Ilze Vermaak

• Senior Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), commonly known as ‘baobab’, is a large, seasonal tree distributed in many parts of Africa. It is more prevalent in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Mali, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Baobab is a very important non-timber forest product (NTFP) and con...

Cyclopia genistoides (L.) R.Br (Fabaceae), commonly referred to as ‘honeybush tea’, is one of 23 Cyclopia species endemic to South Africa. The natural habitat of this small fynbos shrub is restricted to very small areas in the Western Cape Province, spanning from the West Coast to Mossel Bay on the Southern Cape coast. Honeybush tea is mostly enjoy...

Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne. (Apocynaceae), commonly known as bitterghaap, is a spiny succulent plant with rows of small thorns visible along the fairly hard and fleshy, glabrous, grey-brown to grey-green stems. The plant has a narrow geographical distribution, but is widely distributed throughout the dry, desert areas of South Africa a...

Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f) R.Dahlgren, commonly referred to as ‘rooibos tea’, is the best-known indigenous South African herbal tea. It is considered the success story of indigenous product development and marketing, and it is a prime export product, marketed globally. Rooibos is endemic to the Fynbos Biome and is found in the far southwestern pa...

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. (Anacardiaceae) commonly known as “marula” is a deciduous tree that can reach up to 17 m in height. It is commonly distributed in southern Africa including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and Namibia. Traditionally, the stem bark is used medicinally to treat several ailments such as general...

Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. is an important traditional medicine that grows in the Kalahari region of southern Africa, where it is taken as a general health tonic and anti-inflammatory to treat arthritis, rheumatism, pain, sprains, fever, ulcers and boils. Iridoid glycosides and phenyl derivatives have been the focus of phytoche...

Devil's claw is a popular natural anti-inflammatory phytomedicine. The preparation of Devil's claw products is complicated by the similarity between the morphotypes of Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri. This study investigated the potential of a validated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) met...

High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been widely implemented for the rapid chemical fingerprinting of medicinal plant extracts for identification and authentication purposes. Despite herbal teas of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) being important local and export products of South Africa, characteristic...

Terminalia sericea is used throughout Africa for the treatment of a variety of conditions and has been identified as a potential commercial plant. The study was aimed at establishing a high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) chemical fingerprint for T. sericea root bark as a reference for quality control and exploring chemical variation...

Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in the production of melanin. Tyrosinase inhibitors have gained interest in the cosmetics industry to prevent hyperpigmentation and skin-related disorders by inhibiting melanin production. It has been reported that several Aloe species exhibit anti-tyrosinase efficacy in vitro. In this study, the exudates of thirty-nine...

South Africa's unique flora and extensive use of African traditional medicines has created a unique research opportunity on medicinal plants for local and international scientists. In this paper, submitted to a special issue of South African Journal of Botany(SAJB) dedicated to “sub-Saharan Ethnobotany” we aim to explore the research landscape on m...

Sutherlandia frutescens, commonly known as cancer bush, is a popular herbal remedy which has been used traditionally for the treatment of internal cancers, stress, influenza, fever, diabetes, stomach ailments and as a tonic. SU1 (syn = sutherlandioside B) is a major cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside in the leaf material and it has been used as...

The consumption of herbal teas is increasing as consumers become more appreciative of the health benefits. Herbal tea blends comprise of two or more plant species blended to improve taste and multiply the health benefits. Quality control (QC) of herbal teas like other nutraceuticals, is important to ensure safety and efficacy. Current QC methods ar...

The leaves, root and bark of the aromatic African indigenous plant, Croton gratissimus Burch. (Euphorbiaceae), are widely used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, chest complaints, rheumatism, abdominal disorders and fever among others. In Afrikaans it is referred to as “Koorsbessie” which alludes to its traditional use as a pyrogenic. The che...

Actaea racemosa (black cohosh) has a history of traditional use in the treatment of general gynecological problems. However, the plant is known to be vulnerable to adulteration with other cohosh species. This study evaluated the use of shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR-HSI) in tandem with chemometric data analysis as a fast alternative...

The oil obtained from the seeds of Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai (Kalahari melon) is highly sought after in the cosmetic industry as a prized ingredient to maintain healthy skin. Seed oils contain a range of fatty acids that may be beneficial upon topical application to the skin. The quantification of the fatty acids was done using two...

In South Africa, indigenous herbal teas are enjoyed due to their distinct taste and aroma. The acclaimed health benefits of herbal teas include the management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Quality control of herbal teas has become important due to the availability of different brands of varying quality and the production of...

Recently there has been a renewed impetus in the search for novel ingredients to be used in the cosmetic industry and Baobab (Adansonia digitata L., Malvaceae) seed oil has received high interest. In this study, a commercial Baobab seed oil sample was characterised (fatty acid content) using GCxGC-ToF-MS and a pilot study on the safety and efficacy...

