Understanding the Ethnobotany, Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Distribution of Genus Hydnora (Aristolochiaceae)

Abstract

The genus Hydnora (Hydnoraceae) is one of the basal angiosperms in the order Piperales, found in the semi-arid regions of Africa, and the Southern Arabian Peninsula. Plants in this genus play essential roles in communities around the world as revealed by various studies. Currently, there are eight species of the genus Hydnora; seven in Africa and one in the Arabian Peninsula. Notably, Hydnora abyssinica A.Br. and Hydnora africana Thunb. are widely distributed compared to other species. They are widely used for their medicinal and nutritional values. The information on ethnobotany, chemistry, pharmacology, and distribution of genus Hydnora was gathered using phytochemical and ethnobotanical books, electronic sources, and published articles. Preliminary phytochemical screening shows that flavonoids, phenolics, proanthocyanidins, and tannins are the main compounds in H. abyssinica and H. africana. Furthermore, 11 compounds have been isolated from H. abyssinica. The biological activities of H. abyssinica and H. africana have been reported. They include antibacterial, antiproliferative, antioxidant, antidiarrhea, and antifungal potentials. Despite the Hydnora species being practiced in ancient folkloric medicine, their traditional uses and pharmacological value are poorly documented. Based on the available information on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and distribution, we aim to provide research gaps and challenges for a better understanding of this genus. This may be resourceful in the development of effective phytomedicines, and aid in conservation. The available studies on this genus on some aspects such as phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and distribution are under-reported hence the need for further research.

Isolation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants used in traditional medicine: Rautandiol B, a potential lead compound against Plasmodium falciparum

“…Our studies led to the isolation of salidroside for the first time from this plant. Several other phytochemical studies on the roots of N. mitis have resulted in the isolation of neorautanone, 4methoxyneoduline [14] 12a-hydroxyerosone, iseoliptol [15], neoraudiol [16], together with neodulin (6), pachyrrhizine (10), neotenone (11), 12a-hydroxydolineon (13), dolineon (14), rotenone (20), 12a-hydroxyrotenone (21), dehydroneotenone (22) [11,[14][15][16], nepseudin (16) [62], rautandiol A (23) and rautandiol B ( 24) [15]. Our earlier studies led to the isolation of one new compound (12) and nine known compounds including compounds 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 17, 18 and 19, which were isolated for the first time from N. mitis [11].…”

“…The phytochemical studies on ABDCM lead to the isolation of compounds 5-24 (Fig. 2), namely; neoduleen (5), neodulin (6), ferulic acid (7), ambonane (8), stigmasterole (9), pachyrrhizine (10), neotenone (11), 7-methoxy-3-(6-methoxybenzo [d] [1,3] dioxol-5-yl) chroman-4-one (12), 12a-hydroxydolineon (13), dolineon ( 14), (−)-2-isopentenyl-3-hydroxy-8-9-methylenedioxypterocarpan (15), nepseudin (16), neorautenol (17), isoneorautenol (18), (−)-2-hydroxypterocarpin (19), rotenone (20), 12a-hydroxyrotenone (21), dehydroneotenone (22), rautandiol A (23) and rautandiol B (24), as described previously [11].…”

“…It is not very common among botanists and plant scientists because it is rarely encountered [17][18][19]. However, it remains a popular and valuable medicinal plant among local users and TM practitioners, and is traded by traditional medicine vendors in local markets in South Africa, Mozambique and Nigeria [3,[19][20][21][22][23]. In some African countries including, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Nigeria, it has been used for, the treatment of diarrhea, severe bacterial infections such as urinary tract infection, helminthiasis, internal wounds, piles, acne and dysentery, the expulsion of retained placenta and the treatment of throat and stomach aches [3,17,21,[24][25][26][27].…”

“…Fig.2Compounds isolated from ABDCM(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) …”

Inventory of human-edible products from native Acacia sensu lato in Africa, America, and Asia: Spotlight on Senegalia seeds, overlooked wild legumes in the arid tropics

“…have also been comprehensively reviewed recently, revealing poorly documented but promising vegetables from several Acacia s.l. species for human consumption (Mkala et al, 2021). As shown in this inventory (Table 1), most of the food uses (e.g., tea preparations, coffee substitution, herbal supplementation) of acacias are primarily related to their flavoring properties and medicinal applications, which are likely poor nutrient vehicles.…”