1. Phytochemical studies of Schefflera umbellifera and Elephantorrhiza elephantina Xolani Mthembu

2. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za 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.

3. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za 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.

4. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Previous phytochemistry Araliaceae family - Polyacetylenes - Saponins - Caffeic acid Medicinal uses - Anti fungal - Antimalarial - Anti-inflammatory - Anti-brain tumour - Antibacterial activity

5. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za 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.

6. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za 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

7. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Structures of compounds 7- Hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin

8. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Betulin

9. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid

10. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za HPLC identification

11. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za In vitro antimalarial activity

12. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za In vitro anticancer activity

13. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za

14. 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.

15. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Ethnopharmacological uses - Treat : diarrhoea - Dysentery - Stomach disorders - Sexual transmitted diseases - Womb cleanser after abortion - Infertility in women - Used as an aphrodisiac

16. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Previous phytochemistry Genus reported to contain: Tannins (5.8-22.3%), sugars (16.8%) and simple phenolic compounds. Medicinal uses Antibacterial Antifungal

17. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za 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

18. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Structures of compounds Beta sitosterol

19. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Gallic acid Methyl gallate

20. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Quercertin-3'-glucoside Catechin

21. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Taxifolin-3'-glucoside Epicatechin

22. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za In vitro biological activity CSIR in-house: no cancer activity for the compounds Antimalarial activity (D10) strain

23. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za Cytotoxicity against CHO cell line No Cytotoxicity observed except for methyl gallate (gallic acid derivative).

24. © CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za

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

26. Thank you