The name “ginseng” is collectively used to describe several plant species, including Panax ginseng (Asian/Oriental ginseng), P. quinquefolius (American ginseng), P. pseudoginseng (Pseudoginseng) and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), each with different applications in traditional medicine practices. The use of a generic name may lead t...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hochst (Marula) nut oil is a popular ingredient in cosmetics such as skin lotions, lipsticks and foundations etc. The demand for this African oil increased tremendously such that in 2008 almost US$ 20 million was spent on Marula oil for cosmetic product manufacturing. The ethnobotanical l...

Stephania tetrandra ("hang fang ji") and Aristolochia fangchi ("guang fang ji") are two different plant species used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Both are commonly referred to as "fang ji" and S. tetrandra is mistakenly substituted and adulterated with the nephrotoxic A. fangchi as they have several morphological similarities. A. fangchi...

Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae) and its close taxonomical ally Harpagophytum zeyheri, indigenous to southern Africa, are being harvested for exportation to Europe where phytomedicines are developed to treat inflammation-related disorders. The phytochemical variation within and between natural populations of H. procumbens (n = 241) and H. zey...

Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae) and its close taxonomical ally Harpagophytum zeyheri, indigenous to southern Africa, are being harvested for exportation to Europe where phytomedicines are developed to treat inflammation-related disorders. The phytochemical variation within and between natural populations of H. procumbens (n = 241) and H. zey...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cissampelos species have a rich history of traditional use, being used for both therapeutic and toxic properties. It is traditionally applied therapeutically in a diverse range of conditions and diseases including asthma, cough, fever, arthritis, obesity, dysentery, snakebite, jaundice and heart, blood pressure and...

Scutellaria lateriflora (skullcap) is a medicinal herb that has a long history of use in the treatment of ailments such as insomnia and anxiety. Commercial herbal formulations claiming to contain S. laterifolia herba have flooded the consumer markets. However, due to intentional or unintentional adulteration, cases of hepatotoxicity have been repor...

Echinacea species are popularly included in various formulations to treat upper respiratory tract infections. These products are of commercial importance, with a collective sales figure of $132 million in 2009. Due to their close taxonomic alliance it is difficult to distinguish between the three Echinacea species and incidences of incorrectly labe...

Lavandula species (Lamiaceae), commonly known as lavender, ranks among the top 10 medicinal plants used worldwide and is used and traded extensively in the flavor and fragrance, cosmetic, and aromatherapy industries. Many studies continue to confirm the phytotherapeutic potential of lavender oil in the treatment of wounds, rheumatism, muscular pain...

Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. subsp. procumbens (Pedaliaceae) has a long history of ethnobotanical use. The plant grows in the Kalahari region of southern Africa where it is consumed to treat inflammation-related disorders. Together with H. zeyheri, it is known as 'Devil's Claw'. The two taxa are botanically and chemically similar...

Tea tree oil (TTO) is an important commercial oil which has found application in the flavour, fragrance and cosmetic industries. The quality is determined by the relative concentration of its major constituents: 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, α-terpinene, terpinolene, γ-terpinene and limonene. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectromet...

Introduction: Sceletium tortuosum is the most sought after species of the genus Sceletium and is commonly included in commercial products for the treatment of psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. However, this species exhibits several morphological and phytochemical similarities to S. crassicaule. Objectives: The aim of this in...

The enormity of the herbal medicines industry is emphasised by the fact that 80% of the world's population use herbal medicines. However, due to country-specific legislation (or lack thereof) herbal medicines are often not closely regulated and quality and safety cannot be guaranteed. Herbal medicines are notoriously phytochemically complex mixture...

The fragrant camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) and its products, such as camphor oil, have been coveted since ancient times. Having a rich history of traditional use, it was particularly used as a fumigant during the era of the Black Death and considered as a valuable ingredient in both perfume and embalming fluid. Camphor has been widely used as...

It is a well-known fact that 80% of the world's population use herbal medicines. The herbal medicines market has increased dramatically in recent years, as consumers became more health conscious, herbal medicines are considered safe by consumers and these products are generally less expensive than allopathic medicines. These products are however no...

Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri (Pedaliaceae) are widely distributed in southern Africa. They are highly valued traditional medicines used in the treatment of inflammation and pain-related ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers and boils [1]. The biological activity of the species has been ascribed to the presence of iridoid glycosid...

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and Honeybush (Cyclopia species) are teas indigenous to South Africa that are popularly consumed locally as well as internationally for its purported health benefits. Studies have confirmed anti-oxidant, antimutagenic and anticancer activity mainly due to the presence of polyphenols. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integra...

Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. subsp. procumbens (Pedaliaceae) is an important African medicinal plant growing in the Kalahari region of southern Africa. This species, together with its close taxonomic ally Harpagophytum zeyheri are collectively referred to as Devil's Claw and are used interchangeably for the treatment of inflammat...

