Length Research Paper Effects of pre-chilling and temperature on seed germination of Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae) (Jew’s Mallow), a wild leafy vegetable

The wild leafy vegetable, Corchorus olitorius L, has a potential for development as a crop. Self propagation of this species is by seed. In an attempt to improve the length of time of its availability, theeffects of pre-chilling and temperature on germination of its seeds were investigated. Although it had a seed viability of 90.1% (using the tetrazolium technique), seed subjected to a temperature of 25oC forboth pre-chilled and unchilled seeds showed no germination. Seeds subjected to a temperature of 35oC did germinate with a maximum of 88% germination from seeds that had been pre-chilled for 3 ½ dayscompared to those which were unchilled, pre-chilled for a day or pre-chilled for 7 days. Pre-chilling followed by exposure to a temperature higher than 30oC encourages germination of C. olitorius seeds. Nursery establishment under such conditions may improve its length of availability

An alternative health crop for South Africa: Purple potato mini tuber production as affected by water and nutrient stress

Food security in South Africa ranks as one of the top ten priorities in the country. Potato is a fundamental staple food crop in South Africa, providing essential nutrition. While there are several cultivars currently in production for the potato market, there is a need to explore cultivars that are available, but not utilised within the country. Pigmented potatoes are not regarded as high value on the South African market; however, yield prospects as well as health-promoting benefits could have a positive contribution on the South African Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and on the population’s health. Potato cultivar (cv.) Salad blue (SB) seems to be a drought-tolerant crop with the ability to produce reasonable yields under severe environmental conditions. In order to promote cv. SB as a possible food security option for South Africa, there is a critical need for empirical information, describing some basic horticultural as well as  biochemical information and vitamin C presence. This study investigated the potential of pigmented potato SB tubers as an alternative to high yielding white potato for the South African market. Tubers of Solanum tuberosum cv. BP1 and SB, were used for this research. The high amounts in phenolic compounds in SB can be considered to be health-promoting phytochemicals. Anticarcinogenic,  antibacterial, antiviral properties have been reported. A greenhouse, bag trial with virus-free plantlets of BP1 and SB cultivars was conducted using three water and nutrient levels and favourable root zone temperature (100% without heat, 100% heated, 50% heated, 25% heated) all grown in coco peat. Cultivar SB showed nearly two-fold yield compared to the control BP1. Methanol extracts of the tubers were assessed for their total polyphenolic, flavanol, and flavonol contents as well as 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)  scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC), anthocyanin and Lascorbic acid assays. The aqueous extract of the SB tubers was found to contain higher level of total polyphenols (320 mg GAE/g), and flavonol (85 mg QE/g) than the extract of the BP1 tubers with values of 173 mg GAE/g (total polyphenol), and 67 mg QE/g (flavonol). Similarly, the methanol extract of the tuber skins also exhibited higher DPPH (818,86 IC50 mg/mL), FRAP (18,19 μmol AAE/g), and TEAC (911,12 μmol TE/g) than the extract of the BP1 with DPPH (595,99 IC50 mg/mL), FRAP (10,86 μmol AAE/g) and TEAC (435,44 μmol TE/g). The present study provides useful information for farmers and health professionals in respect to increased yield and health-promoting benefits of an underutilized potato variety. Key words: Drought tolerant, Food security, Potato, Root Zone Temperature, water, nutrien

Cytotoxicity of selected medicinal plants used in Mt. Frere District, South Africa

Background: In South African traditional medicine, some are plants known to combat pediatric diseases and are commonly used by traditionalhealers. The aim was to evaluate cytotoxicity effects of plants.Materials and methods: The ground plant material was exhaustively  extracted using methanol, acetone and water separately for 72 hrs. Theseorganic solvents were removed from filtrates using a rotavapour. Stock  solutions were prepared at 40 mg/ml Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and testsolutions were transferred into vials and 10 brine shrimps introduced in  each. The number of dead shrimps was counted to ascertain toxicity. Ten A. salina nauplii (larva) were transferred into each sample vial and filtered brine solution was added to make 5 ml. The nauplii were counted macroscopically in the stem of the pipette against a lighted background. A drop of dry yeast suspension was added as food to each vial. Probit  analysis was used to determine the concentration at which lethality to brine shrimp represents 50 % (LC50).Results: All the tested extracts showed that the concentration is directly proportional to death of brine shrimps. Fifty percent lethality (LC50) of thetested crude extract ranged between 4.1 and 4.6 µg/ml with methanol  extract of B. abyssinica being the lowest and T. acutiloba the highest.Conclusion: This study revealed that 100% of plant crude extracts screened for activity against Artemisia salina larvae showed strong cytotoxicitybelow 10 µg/ml and plant species with LC50 values < 1000 µg/ml may not make good paediatric remedies due to their inherent toxicity.Key words: Medicinal plants, traditional pediatrics, cytotoxicit

