Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development
ISSN: (Online) 2616-4809, (Print) 2519-559X
Page 1 of 6
Review Article
Pleurostylia capensis Turcz (Loes): A review of its
phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology
and its ethnomedicinal uses
Author:
Nokukhanya E. Thembane1
Affiliation:
1
Department of Biomedical
Science, Mangosuthu
University of Technology,
Umlazi, South Africa
Corresponding author:
Nokukhanya Thembane,
thembane@mut.ac.za
Dates:
Received: 17 Nov. 2022
Accepted: 22 Mar. 2023
Published: 18 May 2023
How to cite this article:
Thembane, N.E., 2023,
‘Pleurostylia capensis Turcz
(Loes): A review of its
phytochemistry,
pharmacology and toxicology
and its ethnomedicinal uses’,
Journal of Medicinal
Plants for Economic
Development 7(1), a187.
https://doi.org/10.4102/
jomped.v7i1.187
Copyright:
© 2023. The Author.
Licensee: AOSIS. This work
is licensed under the
Creative Commons
Attribution License.
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Background: Pleurostylia capensis Turcz (Loes) is a tree species found in Africa that has been
used in traditional medicine for various ailments.
Aim: This review aims to investigate the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of
P. capensis Turcz (Loes) and its ethnomedicinal uses.
Method: A comprehensive search was conducted using electronic databases, including
PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The keywords used were ‘Pleurostylia capensis’,
‘phytochemistry’, ‘pharmacology’, ‘toxicology’ and ‘ethnomedicine’. Studies were included if
they reported on the phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, toxicological
evaluations and/or ethnomedicinal uses of Pleurostylia capensis.
Results: A phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds
including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds. Pharmacological
studies have reported the plant’s potential as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
antimicrobial and a potential agent for bone and articular cartilage regeneration.
Toxicological evaluations have shown that the plant is safe for human consumption at
recommended doses.
Conclusion: The review highlights the potential of Pleurostylia capensis as a source of bioactive
compounds with pharmacological activities. Toxicological evaluations have also shown that
the plant is safe for human consumption. The review provides useful information for further
research on the development of new drugs from natural products.
Contribution: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the phytochemistry,
pharmacology, toxicology of Pleurostylia capensis and its ethnomedicinal uses. The review
highlights the potential of the plant as a source of bioactive compounds and provides a basis
for further research on the development of new drugs from natural products.
Keywords: Pleurostylia capensis; phytochemistry; pharmacology; toxicology; ethnomedicine.
Introduction
The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases has a long history in many
cultures and remains an important source of healthcare worldwide. Among the diverse array of
plants used for medicinal purposes, Pleurostylia capensis Turcz (Loes) (P. capensis) has received
attention in recent years because of its beneficial pharmacological properties and potential
therapeutic applications. Pleurostylia capensis Turcz (Loes) is a species of flowering plant native
to South Africa. It belongs to the family Celastraceae (Darbyshire et al. 2016); and is commonly
known as the Cape satinwood. It is a tree or shrub that can grow up to 20 m tall and is often
found growing in coastal forests, dune scrub and rocky hillsides (Pote et al. 2006). A researcher
named Turczaninow, first reported on P. capensis Turcz (Loes) in the early 1800s, described the
plant as Euonymus capensis and later, in 1852, as a new species, P. capensis (Turczaninow 1829).
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the taxonomic classification,
geographical distribution, common names, morphological characteristics, traditional medicinal
uses, cultural practices use, commercialisation, non-medicinal uses, toxicology and
pharmacological properties of P. capensis. The article presents a detailed analysis of the available
literature on P. capensis, with a focus on its ethnobotanical and pharmacological significance.
The information presented in this study may be useful for researchers and practitioners
interested in exploring the potential applications of P. capensis in the fields of medicine and
pharmacology.
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Review Article
Methods
Physical description
A systematic review of the literature was conducted to
identify, evaluate and synthesise peer-reviewed journal
articles and relevant data on P. capensis. A comprehensive
search of electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus
and Web of Science was conducted using the keywords
‘Pleurostylia capensis’, ‘phytochemistry’, ‘pharmacology’,
‘toxicology’ and ‘ethnomedicine’. Inclusion criteria were
studies reporting on the plant’s phytochemical composition,
pharmacological activities, toxicological evaluations and/or
ethnomedicinal uses. Additional information deemed
noteworthy by the investigator was also included. A total of
35 relevant journal articles, documents and data were
included in the study. The main objective was to compile
information on the plant, including harvest patterns based
on traders’ commercialisation and conservation status.
