Pharmacological activities of baobab (adansonia digitata)

Background: Adansonia digitata also known as ‘’baobab’’ is a tree attracting recent interest especially due to the high nutritional value of the fruit pulp. However, few studies are reported on the secondary metabolite content, showing high variability depending on the geographical region. 
Methods: In this study, the chemical profiles of baobab fruits, leaves and bark were investigated by HPLC coupled with a photodiode array (PDA)/UV and an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer (MS) and gas chromatography (GC)/MS. 
Results: The phytochemical screening of the plant samples revealed that phenols, Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Tannin, Terpenoids and Cardiac glycoside were present. The presence of these compounds was known to show medicinal potentials as well as exhibiting physiological activity and this justified the use of baobab leaves as one of the major source of soup in African dishes. The results further implied that the species has potentials in food industry, pharmaceuticals and other allied industries.