Articles
Artemisia afra: from ethnobotanical data to rich phytochemicals of an African herbal beverage with diverse therapeutic applications
Article number
1466_9
Pages
71 – 80
Language
English
Abstract
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd is an indigenous medicinal plant commonly used in South Africa.
It is locally referred to as Umhlonyane in isiXhosa, Mhlonyane, in isiZulu, Lanyana in Sesotho, Lengana in Setswana, and Wilde als in Afrikaans.
Its multifaceted medicinal properties make it a potential flagship in the African pharmacopoeia.
Although it is one of the most popular herbal medicines in South Africa, its herbal beverage potential remains understudied.
In this study, the herbal beverage potential of A. afra was critically assessed via its phytochemical profile using spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Traditionally, A. afra has been incorporated into tea and its infusion or decoction used as a syrup.
Decoction or infusion of the leaves is used for treating various ailments such as chills, colds, coughs, croup, headaches, and loss of appetite.
Existing data indicate that A. afra possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities, which support its potential as an herbal beverage.
We quantified the total phenolic (170.35, 533.76 and 126.31 mg GAE g‑1 for acetone, hexane and methanol extracts, respectively) and flavonoid contents (37.16, 11.35 and 7.52 mg QE g‑1 for acetone, hexane and methanol extracts, respectively) in the leaf extracts.
The LC-MS analysis identified bioactive compounds such as anisodamine and grossamide which are known for their therapeutic value.
To fully understand the potential of A. afra as an herbal beverage, further studies focusing on fever models that assess the efficacy of bioactive compounds under in vivo conditions to complement its folklore use are recommended.
Overall, A. afra has the potential to strategically advance scientific knowledge, promoting rural livelihoods, as well as contributing to the global herbal beverage industry.
It is locally referred to as Umhlonyane in isiXhosa, Mhlonyane, in isiZulu, Lanyana in Sesotho, Lengana in Setswana, and Wilde als in Afrikaans.
Its multifaceted medicinal properties make it a potential flagship in the African pharmacopoeia.
Although it is one of the most popular herbal medicines in South Africa, its herbal beverage potential remains understudied.
In this study, the herbal beverage potential of A. afra was critically assessed via its phytochemical profile using spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Traditionally, A. afra has been incorporated into tea and its infusion or decoction used as a syrup.
Decoction or infusion of the leaves is used for treating various ailments such as chills, colds, coughs, croup, headaches, and loss of appetite.
Existing data indicate that A. afra possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities, which support its potential as an herbal beverage.
We quantified the total phenolic (170.35, 533.76 and 126.31 mg GAE g‑1 for acetone, hexane and methanol extracts, respectively) and flavonoid contents (37.16, 11.35 and 7.52 mg QE g‑1 for acetone, hexane and methanol extracts, respectively) in the leaf extracts.
The LC-MS analysis identified bioactive compounds such as anisodamine and grossamide which are known for their therapeutic value.
To fully understand the potential of A. afra as an herbal beverage, further studies focusing on fever models that assess the efficacy of bioactive compounds under in vivo conditions to complement its folklore use are recommended.
Overall, A. afra has the potential to strategically advance scientific knowledge, promoting rural livelihoods, as well as contributing to the global herbal beverage industry.
Publication
Authors
J.L. Mwinga, L.J. McGaw, O.A. Fawole, A.O. Aremu
Keywords
antioxidant, antipyretic activities, health effects, pharmacological properties, phenolic compounds, traditional herbal drinks
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