Illicium verum (Chinese star anise) dried fruit is popularly used as a remedy to treat infant colic. However, instances of life-threatening adverse events in infants have been recorded after use, in some cases due to substitution and/or adulteration of I. verum with Illicium anisatum (Japanese star anise), which is toxic. It is evident that rapid a...

Eugenol is a major volatile constituent of clove essential oil obtained through hydrodistillation of mainly Eugenia caryophyllata (=Syzygium aromaticum) buds and leaves. It is a remarkably versatile molecule incorporated as a functional ingredient in numerous products and has found application in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, fragrance, flavour...

Harpagophytum procumbens subps. procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. (Pedaliaceae) is an important traditional medicine growing in the Kalahari region of southern Africa where it is consumed as a general health tonic and for treating diverse ailments including arthritis, pain, fever, ulcers and boils. To provide a comprehensive overview of the ethnobo...

Mesembrine-type alkaloids are reported to be responsible for the psychoactive properties of Sceletium tortuosum. The aim of the study was to develop a simple, rapid, and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatography densitometric method for the simultaneous determination of mesembrenol, mesembranol, mesembrine, and mesebrenone in S. tortuosum...

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integrates conventional spectroscopy and imaging to obtain spectral and spatial information from a sample. This non-destructive method can provide species identification in less than a (New York) minute; lightning fast compared to conventional analysis methods such as liquid chromatography. The potential of near infrared...

Inflammation is a manifestation of a wide range of disorders which include; arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, physical injury and infection amongst many others. Common treatment modalities are usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, paracetamol, indomethacin and ibuprofen as...

Aloe ferox Mill. (= A. candelabrum A. Berger), commonly known as the bitter aloe or Cape aloe, is a polymorphic species indigenous to South Africa. The plant has been used since ancient times as a generic chemopreventive and anti-tumour remedy in folk medicine and it has a well-documented history of use as a laxative. In addition to the plethora of...

Obesity is a major health concern of modern times and should be considered a global epidemic. Conventional or allopathic medicines used to treat obesity have high abuse potential and frequently exhibit side effects. Few botanicals included in natural weight loss products have been thoroughly researched on a basic and clinical level and it is impera...

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) is a majestic tree revered in Africa for its medicinal and nutritional value. The plant parts are used to treat various ailments such as diarrhoea, malaria and microbial infections. It is reported that it is an excellent anti-oxidant due to the vitamin C content which is seven to ten times higher than the vitamin C...

Hoodia gordonii Sweet is a popularly consumed commercially available weight loss product. Therefore, developing rapid quality control methods for raw material and products, and investigating key biopharmaceutical aspects of the perceived active ingredient P57, is of utmost importance. High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and vibration...

Seed oils have been used for centuries by rural communities as food, medicine, for cosmetic applications and as fuel. Recently there has been a renewed interest in these non-timber forest products (NTFPs) specifically for use in cosmetic formulations. The cosmetic industry remains under immense consumer pressure to produce innovative products for t...

Hoodia gordonii is a spiny succulent plant popularly consumed for its purported anti-obesity effect. Traditionally used by the Khoi-San of South Africa and Namibia as a hunger and thirst suppressant while on long hunting trips, the commercialisation of this plant has been highly controversial due to intellectual property rights and benefit sharing...

Hoodia gordonii was traditionally used by the Khoisan people as a thirst and appetite suppressant and is currently commercially available as a popular weight-loss supplement. The perceived active ingredient isolated from this plant is a steroidal glycoside named P57. This study aimed at investigating the in vitro transport of P57 across excised por...

Hoodia gordonii, with the perceived active ingredient P57 (a steroidal glycoside), is a succulent plant which has gained commercial popularity as an anti-obesity preparation. The content of P57 is used as an indication of the quality of the raw material. Traditionally, quantification of P57 is performed using liquid-chromatography coupled to mass s...

The feasibility of quantifying the perceived active ingredient (P57) in Hoodia gordonii raw material using Fourier transform near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques was investigated. The concentration of P57 (a triterpene glycoside) was determined in 146 plant samples with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spect...

Hoodia gordonii which contains the perceived active molecule, P57, is a plant used in many weight loss products that are highly susceptible to adulteration due to increased public demand and limited availability. Rapid and simple methods for authentication and confirmation of the presence of P57 are desirable for the quality control of H. gordonii...

Few in vitro screening studies on the biological activities of plant extracts that are intended for oral administration consider the effect of the gastrointestinal system. This study investigated this aspect on extracts of Camellia sinensis (green tea) and Salvia officinalis (sage) using antimicrobial activity as a model for demonstration. Both the...

Few in vitro screening assays for biological activities of plant extracts consider the potential effect of the gastrointestinal system on orally consumed plant extracts. Crude water and methanol extracts of Tarchonanthus camphoratus (wild camphor) and Agathosma betulina (‘buchu’) were prepared and exposed to simulated gastric fluid and simulated in...