Abstract
Drimia (synonym Urginea) plants are bulbous plants belonging to the family Asparagaceae (formerly the family Hyacinthaceae) and are distinctive, powerful medicinal plants. Just some species are indigenous to South Africa and have been traditionally utilized for centuries to cure various diseases and/or ailments. They have been recognized among the most famous and used medicinal plants in South Africa. Traditionally, the plants are used for various illnesses such as dropsy, respiratory disease, bone and joint complications, skin disorders, epilepsy and cancer. A number of studies have reported biological properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activities. Their bulbs are a popular treatment for colds, measles, pneumonia, coughs, fever and headaches. However, some plant species are regarded as one of the six most common poisonous plants in Southern Africa that are toxic to livestock and humans. Due to the therapeutic effects of the Drimia plant bulb, research has focused on the phytochemicals of Drimia species. The principal constituents isolated from this genus are cardiac glycosides. In addition, phenolic compounds, phytosterols and other phytochemical constituents were identified. This study constitutes a critical review of Drimia species’ bioactive compounds, toxicology, biological properties and phytochemistry, advocating it as an important source for effective therapeutic medicine. For this purpose, various scientific electronic databases such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Web of Science were researched and reviewed to conduct this study. Despite well-studied biological investigations, there is limited research on the toxic properties and the toxic compounds of certain Drimia species. Searching from 2017 to 2021, Google Scholar search tools retrieved 462 publications; however, only 3 investigated the toxicity and safety aspects of Drimia. The aim was to identify the current scientific research gap on Drimia species, hence highlighting a thin line between poisonous and healing compounds, dotted across numerous publications, in this review paper.
Highlights
IntroductionKnown as Urginea (Hyacinthaceae = Asparagaceae) plant, is a distinctive, highly poisonous, deep-red-color bulb native to the surrounding savanna areas of South Africa [1,2], Africa, Asia and Europe [3]
The current review presented comprehensive information on Drimia species, about the biocompounds producing biological activities and toxicity effects
Drimia is known as a dark-red bulb plant with poisonous characteristics
Summary
Known as Urginea (Hyacinthaceae = Asparagaceae) plant, is a distinctive, highly poisonous, deep-red-color bulb native to the surrounding savanna areas of South Africa [1,2], Africa, Asia and Europe [3]. Drimia species bulbs have been utilized for the treatment of respiratory conditions and bone, joint and skin complications. Egypt and Europe have used D. maritima to cure diseases and ailments since 1500 BC This Drimia species is famously known for its healing properties, and it is widely distributed in the Mediterranean area, where it has been commercialized [1]. The underground parts can be administered orally and externally for ritual washing and cleansing [13] It has been used for the treatment of retained placenta and related diseases in cattle [14]. Studies have isolated bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, cardiac glycosides and phytosterol from various Drimia species for their medicinal properties [1]
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