Kigelia Africana (The Sausage Tree): Naphthoquinone Lapachol, Iridoids, and Traditional Dermal Tissue Firming

The Sausage Tree of African River Valleys

Hanging from rope-like pedicels on massive trees across tropical Africa, the colossal woody fruits of Kigelia africana, known in English as the Sausage Tree and in Swahili as Mvungula, have been used for centuries by indigenous women across Tonga and Zulu cultures for natural skin firming.

1. Naphthoquinones & Steroidal Saponins

• Lapachol & Kigelinone:

• Steroidal Saponins & Flavones:

2. References & Academic Citations

• Houghton, P. J., et al. (2002). Activity of extracts of Kigelia africana against melanoma and other cancer cell lines. Planta Medica, 68(1), 14-20. [PubMed: 11842321]
• Saini, S., et al. (2009). Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. - An overview. Natural Product Radiance, 8(2), 190-197.

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