The coca family (Erythroxylaceae) consists of trees and shrubs sub-divided into four genera:Aneulophus, Nectaropetalum, Pinacopodium, and Erythroxylum, which include species with highly valuable medicinal compounds. E. delagoense, E. emarginatum, and E. pictum are endemic to southern Africa and have great pharmaceutical potential based on their traditional uses. Previous studies have shown certain inconsistencies in terms of the presence or absence of tropane alkaloids in these species, resulting in a need for further research and clarification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the seasonal variation of the immediate biosynthetic precursor of cocaine, the tropane alkaloid, ecgonine methyl ester in the three South African Erythroxylum species by means of gas chromatography -mass spectrometry, as well as to conduct a phytochemical screening for observing the presence of other potential compounds and tropane alkaloids. We found significant differences in tropane concentrations from the seasonal variation study, explaining the discrepancies in previous reports on its presence/absence in these species. Furthermore, we report for the first time on the occurrence of selected highly valuable tropane alkaloids in E. emarginatum currently used in 'blockbuster-medicine'.

Pain and inflammation are two conditions that go hand in hand and play an intrinsic part in pathological conditions. Worldwide chronic pain affects one in every five people, making it one of the most common conditions that physicians have to treat. Pain and inflammation are debilitating symptoms that have a significant impact on work, social, economic and physiological functioning. The aim of this research project was to identify novel compounds from South African plants that can be used to alleviate inflammation and pain. Eight South African plant species were selected based on either their chemical profile or ethnobotanical use and studied in vitro. Significant COX-2 inhibition, indicating anti-inflammatory activity, was observed especially in the Erythroxylaceae family. Alkaloid fractions of species from this family were analysed using GC-MS to determine their alkaloid profiles. Several interesting precursors in the cocaine pathway were observed in these studies.