BERCHEMIA ZEYHERI (SOND.) GRUBOV: MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY OF BERCHEMIA ZEYHERI

Authors

  • ALFRED MAROYI Department of Botany, Medicinal Plants and Economic Development Research Centre, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2019.v12i10.35060

Keywords:

Berchemia zeyheri, Ethnopharmacology, Herbal medicine, Indigenous pharmacopeia, Rhamnaceae

Abstract

Berchemia zeyheri is a small-to-medium-sized deciduous fruit tree widely used as herbal medicine. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of B. zeyheri. Documented information on the biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of B. zeyheri was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of B. zeyheri was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study showed that the bark and roots of B. zeyheri are used for magical purposes and as herbal medicine for anemia, backache, baby’s navel problems, cough, dysentery, headache, rectal ulcers, stomach problems, tonic, and vomiting and ethnoveterinary medicine for infectious diseases in cattle. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the aerial parts, bark, and heartwood of B. zeyheri are characterized by alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, and steroids. Pharmacological research revealed that B. zeyheri crude extracts have anthelmintic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity activities. Future ethnopharmacological research should focus on conducting detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Simpson MG. Plant Systematics. Oxford: Academic Press; 2010.

Koekemoer M, Steyn HM, Bester SP. Guide to Plant Families of Southern Africa. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, Strelitzia 31; 2014.

Richardson JE, Fay MF, Cronk QC, Bowman D, Chase MW. A phylogenetic analysis of Rhamnaceae using rbcL and trnL-F plastid DNA sequences. Am J Bot 2000;87:1309-24.

Richardson JE, Fay MF, Cronk QC, Chase MW. A revision of the tribal classification of Rhamnaceae. Kew Bull 2000;55:311-40.

Ara H, Hassan A, Khanam M. Taxonomic study of the genus Ziziphus mill. (Rhamnaceae) of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Pl Taxon 2008;15:47-61.

Dharani N. Field Guide to Common Trees and Shrubs of East Africa. Johannesburg: Penguin Random House; 2011.

Tull D. Edible and Useful Plants of the Southwest Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Austin: University of Texas Press; 2013.

da Silva MD, Feretti V, de Sena JC, Warkentin M, dos Santos AK, Ribeiro CL. Ornamental bee plants as foraging resources for urban bees in Southern Brazil. Agrc Sci 2015;6:365-81.

Guo LC, Zhao MM, Sun W, Teng HL, Huang BS, Zhao XP, et al. Differentiation of the Chinese minority medicinal plant genus Berchemia spp. by evaluating three candidate barcodes. Springerplus 2016;5:658.

Radha S, Puri S, Kumar S. An ethnobotanical study of wild medicinal plants used by migratory shepherds: A tribal community of Western Himalayas. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 2019;12:137-44.

Zeouk I, Lalami A, Bekhti K. In vitro antibacterial activity of medicinal plants in the central North of Morocco: A possible source of alternative drugs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 2019;12:285-92.

Van Wyk BE. The potential of South African plants in the development of new food and beverage products. S Afr J Bot 2011;77:857-68.

Biegel HM. Checklist of Ornamental Plants Used in Rhodesian Parks and Gardens. Rhodesia Agricultural Journal Research Report No. 3. Rhodesia: Department of Research and Specialist Services; 1977.

Joffe P, Oberholzer T. Creative Gardening with Indigenous Plants: A South African Guide. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 2001.

Nhancale BA, Mananze SE, Dista NF, Nhantumbo I, Macqueen DJ. Small and Medium Forest Enterprises in Mozambique. London: IIED Small and Medium Forest Enterprise Series No. 25, Centro Terra Viva and International Institute for Environment and Development; 2009.

Dlamini CS, Geldenhuys CJ. The socioeconomic status of the non-timber forest product subsector in Swaziland. Southern For 2009;71:311-8.

Dlamini CS, Geldenhuys CJ. Quantities and values of selected forest medicines harvested by eight villages adjacent to natural woodlands in the four ecological zones of rural Swaziland. Afr J Pl Sci 2011;5:730-41.

