J O Erhabor1, R Komakech2, Y Kang3, M Tang4, M G Matsabisa5. 1. IKS Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, Free State, South Africa; Phytomedicine Unit, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, PMB, 1154, Benin City, Nigeria. 2. University of Science & Technology (UST), Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korean Convergence Medicine Major, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 111 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si, Republic of Korea; Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute (NCRI), Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 4864, Kampala, Uganda. 3. University of Science & Technology (UST), Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korean Convergence Medicine Major, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 111 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China. 5. IKS Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, Free State, South Africa. Electronic address: matsabisamg@ufs.ac.za.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw. (resurrection plant) is a desiccant-tolerant, woody, and shrubby plant. It is popularly used as a local medicinal herbal tea in South Africa, other Southern Africa nations, and Central Africa. M. flabellifolius is used in treating several ailments including epilepsy, mental disorder, cough, pain, stroke, shingles, diabetes, hypertension, wounds, asthma, kidneys and chest ailments. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review focuses on the botanical description, distribution, conservation status, ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacological properties of M. flabellifolius to spur further research that will promote its sustainable harvesting and commercialization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search on diverse scientific databases, including Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, theses, dissertations and ethnobotanical textbooks, were conducted. RESULTS: The conducted search reveals that M. flabellifolius has many traditional uses that can be categorized into infectious diseases, Well-being, respiratory, inflammation, wound and kidney ailments. M. flabellifolius is a natural caffeine-free medicinal herbal tea reported to have antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties. Toxicological tests on M. flabellifolius were found scarce with gaps in genotoxicological and in vivo studies. Essential oils and isolated compounds were identified from M. flabellifolius with biological activities such as anticancer, antiinflammation, antimicrobial, antiarthritic, antiulcer, antioxidant and antiviral properties. CONCLUSION: It is envisaged that the current review will add value to more scientific research on M. flabellifolius and enhance/promote the increased interest in the sustainable commercialization of M. flabellifolius herbal tea as well as lead to the validation of unverified ethnobotanical claims.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw. (resurrection plant) is a desiccant-tolerant, woody, and shrubby plant. It is popularly used as a local medicinal herbal tea in South Africa, other Southern Africa nations, and Central Africa. M. flabellifolius is used in treating several ailments including epilepsy, mental disorder, cough, pain, stroke, shingles, diabetes, hypertension, wounds, asthma, kidneys and chest ailments. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review focuses on the botanical description, distribution, conservation status, ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacological properties of M. flabellifolius to spur further research that will promote its sustainable harvesting and commercialization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search on diverse scientific databases, including Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, theses, dissertations and ethnobotanical textbooks, were conducted. RESULTS: The conducted search reveals that M. flabellifolius has many traditional uses that can be categorized into infectious diseases, Well-being, respiratory, inflammation, wound and kidney ailments. M. flabellifolius is a natural caffeine-free medicinal herbal tea reported to have antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties. Toxicological tests on M. flabellifolius were found scarce with gaps in genotoxicological and in vivo studies. Essential oils and isolated compounds were identified from M. flabellifolius with biological activities such as anticancer, antiinflammation, antimicrobial, antiarthritic, antiulcer, antioxidant and antiviral properties. CONCLUSION: It is envisaged that the current review will add value to more scientific research on M. flabellifolius and enhance/promote the increased interest in the sustainable commercialization of M. flabellifolius herbal tea as well as lead to the validation of unverified ethnobotanical claims.
Authors: Rose A Marks; Mpho Mbobe; Marilize Greyling; Jennie Pretorius; David Nicholas McLetchie; Robert VanBuren; Jill M Farrant Journal: Plants (Basel) Date: 2022-05-18