Medicinal plant use in the Bredasdorp/Elim region of the Southern Overberg in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

There are many individuals in the Bredasdorp/Elim area who still use plants as medicines to treat many conditions. This study aimed to document some of this knowledge and present an inventory of all the plants in use in the area. Over 40 individuals were interviewed from old age homes, community centres for the elderly as well as people who were known for their knowledge in this matter. The information was gathered by means of questionnaires. In total, 36 plant species from 19 families were found to be in general use in the area. Only 58% of these plants are indigenous to South Africa, 33% are introduced species and 9% are naturalized species. The dominant families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Alliaceae and the Solanaceae. Many of the plants in use are commonly used in traditional medicine around South Africa and share many of the same uses. Some uses, which have not been seen in the consulted literature, have also been documented. A more structured questionnaire was used to determine which plants were most popular for particular ailments. It was found that Artemisia afra and Ruta graveolens were the most popular.     

中国鼠尾草属酚酸类活性成分的分布规律研究

唇形科鼠尾草属(Salvia)植物,在全球约有1000种,中国约有84种,资源丰富且分布广泛,尤以中国西南地区为多。本属是药用植物的一个重要类群。为了深入探讨本属植物在亲缘学、化学成分及传统疗效方面的联系,我们应用HPLC-DAD法检测了分布于本属的酚酸类成分。研究表明,本属植物所含酚酸类成分相当丰富,尤其是在宽球苏组和丹参组的植物中。这两个类群中的药用植物在传统疗效方面具有活血通经、通络的功效,在民间作为丹参使用的植物皆来自这两组。然而我们的实验数据表明,适合作丹参入药的植物仅仅限制在丹参组中。同时,鼠尾草亚属的植物在传统疗效方面具有清热、凉血的倾向,这类植物是寻找抗菌、抗病毒、抗癌等药物的重要研究对象。     

绵枣儿属药用植物化学成分和药理活性研究进展

绵枣儿属Scilla植物是百合科多年生草本,约90种,广布于欧洲、亚洲和非洲的温带地区,少数也见于热带山地。我国产1种和1变种,即绵枣儿和白绿绵枣儿。该属中多种植物可以药用,常被用于治疗跌打损伤,腰腿疼痛、筋骨痛等。该属植物的化学成分主要是尤可甾醇衍生的三萜及其糖苷、蟾蜍甾、高异黄酮、生物碱、二苯乙烯及少量的木脂素等。药理活性主要表现在抗菌、抗炎、抗氧化、抗肿瘤和糖苷酶抑制等方面。为了更好地开发利用本属药用植物,该文综述了其化学成分与药理活性的研究进展。     

中国鼠尾草属酚酸类活性成分的分布规律研究

唇形科鼠尾草属（Salvia）植物，在全球约有1000种，中国约有84种，资源丰富且分布广泛，尤以中国西南地区为多。本属是药用植物的一个重要类群。为了深入探讨本属植物在亲缘学、化学成分及传统疗效方面的联系，我们应用HPLC—DAD法检测了分布于本属的酚酸类成分。研究表明，本属植物所含酚酸类成分相当丰富，尤其是在宽球苏组和丹参组的植物中。这两个类群中的药用植物在传统疗效方面具有活血通经、通络的功效，在民间作为“丹参”使用的植物皆来自这两组。然而我们的实验数据表明，适合作“丹参”入药的植物仅仅限制在丹参组中。同时，鼠尾草亚属的植物在传统疗效方面具有清热、凉血的倾向，这类植物是寻找抗菌、抗病毒、抗癌等药物的重要研究对象。     

The pharmacological effects of Salvia species on the central nervous system

Salvia is an important genus consisting of about 900 species in the family Lamiaceae. Some species of Salvia have been cultivated world wide for use in folk medicine and for culinary purposes. The dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, for example, has been used extensively for the treatment of coronary and cerebrovascular disease, sleep disorders, hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis, chronic renal failure, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, carbuncles and ulcers. S. officinalis, S. leriifolia, S. haematodes, S. triloba and S. divinorum are other species with important pharmacological effects. In this review, the pharmacological effects of Salvia species on the central nervous system will be reviewed. These include sedative and hypnotic, hallucinogenic, skeletal muscle relaxant, analgesic, memory enhancing, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective and antiparkinsonian activity, as well as the inhibition of ethanol and morphine withdrawal syndrome.     

