Bothriocline longipes explained

Bothriocline longipes is a woody perennial herb or shrub capable of reaching three meters tall. It is part of the family Asteraceae.

Description

Woody herb or shrub, leaves, opposite, petiole is up to 2.5 cm long; leaf-blade is narrowly ovate with an acute apex and a base that is cuneate to rounded. Flowers, corolla is lilac, mauve or bright purple colored ^[1]

Chemistry

Compounds isolated from the flowers of the species shows the presence of anthocyanidins.^[2] Oil extracted from the seed of Bothriocline longipes was identified to contain non epoxy tri-glycerides and epoxy acids.^[3]

Uses

Extracts of the species are used as ingredients of a regimen of herbal remedies to treat a variety of pain or inflammatory related issues. Leaf extracts are used in managing colic pains, diarrhea, syphilis and conjunctivitis.^[4] Parts of root is chewed to ameliorate sore throat.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Beentje, Hank. Flora of Tropical East Africa - Compositae 1 (2000). 2000. A.A. Balkema. Henk Beentje. 90-6191-395-0. Rotterdam. 148. 45341200.
2. 2019-02-01. Anthocyanins from mauve flowers of Erlangea tomentosa (Bothriocline longipes) based on erlangidin – The first reported natural anthocyanidin with C-ring methoxylation. Phytochemistry Letters. en. 29. 225–230. 10.1016/j.phytol.2018.12.016. 1874-3900. Adaku . Christopher . Skaar . Irene . Berland . Helge . Byamukama . Robert . Jordheim . Monica . Andersen . Øyvind M. . 104448752 .
3. Phillips. B. E.. Smith. C. R.. Hagemann. J. W.. 1969. Glyceride structure ofErlangea tomentosa seed oil, a new source of vernolic acid. Lipids. en. 4. 6. 473–477. 10.1007/BF02531027. 5367929 . 4049593 . 0024-4201.
4. Muhwana. Isaac. Obakiro. Samuel Baker. Ibanda. Ivan. Crucifix. Pender Gift. Afodun. Adam Moyosore. Odoma. Saidi. 2020-05-22. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Erlangea tomentosa (Asteraceae) in rats and mice. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources. 17. 1. 19–23. 10.4314/jpb.v17i1.4. 0189-8442. free.
5. Glover. P. E.. Stewart. Joyce. Gwynne. M. D.. 1966. Masai and Kipsigis Notes on East African Plants: Part III—Medicinal Uses of Plants. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal. en. 32. 2. 200–207. 10.1080/00128325.1966.11662117. 0012-8325.