Edibility of Trachyandra ciliata (L.f.) Kunth- an underutilized vegetable from South African Western Cape coast: a review

The aim of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) is to end hunger, improve food security and nutrition and promote sustainable crop production by 2050. However, climate change, increasing soil salinization and the inadequate availability of fresh water have negatively affected crop production around the world including South Africa, making it difficult to meet the required target. This necessitates the use of wild edible plants that are adapted to adverse conditions such as drought and salinity in order to mitigate this problem. The genus Trachyandra (Asphodelaceae) consist of three edible species (T. ciliata, T. divaricata and T. falcata) which are native to the dry saline environments of the western Cape coastal sand dunes. The genus is less studied with no record of cultivated species, although the existing literature states that T. ciliata, (wild cabbage) was originally used as a food source by the indigenous Khoi-san people who lived on the South African Cape coast. Colonization and removal of indigenous people from cultural lands led to erosion and detachment from the knowledge of the land and its useful plants. The species is used in selected restaurants where the inflorescence is steamed and eaten as a vegetable or added into a stew. This review explores the importance of Asphodelaceae family, T. ciliata as a vegetable crop and its potential as a pharmaceutical candidate. Furthermore, this review examines potential technological advances such as hydroponics that could be used for sustainable crop production of T. ciliata. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was utilized in the selection of articles in this review. The existing literature provided useful information on the potential of T. ciliata as a vegetable crop and the importance of using halophytes to achieve food security. This appraisal is expected to serve as a template for researchers, food enthusiasts, potential farmers and policy makers who may be keen in exploring further nutritional composition and medicinal potential of this plant

A survey of indigenous herbal diarrhoeal remedies of O.R. Tambo district, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Indigenous health system and the use of herbal plants have been recognized as pivotal in primary health care and a system to reckon with in achieving one of the targets of the millennial goals on health.An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to identify indigenous herbal remedies for diarrhoea and associated stomach ailments in rural areas of the O.R. Tambo district municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The main objective of the study was to gather ethnomedical data onpotentially valuable indigenous medicinal plants for the eventual development of new pharmaceuticals and also emphasize the role of ethnomedicine in primary health care. The use of herbal remedies in thetreatment of diarrhoea and dysentery was investigated using interviews. The survey was conducted among traditional healers and knowledgeable local elders who use medicinal plants to treat common illnesses. Data from the survey indicated the names of plants commonly used in the treatment of diarrhoea and associated ailments, the methods of preparation, parts used and administration. A total of 32 plant species belonging to 26 families were reportedly used as diarrhoea remedy in the study area. The most predominant families of medicinal plants employed and most frequently recommended were Fabaceae (16.67%), followed by Hyacinthaceae and Hydnoraceae (8.33% each). The most commonly utilized portions of plants for medicinal purposes included roots and leaves. Other parts were corms, bulbs, tubers, fruits and bark. The methods of preparation often employed were decoctions and infusions whilst medication was frequently administered orally or as enema. Some of the plants were used singly or mixed with other plant(s) while some edible ones are consumed as food. The survey documented a diversity of plants employed as remedy for diarrhoea. Integration of this form of health care system into western medicine is warranted. The propagation of such medicinal plants is vital for sustainable use of these medicinal plants

