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DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1578715
Phytochemical Constituents Of Bulbine Natalensis (Asphodelaceae)
Bulbine natalensis is an indigenous succulent herb from Southern Africa that has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac [1] as well as treatment on wound healing [2]. Due to its effect on boosting testosterone level in male [3], it is currently being marketed as various brands of health supplements. This is the first chemical investigation of B. natalensis, even though a report screened this genus chemotoxonomically using TLC and comparative HPLC to reveal chrysophanol, 10, 7′-bichrysophanol, knipholone and isoknipholone [4]. Phytochemical investigation of the stem of B. natalensis yielded six anthraquinones and one naphthalene derivative including three new compounds. NMR spectroscopy was used to elucidate the structures of isolated compounds.
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/plantamedica/201605/10-1055-s-0036-1578715-ipc13.jpg)
Fig. 1
Acknowledgements: This research is supported by “Science Based Authentication of Dietary Supplements” funded by the Food and Drug Administration grant number 1U01FD004246 – 05.
References: [1] M. T. Yakubu, A. J. Afolayan. (2010) Pharmaceutical Biology, 48(5): 568 – 576. [2] N. Pather, B. Kramer. (2012)J. Ethnopharmacol. 144: 523 – 532. [3] M. T. Yakubu, A. J. Afolayan. (2009) Int. J. Androl. 32: 629 – 636. [4] B-E. van Wyk, et al. (1995) Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 23: 277 – 281.