Beyene ST. Rangeland degradation in a semi-arid communal savannah of Swaziland: Long-term dip-tank use effects on woody plant structure, cover and their indigenous use in three soil types. Land Degrad Dev 2015;26:311-23.

Froneman W, Mattana E, Lukhele V, Ulian T. Berchemia zeyheri (Sond.) grubov. In: Ulian T, Flores C, Lira R, Mamatsharaga A, Mogotsi KK, Muthoka P, et al., editors. Wild Plants for a Sustainable Future: 110 Multipurpose Species. London: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; 2019. p. 310-3.

Gerstner J. A preliminary checklist of Zulu names of plants with short notes. Bantu Stud 1938;12:369-83.

Dlamini B. Swaziland Flora: Their Local Names and Uses. Mbambane: Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Forestry Section; 1981.

Fox FW, Norwood Young ME. Food from the Veld. Johannesburg: Delta Books; 1982.

Gomez MI. A resource inventory of indigenous traditional foods in Zimbabwe. Zambezia 1988;15:53-73.

Mabogo DE. Ethnobotany of the Vhavenḓa. MSc Dissertation. Pretoria: University of Pretoria; 1990.

McGregor J. Ecology, Policy and Ideology: An Historical Study of Woodland use and Change in Zimbabwe’s Communal Areas. PhD thesis. Southampton: Loughborough University of Technology; 1991.

McGregor J. Gathered produce in Zimbabwe’s communal areas: Changing resource availability and use. Ecol Food Nutr 1995;33:163-93.

Peters CR, O’Brien EM, Drummond RB. Ediblewild Plants of sub- Saharan Africa. London: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; 1992.

Ackhurst AA. Interactive Database on all Edible Fruits in Southern Africa. BSc Honours Dissertation. Johannesburg: Rand Afrikaans University; 1996.

Venter F, Venter JA. Making the Most of Indigenous Trees. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 1996.

Tooley J. The use of Indigenous Trees by Local Communities within and Surrounding the Thukela Biosphere Reserve, with an Emphasis on the Woodcarving Industry. MSc Dissertation. Durban: University of Natal; 1996.

Cunningham A, Campbell B, Belcher B, Achdiawan R. Ecological footprints: carving, sustainability and scarcity. In: Cunningham AB, Campbell B, Belcher B, editors. Carving out a Future: Forests, Livelihoods and the International Woodcarving Trade. London: Earthscan; 2005. p. 199-228.

Dovie BD. Relationship between Woody Biodiversity and use of Non- Timber Forest Products in the Savanna Biome of South Africa. PhD thesis. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand; 2006.

Ndlala AR, Mupure CH, Chitindingu K, Benhura MA, Muchuweti M. Antioxidant potentials and degrees of polymerisation of six wild fruits. Sci Res Essay 2006;1:87-92.

Anthony BP, Bellinger EG. Importance value of landscapes, flora and fauna to Tsonga communities in the rural areas of Limpopo province, South Africa. S Afr J Sci 2007;103:148-54.

Van Wyk BE, Gericke N. People’s Plants: A Guide to useful Plants of South Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 2007.

Parawira W, Muchuweti M. An overview of the trend and status of food science and technology research in Zimbabwe over a period of 30 years. Sci Res Essay 2008;3:599-612.

Van Wyk B, Van Wyk P, Van Wyk BE. Photo Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 2008.

Mailula AS. The Ethnotaxonomic Principles of useful Indigenous Plants of the Mamabolo Community in the Limpopo Province. MSc Dissertation. Sovenga: University of Limpopo; 2009.

Simelane ZP. Indigenous Knowledge on Tree Conservation in Swaziland. MSc Dissertation. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand; 2009.

Mutenje MJ. Rural Livelihoods in South-Eastern Zimbabwe: The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the use and Management of non-Timber Forestry Products. Pietermaritzburg: University of KwaZulu-Natal; 2010.

Mutshinyalo TT, Siebert SJ. Myth as a biodiversity conservation strategy for the Vhavenda, South Africa. Indilinga Afr J Indig Knowl Syst 2010;9:151-71.

Rampedi TI. Indigenous Plants in the Limpopo Province: Potential for their Beverage Production. PhD Thesis. Pretoria: University of South Africa; 2010.

