About Combretum molle R.Br. ex G.Don
Combretum molle, commonly known as the velvet bushwillow, is a medium to large tree species belonging to the genus Combretum. It occurs in western, eastern, and southern Africa. The larvae of two insect species, Parosmodes morantii and Acalyptris molleivora, feed on this tree. C. molle is recorded to contain antioxidant compounds including punicalagin. Punicalagin is also found in pomegranates (Punica granatum), which are a somewhat related plant in the order Myrtales. This tree also contains two 1alpha-hydroxycycloartenoid saponins: mollic acid glucoside and mollic acid 3β-D-xyloside. Extracts taken from the bark of C. molle show antibacterial, antifungal, and in vitro antiprotozoal activities. Mollic acid glucoside isolated from this species produces cardiovascular effects.
