Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties of Scorodophloeus zenkeri

Scorodophloeus zenkeri is an aromatic plant of the Caesalpiniaceae family distributed exclusively in a few countries in tropical Africa. The literature provides little information on S. zenkeri. Hence the idea to list in this mini-review the scientific data of ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and biological activity studies published on this plant. The majority of the ethnobotanical data collected reveals that S. zenkeri is used in the food, medicinal, stimulant, condiment, construction, and carpentry sectors. Furthermore, phytochemical studies show that S. zenkeri is a source of phytoconstituents and/or nutrients (proteins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, mineral salts, antioxidants, etc.) that are essential in nutrition and/or can be used in food (as a food additive), pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, most phytochemical studies carried out on S. zenkeri focus only on its essential oils and show that the latter is composed mainly of sulfur compounds which are responsible for the aromatic potential (flavor and odor) of extracts from this plant. In addition, various scientific data from biological screenings carried out on S. zenkeri indicate that the extracts of this plant have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. The essential oils of S. zenkeri are considered to be responsible for most of the pharmacological actions reported on this plant. S. zenkeri has, in addition to the flavor it imparts to foods, an interesting nutritional potential and is a source of proteins, essential fatty and amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals. It also has interesting functional properties and pharmacological virtues.