Kigelia africana, commonly known as the sausage tree, has a long history of use in traditional African medicine for the treatment of wounds and sores. Traditional healers have used topical preparations of the fruit, bark, and leaves to promote healing and prevent infection. This ethnomedicinal application has prompted scientific investigations into the plant’s wound-healing properties.

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have provided evidence supporting the use of Kigelia africana in wound management. Extracts from the fruit and bark have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against common wound pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some animal studies have shown accelerated wound contraction and improved re-epithelialization in rodents treated with Kigelia africana extracts compared to controls. Phytochemical analyses attribute these effects to compounds such as iridoids, flavonoids, and naphthoquinones, which possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

However, while laboratory and animal data are promising, high-quality human clinical trials are limited. Most available evidence is preclinical, and further research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety in humans. Nonetheless, the combination of traditional use and emerging scientific data provides moderate support (evidence rating: 3) for the use of Kigelia africana in supporting wound healing and treating sores.