The in vitro pharmacological activities and a chemical investigation of three South African Salvia species

Salvia species (sage) are well known in folk medicine throughout the world. In South Africa sage is used against fever and digestive disorders. Three closely related South African species (Salvia stenophylla, Salvia repens and Salvia runcinata) were investigated for their anti-oxidant (DPPH assay); anti-inflammatory (5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase assays); antimalarial (tritiated hypoxanthine incorporation assay); antimicrobial (disc diffusion and micro-dilution assays) properties and toxicity profile (tetrazolium-based assay). The solvent extracts exhibited anti-oxidant, antimalarial and antibacterial and poor anti-inflammatory properties. The essential oils exhibited anti-inflammatory and antimalarial properties, but displayed poor anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity. The extract of Salviastenophylla and the essential oil of Salvia runcinata displayed the highest toxicity profile. Overall, Salvia runcinata displayed the most favorable activity of all three taxa tested with an IC(50) value of 6.09 (anti-oxidant); 29.05 (antimalarial) and 22.82 microg/ml (anti-inflammatory). Analytical procedures (GC-MS and HPLC-UV) were employed to generate chromatographic profiles for the essential oils and solvent extracts respectively. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid in all three taxa while carnosic acid was only present in Salvia repens and Salvia stenophylla. The GC-MS analysis showed that oils were qualitatively and quantitatively variable. beta-Caryophyllene was present in large amounts in all three taxa. Other components present include camphor, alpha-pinene and alpha-bisabolol. The results of the in vitro pharmacological activities provide a scientific basis to validate the use of these Salvia species in traditional medicine in South Africa.     

'Buchu' -Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata (Rutaceae): a review

South Africa has offered the world two indigenous aromatic plants from which commercially important natural products have been developed: Pelargonium graveolens (and its hybrids) the source of geranium oil and Agathosma betulina, from which 'Buchu' oil is produced. Despite the historical use of 'Buchu' and the commercial interest developed around this coveted indigenous resource the (limited) research has not been coherently assembled. This overview aims to unite aspects on the botany, traditional and modern day uses, chemistry and pharmacological data on 'Buchu' which is undeniably one of South Africa's most renowned botanical assets.     

鹅掌柴属化学成分与药理活性研究进展

鹅掌柴属Schefflera植物是五加科Araliaceae无刺乔木或灌木,广泛分布于两半球的热带与亚热带区域,在中国主要分布于西南与东南地区。该属中多种植物可以药用,常被用于治疗风湿痹痛、跌打肿痛、骨折、头痛、牙痛、腰痛、脘腹疼痛等多种疼痛。该属植物的化学成分主要是三萜及其皂苷类,除此还有长链化合物、甾体及其苷类、倍半萜、有机酸、苄苷类、单糖及寡糖、木脂素、醌类、二萜等。药理活性主要表现在镇痛抗炎、抗肿瘤、抗菌抗病毒、受体结合活性、抗过敏、抗疟疾等方面。为了更好的开发利用本属药用植物,该文综述了该属植物的化学成分与药理活性的研究进展。     

Sideritis spp.: uses, chemical composition and pharmacological activities--a review

The genus Sideritis (Lamiaceae) comprises more than 150 perennial and annual vegetal species widely distributed in the Mediterranean area, together with Canary and Madeira islands. It is a controversial botanic genus, with a complex taxonomical classification due to the high number of hybridizations that occur between species; their study requires a deep research experience. Sideritis species have been traditionally used as teas for feeding, flavoring agents and in folk medicine as antiinflammatory, antiulcerative, antimicrobial, vulnerary, antioxidant, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, analgesic and carminative agents.The chemical components found in Sideritis genus include terpenes, flavonoids, essential oil, iridoids, coumarins, lignanes and sterols, among others. Diterpenes, flavonoids and essential oil occur in almost every species and are the main compounds responsible for the observed in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activities.The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview on the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects from the genus Sideritis, with the objective of establishing scientific basis that explains its ethnopharmacological use.     

