A new pregnane glycoside fromGomphocarpus fruticosusgrowing in Egypt

Abstract

Phytochemical investigation of Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) Ait. of Egyptian origin afforded the new pregnane glycoside lineolon-3-O-[β-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-4)-β-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside], along with six known compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic evidences derived from 1D, 2D NMR experiments, mass spectrometry and by comparing their physical and spectroscopic data to literature. These included the triterpenoids 3β-taraxerol, 3β-taraxerol acetate and betulinic acid, which are identified for the first time in G. fruticosus and the cardenolides uzarigenin, gomphoside and calotropin.

Commercialization Potential of Six Selected Medicinal Plants Commonly Used for Childhood Diseases in South Africa: A Review

“…The plant is a small shrub, approximately 2 m tall, with thin stems that are adorned with large roundshaped seed pods, oppositely connected leaves and yellowish-green blooms in dangling clusters. It is native to South and Tropical Africa (Figure 2d), but is also found in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula as an exotic plant [40]. Although it has been naturalized and is widely distributed in South Africa, it is an imported weed native to several tropical African countries, such as Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe [34].…”

“…However, they are characterized by limited exploration in terms of their potential, especially from health and economic perspectives. For instance, A. glabrata is known to treat skin-related ailments among children [40,47,48]. As indicated by Van Wyk et al [30], the leaves and bark of the Acalypha genus are traditionally used to treat and manage diverse ailments including skin rash [30].…”

“…In tropical Africa, it is used to treat malaria, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis and cardiac palpitations. Furthermore, it is used for managing tumours, skin diseases, scabies and itching in the Arabian Peninsula [40]. In Egypt and South Africa, G. fruticosus is regarded as ethnoveterinary medicine [40,53].…”

“…Furthermore, it is used for managing tumours, skin diseases, scabies and itching in the Arabian Peninsula [40]. In Egypt and South Africa, G. fruticosus is regarded as ethnoveterinary medicine [40,53]. Despite being known for its ethnobotanical uses and medicinal properties, the economic value of G. fruticosus remains unexplored and unknown (Table 1).…”