An investigation into the bioactivity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Cancer bush)
Date
2009-03
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Sutherlandia frutescens (S. frutescens), sub-species microphylla, is a member of the Fabacea
family and is used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of several ailments which include
influenza, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis,
anxiety, clinical depression, and more recently, those living with human immunodeficiency
virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (1-4). Many of the symptoms of
these ailments are associated with a perturbation of the stress response which may be
associated with disorders of the endocrine system. Of all the traditional plants in South Africa,
S. frutescens is regarded the most profound in that it is a multipurpose traditional remedy. The
plant has enjoyed a long history of use and reports indicating its efficacy as a safe treatment
for various health conditions have added to the popularity of this medicinal plant. The extracts
of S. frutescens have been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells, antioxidant
activity, and to possess anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory potential (5, 6), providing
scientific evidence for its therapeutic use in the treatment of cancer and diabetes. However,
this study focuses on the potential use of this medicinal plant in the treatment of stress and
stress related diseases. Chronic stress is characterized by elevated plasma levels of
glucocorticoids. These steroid hormones are synthesized in the adrenal cortex in a series of
reactions involving the steroidogenic enzymes.
The major aim of this thesis was the determination of the influence of S. frutescens extracts on
the adrenal cytochrome P450 enzymes. Aqueous, methanol and chloroform S. frutescens
extracts were prepared and the interaction with the cytochrome P450 enzymes was
investigated. The effect of these extracts towards progesterone (PROG), deoxycortisol and
deoxycorticosterone (DOC) binding to the cytochrome P450 enzymes as well as their
influence on the metabolism of these steroid substrates was investigated. A similar study (7)
showed that compounds from the S. frutescens extracts could interact with these enzymes and
possibly affect adrenal steroidogenesis. This study further investigates the bioactive properties
of the plant material in terms of the influence of S. frutescens on the cytochrome P450
enzymes and the effect of the manufacturing process on the bioactivity of the plant.
Description
Thesis (MSc (Biochemistry))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Bioactivity, Sutherlandia frutescens, Cancer bush, Stress (Psychology) -- Physiological aspects, Medicinal plants, Materia medica, Vegetable, Cytochrome P-450, Enzymes, Dissertations -- Biochemistry, Theses -- Biochemistry