Southern African Hyacinthaceae: Chemistry, bioactivity and ethnobotany

Southern Africa is one of two world centres of diversity in the Hyacinthace ae, harbouring approximately half the world's family representatives. Some 368 species in 27 genera are locally represented. Plants are well distribut ed throughout the region, with a predominance in the Western Cape of South Africa. Some 23 species in nine genera have been phytochemically investigat ed, revealing compounds belonging to a diverse range of chemical classes. T he chemical constituents from plants of this family have been divided into four classes, namely, homoisoflavanones, steroidal compounds, bufadienolide s and miscellaneous compounds. A single report on the occurrence of Amaryll idaceae alkaloids in Urginea altissima is questioned following a reinvestig ation of this species. Plants are employed for traditional medicinal purpos es ranging from the treatment of hangovers, rheumatic fever, sprains and sy philis to cancer. A number of species have been toxicologically assessed fo llowing human deaths and livestock losses after ingestion. The bioactivity and ethnobotany of southern African hyacinthacs is reviewed, as is the phar macology of isolated constituents and crude extracts.