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PENTANISIA PRUNELLOIDES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Scientific name
with author
Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp.
Plant photo – live
plant
Synonyms
P. variabilis Harv. var. intermedia Sond.
Family
Rubiaceae
Vernacular/
traditional/
regional names
Sooibrandbossie (Afrikaans); wild verbena, broad-leaved Pentanisia (English); icimamlilo, icishamilioelincane, umakuphole (Zulu)
Botanical
description
P. prunelloides is a perennial herb of approximately 30 cm in height. It has stout hairy leafy branches
sprouting from a thick strong tuberous root which withstands veldfires. The oblong leaves are somewhat
hairy and borne in pairs. This plant produces small pale purple flowers in early summer. The flowers cluster
in dense groups on the ends of branches.
Geographical
distribution
This plant is an important component of grasslands in the eastern parts of South Africa. It is widespread in
the open veld and on mountain slopes throughout southern Africa, from Eastern Cape to Tanzania, at
altitudes from sea level up to 1 980 m. It grows in well-drained soils in full sunlight and tolerates frost.
Distribution map
ETHNOBOTANICAL INFORMATION
Medicinal uses
The tuberous roots and leaves of this plant are used extensively in traditional medicine to treat a wide
range of ailments. Root decoctions are taken orally or as enemas and also applied externally for burns,
swellings, rheumatism, heartburn, vomiting, fever, toothache, tuberculosis, snakebite and haemorrhoids. It
is taken by pregnant women to ensure an easy childbirth and leaf poultices are applied for a retained
placenta.
Warm infusions of a handful of roots mixed with a handful of those of Withania somnifera (L.) Dun are
administered as enemas for the ailment referred to as gangrenous rectitis. Boiling plant decoctions are
sprinkled are sprinkled with a small brush on painful parts in the treatment of rheumatism. Pounded roots
are applied to burns and used in poultices for inflammation and swollen joints. Leaf poultices or hot root
decoctions are applied to painful swellings, rheumatic parts, sprains, sores and for fevers.
Root infusions are administered as enemas for stomach pains. Root decoctions are taken to relieve pain in
the chest, itching and blood impurities. Roots are used internally and externally to stop the emetic action of
imfuzane. Roots are ingredients in cleansing decoctions used as poison antidotes and in preventative
medicines taken to reduce the risk of virus attacks such as influenza.
Ground root decoctions are used in the Transkei for swellings, sore joints, tired legs and palpitations. Roots
are used for kidney and bladder complaints and decoctions are administered as enemas for pain in the
lower abdomen. They are also used in preparations taken for venereal diseases or applied to boils.
Unspecified parts are used for the treatment of tuberculosis.
The Swazi use powdered tubers, topically applied, for wounds and unspecified parts for scrofula. Root
decoctions are administered as anthelmintics to infants and also for stomach pain by the Manyika.
References
Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G. and Cunningham, A.B. (1996). Zulu Medicinal Plants: an inventory.
Natal University Press, Pietermaritzburg.
Ngwenya, M.A., Koopman, A. and Williams, R. (2003). Ulwazi lwamaZulu ngezimila - isingeniso: Zulu
botanical knowledge - an introduction. National Botanical Institute, Durban.
Pujol, J. (1990). Naturafrica – the herbalist handbook. Jean Pujol Natural Healers’ Foundation, Durban.
South African National Biodiversity Institute. (2004). Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Walp. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/pentanprunel.htm
Van Wyk, B-E. and Gericke, N. (2007). People’s plants: a guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza,
Pretoria.
QUALITY STANDARDS
Macroscopial
This plant is an erect perennial herb of about 0.3 metres high and 0.6 metres wide, with leafy braches and
stout hairy stems, sprouting from a woody rootstock. The leaves, which have no petioles, are very variable,
ovate with wavy margins. Leaves are usually somewhat hairy, and borne in pairs. The tubular lilac flowers
are are small and clustered in dense heads at the ends of the stems. Flowering occurs in early summer,
from August to January. The plants are long-lived and are dormant in the winter months. There are two
subspecies, P. prunelloides subsp. prunelloides, which has erect stems, and P. prunelloides subsp.latifolia
which has prostrate (creeping) stems and rounder leaves.
Reference
South African National Biodiversity Institute. (2004). Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.)
Walp. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/pentanprunel.htm
Microscopial
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Chemical
constituents –
compounds diagrams
Chemical
constituents –
compounds description
Palmitic acid has been identified and isolated as the antibacterial compound in roots. No alkaloids have
been detected in various screening tests on roots.
Chemical
constituents –
organoleptic
properties
The stems and leaves are hairy.
Chemical
constituents –
TLC / HPLC / GC
Reference
Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G. and Cunningham, A.B. (1996). Zulu Medicinal Plants: an inventory.
Natal University Press, Pietermaritzburg.
Chemical
constituents –
NIR Spectroscopy
image
Chemical
constituents –
NIR
Purity tests /
Requirements
TLC and HPLC are used.
Assay
Not yet available.
USAGE
Plant part used
The tuberous, fleshy root is mainly used. The leaves are sometimes used.
Plant part used
photograph
Dosage forms
Root decoctions are taken orally, applied externally or used as enemas. Fresh root may be chewed and
swallowed. Leaf poultices are occasionally used.
Pharmacology/
bioactivity
Antibiotic and analgesic effects have been reported. P. prunelloides has shown significant antibacterial,
antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. Root decoctions are reported to have been used in the 1918
influenza epidemic with marked success. Direct effects on smooth muscle and uterotonic activity have been
shown.
References
Kaido, T.L., Veale, D.J.H., Havlik, I. and Rama, D.B.K. (1997). Preliminary screening of plants used in
South Africa as traditional herbal remedies during pregnancy and labour. Journal of Ethnopharmacology,
55(3):185-191.
Yff, B.T.S., Lindsey, K.L., Taylor, M.B., Erasmus, D.G. and Jäger, A.K. (2002). The pharmacological
screening of Pentanisia prunelloides and the isolation of the antibacterial compound palmitic acid. Journal
of Ethnopharmacology, 79 (1): 101-107.
Contraindications
None known.
Adverse
reactions
None recorded.
Precautions
No special precautions.
Dosage and
preparation
Root decoctions (1 tablespoon of chopped root to 1 cup boiling water, stand, draw for 5 minutes, then
strain) may be taken orally, used externally or as enemas. Root infusions are administered as enemas for
stomach pains. Root decoctions are taken to relieve pain in the chest, itching and blood impurities. The
fresh root may be chewed and swallowed to relieve heartburn. Pounded roots are applied to burns and
used in poultices for inflammation and swollen joints. Roots are mixed with other plants and are used for
inducing vomiting and also for steaming. Leaf poultices or hot root decoctions are applied to painful
swellings, rheumatic parts, sprains, sores and for fevers. A warm weak tea made of the leaves (1 cup of
leaves to 2 litres of boiling water, stand for 10 minutes, then strain) is a soothing wash for skin infections,
burns, rashes, scratches, and also used as an enema.
Reference
Ngwenya, M.A., Koopman, A. and Williams, R. (2003). Ulwazi lwamaZulu ngezimila - isingeniso: Zulu
botanical knowledge - an introduction. National Botanical Institute, Durban.
Source References
Roberts, M. (1990). Indigenous healing plants. Southern Book Publishers, South Africa.
van Wyk, B-E., van Oudtshoorn, B. and Gericke, N. (2009). Medicinal plants of South Africa. 2nd ed. Briza, Pretoria.
Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. (1962). The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. 2nd ed.
Livingstone, London.