Phytochemistry and biological activities of Phlomis species

The genus Phlomis L. belongs to the Lamiaceae family and encompasses 100 species native to Turkey, North Africa, Europe and Asia. It is a popular herbal tea enjoyed for its taste and aroma. Phlomis species are used to treat various conditions such as diabetes, gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, inflammation, and wounds. This review aims to summarize recent research on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of the genus Phlomis, with particular emphasis on its ethnobotanical uses. The essential oil of Phomis is composed of four chemotypes dominated by monoterpenes (α-pinene, limonene and linalool), sesquiterpenes (germacrene D and β-caryophyllene), aliphalic compounds (9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester), fatty acids (hexadecanoic acid) and other components (trans-phytol, 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol). Flavonoids, iridoids and phenylethyl alcohol constitute the main compounds isolated from Phlomis extracts. The pharmacological activities of some Phlomis species have been investigated. They are described according to antidiabetic, antinociceptive, antiulcerogenic, protection of the vascular system, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.     

A review of the medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Sapium

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Several species from the genus Sapium possess a broad range of medicinal properties and they have been used as traditional medicines by indigenous groups in several regions such as Malaysia, Africa, Southern China and Bolivia. Most of the species reported to possess therapeutic effects which are used for the treatment of skin-related diseases such as eczema and dermatitis, but they may also be used for overstrain, lumbago, constipation and hernia. Species of this genus are also used to treat wounds and snake bites. In addition, the saps/latex of Sapium glandulosum, Sapium indicum and Sapium sebiferum have/has toxic effects and are used as bird and fish poisons. This review discusses the current knowledge of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicities of species from the genus Sapium to reveal their therapeutic potentials and gaps offering opportunities for future research.

Materials and methods

This review is based on a literature study of scientific journals and books from libraries and electronic sources, such as ScienceDirect, PubMed and ACS.

Results

As many as 65 compounds are included in this review. They belong to different classes of compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids and several other types of compounds, such as alkaloids, phenolic acids and amides. The pharmacological studies revealed that various types of preparations, extracts and single compounds of species from this genus exhibited a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. However, Sapium glandulosum, Sapium indicum and Sapium sebiferum were reported to possess toxic effects and Sapium sebiferum was found to contain phorbol esters acting as a tumor-promoting agent.

Conclusion

The genus Sapium consists of 23 accepted (high confidence) species. However, only very few of species have been phytochemically and pharmacologically studied. There is great potential to discover new chemical constituents from this genus because only a few species have been phytochemically investigated thus far. Only 27 compounds of 65 identified compounds have been studied for their biological activities. Several extracts and single compounds from this genus were reported to exhibit interesting biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, the toxicity studies of some phorbol esters suggested that the compounds acted as potential tumor-promoting agents by stimulating protein kinase C. This is an interesting fact in which a plant with medicinal properties also possesses toxic effects as well. Therefore, more clinical studies on the toxicity of the extracts of the plants and the compounds isolated from this genus are also crucial to ensure their safety and to assess their eligibility for use as sources for modern medicines.     

Ethnobotany,phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Caragana used in traditional Chinese medicine

The genus Caragana is a member of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae and is native to arid and semi-arid areas of the temperate zones of Asia and Eastern Europe. Many species are cultured for dune-fixation, livestock forage and biological resources for fuel energy and fiber production. More than 10 species in this genus have a long history of use in traditional Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan medicines and are believed to “nourish yin, invigorate the spleen, temper the blood and promote blood flow”. They have been used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments including fevers, inflammation, wounds and infections, dizziness, headache, hypertension, female disorders, arthritis and cancer. Over 100 phytochemicals have been identified with flavonoids and stilbenoids being the major constituents of this genus. Clinical studies have demonstrated the pharmacological activities of different Caraganum species, e.g. Caragana sinica for the treatment of hypertension, and in vivo and/or in vitro studies have provided some support for other traditional uses, e.g. anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, immunostimulant and immunosuppressant activities. However, further studies to identify the active components and further verify the pharmacological activities are warranted. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Caragana.     

