Cola nitida rubra, (seed)

Cola nitida rubra, Jiaogulan

Botanical

Ethnobotany

Traditionally used as a stimulant in Africa

Composition

-Polyphenols: flavonoids, catechols, epicatechol, proanthocyanidins

-flavonoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinines, terpenoids, alkanoids, caffeine, theobromine

-dimethylamine, methylamine, ethylamine, isopentylamine

studies

More than 3,300 studies confirm the growing interest in this nut with its powerful effects.

-Inflammation and nociception (inhibition of pain sensors) (1)

-Effect comparable to aspirin (1)

-Diarrhea (2)

-Neuroprotective, management of neurodegenerative diseases (3)

-Diabetes (4)

-Increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and glutathione level (5)

-Antioxidant, antidiabetic (5)

1. Adedayo LD, Ojo AO, Awobajo FO, Adeboye BA, Adebisi JA, Bankole TJ, Ayilara GO, Bamidele O, Aitokhuehi NG, Onasanwo SA. Methanol extract of Cola nitida ameliorates inflammation and nociception in experimental animals . Neurobiol Pain. 2019 Jan 21;5:100027. doi: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2019.100027. PMID: 31194116; PMCID: PMC6550122.

2. Owusu FWA, Asare CO, Enstie P, Adi-Dako O, Yeboah GN, Kumadoh D, Tetteh-Annor A, Amenuke EM, Karen M. Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Oral Capsules and Suspension from the Ethanolic Extract of Cola nitida Seeds for the Treatment of Diarrhea. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Jun 29;2021:6630449. doi:10.1155/2021/6630449. PMID: 34307662; PMCID: PMC8263271.

3. Oboh G, Ademosun AO, Ogunsuyi OB, Oyedola ET, Olasehinde TA, Oyeleye SI. In vitro anticholinesterase, antimonoamine oxidase and antioxidant properties of alkaloid extracts from kola nuts (Cola acuminata and Cola nitida) . J Complement Integr Med. 2018 Jul 18;16(1). doi: 10.1515/jcim-2016-0155. PMID: 30020887.

4. Erukainure OL, Sanni O, Ijomone OM, Ibeji CU, Chukwuma CI, Islam MS. The antidiabetic properties of the hot water extract of kola nut (Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl.) in type 2 diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Oct 5;242:112033. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112033. Epub 2019 Jun 18. PMID: 31220600.

5. Erukainure OL, Oyebode OA, Sokhela MK, Koorbanally NA, Islam MS. Caffeine - rich infusion from Cola nitida (kola nut) inhibits major carbohydrate catabolic enzymes; abates redox imbalance; and modulates oxidative dysregulated metabolic pathways and metabolites in Fe ²⁺ -induced hepatic toxicity. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Dec;96:1065-1074. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.120. Epub 2017 Dec 6. PMID: 29223552.

6.