Traditional information and antibacterial activity of four Bulbine species (Wolf)

Ethnobotanical survey of Bulbine Wolf, (Asphodelaceae) used for various treatment, such as, diarrhea, burns, rashes, blisters and insect bites, was carried out in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Information on the parts used and the methods of preparation was collected through questionnaire which was administered to the herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers which indicated the extensive use of Bulbine species. Most uses of Bulbine species closely resemble that of Aloe. Dried leaf bases and leaf sap are the commonest parts of the plants used. Preparations were in the form of decoctions and infusions. Bulbine frutescens was the most frequently and commonly used of the species collected for the treatment of diarrhoea, burns, rashes, blisters, insect bites, cracked lips and mouth ulcers. The leaf, root and rhizome extracts of B. frutescens, Bulbine natalensis, Bulbine latifolia and Bulbine narcissifolia were screened for antibacterial activities to verify their use by traditional healers.Keywords: Herbal medicine, diarrhea, medicinal plants, Bulbine species, antibacterial activit

Traditional use, antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of crude extract of Aloe excelsa

The fleshy leaves and roots of most species within the Aloe family are used in many traditional treatments (Mabberley, 1987). Traditional healers and indigenous people utilize mainly the leaf sap of this genus widely for the treatment of wounds, burns, rashes, itches, cracked lips and cracked skin(Cera et al., 1980). Antimicrobial activities on the crude extract of Aloe exclesa was carried out in attempts to validate the use by traditional healers in the use of there latex and gel exudates for various medicinal ailments

Antibacterial activity of chrysophanol isolated from Aloe excelsa (Berger)

Extraction of the yellow colour compounds of leaves of Aloe excelsa were performed and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthracenedione (chrysophanol) was isolated and tested for antibacterial activities against four gram negative and five gram positive bacterial strains. The structures of chrysophanol was determined by chemical spectroscop

Antibacterial activity of aloe emodin and aloin A isolated from Aloe excelsa

Different extracts of leaves of Aloe excelsa were prepared and two compounds; 1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydromethyl-9,10-antracenedione and 10-C-b-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-dihydroxymethyl-9-anthracenone, were isolated and tested for antibacterial activities against four Gram negative and five Gram positive bacterial strains. The structures of the two compounds were determined by chemical spectroscop

Review on herbal remedies used by the 1860 South African Indian settlers

With the current advancement in indigenous knowledge systems in South Africa, traditional remedies are becoming more recognised. The use of these miracle plants has drawn attention to their origins. The 1820 settlers have together with their belongings brought across a wealth of plants which wereused at the time when access to medical practitioners were limited or absent. The use of these plants needs to be noted. In line with the 150 year  commemoration of the 1820 settlers, this paper reviews some of the ayurvedic plants being currently utilized and which were brought  to South Africa along with the settlers.Key words: Ayurveda, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tulsi, Moringa oleifera, Melia azederach, Murraya koenigii

Variation in the essential oil constituents of Pteronia incana (Asteraceae)

The essential oil of Pteronia incana was collected and was investigated on a monthly basis using GCMS. The oil volume and its constituents vary greatly with different time of sampling and distillation. The oil contains a high percentage of myrcene a-pinene, b-pinene with sabinene, a-terpinene, 1.8 cineole and limonene

Chemical composition of volatile constituents from the leaves of Aloe ferox

Volatile compounds oils play a significant role in perfumery, cosmetic, medicinal and pharmaceutical industries. In our protracted research for new useful essential oils, a volatile oil from Aloe ferox was obtained by prolonged hydrodistillation. This volatile oil was subjected to GC/MS analysis to identify the major constituents of the oil. The major constituents identified were as follows: 3, 6 octatriene (23.86%), 3-cyclohexane-1-hetanol (7.31%), Bornylene (5.24%), 1, 3-cyclopentadiene (4.07) and 5-methyl- 3-heptanol (3.92%). A significant number of other volatiles were also identified but in minor concentrations