Evaluation of the antimycobacterium activity of the constituents from Ocimum basilicum against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ocimum basilicum belongs to the genus Ocimum (Lamiaceae). Many species of this genus including O. basilicum have been traditionally used for the treatment of a variety of diseases including respiratory diseases and symptoms of tuberculosis.     

Unraveling the medicinal potential of South African Aloe species

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Aloe species (family: Xanthorrhoeaceae) are widely used in ethnomedicine for treating various ailments. Approximately 125 Aloe taxa are documented as indigenous to South Africa. This review was aimed at critically evaluating the available data on the ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacological activities, safety and conservation status of the documented South African Aloe species.

Materials and methods

A detailed search using major electronic search engines (such as Google Scholar, Scopus and Scirus) and ethnobotanical literature was undertaken. Search terms used included ‘medicinal properties of Aloe species’, ‘biological activity of South African Aloe species’ and ‘safety and toxicological evaluation of aloes’.

Results

Although Aloe species are widely used as laxatives and for treating wound and skin-related ailments, only about 20% of South African Aloe species have been clearly documented for their medicinal uses. The pharmacological potential including the antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antiplasmodial and anthelmintic activities of some of the species has been established, providing a rationale for their use in traditional medicine. Successful micropropagation protocols have been developed as a conservation strategy, but only for a few species.

Conclusions

The highlighted medicinal activities of some Aloe species indicate their therapeutic potential. Nonetheless, further research especially on the understudied species is required to properly document their ethnomedicinal uses and fully explore their pharmacological value.     

紫堇属藏药的化学与药理学研究进展

我国有紫堇属植物约298种,其中特有10组219种,广泛用于藏医藏药。紫堇属藏药主要用于感冒发烧、肝炎、水肿、胃炎、胆囊炎、高血压等多种疾病。其化学成分主要为异喹啉生物碱。现代药理学研究表明紫堇属植物对心血管系统、中枢神经系统、抗菌、镇痛、抗炎、保肝、抗氧化等,皆有明显的作用。该文对我国紫堇属藏药的种属、分布、化学成分、药理活性等进行系统综述,并对其相关研究现状和前景进行了展望,以期为紫堇属藏药的深入研究和开发利用提供参考。     

The potential of South African plants against Mycobacterium infections

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In South Africa, tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most commonly notified disease and the fifth largest cause of mortality, with one in ten cases of TB resistant to treatment in some areas. Many plants are used locally in traditional medicine to treat TB-related symptoms. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim was to summarize currently available knowledge on South African plants used to treat TB symptoms, and antimycobacterial efficacy of plant-derived extracts and compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The traditional uses of plants for respiratory ailments and TB were collated and tabulated. The antimycobacterial activity tests of extracts and chemical constituents of several of these plants and others using different methods and target organisms were summarized. RESULTS: Almost 180 plants used for TB-related symptoms in South African traditional medicine were documented. About 30% of these have been tested for antimycobacterial efficacy, mostly against fast-growing, non-pathogenic Mycobacterium species. CONCLUSIONS: Many plant species are used in traditional South African medicine to alleviate symptoms of TB, and several interesting leads have originated for further inquiry following in vitro antimycobacterial activity evaluation. However, much work remains to be done on the systematic assessment of anti-TB efficacy of local plants against pathogenic Mycobacterium species, both in vitro and in vivo.     

South African Helichrysum species: a review of the traditional uses, biological activity and phytochemistry

Aims of the study

In South Africa, the genus Helichrysum is widely used in traditional medicine. The uses are well documented although renaming of species and the resulting confusing taxonomic nomenclature may cause uncertainty as to which specific species was referred to in some reports. The aim of this paper is to present a collated and coherent overview of the documented traditional uses of Helichrysum species and to update the botanical identity of previously studied species.

