Abstract
Eucomis species (Hyacinthaceae) are widely used in South Africa as traditional medicine. The bulbs are used to alleviate a variety of symptoms including pain and inflammation. High levels of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitory activity have been associated with certain Eucomis species. The aim of this study was to quantify cadmium (Cd) accumulation and examine its effect on COX-1 and COX-2 anti-inflammatory activity in Eucomis autumnalis and Eucomis humilis. Cadmium application at 2 mg L−1 over a 6 week period revealed a substantial difference in total Cd accumulation in E. autumnalis and E. humilis (40.2 and 15.3 mg Cd kg−1, respectively). When supplied with Cd at 2 mg L−1, E. humilis bulbous extracts showed lower inhibitory activity than the control for both COX-1 and COX-2. E. autumnalis bulbous extracts had greater COX-1 activity compared to the control. While COX-2 activity was suppressed. Researchers should be aware of the effect of environmental contaminants when reporting on biological activity of crude plant extracts.
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Acknowledgments
The National Research Foundation (NRF), the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Slovak Collaborative Programme are thanked for financial support. We are grateful to Alison Young and her staff for providing facilities in the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Botanical Garden.
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Street, R.A., Elgorashi, E.E., Kulkarni, M.G. et al. Effect of Cadmium Accumulation on Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Two Eucomis Species. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 83, 644–647 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9860-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9860-z