Combretum kraussii Hochst. (Combretaceae): Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties

<i>Combretum kraussii </i>Hochst. is a small to medium-sized tree, widely used in traditional medicine in Southern Africa. This study was aimed at reviewing the medicinal applications, chemical and biological properties of <i>C. kraussii</i>. Information on medicinal uses, chemical and biological properties of <i>C. kraussii</i> was collected from several online databases such as ScienceDirect^®, PubMed^®, Web of Science, SpringerLink^®, Google Scholar, Scopus^® and SciELO, as well as pre-electronic literature sources such as book chapters, books and other scientific publications obtained from the university library. The findings highlight the use of the bark, branches, leaves and roots of <i>C. kraussii</i> as an appetite stimulant, snakebite antidote and tonic and traditional medicine for body and leg pains, cleansing body and urinary systems, fever, stomachache and wounds. Chemical compounds identified from <i>C. kraussii </i>include aglycones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, lactones, phytosterols, steroids, stilbenoids, tannins and triterpenoids. The phytochemical compounds isolated from <i>C. kraussii</i> and its crude extracts exhibited alpha-glucosidase inhibitory, anticancer, anti-cholinesterase, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antischistosomal and oxytocic activities. Future research on <i>C. kraussii</i> should focus on detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations, as well as <i>in vivo</i> and clinical studies.