This plant grows up to a height of 20 m. It is a spindly shrub
that has glistering dark green to fresh green leaves as depicted
in Figure 1. P. capensis grows in coastal and mountainous
forests, along the banks of rivers, canyons and streams
(Razwinani, Tshikalange & Motaung 2014).
Review findings
Classification
P. capensis is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the
eudicot clade within the plant kingdom. It is classified
under the order Malpighiales, which is a diverse group of
flowering plants, consisting of 36 families. P. capensis belongs
to the Phyllanthaceae family, which includes tropical and
subtropical plants like trees, shrubs and herbs. The Pleurostylia
genus, to which P. capensis belongs, is native to Africa and
Madagascar (Darbyshire et al. 2016).
Geographical distribution
P. capensis is native to Southern Africa and its distribution
range includes several countries in the region. The plant is
specifically found in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini,
Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Within these
countries, it is found in diverse types of woodland and forest
habitats, including the Fynbos biome in South Africa, the
Zambezian and Mopane woodlands in Mozambique and
Zimbabwe. Additionally, the P. capensis plant species has
been introduced to other regions such as Australia and
Madagascar (Darbyshire et al. 2016; Hyde et al. 2023; Loffer &
Loffer 2005; eds. Manning & Goldblatt 2012; Van Wyk,
Oudtshoorn & Gericke 1997).
Vernacular names
P. capensis is known by different names depending on the
region or country. The general English language refers to
P. capensis as mountain hard pear, coffee pear and saffron
wood. The South African Afrikaans speaking citizens have
termed it koffiehardepeerhout, koffiepeer and berghardepeerhout.
The AmaXhosa clan who originate from the Eastern Cape,
South Africa call it umthunywalele, umbovane ontsaka and
umngqangqa (Johnson 1990). The people who speak IsiZulu
have termed it umngqangqa, umthunyelelwa, umthelela and
thunyulelelwa (Grace et al. 2003). The Tonga people who live
in Zimbabwe refer to it as Mulyamandebele (Tshisikhawe,
Van Rooyen & Bhat 2012).
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The bark is the most harvested part of the plant. The use of
the bark for medicinal purposes is reported for approximately
30% of the woody species (Tshisikhawe et al. 2012). The
appearance of the outer bark varies depending on the age of
the plant. Young stems are relatively smooth and have a
rectangular scale, while mature trunks have a rough bark
with irregular flakes as depicted in Figure 1.
The inner part of the bark of the plant has a smooth texture
with vertical ridges and is stratified by yellow and pink
layers when cut longitudinally. The bark powder has a
pinkish-grey colour and a sawdust smell. These descriptions
are based on the trader’ reports and observation of the plant,
and the descriptions of the bark physical characteristics as
reported by Khumalo (2018).
Traditional practices of P. capensis
In addition to its medicinal use, P. capensis is also employed
in traditional practices. Reports about the plant were said to
be believed to have strong sorcery properties among the
Venda people in South Africa, as cited by Mabongo (2012).
Traditional practitioners grind the plant into a powdery
form, which is then mixed with other anti-parasitic medicinal
plants and animal or plant materials to create a magical
mixture. This mixture is then blown towards a specific
individual and is believed to have an effect even if the
individual is distant from the source (Razwinani et al. 2014).
Other reported uses of P. capensis include its utilisation for
traditional and religious purposes; wherein the patient
undergoes a ritualistic body wash to purge against witchcraft
(Razwinani et al. 2014).
Commercialisation of P. capensis
Historical studies have classified P. capensis as a vulnerable
and a rapidly declining plant species in KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa (Grace et al. 2003). P. capensis is readily
available for commercial uses and pharmaceutical
companies. The proliferation of medicinal plant trade
appears to be prevalent in the Venda, Gauteng and
Mpumalanga region, of South Africa. Ethnobotanical
studies previously revealed that the expanding market for
indigenous medicinal plants in South Africa poses a
significant risk to the conservation and preservation of
many plant species (Tshisikhawe et al. 2012).
However, in the recent study, P. capensis was assessed for its
conservation status by the South African National
Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The most recent assessment
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a
b
c
FIGURE 1: (a) The leaves (Loffer 2022); (b) bark (Khumalo 2018) and (c) stem (Hyde et al. 2023) of P. capensis.