THREATENED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SOUTH AFRICA: CASE OF THE FAMILY HYACINTHACEAE

Background: Traditional medicine plays a major role in the primary health care of many people living in rural areas. South Africa is a home to over 30,000 species of higher plants and 3,000 of these species have been found to be used in traditional medicine across the country. South African medicinal plants are decreasing at an alarming rate as a result of over exploitation. Today many medicinal plants face extinction but detailed information is lacking. The purpose of this paper was to review current and proposed cultivation strategies that could be used to improve plant conservation statuses, livelihoods of the people involved in medicinal plant industry and sustainability of this industry. Methods: In this review, emphasis was on the members of Hyacinthaceae family and the species Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf) B.L. Burtt (Zingiberaceae), which are some of the most traded and used in traditional herbal medicine. Detailed literature search was conducted on the current strategies that are being used for the cultivation of medicinal and food crops and a conceptual analysis of how technologies used for the cultivation of non-medicinal crops could be adopted for cultivation of medicinal plants in Africa. Siphonochilus aethiopicus was used as a case study to demonstrate the potential of using alternative cultivation strategy such as hydroponics in the cultivation of medicinal plants. Results: The results showed that hydroponics has the potential to improve plant growth. In conclusion, evidences suggest that there is potential for growth in the medicinal plant industry if optimum cultivation technologies such as hydroponics are implemented despite the perception that Africans have an ingrained traditional preference of wild harvested plants, on the contrary many Africans have no issues with cultivated medicinal plants

An ethnobotanical survey of plants used traditionally to treat tuberculosis in the eastern region of OR Tambo district, South Africa

Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is a major human killer claiming about 1.5 million lives per annum. Medicinal plants are believed to serve as a source for products that can serve as anti-TB agents. Despite the importance of plants for human health and subsistence in both developed and developing countries, loss of biodiversity-based cultural knowledge and traditions is a commonly reported phenomenon, therefore, documenting such knowledge before it disappears completely is a necessity. The study was carried out to document medicinal plants that are traditionally used for the treatment of TB in the eastern region of O.R. Tambo district, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Information about plants (names, parts and methods of preparation) that are used for treating TB was gathered from traditional medical practitioners (TMP) using questionnaires. Twenty-four plant species belonging to 19 families that are used for the treatment of TB were revealed by this study. The Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, Compositae, and Leguminosae were the most prominent, represented by two species each. Out of the 24 plants reported, Protorhus longifolia (Bernh.) Engl (Anacardiaceae), Phymaspermum acerosum Källersjö (Compositae) and Strychnos henningsii Gilg (Loganiaceae) were the most frequently mentioned species, and were reported for the first time for TB treatment. Most of the plants (91%) documented are administered orally; the root (54%) is the most common plant part used, while decoctions and infusions are the main preparatory methods. Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used in the treatment of TB exists in the eastern region of O.R. Tambo district, and TMP still play an important role in delivering primary health care services. The ethnobotanical information about the plant species mentioned in this study may serve as baseline data for future studies on their pharmacological effects and to identify those that have potential in the development of anti-TB drugs.The National Research Foundation (NRF)http://:www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb2018-03-30Paraclinical Science

Investigation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of Heteromorpha arborescens (Apiaceae)

Heteromorpha arborescens belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is commonly known as the parsley tree. One of its uses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is for the treatment of abdominal pains. The therapeutic effects of the methanolic and aqueous root extracts of H. arborescens were investigated at two dose levels respectively on experimental models of pain and inflammation in rodents. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated using the hot-plate, abdominal constriction and formalin tests. The anti-inflammatory properties of these extracts were assessed using albumin and carrageenan as phlogistic agents. Both extracts produced significant (

CYTOTOXICITY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN MT. FRERE DISTRICT, SOUTH AFRICA

Background: In South African traditional medicine, there are some plants known to combat pediatric diseases and are commonly used by traditional healers. The aim was to evaluate the cytotoxicity effects of the plants. Materials and methods: The ground plant material was exhaustively extracted using methanol, acetone and water separately for 72 hrs. These organic solvents were removed from filtrates using a rotavapour. Stock solutions were prepared at 40 mg/ml Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and test solutions were transferred into vials and 10 brine shrimps introduced in each. The number of dead shrimps was counted to ascertain toxicity. Ten A. salina nauplii (larva), were transferred into each sample vial and filtered brine solution was added to make 5 ml. The nauplii were counted macroscopically in the stem of the pipette against a lighted background. A drop of dry yeast suspension was added as food to each vial. Probit analysis was used to determine the concentration at which lethality to brine shrimp represents 50 % (LC50). Results: All the tested extracts showed that the concentration was directly proportional to death of brine shrimps. Fifty percent lethality (LC50), of the tested crude extract ranged between 4.1 and 4.6 µg/ml extract with methanol extract of B. abyssinica being the lowest and T. acutiloba the highest. Conclusions: This study revealed that 100% of plant crude extracts screened for activity against Artemisia salina larvae showed strong cytotoxicity below 10 μg/ml and plant species with LC50 values < 1000 μg/ml may not make good paediatric remedies due to their inherent toxicity