*4.7.2 Gossypium herbaceum L. (Malvaceae)*

*G. herbaceum* is an erect, shrubby, hairy plant that grows up to 2–8 m high [79]. The decoction of this plant is used traditionally across West Africa as an aphrodiasiac, galactagogue, spermatogenic, expectorant, laxative, demulcent, emenagogue, dysmenorrhea, and for the expulsion of retained placenta [80, 81]. In human studies *G. herbaceum* was shown to be efficacious, safe and cost effective in augmenting lactation in perceived insufficient milk supply [9]. This plant is known to contain carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, phenolics, sitosterol, ergosterol, lipids, gossypol, oleic, palmitic and linoleic acid [79]. Extracts from this plant and it active constituents gossypol have shown anticancer, anti-infertility, anti-malarial, anti-oxidant, anti-trypanosomal, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-viral, hepatoprotective and anti-depressant activities in animal models [16, 82, 83].

#### **4.8 Moraceae**

#### *4.8.1 Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg*

*M. excelsa* is commonly known as odum or iroko in Ghana. It is a large, dioecious tree that grows up to 50 m high [84]. This plant is widely used in African folk medicine as a decoction to treat several ailments. A root decoction is taken to treat female sterility. A decoction of the root and stem bark is taken as an aphrodisiac. The extracts from the bark are taken to treat cough, asthma, heart trouble, lumbago, spleen pain, stomach pain, abdominal pain, edema, ascites, dysmenorrhea, gonorrhea, general fatigue, rheumatism, sprains, and as a galactagogue, aphrodisiac, tonic and purgative. Also the stem bark preparations are topically applied to treat scabies, wounds, and loss of hair, fever, venereal diseases and sprains. They are applied as an enema to cure piles, diarrhea and dysentery. The latex is applied on burns, wounds, sores, eczema and on other skin problems as well as taken to treat type 2 diabetes [85, 86]. Additionally, it is taken against stomach problems, hypertension, tumors, and obstruction of the throat and as a galactagogue [87]. Leaves are eaten to treat insanity; a leaf maceration is drunk as a galactagogue. A decoction of the leaves is taken for the treatment of gallstones. Leaf preparations are externally applied to treat snakebites and fever and as eye drops to treat filariasis. Alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins are present as well as triterpenes and glycosides [79, 88]. The leaf extract of *M. excelsa* is reported to be safe in rodents [79, 89, 90].

#### *4.8.2 Ficus sp. L.*

 Ficus species comprises one of the largest genera of angiosperms with more than 800 species of trees, shrubs, hemiepiphytes, climbers, and creepers in the tropics and subtropics worldwide [91]. The bark, root, leaves, fruit and latex of this plant are frequently used for the treatment of various illnesses including gastrointestinal, liver, venereal, respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. It is used in traditional medicine as a galactagogue [92]. The fresh juice (50–100 ml) of leaves of *F. racemosa* L. is given with water for about 10 days to treat gastrointestinal problems. Bark of *F. arnottiana* and *F. hispida* shows hypoglycaemic activity. Roots of *F. bengalensis* show anthelmintic activity. This extract is also reported to inhibit insulinase activity from liver and kidney. Fruit extracts exhibits antitumor activity. Various pharmacological actions such as anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, lipid lowering and antifungal activities have been described for *F. exasperata*. Ethanolic leaf extract of *F. exasperata* shows anti-bacterial activity. Leaves exhibit hypotensive activity. Ethanolic and aqueous wood extracts of *F. glomerata* shows Anti-HIV-1 integrase activity. *F. religiosa* is reported to be used for the treatment of asthma, cough, sexual disorders, diarrhea, hematuria, ear-ache and toothache, migraine, eye troubles, gastric problems and scabies; leaf decoction has been used as an analgesic for toothache; fruits for the treatment of asthma, other respiratory disorders and scabies; stem bark is used in gonorrhea, bleeding, paralysis, diabetes, diarrhea, bone fracture, antiseptic, astringent and antidote. Fruit of *F. carica* shows spasmolytic activity, mediated through the activation of K+ -ATP channels along with anti-platelet activity. Hence, it can be used in gut motility and inflammatory disorders [93]. Most species of Ficus contain phenolic compounds, organic acids, and volatile compounds [91]. Some species have been reported not to be toxic in rodents [93].