Dlamini CS, Geldenhuys CJ. A resource survey for medicinal and edible plant species in the four ecological zones of rural Swaziland. J Geogr Reg Plan 2011;4:557-65.

Dlamini CS, Geldenhuys CJ. Community consultations on use and management of preferred NTFPs: A case study of the four ecological zones of Swaziland. J Hort For 2012;4:27-42.

Singwane SS, Shabangu N. An examination of the utilization and management of natural woodlands in Swaziland: A case of Ka Bhudla community. J Sustain Dev Afr 2012;14:325.

Rampedi IT, Olivier J. Traditional beverages derived from wild food plant species in the Vhembe district, Limpopo province in South Africa. Ecol Food Nutr 2013;52:203-22.

Van Wyk B, Van Wyk P. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Random House Struik; 2013.

Rankoana SA, Potgieter MJ, Mothiba TM, Mamogobo P, Setwaba M. Traditional health foods of the Northern Sotho: A case study of Mamotintane community in Limpopo province, South Africa. Afr J Physical Health Educ Recr Dance 2015;4:762-72.

Sagonda B, Pegg N. Gathering Baseline Data on the use and Availability of Ecosystem Goods and Services and the State of the Ecosystem in Nine Administrative Wards in the Matobo Hills World Heritage Site. Bulawayo: Dambari Wildlife Trust; 2015.

Haavisto-Meier H. Peri-Urban Agroforestry as a Source of Livelihood: Case Study on Fruit Trees in Dzivarasekwa in Harare, Zimbabwe. Helsinki: University of Helsinki; 2018.

Magwede K, Van Wyk BE, Van Wyk AE. An inventory of Vhavenḓa useful plants. S Afr J Bot 2019;122:57-89.

Masarirambi MT, Zwane PE, Surana N, Kunene EN, Moyo S, Mabuza LL, et al. Indigenous dye plants of the Kingdom of Eswatini, traditional uses and new prospects. Adv Med Pl Res 2019;7:8-14.

Mashile SP, Tshisikhawe MP, Masevhe NA. Indigenous fruit plants species of the Mapulana of Ehlanzeni district in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. S Afr J Bot 2019;122:180-3.

Welcome AK, Van Wyk BE. An inventory and analysis of the food plants of Southern Africa. S Afr J Bot 2019;122:136-79.

Palmer E, Pitman P. Trees of Southern Africa Covering all known Indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. Cape Town: AA Balkema; 1972.

Breebaart L, Bhikraj R, O’Connor TG. Dietary overlap between Boer goats and indigenous browsers in a South African Savannah. Afr J Range Forage Sci 2002;19:13-20.

Kunene N, Wilson RA, Myeni NP. The use of trees, shrubs and herbs in livestock production by communal farmers in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Afr J Range Forage Sci 2003;20:271-4.

Mkhize NR, Heitkӧnig IM, Scogings PF, Dziba LE, Prins HH, de Boer WF. Effects of condensed tannins on live weight, faecal nitrogen and blood metabolites of free-ranging female goats in a semi-arid African Savanna. Small Rum Res 2018;166:28-34.

Medan D, Schirarend C. Rhamnaceae. In: Kubitzki K, editor. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Vol. 6. New York: Springer; 2004. p. 320-38.

Michaux O, Hedwig R. Rhamnaceae. Flora China 2007;12:124-30.

Cheon KS, Kim KA, Yoo KO. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Berchemiaberchemiifolia (Rhamnaceae). Mitochond DNA 2018;3:133-4.

Smith AW. A Gardener’s Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meaning and Origins. New York: Dover Publications; 1997.

Quattrocchi U. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2000.

Austin DF. Florida Ethnobotany. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2004.

Glen H. Sappi: What’s in a Name? The Meaning of the Botanical Names of Trees. Johannesburg: Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd.; 2004.

Gledhill D. The Names of Plants. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2008.

Cheikhyoussef A, Maroyi A. Bird plum: Berchemiadiscolor (Klotzsch) Hemsl.: A review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology. In: Neffati M, Najjaa H, Mathé A, editos. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World: Africa. Vol. 3. Leiden: Springer; 2017. p. 143-56.

