The phytochemistry and ethnobotany of the southern African genus Eucomis (Hyacinthaceae: Hyacinthoideae)

The endemic African genus Eucomis (Hyacinthaceae) has long been one of the most highly regarded sources of ethnomedicines in southern Africa, attracting the attentions of toxicologists, pharmacologists and phytochemists. This chapter reviews the ethnobotany of this small group of fourteen described taxa (ten species), and the known phytochemistry. Six taxa (five species) have been recorded used traditionally, for Correspondence/Reprint request: Dr. Dulcie A. Mulholland, Natural Products Research Group, School of Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 4041, Durban, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected] Chantal Koorbanally et al. 70 ailments largely related to inflammation and pain, and conditions as diverse as urinary diseases, colic, hangovers, syphilis, fractures, backache, rheumatism and teething. A total of six species have been phytochemically investigated, resulting in the isolation of thirty-nine constituents. These include four classes of homoisoflavonoids, as well as benzopyranones, spirocyclic nortriterpenoids, acids, a saponin glycoside and a chromanone. The sources, structures and spectral data of these isolates are here detailed.