title: An overview on Leucosidea sericea Eckl. & Zeyh.: A multi-purpose tree with potential as a phytomedicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leucosidea sericea (the sole species in this genus) is a tree species found in southern Africa and possesses several therapeutical effects against infectious diseases in humans and livestock. This review aims to document and summarize the botany, phytochemical and biological properties of Leucosidea sericea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the term 'Leucosidea sericea', we systematically searched literature including library catalogues, academic dissertations and databases such as PubMed, SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Wanfang. Taxonomy of the species was validated using 'The Plant List' (www.theplantlist.org).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leucosidea sericea remains a widely used species among the different ethnic groups in southern Africa. The species is a rich source of approximately 50 essential oils and different classes of phytochemicals (phenolics, phloroglucinols, cholestane triterpenoids, alkaloids and saponins) which may account for their diverse biological properties. Documented biological activities which were mainly observed under in vitro systems included antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and anti-inflammatory properties. Preliminary safety tests on Leucosidea sericea extracts suggest moderate cytotoxic effects based on a few cell lines that were investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leucosidea sericea possesses diverse medicinal potential with the antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities being the most prominent. The relative abundance and tendency of Leucosidea sericea to evade in nature suggest an abundant reservoir of raw materials for potential commercialization (upon validation of its pharmacological potential). However, more stringent investigations on the extracts (and isolated bioactive compounds) focusing on the mode of actions, which will inevitably unravel their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical relevance remain pertinent.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
authors.forename: Tshepiso C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Mafole
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. Electronic address: aremu@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Adeyemi O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Aremu
authors.affiliation: Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Thandekile
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mthethwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mack
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moyo
mesh_terms: D000353:Africa, Southern; D000818:Animals; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antimicrobial; Antioxidants; Essential oil; Natural product; Rosaceae; Toxicology