Sutherlandia

Sutherlandia frutescens

Sutherlandia is a traditional herbal remedy that has enjoyed a long history of safe use. There are four key compounds that contribute to the efficacy of this medicinal plant: the non-protein amino-acid L-canavanine, pinitol, GABA and asparagine. In addition, a novel triterpenoid glucoside has been isolated and characterized with its utility still to be determined.

L-canavanine: There are significant levels of this compound in sutherlandia leaves. This potent amino-acid is an L-arginine antagonist with documented anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer activities (Swaffar 1995; Crooks 1994).

The anti-viral activity includes anti-influenza and retrovirus (Green 1988). L-canavanine is also a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and therefore has possible application in the treatment of septic shock and chronic inflammation (Anfoss, G. et a11999; Levy, B et aI1999).

Sutherlandia powerfully assists the body to mobilize its own resources to cope with diverse physical and mental stresses, and should therefore more correctly be known as an adaptogenictonic.

Pinitol: It is a known anti-diabetic agent (Narayanan, 1987). It has been suggested that pinitol may have clinical application in treating wasting in cancer and AIDS patients.

GABA: GABA has been isolated from dry sutherlandia leaves in levels up to 14mgsfgm dry weight. This inhibitory neurotransmitter could account for the use of the plant for anxiety and stress and for the improvement in mood and well-being experienced in many patients.

The clinical experience suggests that the key phytochemicals in Sutherlandia varieties are:

• Immunomodulatory
• Anti-inflammatory
• Vaso-dilatory
• Anti-oxidant
• Anti-stress
• Analgesic
• Anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
• Anti-cancer
• Inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor

The presence of inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) works to lessen the wasting process in cancer, TB and AIDS patients.