Commercially Important Medicinal Plants of South Africa: A Review

Abstract

ere is a growing interest in natural plant-based remedies as a source for commercial products. Around 80% of the South African population use traditional medicines to meet their primary health care needs; however, only a few South African medicinal plants have been exploited to their full potential in terms of commercialization. e opportunity for bioprospecting of plant compounds for novel pharmaceuticals remains largely untapped. Certain renowned medicinal plants of international acclaim including buchu and rooibos are currently contributing to local enterprise; however, other exciting opportunities exist for commonly used plants which have not yet reached the international arena. is paper focuses on the key research and development contributions of 10 commercially important medicinal plants of South Africa. �raditional uses, scienti�c validation, commercialisation developments, as well as both potential opportunities and setbacks are discussed.

Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Flavonoids and Triterpenes Isolated from The Extracts of <i>Ficus Sansibarica</i> Warb. <i>Subsp. Sansibarica</i> (Moraceae) Extracts

“…In most cases,~80% of the world's population, especially those living in the rural areas of African countries, rely on traditional medicine for the healing and treatment of various ailments from coughs and colds to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (WHO, 1996;Street and Prinsloo, 2013). Research into pharmacologically active African medicinal plants is being carried out with the aim of providing scientific evidence for the use of the plants in traditional medicine, commercialization and pharmaceutical application of the active components.…”

Prospects of N Fertilization in Medicinal Plants Cultivation

“…In Pakistan, more than 500 species of plants are used in herbal medicine [14]. Street and Prinsloo [15] presented 10 highly used South African medicinal plants, such as Agathosma betulina (Rutaceae), A. ferox (Asphodelaceae), Aspalathus linearis (Fabaceae), Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae), Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Hypoxidaceae), Merwilla natalensis (Hyacinthaceae), Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae), Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Zingiberaceae) and Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae) in a review paper. Although some critics have argued that traditionally it is not acceptable to use cultivated medicinal plants, a recent report on the perception of cultivation of medicinal plant species indicated that very high proportions (over 69%) of respondents are willing to buy and make use of cultivated medicinal plants [16].…”

Evidence-based recommendations to facilitate professional collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners

“…In South Africa, collaboration between these two types of practitioners is specifically beneficial because of the potential for traditional health practitioners to serve as a critical component of a comprehensive health care strategy (Mbatha, Street, Ngcobo, & Nqaleni, 2012). For example, traditional health practitioners could play a significant role in the management and treatment of the most devastating and life-threatening h e a l t h s a g e s o n d h e i d 2 2 ( 2 0 1 7 ) 2 9 1 e2 9 9 diseases such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes mellitus and cancer as they promote the use of natural plantbased remedies which have shown significant health benefits (Street & Prinsloo, 2013). Although promotion of the collaboration between the two groups of practitioners is done in the Traditional Health Practitioners Act (Act 22 of 2007), no formal evidence-based recommendations could be found to facilitate collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners which could assist in optimising and complementing healthcare delivery in South Africa.…”