INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VO`LUME 10, ISSUE 05, MAY 2021 ISSN 2277-8616 A Review Of Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry And Pharmacological Activities Of Alepidea Species Alfred Maroyi Abstract—Alepidea species are widely used as traditional medicines in southern Africa. This study aims at providing comprehensive information on the medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Alepidia species. Electronic databases, including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Springer Link were used as information sources. Additional information was obtained pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, scientific journals and other grey literature obtained from the University library. The diterpenoids, particularly kaurene derivatives, alkaloids, flavonols, flavonoids, phenols, proanthocyanidin, saponins and tannins were the main phytochemical classes identified in the extracts of Alepidea species. Some species of Alepidea exhibited various pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-HIV, anti- inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antiprotozoal, cardiovascular, diuretic and cytotoxicity activities. The genus Alepidea is a valuable source of bioactive phytochemical compounds with therapeutic potential in different diseases. More in vitro and in vivo animal studies are required to confirm the efficacy, safety and the mechanisms of actions before future clinical studies involving Alepidea species. Keywords— Alepidea, Apiaceae, herbal medicine, indigenous knowledge, southern Africa, Umbelliferae —————————— —————————— 1 INTRODUCTION The genus Alepidea F. Delaroche belongs to the Apiaceae, 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS Umbelliferae, celery, carrot or parsley family. The Apiaceae Several electronic databases were searched which included family is one of the largest and widely distributed plant families Web of Science, Elsevier, Pubmed, Google scholar, Springer, with approximately 3750 species and 434 genera [1], and Science Direct, Scopus, Taylor and Francis. Additional these species have played an important role in human information was obtained from pre-electronic sources such as nutrition, medicine and religion in various cultures in books, book chapters, scientific journals and other grey throughout the world [2-5]. The genus Alepidea comprises 32 literature obtained from the University library. The relevant species with its centre of diversity in southern Africa, and one terms included ethnobotany, medicinal uses, traditional uses, or two species extending to East and North-east Africa [6-8]. phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of the extracts, and The genus name Alepidea means ―without a scale‖, based on phytochemical compounds isolated from the genus Alepidea. the Greek prefix ―a” meaning without, and the word ―lepis” The Alepidea species names were authenticated using The meaning ―a scale‖. Some species belonging to the genus Plant List managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Alepidia have been used as traditional medicines in southern the Missouri Botanical Garden (http://www.theplantlist.org/). Africa [6, 9-11]. Such medicinal plants have played an Plant authorities were also authenticated through this process. important role as primary sources of traditional medicines for The ultimate goal of this search was to explore articles that centuries and still continue to provide humankind with new investigated the medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmaceutical drugs and health products. The genus pharmacological properties of Alepidea species. A total of 99 Alepidea is also known for having several species with food, articles published between 1938 and 2020 matched the medicinal and other traditional uses. The roots of A. inclusion criteria and were included in this review (Fig. 1). amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh. are used as food flavourant, seasoning and preservative agent in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa [12,13]. In Eswatini and South Africa, the leaves of A. longifolia (E. Mey.) Dümmer and A. natalensis J.M. Wood & M.S. Evans are edible as leafy vegetables when young [14-17]. The young leaves of A. peduncularis A. Rich. are collected from the wild and used as cooked leafy vegetables, particularly in southern Africa [13-15,18]. Van Wyk [19] and Van Wyk [20] argued that the roots of Alepidea species such as A. amatymbica and A. cordifolia B.-E. Van Wyk have potential in the development of new commercial medicinal products which can be used against chest ailments, colds and influenza. _________________________ Therefore, this study aims at providing comprehensive Alfred Maroyi; Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Fig. 1. Flow diagram with the number of selected articles informationBag X1314, on Alice the 5700, medicinal South Africa, uses, Phone/Fax phytochemical 0027406022322, and pharmacologicalEmail [email protected] properties of Alepidea species. 