A Chewable Cure “Kanna”: Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Sceletium tortuosum

Abstract

Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E.Br. (Mesembryanthemaceae), commonly known as kanna or kougoed, is an effective indigenous medicinal plant in South Africa, specifically to the native San and Khoikhoi tribes. Today, the plant has gained strong global attraction and reputation due to its capabilities to promote a sense of well-being by relieving stress with calming effects. Historically, the plant was used by native San hunter-gatherers and Khoi people to quench their thirst, fight fatigue and for healing, social, and spiritual purposes. Various studies have revealed that extracts of the plant have numerous biological properties and isolated alkaloids of Sceletium tortuosum are currently being used as dietary supplements for medicinal purposes and food. Furthermore, current research has focused on the commercialization of the plant because of its treatment in clinical anxiety and depression, psychological and psychiatric disorders, improving mood, promoting relaxation and happiness. In addition, several studies have focused on the isolation and characterization of various beneficial bioactive compounds including alkaloids from the Sceletium tortuosum plant. Sceletium was reviewed more than a decade ago and new evidence has been published since 2008, substantiating an update on this South African botanical asset. Thus, this review provides an extensive overview of the biological and pharmaceutical properties of Sceletium tortuosum as well as the bioactive compounds with an emphasis on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and other significant biological effects. There is a need to critically evaluate the bioactivities and responsible bioactive compounds, which might assist in reinforcing and confirming the significant role of kanna in the promotion of healthy well-being in these stressful times.

Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics and Feature-Based Molecular Networking Reveals Population-Specific Chemistry in Some Species of the Sceletium Genus

“…These products are sold as herbal teas, dietary supplements and other phytopharmaceutics. However, only some of these products have been scientifically investigated with the greatest quantity of information available for Zembrin® in terms of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological data ( 4 , 5 ) and more recently clinical studies focusing on this particular product as an anxiolytic and anti-depressant phytopharmaceutical ( 6 – 9 ). In international markets, Sceletium products are classified as food supplements that are also sold in the complementary and alternative medicines sector.…”

Anxiolytic Potentiality of Tamarindus indica Flowers

“…The results of the current study reveal the presence of different phytochemical constituents in different extracts of the T. indica flower extracts. Apart from our study, many researchers have been reporting presence of various bioactive molecules in medicinal plants [38][39][40][41][42] , the extracts had showed good antianxiolytic activity at different doses and methanol extract showed more activity. EPM model, is universally using method to know the anxiety as it uses natural stimulus i.e., fear of a new, brightly open spaces, and fear of balancing on narrow spaces on raised platform.…”

The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011–2022

“…These drugs have been associated with numerous adverse effects, hence the endless pursuance of substitute sources. For centuries, native tribes across the world have used medicinal plants for therapeutic pain relief, and nowadays this has gained attraction in the research as well as pharmaceutical sectors [ 3 , 13 , 81 , 82 ]. Parenti et al [ 21 ], administered several combinations of H. procumbens extract with morphine via in vivo trials using rats.…”