Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
wounds compared with that of the untreated wounds (respectively, collagen content:
p
= 0.014 and
0.018; protein content:
p
= 0.03 and 0.04; DNA content:
p
= 0.04 and 0.04) over the 16-day experi-
mental period. Treatment with both leaf gels followed the same pattern in hexosamine content, with
a maximum hexosamine content on day 4 followed by a steady decrease to day 16. The authors
found no significant difference between the hexosamine content of the wounds of animals treated
with either
Bulbine frutescens
or
Bulbine natalensis
.
343
In related studies, the leaf extracts increased
tensile strength by increasing fibroplasia, differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and
increased collagen deposition and maturation in pigs. Knipholone, a major constituent of
Bulbine
species, showed strong antispasmodic activity but was devoid of antibacterial activity.
1148
Clinical outcome studies conducted in about 300 patients clearly showed that
Bulbine
gel
improved postoperative scar management and scar maturation.
344
These results suggest that
Bulbine
species can be formulated as a low-cost effective topical treatment for wounds. In an antiviral assay
using CEM.NK
R
-CCR5 cells, ethanolic extract of
Bulbine alooides
showed HIV-1 inhibition with
an IC
50
of 94 μg/ml.
345
Several isofuranonaphthoquinones isolated from the roots of the related
B.
capitata
showed antioxidant activity in a human lipoprotein oxidation assay, some of them with
activity comparable to that of quercetin, a flavonoid with established antioxidant activity. These
compounds also demonstrated weak antiplasmodial activities
in vitro
.
1141
Toxicity —
No serious toxicity has been reported from the use of
Bulbine
. A temporary sensi-
tivity to the topical application of
Bulbine
gel was observed in 2 of the total of about 300 patients
during a clinical study.
1141
Commerce —
The
Bulbine
species are articles of trade in the local South African
Muti
market
and in some medicinal plant markets in parts of eastern and southern Africa. No significant inter-
national trade has been recorded.
Agriculture —
The plant is mostly collected from the wild.
Bulbine
is easy to cultivate and
there are small plantations in South Africa for the production of the gel.
Formulation and Dosage Form —
The only known formulations are gels for external use. The
herb is used alone or in a mixture with other wound-healing agents.
CAJANUS CAJAN
Botanical Name —
Cajanus cajan
Millsp.
