RESUMO
Sceletium tortuosum is a well-known medicinal plant in South Africa with potential applications. Its rawmaterial, extracts and isolated alkaloids are used as dietary supplements, natural medicines and health food.In this paper, methods of planting, extraction, isolation and identification of Sceletium tortuosum, as well as itschemical structure of main extracted alkaloids, their related pharmacological effects and mechanisms fortreating the disease are reviewed. In general, Sceletium tortuosum is active to central nervous system (CNS) byinhibiting phosphodiesterase isozyme 4 (PDE4), serotonin (5-HT) uptake and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Italso acts as a monoamine releasing agent for antidepressant effects. Therefore, it is a useful therapeutic agentin clinical use.