Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench
| Botanical Name | Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Sorghum |
| Species: | S. bicolor |
| Common Names: | Great millet, Guinea corn, sweet sorghum (English), Sorgho (French). |
Plant Synonyms
Sorghum aethiopicum (Hack.) Rupr. Ex, Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf Stapf., Sorghum lanceolatum Stapf, Sorghum verticilliflorum (Steud.) Stapf., Sorghum virgatum (Hack.) Stapf
Plant Local Names
Burkina Faso: Moore - Baninga ou kazieega, Dioula - Gno wile, Fulfulde - Bayeri;ghaouri
Ghana: Dagare - Kazu Kpulekpule, Dagbani - Chi, Akan - Atoko
Mali: Bambara - Kenegue, Dogon - Eme, Senoufos - Kale Gue
Nigeria: Hausa - Chi Nduka, Kanuri - Mbio, Yoruba - Oka baba
Togo: Ewe - Adako, Mina - Ada, Ouatchi - Adadzen
Plant Habitat
S. bicolor is an African crop, which is widely distributed throughout the world. Different cultivars are found in different regions depending on the climate. It is adapted to a wider range of ecological conditions and is mostly a plant of hot, dry regions; still survives in cool weather as well as waterlogged habitats.
Plant Material of Interest
Leaf, Stem and seed
Plant Description
It is a cane-like grass, up to 6 m tall with large branched clusters of grains; individual grains are small, about 3-4 mm in diameter; varying in colour from pale yellow through reddish brown to dark brown depending on the cultivar, most cultivars are annuals, few are perennials; cultivated, most weedy sorghum are non- rhizomatous, culms nodes are either glabrous or shortly tomentose; inflorescence contracted, branches of the inflorescence alternate.
Plant Used Parts
Plant Uses
Reported to be antiabortive, cyanogenetic, demulcent," diuretic, emollient, intoxicant, and poison, sorghum is a folk remedy for cancer, epilepsy and stomachache (Duke and Wain, 1981). While the root is used for malaria in Zimbabwe, the seed is indicated for breast disorders and diarrheoa and the stem for tubercular swellings. In India, the plant is considered anthelmintic and insecticidal, and in South Africa, in combination with Erigeron canadense L., it is used for eczema. In China, where the seeds are used to make alcohol, the seed husk is braised in brown sugar with a little •water and applied to the chest of measles patients. The seeds are considered beneficial in fluxes (Perry, 1980). The leaf decoction is used to treat measles (Morton (1981), while a powdered mixture of the seeds and the calabash tree (Cresentia) is a treatment for lung ailments. In Venezuela, the seeds are toasted and pulverized for diarrhoea and in Brazil the seed decoction is used for bronchitis, cough and other chest ailments. Hot oil packs of the seeds are applied to the back of patients with pulmonary congestion. Grieve (1984), recommends that a decoction of about 50 g seed be boiled in a liter of water to about 1/2 liter for the treatment of kidney and urinary disorders.
Plant Therapeutic Action
Anti-oxidant, antianaemic, anticholesterolemic, anticarcinogenic, antiobesity, anticoagulant and aniviral
Plant Precaution for Use
Caution should be taken in infant patients
Plant Adverse Effect
Over dosage may lead to respiratory disorders
Plant Contraindication
Patients with respiratory difficulties
Plant Dosage Forms
Infusions; fluid extracts, tincture
Plant Dosage
Infusion: about 25 g per day
Fluid extract: about 25 ml daily
Tincture: 1:5, 90°/#alcohol 0.3-1.2 ml, max 25 ml per week
Plant Storage
Store in a cool dry place
Plant Chromatographic Fingerprint
Analytical TLC on silica gel G60 F254, 0.25 mm layer in petroleum ether (40-60 °C)/chloroform [2:8], detection in daylight, after spraying with anisaldehyde (0.5 ml) mixed with 10 ml glacial acetic acid, 85 ml methanol and 5 ml concentrated sulphuric acid and heated to 100- 110°C for 5-10 min. Presence of two characteristic spots with R|S 0.28 (orange) and 0 18 (yellow).
Plant Constituents
Alkaloids (hordenine), saponins, phytates, phenols, tannins, hydrocyanic acid, quinone, sorgoleone, dihydrosorgoleone, fibre; proteins; carbohydrates; saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (Mehmood et al., 2008; Oladiji et al., 2007; Hegde and Chandra, 2005; Morton, 1981; Barbosa et al., 2001).
Plant Pictures
Plant References
Al-Mamary, M., Al-habori, M., Al-Aghbari, A., Al- Obeidi, A. (2001). In vivo effects of dietary sorghum tannins on rabbit digestive enzymes and mineral absorption. Nutrition Research 21: 1393-1401.
Barbosa, L.C.D.A., Demuner, M.L.F.A.J., Pereira, A.A.D.S.C. (2001). Preparation and Phytotoxicity of sorgoleone analogues. Qui'mica Nova 24 (6).
Cho, S.H., Choi, Y., Ha, T.Y. (2000). In vitro and in vivo effects of proso millet, buckwheat and sorghum on cholesterol metabolism. FASEB Journal 14(4):A249.
Cousins, B.W., Tanksley, T.D., Knabe, D.A., Zebrowska, T. (1981). Nutrient digestibility and performance of pigs fed sorghums varying in tannin concentration. Journal of Animal Science 53:1524-1529.
Duke, J.A., wain, K.K. (1981).The medical plants of the world. Computer index with more than 85000 entries, Vol 3.
Falade, O.S., Otemuyiwa, I.O., Oladipo, A., Oyedapo, O.O. et al. (2005). The chemical composition and membrane stability activity of some herbs used in local therapy for anemia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 102:15-22.
Filho, I.C., Cortez, D.A.G., Ueda-Nakamura, T., Nakamura, C.V. et al. (2008). Antiviral activity and mode of action of a peptide isolated from Sorghum bicolor. Phytomedicine 15:202-208.
Grieve, M. (1984).A Modern Herbal, Penguin. ISBN 0-14-046-440-9.
Grimmer, H.R., Parbhoo, V., McGarth, R.M. (1992). Antimutagenicity of polyphenol-rich fractions from Sorghum bicolor grain. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 59:251-256.
Hegde, P.S., Chandra, T.S. (2005). ESR spectroscopic study reveals higher free radical quenching potential in kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) compared to other millets. Food Chemistry 92:177-182.