*4.3.1 Secamone afzelii (Roem.* & *Schult.) K. Schum*

*S. afzelii,* is a familiar creeping woody climber found on fences, unkempt farm lands, on trees and grows to a very long length of about 2–3 cm. It is often seen as a nuisance to other plants because of its domineering spread wherever it grows. It is used in traditional medicine for stomach problems, diabetes, colic, dysentery and also for kidney problems. The whole plant boiled with rice is used as purgative for children. The decoction of the entire plant is prescribed for cough and catarrhal. For the treatment of gonorrhea, the whole plant is crushed with fresh palm nuts and oil [25]. A decoction of the whole plant is used as a galactagogue [26]. Studies have shown that *S. afzelli* has antimicrobial effects and also protect cells against damage by reactive oxygen species [27–30]. The anti-inflammatory property of the leaf extract has also been demonstrated [30] in a murine model. Kaempferol-3-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, rutin, myricetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-α-Lrhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-D-galactapyranoside, mauritianin, and vicenin-2 have been isolated from *S. afzelii* [26]. The methanol extracts of *S. afzelii* is reported to be toxic in *Artemia salina* [31]*.* 

#### **4.4 Costaceae**
