Search Results (6)

Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning (synonym Sutherlandia frutescens), commonly known as cancer bush, is one of the most prominently used South African medicinal plants, with a rich history of traditional uses among indigenous communities. Its phytochemical profile showed different metabolites such as amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, flavonoid glycosides, cycloartenol glycosides, and oleanane-type saponins. Moreover, several research studies have highlighted the promising therapeutic effects of L. frutescens in combating various cancer cell lines. Additionally, the plant demonstrated potent immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, antistress, and antimicrobial activities. These research findings highlight L. frutescens as a promising candidate for the development of new or complementary therapies for a range of diseases and conditions. This review analyses the chemical and biological properties of L. frutescens based on 154 articles identified through SciFinder. Of these, 78 articles, including two patents, met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Studies focused on agriculture and horticulture were excluded as they fell outside the scope of this research. Full article

Lessertia frutescens (synonym Sutherlandia frutescens) is an important South African medicinal plant used traditionally to treat different human pathologies and is considered an adaptogenic plant. This study sought to isolate compounds from the plant and determine their protective potentials using SH-SY5Y cells and MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) to mimic Parkinson’s disease. The phytochemical analysis of a 70% aqueous methanolic extract of L. frutescens leaves resulted in the isolation and identification of 11 pure compounds (1–11), among which compounds 1 and 2 were identified as new metabolites. The new compounds were characterised using IR, UV, NMR, and HRESIMS and were given the trivial names lessertiosides A (1) and B (2). Additionally, the flavonoids 8-methoxyvestitol (7) and mucronulatol (8) were isolated for the first time from the plant. The biological actions show that the isolated compounds had negligible toxicity on SH-SY5Y cells and improved cell viability in the cells exposed to MPP⁺. Furthermore, as a mechanism of action, the compounds could sustain cellular ATP generation and prevent MPP⁺-induced apoptotic cell death. Our findings provide evidence for the neuroprotective properties of compounds isolated from L. frutescens in MPP⁺-induced neuronal damage for the first time and create an avenue for these compounds to be further investigated to elucidate their molecular targets. Full article

Lessertia frutescens is a multipurpose medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa that is used for the management of cancer, stomach ulcers, wounds, etc. The use and demand for the raw materials from this plant have been increasing steadily over the years, putting strain on the dwindling wild populations. Although cultivation may provide relief to the strained supply, the persistent drought climate poses a threat to the plant’s growth and productivity. This study explored three plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolates, TUTLFNC33, TUTLFNC37 and TUTLFWC74, obtained from the root nodules of Lessertia frutescens as potential bioinoculants that can improve yield, biological activities and the production of secondary metabolites in the host plant. Isolate TUTLFNC37 was identified as the most promising isolate for inoculation of Lessertia frutescens under drought conditions as it induced drought tolerance through enhanced root proliferation, osmolyte proline accumulation and stomatal closure. Superior biomass yield, phenolics, triterpenes and antioxidant activity were evident in the extracts of Lessertia frutescens inoculated with TUTLFNC37 and under different levels of drought. Furthermore, the metabolomics of the plant extracts demonstrated the ability of the isolate to withstand drastic changes in the composition of unique metabolites, sutherlandiosides A–D and sutherlandins A–D. Molecular families which were never reported in the plant (peptides and glycerolipids) were detected and annotated in the molecular networks. Although drought had deleterious effects on Lessertia frutescens, isolate TUTLFNC37 alleviated the impact of the stress. Isolate TUTLFNC37 is therefore the most promising, environmentally friendly alternative to harmful chemicals such as nitrate-based fertilizers. The isolate should be studied to establish its field performance, cross infectivity with other medicinal plants and competition with inherent soil microbes. Full article

The exploring of biostimulant sources is important for sustainable agriculture. Although all parts of the moringa plant (Moringa oleifera Lam.) are rich in phytohormones and phytochemicals which may be utilised as a potential plant growth enhancer, most attention has been placed on its leaves as a possible biostimulant for enhancing productivity of plants. Little has been reported on moringa seed extract (MSE) as a growth enhancer on medicinal plants. Thus, this study investigated the efficacy of MSE doses (water spray as control, MSE at 2, 4, 6 and 8%) on growth attributes, mineral content and phytochemical compositions of cancer bush plants (Lessertia frutescens L.) grown during the winter–spring and spring–summer seasons of 2021. A gradual increase in growth characteristics, chlorophyll content, phenols and flavonoid contents was recorded in all concentrations of MSE-treated plants compared with controls. Furthermore, all levels of MSE effectively enhanced the concentrations of macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium as well as micronutrients comprising copper, zinc, iron, manganese and sodium of cancer bush plants relative to untreated plants. Both 6 and 8% MSE concentrations showed high productivity, minerals and phytochemical constituents in cancer bush plants in comparison with 2 and 4% MSE treatments. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrated that, even at low concentrations, MSE can be successfully applied as a biostimulant to improve the growth and biochemical attributes of cancer bush plants. Full article

Lessertia frutescens is a multipurpose medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa. The curative ability of the medicinal plant is attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, including amino acids, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. A literature review of some of the phytochemical compounds, particularly amino acids, in L. frutescens shows a steady decrease in concentration over the years. The reduction of the phytochemical compounds and diminishing biological activities may be attributed to drought and salt stress, which South Africa has been grappling with over the years. Canavanine, a phytochemical which is associated with the anticancer activity of L. frutescens, reduced slightly when the plant was subjected to salt stress. Like other legumes, L. frutescens forms a symbiotic relationship with plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, which facilitate plant growth and development. Studies employing commercial plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria to enhance growth and biological activities in L. frutescens have been successfully carried out. Furthermore, alleviation of drought and salt stress in medicinal plants through inoculation with plant growth-promoting-rhizobacteria is well documented and effective. Therefore, this review seeks to highlight the potential of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria to alleviate the effect of salt and drought in Lessertia frutescens. Full article

Plant-beneficial microorganisms are determinants of plant health and productivity. However, the effects associated with secondary plant metabolism and interactions in the rhizosphere for Cancer bush Lessertia frutescens (L.) is unclear. The study was conducted to understand the mechanism of rhizobium inoculation for L. frutescens, variations in phytochemicals, soluble sugars, and soil–plant interactions in the rhizosphere. Four rhizobium inoculation levels (0, 100, 200, and 400 g) were evaluated under the field conditions to establish the antioxidant properties, soluble sugars, and rhizosphere soil microbial diversity at 150, 240, and 330 days after planting (d.a.p). Although inoculation did not significantly affect plant biomass and N₂ fixation of L. frutescens, total phenolics and flavonoids were enhanced with the application of 200 g at 240 days after planting. The antioxidant values analyzed through FRAP (Ferric reducing power assay) were highest with 100 g inoculation at 240 days after planting. Water-soluble sugars such as fructose, sucrose, and glucose increased with the application of 400, 200, and 100 g rhizobium inoculation. The rhizosphere′s carbon source utilization profiles (CSUP) did not vary significantly, depicting the weaker ability in converting C, P, and N profiles. The lowest ß glucosidase activity was observed in the bulk soil with the lowest alkaline and acid phosphatase activities. Soil microbial populations present in the bulk sample demonstrated the smallest overall enzyme activities. The variation of different variables studied indicate the potential of rhizobium inoculation. However, further studies are required to ascertain the inoculation′s effectiveness for plant growth and rhizosphere microbial populations of L. frutescens. Full article