Euclea undulata is an evergreen dioceous herb that grows to become a shrub, normally dense and twiggy with small leathery leaves that are yellowish green on the top surface and paler on the lower surface. It produces a thinly fleshed fruity that is dark when mature.
Distribution
Euclea undulata is found widespread in rocky grasslands and hill slopes in virtually all the provinces of South Africa (notably in Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal), with the exception of the Western Cape. It is also found in neighboring countries of Namibia and Swaziland.
Medicinal Uses
Herbalists and traditional medical practitioners predominantly among the Venda community of South Africa administer infusions of Euclea undulata in the treatment of diabetes. In the Cape Province its long standing remedy for heart disease. Extracts of its roots are also used as an emetic drug to induce vomiting.
Phytochemistry
A number of pharmaco-active compounds have been isolated from the Euclea undulata plant. The leaves and branches contain an abundance of aliphatics and triterpenoids. The stem roots and fruit have naphthoquinones.
Bioactivity
Acetone extracts of Euclea undulata have been demonstrated to have great potential against diabetes mellitus type 2. This is because of its ability to inhibit the enzyme alpha glucosidase which is a major enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism. By this mode of action Euclea undulata thwarts the release of glucose into the blood stream. A number of conventional anti diabetic drugs such as acarbose and miglitol utilize the alpha glucosidase inhibition mechanism.