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A phytochemical investigation of Craterocapsa tarsodes, a plant used for the treatment of epilepsy by the Northern Sotho people of South Africa
Abstract
Craterocapsa tarsodes (Campanulaceae) is one of the plants used by the Northern
Sotho people in an herbal remedy to treat epilepsy. A phytochemical investigation
of this plant resulted in the isolation of three major secondary metabolites.
By using NMR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry these three compounds were identified
as the known acteoside (verbascoside), pinocembrin 7-ß-neohesperidoside and
shanzhiside methyl ester. A literature search revealed that neurosedative properties
are associated with acteoside and that flavonoids related to pinocembrin interact
with benzodiazepine receptors. Therefore, the presence of acteoside and pinocembrin
neohesperidoside in C. tarsodes may account for the use of this plant against
epilepsy.
South African Journal of Botany 2002, 68: 77–79
Sotho people in an herbal remedy to treat epilepsy. A phytochemical investigation
of this plant resulted in the isolation of three major secondary metabolites.
By using NMR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry these three compounds were identified
as the known acteoside (verbascoside), pinocembrin 7-ß-neohesperidoside and
shanzhiside methyl ester. A literature search revealed that neurosedative properties
are associated with acteoside and that flavonoids related to pinocembrin interact
with benzodiazepine receptors. Therefore, the presence of acteoside and pinocembrin
neohesperidoside in C. tarsodes may account for the use of this plant against
epilepsy.
South African Journal of Botany 2002, 68: 77–79
