Mondia whitei is a popular medicinal plant that is endemic to Africa. It has been used by Africans to treat various ailments, such as anorexia, stress, bilarcia and sexual dysfunction, as well as for general aches and pains.
Mondia whitei
has horticultural, nutritional and other sociocultural values, as reported in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi. In African countries, it is used for medicinal purposes, the most commonly cited use being as an aphrodisiac.Globally, the commercialization of plants is gaining increasing interest and popularity. Researchers have evaluated the effectiveness of most of these statements by analyzing M. Whitei for its biological activities, such as its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic efficacy, as well as aphrodisiac. To ensure sustainable use and obtain maximum economic benefits, it is necessary to have empirical information that details their ethnobotanical values, their state of conservation and their commercial potential.
Traditional African healers also treat seizures in children and stress and tension in adults with Mondia whitei root concoctions. In fact, many herbalists in Africa say that this plant can provide strength, energy, endurance and can improve mental well-being. Some herbalists recommend taking the Mondia whitei concoction to improve sleep and relieve labor pains. It is also reported that some traditional healers use Mondia whitei to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases that are starting to emerge in African countries.
Due to its wide use in traditional African medicine, Mondia whitei has become an endangered species. From the point of view of health benefits, the root is the most important part of the plant with the highest concentration of plant chemicals. Studies have shown that chronic treatment of rats with Mondia whitei induced a significant increase in serum and testicular testosterone levels, testicular protein content, and sperm density. This increase in sperm density observed in the tail of the epididymis of treated rats confirmed the androgenic effect of Mondia whitei.
Scientific studies have shown that Mondia whitei is rich in bioactive medicinal compounds such as sterols, tritapenes, alkaloids, saponins, tarnines, flavanoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols and terpenoids. In addition to its benefit to the male reproductive system where there is clinical and scientific evidence that ingesting Mondia whitei improves the volume and quality of sperm production; there are several key benefits of Mondia whitei. These include its use as an aphrodisiac for the treatment of impotence and infertility; its use to treat tension, stress and depression; its use to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases; its use to provide strength, energy and endurance; its use to improve mental well-being; its use to improve sleep; and its use to relieve labor pains. To overcome the problem of overexploitation of Mondia whitei due to its increasing popularity for commercial purposes; several authors have suggested solutions such as replacing plants or parts of plants or applying biotechnological techniques such as micropropagation and villous roots.
However sustainable harvesting and a feasible conservation strategy for the species remain a major challenge. It is strongly recommended that more attention be paid towards its conservation in order to exploit its economic potential while ensuring sustainable use.
