Traditional Uses, Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Activity of Morella salicifolia (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Verdc. & Polhill: Current Status and Future Perspectives
摘要
Morella salicifolia (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Verdc. & Polhill is a plant species in the family Myricaceae. Traditionally, it has been used to treat various illnesses, including tonsillitis, throat infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, dysentery, headache, inflammation, respiratory disorders, malaria, joint pain, chest congestion, rheumatism, trypanosomiasis, fever, abdominal pain, nervous disorders and diabetes. This review aims to provide in-depth, up-to-date information on the medicinal potential of M. salicifolia, highlighting its benefits, challenges and possible future opportunities. The information regarding M. salicifolia was gathered from various reliable databases using the term “Morella salicifolia” and encompassing the time period from 2000 to 2025. The information obtained from the databases was analyzed manually and subsequently used to write this review. It was found that M. salicifolia exhibits substantial variations in pharmacological activities attributed to the diversity of phytochemicals among the plant parts. The plant’s geographical location, maturity, season of sample collection, extracting solvents and extraction techniques are among the factors that influence the discrepancies in phytoconstituents, which are responsible for pharmacological effects. This review demonstrates that M. salicifolia is a promising medicinal plant with therapeutic potential, offering opportunities for use in healthcare to mitigate various medical conditions. However, multidisciplinary collaboration and clinical verification are required to transform traditional knowledge into modern therapeutic practice.