Schmidt E, Lötter M, McCleland W. Trees and Shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Johannesburg: Jacana Media; 2002.

Ndou AP. Berchemia zeyheri (Sond.) Grubov; 2005. Available from: http://www.pza.sanbi.org/berchemia-zeyheri. [Last accessed on 2019 Jun 17].

Hyde MA, Wursten BT, Ballings P, Palgrave CM. Berchemia zeyheri (Sond.) Grubov: Flora of Zimbabwe: species Information; 2019. Available from: https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/ species.php?species_id=137710. [Last accessed on 2019 Jun 22].

Drummond RB. Rhamnaceae. In: Exell AW, Fernandes A, Wild H, editors. Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 2., Part 2. London: Flora Zambesiaca Managing Committee, Royal Botanic Gardens; 1966. p. 425-6.

Drummond RB. A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 1975;10:229-85.

Palgrave MC. Keith Coates Palgrave Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers; 2002.

Germishuizen G, Meyer NL. Plants of Southern Africa: An Annotated Checklist. Pretoria: Strelitzia 14, National Botanical Institute; 2003.

Da Silva MC, Izidine S, Amude AB. A Preliminary Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30. Pretoria: Southern African Botanical Diversity Network; 2004.

Mapaura A, Timberlake J. A Checklist of Zimbabwean Vascular Plants. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33. Pretoria: Southern African Botanical Diversity Network; 2004.

Setshogo MP. Preliminary Checklist of the Plants of Botswana. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 37. Pretoria: Southern African Botanical Diversity Network; 2005.

Burrows JE, Burrows SM, Lötter MC, Schmidt E. Trees and Shrubs Mozambique. Cape Town: Publishing Print Matters (Pty); 2018.

Gelfand M, Mavi S, Drummond RB, Ndemera B. The Traditional Medicine Practitioner in Zimbabwe: His Principles of Practice and Pharmacopoeia. Gweru: Mambo Press; 1985.

Netshiluvhi TR. Aspects of Seed Propagation of Commonly Utilised Medicinal Trees of KwaZulu-Natal. MSc Dissertation. Durban: University of Natal; 1996.

Watt JM, Breyer-Brandwijk MG. The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa. London: E and S Livingstone; 1962.

Mtshali CS. An Investigation of Environmental Knowledge among Two Rural Black Communities in Natal. MSc Dissertation. Grahamstown: Rhodes University; 1994.

Hutchings A, Scott AH, Lewis G, Cunningham A. Zulu Medicinal Plants. An Inventory. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press; 1996.

Grace OM, Prendergast HD, Jäger AK, Van Staden J. Bark medicines used in traditional healthcare in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: An inventory. S Afr J Bot 2003;69:301-63.

Long C. Swaziland’s Flora: SiSwati Names and uses. Mbambane: Swaziland National Trust Commission; 2005. Available from: http:// www.sntc.org.sz/index.asp. [Last accessed on 2019 Apr 22].

Seaman T. The Antimicrobial and Antimycobacterial Activity of Plants used for the Treatment of Respiratory Ailments in Southern Africa and the Isolation of Anacardic Acid from Ozoroa paniculosa. MSc Dissertation. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand; 2005.

Amusan OO, Sukati NA, Dlamini PS, Sibandze FG. Some Swazi phytomedicines and their constituents. Afr J Biotechnol 2007;6:267- 72.

Iwalewa EO, McGaw LJ, Naidoo V, Eloff JN. Inflammation: the foundation of diseases and disorders: A review of phytomedicines of South African origin used to treat pain and inflammatory conditions. Afr J Biotech 2007;6:2868-85.

Amusan OO. Ethical and environmental issues in bioprospecting for drugs through traditional medicine: The case for Swaziland. Afr J Pl Sci Biotech 2008;2:1-9.

McGaw LJ, Eloff JN. Ethnoveterinary use of Southern African plants and scientific evaluation of their medicinal properties. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;119:559-74.