TABLE 1: Some ethnomedicinal uses of Pleurostylia capensis Turcz (Loes) in
Africa.
Country
Parts used
Ethnomedical use
Reference
South Africa
Unknown
Insomnia (regulating
sleeping patterns)
(Stafford et al. 2008)
Southern
Uganda
Leaf
Abdominal pain that arises (Ssegawa &
because of distention,
Kasenene 2007)
spasms or obstruction in
paediatric patients.
East Africa
Unknown
Epilepsy and mental Illness (Reid et al. 2006)
South Africa
Bark
Cosmetic purposes
(steaming)
South Africa
Bark and root Inflammation and pain
induced by osteoarthritis
(Khumalo 2018;
Razwinani et al. 2014)
(Razwinani et al. 2014)
Note: For full reference details please see Thembane, N.E., 2023, ‘Pleurostylia capensis Turcz
(Loes): A review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology and its ethnomedicinal
uses’, Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development 7(1), a187. https://doi.
org/10.4102/jomped.v7i1.187 for the full reference list.
conducted by Von Staden (2020), classified the P. capensis
species as ‘Least Concern’. This assessment was based on
the widespread distribution of P. capensis and the lack of
evidence indicating any significant threats to its survival
(Von Staden 2020). Therefore, there is currently no
immediate concern for the conservation of this species.
However, ongoing monitoring and research on the
population dynamics, habitat quality and potential threats
are necessary to ensure the long-term survival of P. capensis
in the wild. The ethnomedicinal use involves the traditional
or indigenous use of P. capensis by various communities.
The practice is based on local knowledge, practices and
beliefs surrounding the use of P. capensis for supporting
health (Stafford et al. 2008) (Table 1).
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A study conducted by Khumalo (2018) entitled ‘An inventory
of the most popular medicinal barks sold on Johannesburg
muthi (medicinal) markets and the antimicrobial activity of
selected extracts and isolated chemical compounds’ reported
that in South Africa, the powdered form of the bark is sold
in Johannesburg, South Africa. Traders claim that the bark
is used to induce and clarify dreams, particularly when an
urgent message is needed from ancestors (Dold & Cocks
2012). Additionally, the bark is commonly used as a love
charm emetic, and young males hold the bark in high regard,
referring to it as ‘umthunywa avume njengempaka
yomthakathi’ (Khumalo 2018). Notably, even in recent times,
P. capensis is still considered to be an efficacious cathartic
agent in communities that attribute symptoms to witchcraft.
Non-medicinal use: Wagon construction and
firewood
Apart from harvesting the parts of the plant for
commercialisation in ethnomedicinal and traditional use,
the South African people use P. capensis for non-medicinal
use. For instance, the wood of the P. capensis tree was
traditionally used for wagon construction due to its
strength and durability (Archer & Van Wyk 1993). However,
the widespread use of other materials in modern times has
reduced the demand for this particular use (Mabongo
2012). Another study by Dyer (1996) indicated that
the rural community members in South Africa use wood
for fire.
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TABLE 2: The various secondary metabolites contained by P. capensis.
Phytochemical
Description
References
Alkaloids
(Pleurocapensine,
pleurobrachine and
pleurocarpine)
Alkaloids are a major class found in P. capensis (Inoue &
which have been found have various biological Hayashi 2021)
activities, including antitumor, antimalarial and
anti-inflammatory properties.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are phenolic compounds that have (Patel & Patel
been reported to have antioxidant,
2019)
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
activities.
Triterpenoids
(Betulinic acid and
oleanolic acid)
Triterpenoids are anti-inflammatory,
anticancer and hepatoprotective.
(Bachar et al.
2020)
Phenolic acids such They have been shown to have various
as caffeic acid and biological activities, including antioxidant,
chlorogenic acid
anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects.
and tannins
(Sharma et al.
2021)
Note: For full reference details please see Thembane, N.E., 2023, ‘Pleurostylia capensis Turcz
(Loes): A review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology and its ethnomedicinal
uses’, Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development 7(1), a187. https://doi.
org/10.4102/jomped.v7i1.187 for the full reference list.
