine recipes are usually prepared for the treatment of the six types of inflammatory diseases while twenty-three recipes are reportedly used for the treatment of the four types of cardiovascular diseases mentioned in this study. The recipes covered in the survey were mostly prepared from leaves (37.6\%) and roots (23.8\%) decoction or infusions. Medications are mostly administered orally with few numbers of the recipes showing side effect. Conclusion The study has documented indigenous plants in Ogbomoso as a potential source for the development of new drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
56. {van Andel}, Tinde and Myren, Britt and {van Onselen}, Sabine, Ghana's Herbal Market, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 140, no. 2, pp. 368--378, March 2012. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.028. Abstract
    Ethnopharmacological relevance Medicinal plant markets not only provide a snapshot of a country's medicinal flora, they also reflect local health concerns and the importance of traditional medicine among its inhabitants. This study aimed to describe and quantify the Ghanaian market in herbal medicine, and the diversity of the species traded, in order to evaluate their economic value. Materials and methods Initial visual surveys on the markets were followed by a detailed quantitative survey of 27 stalls in August 2010. Market samples were processed into herbarium vouchers and when possible matched with fertile vouchers from the field. Results We encountered 244 medicinal plant products, representing 186–209 species. Fourteen species were sold at more than 25\% of the market stalls. Seeds and fruits that doubled as spice and medicine (Xylopia aethiopica, Monodora myristica, Aframomum melegueta) were in highest demand, followed by the medicinal barks of Khaya senegalensis and Pteleopsis suberosa. Plants sold at the market were mostly used for women's health, in rituals, as aphrodisiacs and against sexually transmitted diseases. An estimated 951tons of crude herbal medicine were sold at Ghana's herbal markets in 2010, with a total value of around US\$ 7.8 million. Between 20 and 30\% of the Ghanaian medicinal flora was encountered during this survey. Roots were less dominant at the market than in dryer parts of Africa. Tons of Griffonia simplicifolia and Voacanga africana seeds and Fadogia agrestis bark are exported annually, but data on revenues are scanty. None of these species were sold on the domestic market. Conclusion Our quantitative market survey reveals that the trade in Ghanaian herbal medicine is of considerable economic importance. Regarding the specific demand, it seems that medicinal plants are used to complement or substitute Western medicine. Further research is needed on the ecological impact of medicinal plant extraction.
57. Hinojosa, Miguel and Moneo, Ignacio and Cuevas, Manuela and {Diaz-Mateo}, Pedro and Subiza, Javier and Losada, Eloy, Occupational Asthma Caused by Voacanga Africana Seed Dust, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 574--578, April 1987. doi: 10.1016/S0091-6749(87)80151-3. Abstract
    We report a case of a nonatopic patient in whom exposure to Voacanga africana (VA) dust precipitated asthma. The patient was indirectly exposed to this dust by her husband, a chemist working in a pharmaceutical plant in which VA is used for the production of vinburnine, an alkaloid derivative. Vinburnine (Cervoxan) is widely used in conditions associated with cerebral circulatory insufficiency. Studies revealed the presence of immediate skin test reactivity to VA dust, and specific anti-VA antibodies were detected in the patient's serum by the reverse enzyme immunoassay technique. Bronchial challenge with a VA extract also resulted in an immediate asthmatic response without late reaction. These findings suggest a type I IgE-mediated immunologic mechanism as being responsible for the patient's respiratory symptoms. Unexposed persons did not exhibit reactivity to this seed with any of the tests referred to above. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of occupational asthma caused by VA seeds.