The isolation of a storage organelle of atractyloside in Callilepis laureola.

A method has been developed for the preparation of protoplasts from both the leaves and tubers of Callilepis laureola, a plant used extensively as a medicament by black people in South Africa. The cellular vacuoles from these protoplasts were isolated and tested for the presence of the nephrotoxic substance, atractyloside, by thin layer chromatography and immunoassay. Both methods indicate that the vacuole of C. laureola is the primary site of storage for atractyloside in the cells of the tuber.

The inappropriate use of traditional medicines in South Africa.

Traditional medicines are culturally very important to the Zulu population of Southern Africa. The inappropriate use of herbs has however, resulted in numerous fatalities, invariably in children. This paper briefly summarises the belief of the Zulu population in traditional remedies, together with an outline of the problems at present being experienced in South Africa. A further note on the personal impressions and experiences of the authors and description of one such toxic herbal remedy, including use, toxic action and research carried out to date, are also given.

An enzyme immunoassay for atractyloside, the nephrotoxin of Callilepis laureola (Impila).

Tubers of Callilepis laureola, a traditional remedy, contain an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation; atractyloside. A "competitive" ELISA was developed, using the antiserum produced to an atractyloside-protein conjugate. An ovalbumin-atractyloside conjugate was adsorbed to microtitre wells and plates incubated with sample (atractyloside or tuber extract) and antiserum. After successive incubation with secondary antibody-enzyme conjugate and substrate, the absorbance was read at 405 nm. Antibody working dilution was low, but results, confirmed by thin layer chromatography, indicate the immunoassay has diagnostic potential.