Ultrastructure and elemental analysis of <i>Hypoxis hemerocallidea</i>: A multipurpose medicinal plant

Abstract

Background: Herbal medicine is a popular means of medical management in some parts of the world especially in Africa. Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch.C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall, also known as African potato of the Hypoxidaecae family, is one of the medicinal plants that have enjoyed long usage as an herbal medicine in South Africa. In this study, the morphology and elemental constituents of H. hemerocallidea leaf was investigated to correlate the functional role of the ultrastructure in the production of therapeutic compounds. Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of H. hemerocallidea were prepared for analysis using standard methods. The ultrastructure and crystal deposits of the plant were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). Results: It was observed that the leaves were characterised by multicelullar glandular and non glandular trichomes which are sparsely distributed over the entire surfaces. The glandular trichomes (GTs) in H. hemerocallidea leaf have boulbous heads which are probably filled with secretions, while the non glandular trichomes were long, fibrous and sparse. EDX-SEM of Hypoxis hemerocallidea leaf revealed that carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and silicon are the major components of the deposits, while other elements such as iron, sulphur, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iodine, chromium and iodine were present in small but variable amounts. Conclusion: The presence of these elements which are crucial to maintaining good health, in addition to other bioactive constituents might be accountable for the multipurpose therapeutic uses of Hypoxis hemerocallidea in the treatment of cancers, HIV/AIDS related diseases, urinary tract infections, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and other chronic ailments of humans.

Pharmacognostical and Physicochemical Analysis of Cleome viscosa L. Seeds

“…19 The findings of the pharmacognostical evaluation may be useful to identity of the seeds of C. viscosa (Linn.) which may produce a solid basis for the authenticity of the plant and also to distinguish the seeds of C. viscosa seeds other similar species.…”

The Nutrient, Mineral and Anti-Nutrient Studies of Two Indigenous South African Spices

“…Calcium is essential for healthy bones, teeth, blood and regulation of skeletal, heart and tissue muscles, while magnesium has been reported to be helpful in fighting heart disease, stroke and in cell repair. Iron may increase packed cell volume, boost the immune system and prevent anaemia in humans [24,25] The Ca/P in L. javanica (4.58 mg/100g) and F. vulgare (4.17 mg/100g) was higher than 0.5 which is the minimum ratio required for favourable calcium absorption in the intestine for bone formation. [20,26] Also for normal retention of protein during growth and for balancing fluid a K/Na ratio of 1.0 is recommended, the high value of K/Na ratio in L. javanica (5.32 mg/100g) and F. vulgare (2.30 mg/100g) obtained in the present report suggests that they can help in modulating or adjusting diets rich in Na.…”

“…The iron content was very high (78.4 mg/100g) in L. javanica compared to F. vulgare (17.7 mg/100g). This is an indication that L .javanica can help to increase packed cell volume, boost the immune system & prevent anaemia in humans [24,25]. The high mineral content and the ratio in which they occur relative to one another could mean that addition of these spices to food will adjust the content of diets rich in Na, K and Mg.…”

“…The high mineral content and the ratio in which they occur relative to one another could mean that addition of these spices to food will adjust the content of diets rich in Na, K and Mg. This could account for their medicinal uses in the treatment of hypertension [24,25].…”

Foliar micromorphology of <i>Lippia javanica</i> (Burm.F) Spreng

“…In humans, the presence of calcium is essential for healthy bones, teeth, blood and regulation of skeletal, heart and tissue muscles, while magnesium has been reported to be helpful in fighting heart disease, stroke and in cell repair. Iron may increase packed cell volume, boost the immune system and prevent anaemia in humans (Larson and Wolk, 2007;Agunbiade et al, 2012;Afolayan and Otunola, 2014). Therefore, these elements and their various functions as well as other bioactive compounds present in the secretory trichomes, could account for the therapeutic actions of L .javanica.…”