Possible implications of climate change on the medicinal properties of Bulbine species with a particular focus on Bulbine abyssinica, Bulbine frutescens and Bulbine natalensis in South Africa

Abstract

Bulbine abyssinica, Bulbine frutescens and Bulbine natalensis of the Asphodelaceae family have been used for many years, traditionally for the treatment of skin related conditions such as wounds, scars, burns ad rashes. To date, these plants have been studied for various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and even anti-platelet activity. This review article aims to discuss the ethnobotanical uses and medicinal activity from the perspective of abiotic stress impacts, specifically elevated carbon dioxide and high temperature. Literature sources obtained from Google Scholar, Science Direct, theses and books were used to search for the ethnobotanical, traditional uses, and pharmacological studies of the species. In addition, articles around the concurrent and separate studies of elevated CO₂ and temperature impacts on medicinal activities of other medicinal plant species were also sourced for reference purposes because there have not been any reported studies discussing the impacts of the aforementioned abiotic factors on the species.