Boophone, Nerine, Brunsvigia, Strumaria and Crossyne in biological studies of the South African Amaryllidaceae

Abstract

The presence of plants in human health and well-being has been trenchant since time immemorial. Some of the most crucial medicines in use today are derived from plant-based materials. Traditional plant usage has played a pivotal role in guiding many of the discoveries that were accomplished in the clinical realm. The plant family Amaryllidaceae is recognized for its interesting biological properties, notably in the areas of cancer and motorneuron disease therapeutics. Its members are well-represented in South Africa, with a proliferation hub centered over its Western Cape Province. Boophone, Nerine, Brunsvigia, Strumaria and Crossyne are genera of the Amaryllidaceae that are prominent amongst the local floral biodiversity. Previous reviews on the biological action of these genera were up to date until 2012. The present account is an update of the field covering material published between 2013 and 2020. It examines the plant parts studied, the solvents utilized in the extraction procedures as well as the biological assays against which the extracts have been screened. These were seen to involve antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anticholinesterase, cardiovascular, hypertensive and anxiolytic effects. Studies were also identified which addressed the herbicidal and insecticidal effects of some of the plants. Some efforts focused on the molecular basis to the biological activities, notably in regards to anti-inflammatory and anticancer action as well as to motorneuron-related effects. Significant effort is made throughout the text to emphasize the traditional medicinal usage and how such indigenous knowledge has guided the biological evaluation of the plants.