Importance and Relevance of Phytochemicals Present in Galenia africana.

Dario Heredia,Farzana Rahiman,Ivan Green,Jeremy Klaasen,Luis T Ortiz

doi:10.1155/2022/5793436

Abstract

Many people in developing countries rely primarily on medicinal plants as their main source of healthcare, particularly for the treatment of skin infections. Despite the widespread use of medicinal plants, there is a lack of literature describing the relevance and risks of exposure of the phytochemicals present. Galenia africana has been used traditionally in the form of pastes, decoctions, and lotions to treat wounds and other skin-related ailments. This is a report on the phytochemical composition of G. africana and a review on the pharmacological importance and relevance of these phytochemicals. The major groups of phytochemicals identified in G. africana extracts were aliphatics, aliphatic triterpenoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, and phenolic and tocopherol compounds. These have been found to exhibit medicinal properties, thus highlighting the need to assess the safety of G. africana for topical application. The information related to the safety of the various compounds could indicate the potential risks related to accidental intake of the extract upon topical product applications. This report concludes that the quantities of the phytochemicals present in G. africana should not cause undue risk to human health, which provides comfort to pursue future work on using and developing G. africana as a therapeutic agent.

Highlights

70–95% of the population in developing countries rely on medicinal plants as their primary source of healthcare [1]. ese medicinal plants are highly sought after due to their apparent ability to treat burns and promote wound healing [1]. e use of such plants as a treatment option for skin infections has become common practice in many rural areas [2]
The importance and relevance of the phytochemical constituents and potential risks relating to exposure to the G. africana extract were concluded in a descriptive manner
Literature shows that several compounds present in the G. africana extract exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities and wound healing which supports the traditional medicinal use of the plant by indigenous people

Summary

Introduction

70–95% of the population in developing countries rely on medicinal plants as their primary source of healthcare [1]. ese medicinal plants are highly sought after due to their apparent ability to treat burns and promote wound healing [1]. e use of such plants as a treatment option for skin infections has become common practice in many rural areas [2]. 70–95% of the population in developing countries rely on medicinal plants as their primary source of healthcare [1]. Ese medicinal plants are highly sought after due to their apparent ability to treat burns and promote wound healing [1]. E use of such plants as a treatment option for skin infections has become common practice in many rural areas [2]. It has been reported that approximately 27 million people in South Africa rely on the use of medicinal plants to treat skin infections, in particular those caused by pathogens such as Staphylococci species and Candida albicans [3]. Kraalbos is considered a highly invasive pioneer plant, being the first perennial to regrow after soil disturbances, and the only remaining species after the veld has been heavily overgrazed. If kraalbos is green, it is palatable and not poisonous, but if it is yellow and dry, it is non-palatable and poisonous [9]

Methods

Results

Conclusion