Male Kola

Traditionally used to treat illness by African medicinemen, trials on the plant have shown promising signs it may benefit ebola victims by slowing down multiplication of the virus, giving the victim's body more time to develop a proper autoimmune response. The active compound responsible for its curative properties is a dimeric flavonoid, much like those found in orange and lemon rinds, and yields to modification, so even if this particular plant cannot cure ebola on its own, it provides the foundation from which scientists can discover a cure. Studies, if successful, could spill over to other types of antiviral treatment.

An examination of fresh male kola nuts for caffeine gave negative results, the chloroform, ether and alcoholic percolates being all free from alkaloid. Besides coloring matter, tannin and glucose, two resins were separated. One of these was brown, hygrometric and soluble in ether and melted at the temperature of the water-bath; the other was yellowish-white, soluble in ether, alcohol, acetone and acetic acid, insoluble in carbon bisulphide or petroleum spirit, and had a high melting point. More