Solenostemma argel (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Dye / tannin
Medicinal
Forage / feed

Solenostemma argel (Delile) Hayne

distribution in Africa (wild)

1, flowering branch; 2, flower; 3, fruiting branch. Redrawn and adapted by Iskak Syamsudin

Protologue: Getreue Darstell. Gew. 9, t. 38 (1825).

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Synonyms

• Solenostemma oleifolium (Nectoux) Bullock & E.A.Bruce ex Maire (1953).

Vernacular names

• Argel (En).

Origin and geographic distribution

In tropical Africa Solenostemma argel occurs in the desert area of Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan. It is also widely distributed in Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Uses

Throughout its distribution area, but especially in Sudan, a decoction of the bitter aerial parts or of the leaves is much appreciated as a purgative to treat colic, stomach-ache, constipation, flatulence, urinary tract infections, kidney pain and cough. It is also taken to relieve menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, syphilis and as an appetizer and digestive. A decoction from aerial parts, together with aerial parts of Mentha spicata L. and seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L., is taken to stop vomiting. An infusion of the aerial parts is taken to treat diabetes and jaundice, and an infusion of the leaves and flowers are taken as a blood purifier and nerve tranquilizer. The bitter leaf sap is also taken to treat cough, and used as eye drops to treat eye problems. The plant is burnt and the smoke is inhaled to treat measles. The crushed fresh leaves or dried powdered leaves are applied to wounds and burns to disinfect them. In Chad, Libya and Egypt a leaf decoction is taken to treat bronchitis, neuralgia and sciatica. In the Hoggar region dried powdered leaves are boiled in milk, sweetened with dates or sugar and the decoction is drunk to treat rheumatism, gonorrhoea and coughing up blood from the lungs. In Lebanon the dried leaves are imported, and boiled in olive oil. The liquid is used as a rub to treat rheumatism.

Leafy branches are put in streams and ponds to kill insects and as a disinfectant. Pounded plants are used as soap to clean the body and to wash clothes. In the Sahara region sheep graze the foliage a little, but other stock avoid it. In Egypt the leaves are said to be used like henna.

Production and international trade

In northern and central Sudan the flowering aerial parts are sold in the local markets for medicinal use. In Sudan Solenostemma argel is cultivated under irrigation for the production of leaves.

Properties

A range of 14,15-secopregnane glycosides, argelosides, were isolated from different parts of the plant. From the fruits argelosides A–B were isolated, from the seeds argelosides C–J and from the leaves argelosides K–O. From different parts also a range of 15-keto pregnane glycosides were isolated: stemmosides A–B from the leafy stem, stemmosides C–D from the pericarp, and stemmosides E–K from the leaves. From the leaves kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were isolated, as well as several pregnene derivatives, and the pregnene glycoside solenoside A. Also found in the leaves were β-sitosterol and the pentacyclic triterpenoids α-amyrin and β-amyrin. Furthermore, from the aerial parts a polyhydroxy pregnane, stemmin C, four acylated phenolic glycosides (solargin I–IV) as well as further flavonoid glycosides were isolated.

Several of these argelosides and stemmosides have been shown to reduce cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in different human and mouse tumour models. A hot water extract of the aerial parts showed significantly cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo in a range of tumour models. Different extracts of the aerial parts showed hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects on albino rats, when orally administered during a week. In a feeding test with chickens, a diet containing 10% of leaves of Solenostemma argel caused a depression in growth and hepatotoxicity. A chloroform extract of the leaves showed high topical anti-inflammatory activity in the croton oil ear test in mice. A chloroform extract of the leaves showed spasmolytic and uterine relaxant activities on the spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum and rat uterus. The aqueous extract of leaves produced a stimulatory effect on isolated rabbit aortic strip. When added to isolated guinea-pig atria the extract decreased both the rate and force of contraction.

Different fractions of the aerial parts, extracted with methanol and water, showed moderate to significant antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro against a range of pathologic organisms. An aqueous extract or powdered aerial parts were found to be very effective in controlling parlatoria date scale (Parlatoria blanchardi) on date palms in Sudan. Crude aqueous extracts of dried fruit pericarp, flower, root and stem showed moderate larvicidal activity against the third instar larvae of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The extract of the fruit pericarp was most effective. A methanolic extract of the aerial parts was incorporated into rearing media of the mosquito Culex pipiens, and showed significant and prolonged larval mortality and a suppression of oviposition. Extracts of the aerial parts showed significant antifeedant activity of the African cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis), as well as moderate larval mortality. Methanol and hexane extracts of the aerial parts showed significant nematicidal activity against second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita.

Soil incorporation of the leaves around the stems of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) showed a significant increased flowering and yield.

Adulterations and substitutes

Solenostemma argel is an important adulterant of Senna alexandria Mill.

