PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 13 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Agathosma betulina, commonly known as buchu, is an indigenous South African medicinal shrub used traditionally for urinary tract infections and currently utilized in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries [PMID:35197854, PMID:30812672, PMID:42196464].
Background
Agathosma betulina is a sclerophyllous medicinal shrub native to the Fynbos biome of South Africa [PMID:30812672, PMID:20132522]. It is one of two species commercially referred to as 'buchu', the other being Agathosma crenulata [PMID:35197854].
Traditional uses
It has been used for centuries by the indigenous people of South Africa for medicinal purposes [PMID:30812672], specifically as a popular remedy for urinary tract infections and related ailments [PMID:35197854].
Active compounds
The plant contains essential oils and a variety of secondary metabolites, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, oligosaccharides, and vitamins [PMID:42196464]. Specific metabolites in the essential oil include linalylanthranilate and γ-diosphenol [PMID:39991230].
Mechanism of action
The essential oil of A. betulina exhibits spasmolytic action on smooth muscle (guinea-pig ileum) involving cyclic adenosine monophosphate and the blocking of calcium channels [PMID:11341377]. It also shows inhibitory activity against 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) [PMID:35197854] and potential inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) [PMID:42007177]. An ethanolic extract demonstrated 98% inhibitory activity on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and 25% on COX-2 [PMID:35197854].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation/Pain (COX inhibition)
An ethanolic extract of A. betulina showed 98% inhibitory activity on COX-1 and 25% on COX-2 [PMID:35197854].
Evidence DType 2 Diabetes (PTP1B/DPP4 inhibition)
Essential oil demonstrated in-vitro inhibitory potential against PTP1B (IC11: 27.26 µg/ml) and DPP4 (IC11: 42.28 µg/ml) [PMID:42007177].
Evidence DMicrobial Infections
Leaf extracts showed moderate antimicrobial activity in MIC assays, though the essential oil did not [PMID:35197854].
Safety & adverse effects
The essential oil of A. betulina is concluded to be safe for use as a sensory additive in animal feed at specific maximum levels ranging from 0.1 mg/kg to 0.5 mg/kg depending on the animal species [PMID:35281638].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in-vitro assays, computational modeling, and reviews; there is a lack of human clinical trials.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 35197854 (2022) — Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata): Rightfully Forgotten or Underutilized? · Frontiers in pharmacology
- 2.PMID: 18725278 (2008) — 'Buchu' -Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata (Rutaceae): a review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
- 3.PMID: 35281638 (2022) — Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the leaves of Agathosma betulina (P.J. Bergius) Pillans (buchu leaf oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority
- 4.PMID: 30812672 (2004) — First Report of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica on Buchu (Agathosma betulina) in South Africa. · Plant disease
- 5.PMID: 26498493 (2015) — A review of commercially important African medicinal plants.