| The magical and medicinal usage of Stangeria eriopus in South Africa. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 7967657 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The underground caudex of the cycad Stangeria eriopus is used extensively by several ethnic groups in South Africa, mainly as an ingredient in magical potions but also as an emetic. An assessment of two main outlets showed that 3410 plants were sold in the month of July 1992; continued usage of this material now threatens the remaining plant populations. A proximate analysis of the caudex material gives high carbohydrate content with only small percentages of fat, protein, fibre and ash. An unusually high content of sodium sulphate may explain the efficacy of Stangeria-containing preparations as an emetic. The phytosterols sitosterol and stigmasterol are present in a 4:1 ratio while the fatty acid component comprises palmitic, oleic, stearic and arachidic acids. Twelve amino acids were identified in the material, including the non-protein amino acids beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and pyroglutamic acid. The candidate neurotoxin beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine could not be detected but cycasin is present at the levels of 0.17% and 0.21% in fresh and dry caudex material, respectively and appears to be accompanied by the related toxin, macrozamin. |
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Authors:
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R Osborne; A Grove; P Oh; T J Mabry; J C Ng; A A Seawright |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of ethnopharmacology Volume: 43 ISSN: 0378-8741 ISO Abbreviation: J Ethnopharmacol Publication Date: 1994 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1994-12-12 Completed Date: 1994-12-12 Revised Date: 2007-11-14 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7903310 Medline TA: J Ethnopharmacol Country: IRELAND |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 67-72 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Chemistry, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Attitude to Health Conservation of Natural Resources Cycasin / adverse effects, isolation & purification Emetics / isolation & purification, therapeutic use Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Humans Magic* Medicine, African Traditional* Plant Extracts / analysis* Plants, Medicinal* South Africa |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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AG 10637/AG/NIA NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Emetics; 0/Plant Extracts; 14901-08-7/Cycasin |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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