XVI International Botanical Congess
Traditional herbalists in South Africa use D. robusta as expectorants, emetics, diuretics, and for feverish colds and chest pain. D. is closely related to the genus Urginea, which is known to contain cardiac glycosides. D. robusta was screened for activity against inflammation, antibacteria, and hypertension. EtOH and ethyl acetate bulb extracts exhibited activity in the cyclooxygenase and antibacterial assays. Bulb extracts did not inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme. A phytochemical screening of D. robusta for alkaloids, saponins, and cardiac glycosides was carried out. D. robusta does not contain alkaloids. Bulb and leaf extracts exhibited haemolytic activity, which is characteristic of saponins. The bufadienolide proscillaridin A was isolated from bulb extracts.