Stark TD, Mtui DJ, Balemba OB. Ethnopharmacological survey of plants used in the traditional treatment of gastrointestinal pain, inflammation and diarrhea in Africa: Future perspectives for integration into modern medicine. Animals (Basel) 2013;3:158-227.

Würger G, McGaw LJ, Eloff JN. Tannin content of leaf extracts of 53 trees used traditionally to treat diarrhoea is an important criterion in selecting species for further work. S AfrJ Bot 2014;90:114-7.

Adebayo SA, Amoo SO. South African botanical resources: A gold mine of naturalpro-inflammatory enzyme inhibitors? S AfrJ Bot 2019;123:214-27.

Mhlongo LS, Van Wyk BE. Zulu medicinal ethnobotany: New records from the Amandawe area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. S Afr J Bot 2019;122:266-90.

Wehmeyer AS. Edible wild Plants of Southern Africa: Data on the Nutrient Contents of Over 300 Species. Pretoria: CSIR; 1986.

Volsteedt FR, Roux DG. Zeyherin, a natural 3,8-coumaranonylflavanone from Phyllo geiton zeyheri Sond. Tetrahedron Lett 1971;20:1647-50.

Bekker R. The Constitution of Oligomeric Benzofuranoids. PhD Thesis. Bloemfontein: University of the Orange Free State; 1999.

Bekker R, Brandt EV, Ferreira D. The absolute configuration of bioflavonoids and 2-benzyl-2-hydroxybenzofuranones. Chem Communvol 1996; 8:957-8.

Bekker R, Brandt EV, Ferreira D. Absolute configuration of flavanone-benzofuranone-type biflavonoids and 2-benzyl-2- hydroxybenzofuranones. J Chem Soc Perkin Trans 1996;1:2535-40.

Bekker R, Smit RS, Brandt EV, Ferreira D. Benzofuranoids with carbon frameworks reminiscent of products of benzylic acid rearrangement. Phytochem 1996;43:673-9.

Bekker R, Brandt EV, Ferreira D. Structure and stereochemistry of the first isoflavanone-benzofuranone biflavonoids. Tetrahedron Lett 1998;39:6407-10.

Bekker R, Brandt EV, Ferreira D. Biflavonoids, part 4, structure and stereochemistry of novel flavanone- and the first isoflavanone-benzofuranone bioflavonoids. Tetrahedron 1999;55:10005-12.

Bekker R, Ferreira D, Swart KJ, Brandt EV. Biflavonoids, part 5, structure and stereochemistry of the first bibenzofuranoids. Tetrahedron 2000;56:5297-302.

Bekker R, Li XC, El Sohly HN, Clark AM, Brandt EV, Ferreira D. Resolution and absolute configuration of naturally occurring auronols. J Nat Prod 2001;64:345-7.

Blunden G, Patel AV, Armstrong N, Adrian-Romero M. Distribution and chemotaxonomic significance of N-methylprolines in selected plant families. Nat Prod Comm 2006;1:121-30.

Blunden G, Patel AV, Adrian-Romero M, Meléndez P. The accumulation of trans-4-hydroxy-N-methylproline and N-methylproline by some plant species. Bioch Syst Ecol 2004;32:1153-8.

McGaw LJ, Van der Merwe D, Eloff JN. In vitro anthelmintic, antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of extracts from plants used in South African ethnoveterinary medicine. Vet J 2007;173:366-72.

Aremu AO, Finnie JF, Van Staden J. Potential of South African medicinal plants used as anthelmintics: Their efficacy, safety concerns and reappraisal of current screening methods. S Afr J Bot 2012;82:134-50.

McGaw LJ, Elgorashi EE, Eloff JN. Cytotoxicity of African medicinal plants against normal animal and human cells. In: Kuete V, editor. Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants. London: Elsevier; 2014. p. 181-33.

Published

07-10-2019

How to Cite

ALFRED MAROYI. “BERCHEMIA ZEYHERI (SOND.) GRUBOV: MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES: ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY OF BERCHEMIA ZEYHERI”. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, vol. 12, no. 10, Oct. 2019, pp. 14-18, doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2019.v12i10.35060.

Issue

Section

Review Article(s)