Carpobrotus edulis has widely been used in South Africa as a traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments and its pharmacological activities has been widely studied. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive literature overview regarding phytochemistry, traditional use, pharmacology and toxicology of different Carpobrotus edulis extracts. The review was compiled through a thorough literature search from authentic resources using data bases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct, peer reviewed articles, books and thesis. Carpobrotus edulis is an important medicinal plant used in ethno medicine for the treatment of tuberculosis and other respiratory infections, toothache and earache, facial eczema, wounds, burns, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Pharmacological studies performed on the fresh plant materials, crude extracts and various solvent extracts of Carpobrotus edulis validates the traditional medical use of the plant. Studies performed validate the use of Carpobrotus edulis extracts in antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and antioxidant therapy. Carpobrotus edulis also has proved to have anticholinesterase activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Information on therapeutic validation in wound healing, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, analgesia and gastrointestinal motility is scanty. To substantiate the traditional use of C. edulis in the aforementioned area, there is need for further experimental studies to validate its pharmacological use. The information on toxicology was also scanty however the available literature suggests that C. edulis extracts are non-toxic. The review article supports the folkloric use of the medicinal plant. However, in-depth studies evaluating the safety profile of C. edulis extracts are highly recommended.

The leaves of Carpobrotus edulis are used in folk medicine to treat several ailments. This study therefore seeks to do a phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of Carpobrotus edulis which grows in Zimbabwe as well as determine the effect of these aqueous extracts on hematological parameters of Sprague Dawley rats. Aqueous extraction of Carpobrotus edulis leaves was performed by using routine methods and standard phytochemical screening methods. Thirty-two (32) Sprague Dawley rats of both sexes equally represented, were grouped into three treatment groups (A-C) and one negative control group D of eight animals each. Group A received 100mg/kg of the extract; Group B received 300mg/kg while Group C received 1000mg/kg of the extract for 28 days. After 28 days of daily oral gavage of the extract, hematological parameters were measured. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins and glycosides. Aqueous leaf extracts of Carpobrotus edulis did not have any significant effects (P>0.05) on the hematological parameters on any of the treatment groups of Sprague Dawley rats after oral exposure for 28 days. Carpobrotus edulis have no deleterious effects on the hematological parameters however further studies are recommended to completely evaluate the safety profile of the plant.

Carpobrotus edulis is a common medicinal plant used in Southern Africa. Despite its extensive use in herbal medicine, there is no documented scientific evidence corroborating its safety. This study aims to evaluate the acute and subacute toxic effects of the aqueous extracts of Carpobrotus edulis in Sprague Dawley rats. In acute toxicity testing, three healthy female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to Carpobrotus edulis aqueous extract per step at any of the four fixed dose levels of 300, 600, 1200 and 2000mg/Kg body weight. The Sprague Dawley rats were observed clinically for any signs of toxicity. A 28-day subacute toxicity testing was carried out on thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats grouped in four experimental groups of eight animals each. Group A received 100mg//kg of the extract, Group B received 300mg/kg while Group C received 1000mg/kg. Group D was a negative control group and received distilled water. Bodyweight, feed and water intake were measured at weekly intervals. Blood for biochemical analysis was collected on the last day of the study period. Gross pathological and histopathological examination was done on all experimental rats. There were no clinical signs suggestive of toxicity on all doses used in acute toxicity testing. The LD50 of the aqueous extract of Carpobrotus edulis was estimated to be above 2000mg/kg. On subacute toxicity testing, there were no significance differences (P<0.05) on body weight changes, feed and water intake in all experimental groups. The serum biochemical results also did not show any significant variation among all the experimental groups. Gross pathology and histopathology examination of the selected organ tissues revealed no differences between control and treated Sprague Dawley Rats. It is concluded from the study that the aqueous extracts of Carpobrotus edulis are potentially safe.

The following article is being withdrawn. Toonse Nguwesu Mudimba, Joseph Mwanzia Nguta. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of Carpobrotus edulis: A global perspective. The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2019;8(3):111-116. DOI: 10.31254/phyto.2019.8305