382 IJSTR©2021 www.ijstr.org INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VO`LUME 10, ISSUE 05, MAY 2021 ISSN 2277-8616 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION argued that cultivation of the species can serve as a tool for combined biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation in 3.1 Medicinal uses of Alepidea species South Africa. The roots of A. delicatula are traded as herbal Plants of the genus Alepidea are widely used in ethnomedicine medicine in informal herbal medicine markets in the Eastern and ethnoveterinary medicine. A total of 10 species of Alepidea Cape [28] and Western Cape [28] provinces of South Africa. In (31.3%) have been identified to be used in folk medicine as Cape Town in South Africa, the roots of A. longifolia are sold herbal medicines, insecticides, tonics, and other uses. These as herbal medicine in combination with Cissampelos capensis species include A. amatymbica, A. capensis, A. cordifolia, A. L.f., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Stoebe fusca (L.) Thunb. and longifolia, A. natalensis, A. peduncularis, A. pilifera, A. serrata, Tulbaghia violacea Harv. [39,40]. Similarly, the roots of A. A. setifera and A. thodei (Table 2). These species are mainly longifolia are traded in informal herbal medicine markets in the used as charm and ritual purposes, and traditional medicine Gauteng province [30] of South Africa. The roots of A. pilifera for snake bites, venereal diseases, rheumatism, gastro- and A. setifera are traded in informal herbal medicine markets intestinal problems, headache, fever and respiratory infections in the Gauteng province [30] of South Africa. Similarly, the (Table 2, Fig. 2). The following section presents a review of rhizomes and roots of A. cordifolia and A. macowanii are ethnomedicinal uses of Alepidea species and more details on traded as herbal medicines in informal herbal medicine this aspect and the associated references are indicated in markets in South Africa [31]. Table 2. Generally, rhizomes and roots are the widely used plant parts against a large variety of diseases. The herbal TABLE 1 preparations mentioned include crushing, decoction, infusion, MEDICINAL USES OF ALEPIDEA SPECIES maceration, inhalation and poultice. Most of the Alepidea species are reported to be used in South Africa, Lesotho, Scientific name Plant part Country Reference Eswatini and Zimbabwe (Table 2). Alepidea species are used /region A. amatymbica against a wide range of diseases, and treatments of Appetite booster Roots South 41 inflammatory conditions, body pain, wounds and skin Africa infections. The species are also used for non-medicinal Belching Rhizomes and South 42 purposes such as charm and magical rituals, when species roots Africa are used for good luck, protection purposes or as incense to Charm and ritual (good Rhizome, roots South 17,18,23,3 luck and protection) and whole plant Africa 5,43,44] communicate with the ancestors (Table 2). In most Cleansing blood Roots South 41 ethnobotanical studies, Alepidea species are used alone, but Africa often mixed with other species. For example, in South Africa, Cryptococcal meningitis Rhizomes and South 45 the rhizomes of A. amatymbica are mixed with those of roots Africa Gunnera perpensa L. as traditional medicine against stomach Diabetes mellitus Roots and whole South 35 plant Africa ache [10,17,21]. In Lesotho and South Africa, the rhizomes Fever Rhizomes South 26,46-50 and roots of either A. amatymbica or A. cordifolia or A. pilifera Africa or A. setifera are mixed with Cannabis sativa L. are used Fungal infections Rhizomes and South 45 against asthma [17,22,23]. In South Africa, the roots of A. roots Africa amatymbica are mixed with bark of Pterocelastrus echinatus Gastro-intestinal Rhizomes and South 6,9,10,17, N.E.Br., Pterocelastrus rostratus (Thunb.) Walp. and problems (abdominal roots Africa 22,26,31,4 cramps, abdominal 2,47,51-66 Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus (Lam.) Walp. as traditional pains, constipation, medicine against respiratory infection [10,24]. diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach ache and Alepidea amatymbica is an ingredient of a multipurpose herbal stomach pains) concoction called ―sejeso‖ which is sold in informal street Stomach ache Rhizomes mixed South 10,17,21 with those of Africa herbal medicine markets, herbal medicine shops, Gunnera supermarkets and pharmacies in South Africa. herbal perpensa L. concoction called ―sejeso‖. Ndhlala et al. [25] and Madikizela Headache Rhizomes and South 18,26,58 et al. [26] reported the use of ―sejeso‖ for heartburn, roots Africa stomachache, stomach cramps, indigestion, constipation, Inflammation