**5.3 Pharmacological actions**

In traditional medicine, *Asparagus africanus Lam.* is used for treating headaches, backaches, and stomach pains and also is used to assist in childbirth and for hematuria, hemorrhoids, malaria, leishmaniasis, bilharziasis, syphilis, and gonorrhea [32, 33]. External application of the root is used for the relief of pain, rheumatism and chronic gout [34]. It is further used a diuretic, for sore throats and otitis [35]. The focus of many anti-infective drugs as well as alternative sources of antimalarial agents in various parts of the world has been on the use of medicinal plants [36–38]. During *in vitro* studies on extracts from the root of *Asparagus africanus Lam.*, it has been found that they can be used as a counter activity against four different malaria schizont strains [32].

Oketch-Rabah et al. [32], were able to isolate two antiprotozoal compounds, a sapogenin (muzanzagenin) and lignan ((+) nyasol), which they reported to be responsible for the antimalarial activity. Even though this plant has displayed promising antiplasmodial activities, no remarkable in vivo studies have been found up to now which can strengthen the preclinical study profile. There has been only one report by Dikasso et al. [39], on the in vivo anti-malarial activity of extracts of hydroalcoholic from *Asparagus africanus Lam.* in mice which have been infected with *Plasmodium berghei* [39]. The extract displayed parasite suppressive effects on

**213**

*Medicinal Properties of Selected Asparagus Species: A Review*

*P. berghei* infected rats in a dose dependent manner. However, the effects on Packed

Asparagus species are known to have steroidal saponins as their major bioactive constituents. The presence of saponins and carbohydrates from *Asparagus africanus Lam.* showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities as reported by Hassan et al. [30]. Saponins are also known to have broad spectrum of pharmacological and antimicrobial activities [40]. According to Madikizela et al. [41] *Asparagus africanus Lam.* leaves showed very active antimycobacterial activity on *Mycobacterium aurum A+*, with moderate antibacterial activity against *Klebsiella pneumonia* [41], due to the saponins present in this plant. The methanolic extract obtained from the roots of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* were considered to be none toxic as there was no mortality caused on rats after a dose of 5000 mg/kg was administered by mouth [42], and these findings were corroborated by Kedebe

Three steroidal saponins, which are the most probable components of estrogen, have been separated from the roots of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* [31], and *Asparagus officinalis L.* that was reported to have uterine contractile properties. Steroidal saponins have been found to be one of the active principles of the majority of anti-fertility agents [44, 45]. *In vitro* and *in vivo* studies of the extracts of ethanol of leaves and roots *of Asparagus africanus Lam.* displayed the ability of both extracts to have a potential acetylcholine effect on uterine contraction [46]. These results suggested the possibility of interaction of the extracts with endogenous acetylcholine to induce an abortifacient effect. Thus, this plant should not be used during pregnancy because of the possibility of unintentionally abortion. Saponins isolated from this plant have displayed anti-inflammatory activities against

several experimental types of inflammation in mice and rats [47]. During the initial inflammation process, histamine and serotonin are released resulting in inflammation signs such as edema, pain, redness and heat. In a study by Kebede et al. [43], rats were injected with edemagenic agents to trigger edema (sign of inflammation), root extracts of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* were administrated to the rats, and the expected edema was not observed as the plant inhibited an antihistaminic agent. The extract activity was then found to be more pronounced in the first phase of the rat edema (within 90 min),

thus making it possible for the extract to contain antihistaminic activity [43].

The roots of this plant are traditionally used for the relief of pain, rheumatism and chronic gout, hematuria, hemorrhoids, headache, backache, stomach pain, sore throat and otitis. In addition, they are used to treat malaria, central nervous system related conditions, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, and aid in childbirth. *In vitro* and *in vivo* studies performed on this plant confirmed the ethnobotanical claims of this plant and active compounds were isolated and identified. However, the mechanism of action of these compounds as anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial, antiplasmodial and anti-infertility agent has not been performed to date. Toxicological studies showed that the plant was not toxic. However, its ability to

**English:** Asparagus, Garden asparagus, White asparagus, Sparrow grass and Common asparagus; **Arabic:** Ehlilaj aswad, Helion, Dhagboth, Akla, al theeb;

**5.4 Reflections and future recommendations**

induce mutagenicity was not determined.

**6.** *Asparagus officinalis L.*

*Vernacular name*

Cell Volume and body temperature observed were inconclusive [39].

et al. [43], using hydro-alcoholic extracts of *Asparagus africanus Lam.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87048*

#### *Medicinal Properties of Selected Asparagus Species: A Review DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87048*

*Phytochemicals in Human Health*

*Scientific classification*

during most parts of the year.

**5.2 Phytochemical active principals**

[32] from *Asparagus africanus Lam* roots.

**5.3 Pharmacological actions**

schizont strains [32].

