Elsevier

Phytochemistry

Volume 65, Issue 7, April 2004, Pages 769-782
Phytochemistry

Editorial comment
Global phytochemistry: indigenous medicinal chemistry on track in southern Africa

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2004.01.014Get rights and content

Introduction

Southern Africa is one of the richest centers of plant diversity in the world. The flora is not only extremely rich and diverse (about 24 300 higher plant taxa) (Arnold and de Wet 1993), but is also largely endemic in character.

The Cape Floristic Region with nearly 6000 endemic species is one of the world's richest floral regions. Southern Africa has a great range of climatic zones (sub-tropical to Mediterranean) and habitat types (Afro-alpine grasslands to coastal deserts), and a correspondingly diverse and well-adapted flora. The indigenous people of southern Africa have a long history of traditional plant usage for medicinal purposes, with ca. 4000 taxa so employed. The trade in medicinal plants is an important part of the regional economy with over 700 plant species being reported as traded (Mander, 1998). In South Africa it is estimated that there are 27 million indigenous medicine consumers. Accordingly demand has exceeded sustainable supply with several species such as Warburgia salutaris (Bertol. F), Chiov. (Pepperbark Tree) and Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf.) B.L. Burtt (Wild Ginger) becoming locally extinct, especially outside of protected areas (Mander, 1998).

The value of trade in ethnomedicinal plants in KwaZulu-Natal alone was estimated to be worth R60 million ($10 million) in 1998. Most households spend between 4 and 8% of their annual income on traditional medicinal services. In addition, in KwaZulu-Natal between 20 000 and 30 000 people derive an income from trading indigenous plants. Most of these are rural black women, the most marginalized group in South African society. Mander (1998) estimated that in 1998 the trade in medicinal plants in South Africa was nearly 20 000 t with a total value of $110 million. Apart from traditional plant usage, plants such as Aspalathus linearis (Burm. F) Dahlg. (Rooibos), Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. Ex Meissn. (Devil's Claw), Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch.& C.A. Mey (African potato) and Cape aloe (Aloe ferox mainly) are exported to the East and Europe.

In this review the attempts to unravel the complex chemistry of the flora of southern Africa will be described. The task was carried out by natural products chemists from all over the world and spans the period 1900–2003. During this period decisive political and other events took place in the region, including the Anglo-Boer War, the second World War, and the arrival of Democratic Government in South Africa. All of these influenced the progress of Science in the subcontinent.

Section snippets

Gold and stock diseases

By 1902, the bitter Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902) in which Brit fought against Afrikaner on the southern tip of Africa, had ended. In 1910, the Union of South Africa was founded with four constituent provinces: Cape of Good Hope, Transvaal, Natal and Orange Free State. The discovery of rich gold deposits in 1884 on the Witwatersrand brought an influx of foreigners to the country, and, with it, a new and vigorous industry. However, in rural South Africa farming remained as an important mainstay of

A changing world and a change in the face of chemistry

The Second World War had ended in 1945 and this in itself changed the face of South and southern Africa. Science research received a tremendous boost through the establishment in 1945 of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), based in Pretoria. Its founding president was Sir Basil Schonland who later became Director of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Harwell.

Further changes which had a profound influence on Natural Products research were:

  • 1.

    The emergence of natural

Into a new century and start of democratic government

Up to 1984 research scientists in South Africa were funded from government funds via the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). From June 1984 this funding was channeled through a new body, the Foundation for Research Development (FRD), still within the CSIR ambit. In 1990, the FRD became an independent State body, no longer attached to the CSIR and with its own administrative headquarters on the periphery of the CSIR complex in Pretoria. Its first president was Dr. Reinhard

The KwaZulu-Natal groups

During this period natural products chemistry research has been a dominant theme in the KwaZulu-Natal area. Professor Siegfried Drewes of the University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg campus) has made significant contributions to the study of the phytochemistry of medicinal plants of KwaZulu-Natal. His involvement in Natural Products Research dates back to the 1960s. More recent work includes the isolation and synthesis of rooperol, (9), the anti-cancer constituent found in Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Rhodes University

The marine natural products research group in the Chemistry Department at Rhodes University has, over the last decade, investigated the bioactive natural products produced by more than 500 marine invertebrate organisms randomly collected by SCUBA off the south eastern coast of Southern Africa. Many of the endemic marine invertebrate species inhabiting the sub-tidal reefs off southern Africa are prolific producers of novel bioactive secondary metabolites. The Rhodes University research group has

Other researchers investigating traditionally used plants

In addition to the natural products chemists involved in this area, several botanists and pharmacologists have become involved in natural products research A leading example is Professor Johannes van Staden of the University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg), whose interest lies in the screening of plants for anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties (Rabe et al., 2002, Sparg et al., 2002, Taylor and van Staden, 2002).

Professor Marion Meyer's (University of Pretoria) research involves

Commercial products

Several plant extracts derived from South African medicinal plants are available commercially:

  • 1.

    “Moducare”, originally from Hypoxis, to boost the immune system and cure arthritis.

  • 2.

    Sutherlandia frutescens whole dried plant material now on the market to combat muscle wasting and general debility in HIV patients. (Produced by Phyto Nova in Cape Town).

  • 3.

    Hoodia currorii (Fig. 3)—The Khoi/San plant developed by CSIR as an appetite suppressant as early as 1967 with Professor Fanie van Heerden being one of

Conclusion

The field of natural product chemistry is an extremely active one in Southern Africa. The recent award of a substantial National Research Foundation Innovation Fund grant to facilitate drug discovery by bringing together some of the country's leading chemists, ethnobotanists, pharmacologists and medical researchers bodes well for the future.

Dulcie Mulholland obtained her PhD degree in 1980 from the University of Natal in Durban working with Professor David Taylor on the limonoids from Trichilia dregeana. She returned to the University to take up an academic position in 1991 and continued her work on the chemistry of the Meliaceae and related families. She heads the Natural Products Research Group at the University, is Professor of Organic Chemistry and is Head of the School of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Her research interests

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    Dulcie Mulholland obtained her PhD degree in 1980 from the University of Natal in Durban working with Professor David Taylor on the limonoids from Trichilia dregeana. She returned to the University to take up an academic position in 1991 and continued her work on the chemistry of the Meliaceae and related families. She heads the Natural Products Research Group at the University, is Professor of Organic Chemistry and is Head of the School of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Her research interests have expanded to include the chemistry of the Rutaceae, Amaryllidaceae and Hyacinthaceae families.

    Siegfried Drewes obtained his PhD from Rhodes University and a DSc from the University of Natal. His interest in natural products was kindled during his PhD years working with Professor David Roux on the tannins of Acacia mearnsii at the Leather Industries' Research Institute in Grahamstown. He joined the University of Natal in 1969, had a brief sojourn into protein chemistry (insulin derivatives) with Professor Donald Sutton and then reverted to natural products again, specifically the chemistry of muthi plants (indigenous plants used by the traditional healers). His work in this area culminated in the award of an “A” rating by the Foundation for Research Development. In 1995 he retired as Head of the Department of Chemistry, but has stayed on in the Department as Honorary Research Associate. He rates among his most memorable achievements the isolation of ocobullenone from Ocotea bullata, rooperol from Hypoxis hemerocallidea, and the kraussianones from Eriosema kraussianum.

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