Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review
The genus <i>Helichrysum</i> Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the <i>Helichrysum</i> species are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, men...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/8/1566 |
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| author | Kolajo Adedamola Akinyede Christopher Nelson Cupido Gail Denise Hughes Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju Okobi Eko Ekpo |
| author_facet | Kolajo Adedamola Akinyede Christopher Nelson Cupido Gail Denise Hughes Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju Okobi Eko Ekpo |
| author_sort | Kolajo Adedamola Akinyede |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The genus <i>Helichrysum</i> Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the <i>Helichrysum</i> species are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual pain, chest pain, kidney disorders, skin disorders, wounds, open sores, among other conditions, but, only a few scientific studies are reported in the literature with sufficient information that validates the acclaimed folkloric benefits of these plants. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive update of the available information on the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-HIV, anti-malarial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities of selected <i>Helichrysum</i> species of interest: <i>H. petiolare</i>, <i>H. cymocum</i>, <i>H. foetidum</i>, and <i>H. pandurifolium</i> Schrank, using scientific databases as well as electronic and print sources. The ethnobotanical and morphological characteristics as well as the phytochemical composition and biological activities of these plants are elucidated. The scientific rationale for their current use is discussed based on the evidence in the literature. This review highlights the putative use of the <i>Helichrysum</i> species as a reliable source of bioactive compounds for the production of standard commercial drugs to treat many ailments, including those reported in folkloric uses. Further research on the many plants in the genus <i>Helichrysum</i> is recommended to explore their economic importance both as edible crops and medicinal botanicals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:28:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3fa93f656602416099ef45d54d9d9e27 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:28:11Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-3fa93f656602416099ef45d54d9d9e272023-11-22T09:18:14ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472021-07-01108156610.3390/plants10081566Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A ReviewKolajo Adedamola Akinyede0Christopher Nelson Cupido1Gail Denise Hughes2Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju3Okobi Eko Ekpo4Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7530, South AfricaDepartment of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7530, South AfricaPhytomedicine and Phytochemistry Group, Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 1906, Bellville 7535, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7530, South AfricaThe genus <i>Helichrysum</i> Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the <i>Helichrysum</i> species are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual pain, chest pain, kidney disorders, skin disorders, wounds, open sores, among other conditions, but, only a few scientific studies are reported in the literature with sufficient information that validates the acclaimed folkloric benefits of these plants. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive update of the available information on the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-HIV, anti-malarial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities of selected <i>Helichrysum</i> species of interest: <i>H. petiolare</i>, <i>H. cymocum</i>, <i>H. foetidum</i>, and <i>H. pandurifolium</i> Schrank, using scientific databases as well as electronic and print sources. The ethnobotanical and morphological characteristics as well as the phytochemical composition and biological activities of these plants are elucidated. The scientific rationale for their current use is discussed based on the evidence in the literature. This review highlights the putative use of the <i>Helichrysum</i> species as a reliable source of bioactive compounds for the production of standard commercial drugs to treat many ailments, including those reported in folkloric uses. Further research on the many plants in the genus <i>Helichrysum</i> is recommended to explore their economic importance both as edible crops and medicinal botanicals.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/8/1566medicinal plantsphytochemicalspharmacological actions<i>Helichrysum</i> species |
| spellingShingle | Kolajo Adedamola Akinyede Christopher Nelson Cupido Gail Denise Hughes Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju Okobi Eko Ekpo Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review Plants medicinal plants phytochemicals pharmacological actions <i>Helichrysum</i> species |
| title | Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review |
| title_full | Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review |
| title_short | Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review |
| title_sort | medicinal properties and in vitro biological activities of selected helichrysum species from south africa a review |
| topic | medicinal plants phytochemicals pharmacological actions <i>Helichrysum</i> species |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/8/1566 |
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