title: Traditional usage, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the South African medicinal plant Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb. (Amaryllidaceae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Boophone disticha is the most common member of the South African Amaryllidaceae used extensively in traditional medicine of the various indigenous population groups, including the Sotho, Xhosa and Zulu as well as the San. This survey was carried out to identify and highlight areas relevant to the traditional usage of Boophone disticha. Pharmacological aspects were examined with the purpose of reconciling these with the traditional usage of the plant. In relation to phytochemical make-up, particular attention was paid on how its alkaloid constitution might corroborate the various biological effects manifested by the plant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information gathering involved the use of four different database platforms, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SciFinder(®) and Scopus. Arrangement and detailing of this information is as reflected in the various sections of the paper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen categories were identified under which Boophone disticha finds use in traditional medicine. These were shown to include general usage purposes, such as 'cultural and dietary', 'well-being', 'personal injury', 'divinatory purposes', 'psychoactive properties' and 'veterinary uses'. Furthermore, traditional usage was seen to involve six body systems, including functions pertaining to the circulatory, gastrointestinal, muscular, neurological, respiratory and urinary systems. The four remaining categories relate to use for inflammatory conditions, cancer, malaria and tuberculosis. Overall, three areas were discernible in which Boophone disticha finds most usage, which are (i) ailments pertaining to the CNS, (ii) wounds and infections, and (iii) inflammatory conditions. In addition, several aspects pertaining to the toxic properties of the plant are discussed, including genotoxicity, mutagenicity and neurotoxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The widespread ethnic usage of Boophone disticha has justified its standing as a flagship for the Amaryllidaceae and its relevance to South African traditional medicine. Furthermore, its promising pharmacological and phytochemical profiles have stimulated significant interest in the clinical realm, especially in the areas of cancer and motor neuron disease chemotherapy. These collective properties should prove useful in steering the progress of the plant towards a wider audience.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jerald J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. Electronic address: rcpgd@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Staden
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: AChE; AD; Alkaloid; Alzheimer's disease; Amaryllidaceae; BW; Boophone disticha; CNS; COX; IK; LD; MAO; MBC; MIC; MND; MTD; OFS; Orange Free State; PD; Parkinson's disease; SSRI; T/C index; TM; Traditional medicine; acetylcholineserase; body weight; central nervous system; cyclo-oxygenase; indigenous knowledge; lethal dose; minimum bactericidal concentration; minimum inhibitory concentration; minimum toxic dose; monoamine oxidase; motor neuron disease; ratio of treated and control group; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; traditional medicine