Schumanniophyton

In a paper on the genus Mostuea (Gelsemiaceae) French botanist, taxonomist and explorer Auguste Chevalier (1873–1956) quotes the Catholic priest and renowned authority on Gabonese language and culture, Father André Raponda-Walker (1871–1968) as placing an unnamed Gabonese species of Schumanniophyton in the same class of sleep-dispelling, aphrodisiac and hallucinogenic plants as Tabernanthe iboga (Apocynaceae) and Mostuea batesii (syn. M. stimulans). The passage runs as follows:

"This root" [that of Mostuea batesii] (writes Father Walker) "is considered to possess an action comparable to those of Tabernanthe iboga and Schumanniophyton. It is a potent aphrodisiac and also a stimulant. During nights set aside for dancing, the Blacks chew the roots, whole or grated, to drive away sleep. But the majority consume them during their dances - either on their own or mixed with Iboga - for the sexual excitement which they cause. Excessive use of this drug can lead to cerebral troubles". [translated from the French of Auguste Chevalier]^[3]

The aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum demonstrated aphrodisiac effects in an in vivo study.  Specifically, the extract significantly increased mount, ejaculation, and intromission frequencies in male rats compared to a control group. It also significantly doubled serum testosterone levels (2.15 ± 0.70 ng/ml).  UHPLC/MS analysis of the extract identified seven major compounds, including Schumanniofioside A, Noreugenin, and Rohitukine, which possess antioxidant and antibacterial properties.  Additionally, the extract significantly increased penile nitric oxide levels (P < 0.05). These effects were comparable to those observed with sildenafil citrate, suggesting S. magnificum extract may be a potential alternative for managing erectile dysfunction.  This study provides the first scientific investigation into the folkloric use of S. magnificum as an aphrodisiac by the "Baka" Pygmies of Cameroon.^[4]

Analyses of Schumanniophyton magnificum have yielded a variety of chromone alkaloids, including schummaniophytine, isoschummaniophytine, N-methyl schummaniophytine, schumaginine, and schumannificine, as well as the related bases trigonelline, rohitukine, and the chromone noreugenin. The n-butanol extract of the root bark of the Cameroonian species has also been shown to contain new chromone glycosides and schummaniofioside A and B.^[2]