Description

Many-branched, fleshy, short-hairy shrub up to 60 cm tall, with clear juice. Leaves opposite, decussate, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 1–2 mm long; blade lanceolate to oblong, 2.5–3.7 cm × 7–15 mm, apex acute or almost acute, base cuneate, pinnately veined with midvein prominent beneath, with indistinct lateral veins. Inflorescence an axillary cyme 3.5–5 cm × 3.5–5 cm, peduncle 1–2.5 cm long. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous, white, fragrant; pedicel 2–5 mm long; calyx lobes oblong, c. 3 mm long, apex acute; corolla tube c. 1.5 mm long, lobes spreading, narrowly oblong, 3.5–4.5 mm long, apex obtuse, inflexed, glabrous or with a few scattered hairs on the back; corona cup-shaped, thick, 5-lobed, about one third the length of the corolla, adnate to the base of the staminal column; staminal column 3–3.5 mm long, club-shaped; ovary superior, 2-celled, gynostegium slightly longer than the stamina column. Fruit a solitary, hard follicle, pear-shaped, up to c. 5 cm × 1.5–2 cm, apex long-acuminate, dark purple or marbled or striped with green, many-seeded. Seeds narrowly ovoid, channeled at one face, with minute warts, brown, with a tuft of whitish hairs.

Other botanical information

Solenostemma comprises 1 species only.

Growth and development

Solenostemma argel flowers from March to June.

Ecology

Solenostemma argel occurs in dry sandy and rocky localities as well as gravelly wadis, with an annual rainfall as low as 50–100 mm. It is drought and frost tolerant.

Propagation and planting

Solenostemma argel is propagated by seed. Average 1000 seed weight is 24.7 g. Seeds are sown directly in the field or the plants are raised in nursery beds and transplanted to the field later. When direct sown about 2.5 kg seed/4200 m² is required; irrigation is necessary as the seeds fail to germinate with less than 10 mm rainfall. Seeds germinate in a wide range of temperatures, but maximum germination was observed at 35°C and at alternating higher and lower temperatures. Pre-treatment of seeds with growth stimulators promote germination. The seeds are very sensitive to salinity during germination. The suitable depth for sowing is the upper surface layer.

Methods of in vitro propagation have been developed using meristematic tips.

Management

Solenostemma argel can be grown on many types of soil but generally does well in a sandy clay loam. Experimental plantings established in Central Sudan on clayey soil flowered much later and had slower growth rate than plants growing on sandy clay loam. About 2–3 weedings are necessary in the vegetative growth period. Optimal planting distance is 75 cm × 75 cm.

Harvesting

The best stage for harvesting the leaves of Solenostemma argel is in pre-flowering stage. It is a perennial plant, but under cultivation the crop can be grown as an annual, as the first year the yield is highest. The leaves can be harvested 3 times during the season.

Yield

Under irrigated conditions, about 1000 kg of dry leaves per ha per season can be obtained.

Handling after harvest

The aerial parts and leaves are dried in the shade, and later stored in jute bags.

Genetic resources

Solenostemma argel is relatively common throughout its distribution area and does not seem to be threatened by genetic erosion. In Egypt is has become rare because of overharvesting, and it is protected by law.

Prospects

Solenostemma argel contains a range of interesting bioactive compounds. Not much research has been done however to evaluate the traditional medicinal uses. A toxicity profile needs to be established as several of the isolated compounds are hepatotoxic.

Further research is needed to improve cultivation practices.

Major references

• Boulos, L., 1983. Medicinal plants of North Africa. Reference Publications Inc., Albonac, Michigan, United States. 286 pp.
• Broun, A.F. & Massey, R.E., 1929. Flora of the Sudan. T. Murby & Co., Sudan Government Office, London, United Kingdom. 502 pp.
• Burkill, H.M., 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 1, Families A–D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 960 pp.
• El-Kamali, H.H., 2001. Larvicidal activity of crude aqueous extracts of Solenostemma argel against mosquito larvae. Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal plants 8(4): 83–86.
• Hanafi, N. & Mansour, S.Z., 2010. Antitumor efficacy of Solenostemma argel and/or gamma -irradiation against Ehrlich carcinoma. Journal of Biological Sciences 10(6): 468–479.
• Khalid, S.A., Szendrei, N.K. & Ustavan, N., 1974. Sudanese plants I. Solenostemma argel. Herba Hungarica 13: 33–35.
• Nassr-Allah, A.A., Aboul-Enein, A.M., Aboul-Enein, K.M., Lightfoot, D.A., Cocchetto, A. & El-Shemy, H.A., 2009. Anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activity of some Egyptian medicinal plants. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 3(10): 799–808.
• Perrone, A., Plaza, A., Ercolino, S.F., Hamed, A.I., Parente, L., Pizza, C. & Piacente, S., 2006. 14,15-secopregnane derivatives from the leaves of Solenostemma argel. Journal of Natural Products 69(1): 50–54.
• Plaza, A., Perrone, A., Balestrieri, M.L., Felice, F., Balestrieri, C., Hamed, A.I., Pizza, C., Piacente, S., 2005. New unusual pregnane glycoside with antiproliferative activity from Solenostemma argel. Steroids 70(9): 594–603.

