A Synthesis and Review of Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Helichrysum Odoratissimum (L.) Sweet

Abstract

Helichrysum odoratissimum is an important medicinal plant species in tropical Africa. The current study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of H. odoratissimum. Information on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of H. odoratissimum were collected from multiple internet sources which included Scopus, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, and BMC. Additional information was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as journal articles, scientific reports, theses, books, and book chapters obtained from the university library. This study showed that H. odoratissimum is mainly used as an herbal medicine for insomnia, menstrual pain and sterility, and wounds and respiratory problems. Pharmacological research revealed that H. odoratissimum extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotection, and hypoglycemic and cytotoxicity activities. There is a need to validate the documented ethnomedicinal uses of H. odoratissimum through phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Therefore, future studies should address these knowledge gaps through experimental animal studies, randomized clinical trials, and target-organ toxicity studies involving H. odoratissimum crude extracts and compounds isolated from the species.

Volatilome Analyses and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils from Five South African Helichrysum Species

“…This species together with H. odoratissumum L. Sweet and H. petiolare Hilliard and B.L. Burtt were the subject of three reviews published recently by Maroyi [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], who brought to days the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of the cited species.…”

Helichrysum Genus and Compound Activities in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

“…Helichrysum odoratissimum ( Figure 10 ) is an aromatic, branched perennial plant with small grey leaves [ 69 ]. The leaves of the H. odoratissimum vary from linear-oblong, lingulate, to lanceolate.…”

“…This plant has a yellow flowerhead borne in clusters at the tips of the twigs. H. odoratissimum is broadly found in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Malawi [ 69 ]. In South Africa, it is found in the Eastern Cape across the mountains and coastal areas.…”

“…In traditional medicine, the infusion from the whole plant is taken orally to treat diabetes [ 66 ]. In Lesotho, the whole plant part is mixed with other plants as herbal medicine to treat backache [ 69 ].…”

Bioprospecting of Helichrysum Species: Chemical Profile, Phytochemical Properties, and Antifungal Efficacy against Botrytis cinerea

“…Helichrysum (Asteraceae), locally known in South African traditional/folk medicine by a collective name as ‘ Imphepho ’, is one of the mostly used species to combat ailments, such as the treatment of wounds, burns, pimples, eczema, as well as coughs and colds [ 5 , 6 ]. Traditional uses of the species also include the treatment of abdominal pains, catarrh, headache, fever, menstrual disorders, and urinary tract infections, suggesting that these plants parade anti-microbial and -inflammatory effects [ 7 ].…”