Black plum

A major ecdysteroid of the stem bark, studied for adaptogenic, anabolic and antidepressant-like activity; it is one of the phytoecdysteroids underlying the traditional use of the bark for nervous and general tonic purposes.

A hydroxylated ecdysteroid isolated alongside 20-hydroxyecdysone; ecdysteroids of this type are studied for anabolic and antioxidant effects.

One of the characterized ecdysteroids from V. doniana bark, contributing to the plant's ecdysteroid profile that varies with geographic provenance.

Flavonoids present across the plant's tissues account for much of its documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Detected in phytochemical screening of bark and leaf extracts; contribute to antimicrobial activity and to the foaming, emulsifying character of aqueous extracts.

The edible black plum fruit is a good dietary source of vitamin C along with minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium), supporting its food and nutritional value.

Astringent polyphenols consistent with the traditional use of bark decoctions for diarrhoea and wound care.

In Traditional African Medicine the bark is boiled in water and the decoction taken orally (or applied topically) for hypertension, epilepsy, spasms, insomnia and as an anti-infective. Preparation strength and dosing are empirical and not standardized.

Leaf preparations are used traditionally for fevers, inflammatory conditions and as a wash; leaves are also eaten as a cooked vegetable in parts of West Africa.

The sweet black ripe fruit is eaten fresh and is fermented or pressed into a juice, syrup or local wine; it is valued as a vitamin- and mineral-rich food.

Root decoctions feature in regional ethnomedicine for a range of complaints; these are traditional uses without formal dosing standards.

Three new phytoecdysteroids plus known ecdysteroids were isolated from the methanol stem-bark extract and produced antidepressant-like effects in the forced-swim and tail-suspension tests. Mechanistic experiments implicated alpha1/alpha2-adrenergic, 5-HT2, and dopamine D2 receptor systems.

Reports isolation and structural characterization of ecdysteroids (including 20-hydroxyecdysone, turkesterone and ajugasterone C) from the stem bark and documents that the ecdysteroid profile varies with geographic origin, relevant to the plant's medicinal standardization.

Vitex doniana ('black plum', dinya/dùn-yá) is a long-standing remedy across sub-Saharan Africa, with bark used for hypertension, epilepsy, convulsions, insomnia, depression and leprosy, and the fruit valued as food; documented through ethnobotanical surveys rather than a single classical text.