Materials and methods

Databases (Scifinder, ISI Web of Knowledge) and several books were used to collect in information on South African Helichrysum species.

Results

The traditional uses, chemistry and biological activity of Helichrysum species have been summarized. It was attempted to give clarity as to exactly which species is refer to in the ethnobotanical literature.

Conclusions

Although a large number of ethnopharmacological uses have been documented and the chemistry of the genus has been studied extensively, only a few South African species have been investigated for their biological activity.     

Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the genus Ehretia Linn.

The plants of the genus Ehretia Linn.composed of about 50 species mainly distributed in tropical Asia and Africa.They have been used as folk medicines or traditional tea to treat various ailments in China for a long time.This contribution reviews the chemical constituents isolated from the plants of the genus Ehretia Linn.and related biological activities of these species in the past few decades.The compounds in the genus mainly belong to the classes of phenolic acids,flavonoids,benzoquinones,cyanogenetic g...     

Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from Ehretia Linn.

The plants of the genus Ehretia Linn. composed of about 50 species mainly distributed in tropical Asia and Africa. They have been used as folk medicines or traditional tea to treat various ailments in China for a long time. This contribution reviews the chemical constituents isolated from the plants of the genus Ehretia Linn. and related biological activities of these species in the past few decades. The compounds in the genus mainly belong to the classes of phenolic acids, flavonoids, benzoquinones, cyanogenetic glycosides, and fatty acids. The main biological activities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antisnake venom, and anti-allergic activities.     

Medicinal plants used for menstrual disorders in Latin America,the Caribbean,sub-Saharan Africa,South and Southeast Asia and their uterine properties: A review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Menstrual disorders are generally not perceived as major health concerns by global health organizations, despite being disruptive to women?s daily activities, particularly when access to sanitary facilities or analgesics is limited. Improving menstrual health requires access to safe and effective medication, but many women in Latin America, Africa or Asia prefer traditional medicine above modern remedies (such as contraceptives), as they can cause physical symptoms associated with fertility loss. Many medicinal plants are used for menstrual disorders, but few have been examined for their pharmacological activities related to traditional uses. Plants that have a smooth muscle-relaxant effect could ease menstrual cramps, but there are indications that dysmenorrhea in low-income countries is commonly treated with emmenagogues. This review aims to assess the most salient plants used to treat menstrual morbidity in Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, their uterine properties and adverse effects. To test whether plants used for painful menstruation could have uterine contracting properties, we recorded whether these species were also used to ease birth, induce menstruation, abortion or expel the afterbirth, as these suggest spasmogenic activities.

Materials and methods

We reviewed the literature documenting traditional plant use in the study area for dysmenorrhea, regulating or inducing menstruation, uterine cleansing, uterine fibroids, expelling the placenta and lochia and for easing childbirth. Thirty genera (59 species) used in at least two continents or frequently throughout one continent, where shortlisted from the 90 most salient plant species emerging from our literature review. Using Medline, we searched for pharmacological properties and/or mechanisms of action relevant to their traditional uses of the shortlisted species. We searched VigiBase™, the WHO global individual case safety report database, on reported adverse drug reactions associated with these species.

Results

More than 2000 plant species are used for menstrual disorders in the study area. The most salient uses are to treat painful menstruation, induce or regulate menses, and induce abortion. Around half (29) of the 59 most salient species have been tested for their pharmacological effects, of which 48% act as uterine spasmolytics and 31% as uterine spasmogenics. Several frequently used species contain toxic constituents, which may put women and their unborn children at serious risk. VigiBase^TM listed adverse drug reactions for 18 of these species, but few reports came from the study area.

Conclusions

Research into the risks and benefits of medicinal plants for menstrual complaints should be given a higher priority in reproductive health programs that respect traditional knowledge and practices. Increased data collection is needed on adverse drug reactions among women using herbal medicines for reproductive health, especially in countries with limited reproductive health facilities.