Phytochemical studies of Schefflera umbellifera and Elephantorrhiza elephantina Xolani Mthembu

© CSIR Schefflera umbellifera (Sond.) Baill Vernacular name:Umsenge, Kiepersol Synonym(s):Cussonia umbellifera Family: Araliaceae Description and distribution Semi-deciduous tree of 6-20 m in height Has digitate leaves In 2005, selected as one of the SA Trees of the year. Widely distributed in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe as well as in South Africa.

© CSIR Ethnopharmacological uses Vhavenda people use roots to treat malaria, venereal diseases, diuretic and laxative and against nausea. Bark used to treat stomach ulcers and for magical purposes. Tanzanians use leaves against indigestion and roots against venereal diseases and fever. Root bark decoctions used against mental illnesses.

© CSIR Previous phytochemistry Araliaceae family - Polyacetylenes - Saponins - Caffeic acid Medicinal uses - Anti fungal - Antimalarial - Anti-inflammatory - Anti-brain tumour - Antibacterial activity

© CSIR Antimalarial consortium Published information - promising in vitro antimalarial activity. Highest activity by the 1:1 methanol/ dichloromethane leaf extract against both P. falciparum strains (D10 and K1). Any activity less that 1 μg/ml was regarded as potent while the activity less than 5 μg/ml was regarded as good and between 5 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml as moderate.

© CSIR Fractionation process lup-20(29)- en- 3β,28-diol (Betulin) Dichloro- methane 7-hydroxy- 6-methoxy- coumarin Hexane Ent-kaur-16- en- 19-oic acid Crude extract dried in vacuo Water Crude dried, ground leaves Extraction with 1:1 MeOH/ DCM Liquid/ liquid partitioning 5% Ac/ hexane

© CSIR Structures of compounds 7- Hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin

© CSIR Betulin

© CSIR Ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid

© CSIR HPLC identification

© CSIR In vitro antimalarial activity

© CSIR In vitro anticancer activity

© CSIR

Elephantorrhiza elephantina ( Burch.) Skeels Vernacular name(s):Elandswortel, Intolwane Family:Fabaceae Description and distribution Shrub with stipulate leaves and a massive underground tuberous root. Distributed widely in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana and South Africa.

© CSIR Ethnopharmacological uses - Treat : diarrhoea - Dysentery - Stomach disorders - Sexual transmitted diseases - Womb cleanser after abortion - Infertility in women - Used as an aphrodisiac

© CSIR Previous phytochemistry Genus reported to contain: Tannins ( %), sugars (16.8%) and simple phenolic compounds. Medicinal uses Antibacterial Antifungal

© CSIR Fractionation process Crude rhizomes, water extracted Isobutanol fraction butanol Hexane water Spraydried powder Quercetin- 3' - glucoside Taxifolin-3' -glucoside Beta- Sitoster ol Methyl gallate Epicatechin Gallic acid Catechin Column chromatography Liq/liq partitioning

© CSIR Structures of compounds Beta sitosterol

© CSIR Gallic acid Methyl gallate

© CSIR Quercertin-3'-glucoside Catechin

© CSIR Taxifolin-3'-glucoside Epicatechin

© CSIR In vitro biological activity CSIR in-house: no cancer activity for the compounds Antimalarial activity (D10) strain

© CSIR Cytotoxicity against CHO cell line No Cytotoxicity observed except for methyl gallate (gallic acid derivative).

© CSIR

Acknowledgements Thanks to NRF for financial support. To my supervisors: Prof Fanie van Heerden and Dr Gerda Fouch é

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