Planta Med 2014; 80 - PPL29
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382665

Differentiation of Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri through NMR-based chemometric approach

J Zhao 1, N Mncwangi 4, A Viljoen 4, M Wang 1, IA Khan 1, 2, 3
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
  • 3Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 4Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri (Pedaliaceae), growing in the region of southern Africa, are closely related species. Both are collectively known as Devil's Claw and are used interchangeably. Devil's Claw is of great commercial importance, and the products are used for treatment of rheumatism and arthritis, back-pain, fever, diabetes, diarrhea, and other disorders. The two species are similar in appearance. However, H. zeyheri has a lower concentration of the bioactive constituents. It is often included in raw materials and products as an adulterant of H. procumbens, the preferred species of commerce. In the present study, the natural populations of H. procumbens (n= 241) and H. zeyheri (n= 107) in southern Africa were investigated for their differences in chemical profile by using NMR and chemometric analysis. Metabolite differences between the two species and the metabolite variations within the same species were revealed.