Phytochemistry
The plant has been studied extensively for its phytochemical
composition and various biological activities as indicated in
Table 2. Phytochemicals are compounds that occur naturally
in plants as secondary metabolites. Several studies have
reported the presence of different classes of secondary
metabolites in the plant, including triterpenoids, flavonoids
and alkaloids (Bachar et al. 2020). P. capensis contains
noteworthy phytochemicals; however, scientific studies
investigating whether these compounds contribute to its
medicinal properties are yet to be conducted.
Toxicology
Cytotoxicity of Pleurostylia capensis stem bark
extracts
This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of P. capensis
stem and bark extracts. The stem bark of P. capensis was
extracted using different solvents, including ethanol,
acetone, dichloromethane and water. The MTT Assay is
3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium
bromide, a gold standard method for determining cell
viability and proliferation. The results showed that the water
extract of P. capensis stem bark had the least cytotoxic effect
on Vero and HEPG-2 cell lines, while the dichloromethane
extract had the highest cytotoxic effect. The study concluded
that P. capensis stem bark extracts had varying degrees of
cytotoxic effects depending on the solvent used for extraction
(Razwinani, Tshikalange & Motaung 2014).
Pharmacological activities
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and
antimicrobial activity
P. capensis has been studied for its efficacy against
various microorganisms and its anti-inflammatory activity.
Razwinani et al. (2014) investigated the potential use of
P. capensis in this regard. Studies reported that extracts of the P.
capensis bark have antimicrobial activity against various clinical
isolates namely: (1) Staphylococcus aureus, (2) Bacillus cereus, (3)
Mycobacterium smegmatis, (4) Escherichia coli, (5) Klebsiella
pneumoniae, (6) Klebsiella oxytoca, (7) Streptococcus pyogenes, (8)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, (9) Salmonella typhimurium and (10)
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Review Article
Candida albicans. The bark extracts of P. capensis also showed
antioxidant activity when evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl
-2-picrylhdraxyl (DPPH) technique, as well as antiinflammatory activity when evaluated using enzyme-based
cyclooxygenase assays COX-1 and COX-2 (Razwinani et al.
2014).
Pleurostylia capensis extracts promote
osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts
The background motivation for this study was based on bone
fractures. According to the researchers, the bone healing
process continues to present a formidable orthopaedic
challenge because of non-unions. Non-unions are a result of
a failure in the natural bone healing process, resulting in the
formation of fibrous tissue instead of bone (Thembane 2019).
This study aimed to investigate the effect of P. capensis crude
extracts on the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 mouse
myoblasts. Cells were cultured as monolayers and treated
with P. capensis extracts and incubated for 2, 4 and 8 days for
biological assays. Effects of the crude extract were analysed
using the MTT assay (to assess cell viability), the expression
of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to liver function, bone
morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) protein levels by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Real-Time
Polymerase Reaction (RT-PCR) for bone biochemical markers
(Thembane 2019). Histological studies were conducted after
21 days, using micro mass culture to confirm matrix
mineralisation and calcium deposit synthesis on C2C12 cells.
The results showed that aqueous extracts from the bark and
roots of P. capensis were most effective at a concentration of
30 µg/mL. The extracts enhanced the proliferation and
viability of cells reported by the MTT and protein assays.
There was also upregulation of osteogenic markers, including
ALP and BMP-2, with the expression of bone turnover
markers, namely, Runx-2, ALP and Osteocalcin (OC) in RTPCR. Histology confirmed matrix mineralisation and calcium
deposit synthesis on C2C12 cells, suggesting an osteogenic
phenotype. The findings of this study demonstrated the
potential of P. capensis crude extracts as a promising starting
point for the formulation of a treatment strategy for fracture.
Further studies are required to fully understand the
mechanisms behind these effects and to optimise the
formulation for clinical use (Thembane 2019).
Chondrogenic differentiation for osteoarthritis
This study investigated the effect of the P. capensis bark and
root extracts on chondrogenic differentiation of porcine
adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pADMSCs)
(Razwinani & Motaung 2022). The effect of P. capensis bark
and root extracts at 5 µg/mL, 15 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL and
50 µg/mL on cellular growth viability and viability of
pADMSCs was investigated using MTT and xCELLigence
assays and TGF-β3 (10 ng/mL) as a positive control.
The biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the
expression of chondrogenic markers SOX 9, aggrecan (AGG),
proteoglycan (Proteo), collagen type II (Col II) and X (Col X)
of pADMSCs in pellet culture were investigated in vitro. The
results showed that P. capensis bark extracts at 5 µg/mL and
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50 µg/mL stimulated the proliferation of pADMSCs between
24 h and 48 h of incubation, with cell viability of approximately
100%. The root extracts showed cell viability of about 90%
with all treatments at 48 h. The amount of GAG synthesised
was high with bark extracts at 5 µg/mL and 15 µg/mL and
with root extracts at 15 µg/mL and 30 µg/mL in comparison
to the control and TGF-β3 treated cells at 21 days. Bark
extracts at 30 µg/mL induced the highest expression of
SOX 9, Proteo, Col II and Col X significant at p ˂ 0.01 at
14 days. Root extracts at 15 µg/mL induced the highest
expression of SOX 9 and AGG at 14 days. All the cells treated
with P. capensis bark and root extracts exhibited a strong
positive stain for Safranin-O and strongly observed Toluidine
blue at day 14. Immunohistostaining revealed minimal
positive staining at matrix for COL-10 from both groups of
treatments. Nevertheless, P. capensis (bark extract) at 30 µg/
mL and the root extracts at 15 µg/mL indicate that P. capensis
has a potential to be used as a future treatment strategy for
chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells and supports the
use of this plants extracts as used in indigenous knowledge
(Razwinani & Motaung 2022).
There are studies involving another South African medicinal
plant Eucomis autumnalis and its possible application in bone
and cartilage regeneration. A study conducted by Alaribe
determined that the anti-inflammatory effects of E. autumnalis
were because of its ability to inhibit the COX-1 and
COX-2 enzymes, leading to a reduction in the synthesis of
prostaglandins. The researchers suggested that other
medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory properties similar
to E. autumnalis could stimulate the anabolic function of
osteoblasts, while also inhibiting the catabolic function of
osteoclasts and adipocytes, thereby promoting bone
formation (Alaribe et al. 2018). However, it remains unclear
whether the osteogenic and chondrogenic potential of
P. capensis Turcz (Loes) is attributed to its anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Conclusion
The use of medicinal plants for the management and treatment
of various ailments has been a widespread practice in human
cultures for centuries. The current literature review identified
various pharmacological activities of P. capensis, including
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial
properties. The phytochemical composition of the plant was
also reported, including the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids,
tannins and saponins. Additionally, the toxicological
evaluations revealed that the plant is relatively safe for
consumption, with minimal adverse effects reported. The
review also highlighted the plant’s traditional use in
ethnomedicine, where it is used to treat various ailments,
including respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and
skin conditions. Moreover, the study supplied information on
the commercialisation and conservation status of the plant,
highlighting sustainable harvesting and the conservation
efforts. In sum, P. capensis Turcz (Loes) or ‘coffee pear’ is
an important medicinal plant in Southern Africa with
significant ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological,
ethnomedicinal and toxicological significance. While some
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Review Article
therapeutic effects of P. capensis extracts have been highlighted
in this review, there is a need for further research on the
ethnomedical benefits of extracts from various morphological
parts of the plant. Such studies could potentially reveal
additional medicinal properties of P. capensis and enhance
its potency in the management and treatment of human and
animal ailments. Additionally, more laboratory based, and
animal studies are required to establish the mechanisms
and pathways of the biological and pharmacological properties
of P. capensis. Therefore, further investigations into the
medicinal properties of P. capensis could lead to the development
of new and effective medicines, contributing to the advancement
of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Future research should
focus on: (1) the identification of bioactive compounds that
offer the plant osteogenic and chondrogenic properties; and (2)
the development of sustainable harvesting practices to ensure
the long-term viability of this important medicinal plant.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to
Dr Mlungisi Ngcobo and Mr Siphamandla Hlatshwayo from
the Traditional Medicine Laboratory at University of
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa; who generously shared their
time, experience and insight. The success of this article was
through their willingness to engage, and the author is deeply
thankful for their participation.
Competing interests
The author declares that they have no financial or personal
relationships that may have inappropriately influenced
them in writing this article.
Author’s contributions
The author, N.E.T., confirms that they are responsible for the
conceptualization, data collection, analysis, draft manuscript
preparation and interpretation of this article.
Ethical considerations
The study was a review of existing literature; therefore,
ethical clearance was not required.
Funding information
The author received no financial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Data availability
There is a single figure/image used which comes from
factual data from copyrighted material.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or
position of any affiliated agency of the author.
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