Medicinal properties and in vitro biological activities of selected helichrysum species from South Africa: A review
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The genus Helichrysum Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering
perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the Helichrysum species are used in traditional
medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual pain, chest
pain, kidney disorders, skin disorders, wounds, open sores, among other conditions, but, only a
few scientific studies are reported in the literature with sufficient information that validates the
acclaimed folkloric benefits of these plants. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive update
of the available information on the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti fungal, anti-viral, anti-HIV, anti-malarial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammatory, and
anti-oxidant activities of selected Helichrysum species of interest: H. petiolare, H. cymocum, H. foetidum,
and H. pandurifolium Schrank, using scientific databases as well as electronic and print sources. The
ethnobotanical and morphological characteristics as well as the phytochemical composition and
biological activities of these plants are elucidated. The scientific rationale for their current use is
discussed based on the evidence in the literature.
Description
Keywords
Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals, Pharmacology, South Africa, Helichrysum species
Citation
Akinyede, K. A. et al. (2021). Medicinal properties and in vitro biological activities of selected helichrysum species from South Africa: A review. Plants ,10(8), 1566; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081566