Other references

• Abdalla, O.A., 2006. Field control of the white scale insect Parlatoria blanchardii Targ. (Homoptera: Diaspididae) with aqueous shoot extract of Argel (Solenostemma argel (Del.) Hayne). MSc. Thesis. Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan.
• Abdel Rahman, H.R. & Al Mozini, R.N., 2007. Antifeedant and toxic activity of some plant extracts against larvae of cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 10(24): 4467–4472.
• Elbadri, G.A., Lee, D.W., Park, J.C., Yu, H.B. & Choo, H.Y., 2008. Evaluation of various plant extracts for their nematicidal efficacies against juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 11(2): 99–102.
• Al Doghairi, M., El Nadi, A., Eltayeb, E., & Al Ayedh, H., 2004. Effect of Solenostemma argel on oviposition, egg hatchability and viability of Culex pipiens L. larvae. Phytotherapy Research 18(4): 335–338.
• El Hady, F.K.A., Hegazi, A.G., Ata, N. & Enbaawy, M.L., 1994. Studies for determining antimicrobial activity of Solenostemma argel (Del) Hayne. 1. Extraction with methanol/water in different proportions. Qatar University Science Journal 14: 138–142.
• El-Kamali, H.H., 1991. Botanical and chemical studies on Solenostemma argel (Del.)Hayne grown in Khartoum. MSc. Thesis, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
• El-Kamali, H.H. & Khalid, S.A., 1996. The most common herbal remedies in Central Sudan. Fitoterapia 67(4): 301–306.
• El-Kamali, H.H. & Khalid, S.A., 1998. The most common herbal remedies in Dongola province, northern Sudan. Fitoterapia 69(2): 118–121.
• El-Kamali, H.H. & Ibrahim, H.E., 2005. An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the treatment of childhood diseases in Omdurman City, Central Sudan. Journal of Omdurman Islamic University 6(10): 364–382.
• El-Sanusi, N.I. & Adam, S.E.I., 2007. The effect of low levels of dietary Ruta graveolens and Solenostemma argel or their mixture on Bovans chicks. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 2(1): 27–31.
• El-Tahir, K.E.H., Ageel, A.M., Mekkawi, A.G., Bashir, A.K., Mossa, J.S. & Khalid, S.A., 1987. Pharmacological actions of the leaves of Solenostemma argel Hayne: spasmolytic and uterine relaxant activities. International.Journal of Crude Drug Research 25(1): 57–63.
• El Tahir, M.M., El Tayeb, I.B. & Shaddad, S.A.I., 2005. The pharmacological actions of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Solenostemma argel (Hayne) on isolated rabbit aortic strip and guinea pig atria. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 4(10): 831–834.
• Hassan, H.A., Hamed, A.I., EL-Emary, N.A., Springuel, I.V., Mitome, H. & Miyaoka, H., 2001. Pregnene derivatives from Solenostemma argel leaves. Phytochemistry 57(4): 507–511.
• Hegazi, A.G., Hanna, R., Moharam, N., El Hady, F. K.A., El Khaat, Z. & Kareem, K.M., 2006. Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effect of Solenostemma argel (Del.) Hayne. Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences 40: 19–31.
• Innocenti, G., Dall Acqua, S., Sosa, S., Altinier, G. & Della Loggia, R., 2005. Topical antiinflammatory activity of Solenostemma argel leaves. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 102(2): 307–310.
• Kamel, M.S., 2003. Acylated phenolic glycosides from Solenostemma argel. Phytochemistry 62(8): 1247–1250.
• Organgi, R.A., 1982. Ecological and phytochemical studies on Solenostemma argel growing in Saudi Arabia. 1. Germination of the seeds under different conditions. Journal of the College of Science, King Saud University 13(1): 17–24.
• Plaza, A., Bifulco, G., Hamed, A.I., Pizza, C. & Piacente, S., 2003. Argeloside A and B, two novel 14,15-secopregnane glycosides from Solenostemma argel. Tetrahedron Letters 44(47): 8553–8558.
• Shadia, E.A.E. & El Din, A.A.E., 2007. Insecticidal activity of some wild plant extracts against cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 10(13): 2192–2197.
• Tgelsir, I.M.I., Asma, A.I., Elfatih, M.M. & Awad, K.T., 2011. Influence of argel (Solenostemma argel Del. Hayne) soil applications on flowering and yield of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 2(3): 538–542.

Sources of illustration

• Ozenda, P., 1977. Flore du Sahara. Deuxième édition. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France. 622 pp.
• Quezel, P. & Santa, S., 1963. Nouvelle flore de l'Algérie et les régions désertiques méridionales. Tome II. Editions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France. 1170 pp.

Author(s)

• H.H. El-Kamali, Botany Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, P.O. Box 382, Omdurman, Sudan

Correct citation of this article

El-Kamali, H.H., 2012. Solenostemma argel (Delile) Hayne. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota 11(2): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 2. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 18 December 2024.

• See this page on the Prota4U database.