**Family:** Liliaceae.

**5.1 Historical aspects**

**Afrikaans:** Haakdoring, Katdoring Wag-'n-bietjie, Wag-n'-bietjie, Wag-'nbietjie-doring; Xhosa: Ubulawu Ubumhlope, Umthunzi; Zulu: Isigoba, Isigobo; Sesotho: Lelala-tau-le-leholo, Leunyeli; Banda: ngorozo; Kirundi: imburabano,

**Kingdom:** plantae; **Subfamily:** asparagoideae; **Genus:** Asparagus—asparagus;

*Asparagus africanus Lam*., commonly known as African Asparagus, is a monocot. *Asparagus africanus Lam* (Liliaceae) is an erect armed herb that grows to a height of up to 6 m. The plant is found in many parts of tropical Africa and can grow between 700 and 3800 m above sea level. The fruit consists of a rounded berry which has a width of about 5–6 mm and it contains only one seed. It starts off as green colored but eventually becomes orange and somewhat shriveled as it matures. They grow

Their roots are traditionally used for: the relief of pain, rheumatism and chronic gout, hematuria, hemorrhoids, headache, backache, stomach pain, sore throat and otitis. It is also used to treat malaria, central nervous system related conditions,

The main contents of the plant are carbohydrates and saponins which have small quantities of flavonoids and tannins. Three steroidal saponins were isolated from the roots of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* [31]. Two compounds namely 2 beta-, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-(25R)-spirosta-4, 7-dien-3-one, lignan (+)-nyasol, and (Z)-(+)- 4,4-(3-ethenyl-1-propene-1,3-diyl) bisphenol) were isolated by Oketch-Rabah et al.

In traditional medicine, *Asparagus africanus Lam.* is used for treating headaches, backaches, and stomach pains and also is used to assist in childbirth and for hematuria, hemorrhoids, malaria, leishmaniasis, bilharziasis, syphilis, and gonorrhea [32, 33]. External application of the root is used for the relief of pain, rheumatism and chronic gout [34]. It is further used a diuretic, for sore throats and otitis [35]. The focus of many anti-infective drugs as well as alternative sources of antimalarial agents in various parts of the world has been on the use of medicinal plants [36–38]. During *in vitro* studies on extracts from the root of *Asparagus africanus Lam.*, it has been found that they can be used as a counter activity against four different malaria

Oketch-Rabah et al. [32], were able to isolate two antiprotozoal compounds, a sapogenin (muzanzagenin) and lignan ((+) nyasol), which they reported to be responsible for the antimalarial activity. Even though this plant has displayed promising antiplasmodial activities, no remarkable in vivo studies have been found up to now which can strengthen the preclinical study profile. There has been only one report by Dikasso et al. [39], on the in vivo anti-malarial activity of extracts of hydroalcoholic from *Asparagus africanus Lam.* in mice which have been infected with *Plasmodium berghei* [39]. The extract displayed parasite suppressive effects on

tuberculosis, venereal diseases and as an aid during childbirth [30].

**Order:** asparagales; **Species:** *Asparagus africanus* Lam.—African Asparagus;

umunsabe; Maasai: embere e papa; Afeen Oromo: Seriti. **Synonym:** *Protasparagus africanus* (Lam.) Oberm.

**212**

*P. berghei* infected rats in a dose dependent manner. However, the effects on Packed Cell Volume and body temperature observed were inconclusive [39].

Asparagus species are known to have steroidal saponins as their major bioactive constituents. The presence of saponins and carbohydrates from *Asparagus africanus Lam.* showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities as reported by Hassan et al. [30]. Saponins are also known to have broad spectrum of pharmacological and antimicrobial activities [40]. According to Madikizela et al. [41] *Asparagus africanus Lam.* leaves showed very active antimycobacterial activity on *Mycobacterium aurum A+*, with moderate antibacterial activity against *Klebsiella pneumonia* [41], due to the saponins present in this plant. The methanolic extract obtained from the roots of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* were considered to be none toxic as there was no mortality caused on rats after a dose of 5000 mg/kg was administered by mouth [42], and these findings were corroborated by Kedebe et al. [43], using hydro-alcoholic extracts of *Asparagus africanus Lam.*

Three steroidal saponins, which are the most probable components of estrogen, have been separated from the roots of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* [31], and *Asparagus officinalis L.* that was reported to have uterine contractile properties. Steroidal saponins have been found to be one of the active principles of the majority of anti-fertility agents [44, 45]. *In vitro* and *in vivo* studies of the extracts of ethanol of leaves and roots *of Asparagus africanus Lam.* displayed the ability of both extracts to have a potential acetylcholine effect on uterine contraction [46]. These results suggested the possibility of interaction of the extracts with endogenous acetylcholine to induce an abortifacient effect. Thus, this plant should not be used during pregnancy because of the possibility of unintentionally abortion.

Saponins isolated from this plant have displayed anti-inflammatory activities against several experimental types of inflammation in mice and rats [47]. During the initial inflammation process, histamine and serotonin are released resulting in inflammation signs such as edema, pain, redness and heat. In a study by Kebede et al. [43], rats were injected with edemagenic agents to trigger edema (sign of inflammation), root extracts of *Asparagus africanus Lam.* were administrated to the rats, and the expected edema was not observed as the plant inhibited an antihistaminic agent. The extract activity was then found to be more pronounced in the first phase of the rat edema (within 90 min), thus making it possible for the extract to contain antihistaminic activity [43].

#### **5.4 Reflections and future recommendations**

The roots of this plant are traditionally used for the relief of pain, rheumatism and chronic gout, hematuria, hemorrhoids, headache, backache, stomach pain, sore throat and otitis. In addition, they are used to treat malaria, central nervous system related conditions, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, and aid in childbirth. *In vitro* and *in vivo* studies performed on this plant confirmed the ethnobotanical claims of this plant and active compounds were isolated and identified. However, the mechanism of action of these compounds as anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial, antiplasmodial and anti-infertility agent has not been performed to date. Toxicological studies showed that the plant was not toxic. However, its ability to induce mutagenicity was not determined.
