SUTHERLANDIA HERBA - PlantZAfrica

Definition 

SUTHERLANDIA FRUTESCENS HERBA 

Sutherlandia Frutescens Herba consists of 

the fresh or dried above-ground parts of 

Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br. 

(Fabaceae). 

Synonyms 

Colutea frutescens L. 

Vernacular names 

kankerbos, gansies, Jantjie Berend, 

klappers, kalkoentjiebos, keurtjies (A), 

cancer bush 

Description 1 , 2 

Figure 1 – Live plant 

Macroscopical 

Lax spreading shrubs to 1,2m high, with 

prostrate to erect stems; leaves compound 

pinnate with leaflets oblong to linear-elliptic, 

mostly 3 or more times longer than wide, 

slightly to densely hairy, the latter silvery in 

appearance; flowers (Jul-Dec) bright 

scarlet, borne in terminal racemes; fruit an 

inflated leathery pod, 1.3-2 times as long as 

wide, bearing a persistent upturned style; 

seeds black, flattened, ± 3mm in diameter. 

Sutherlandia frutescens is one of five 

currently recognised Sutherlandia species, 

all of which are confined to Southern Africa. 

1 Phillips, E. P. and Dyer, R A. (1934). The 

genus Sutherlandia.. Revista. Sudamericana 

de.Botanica. 1: 69-80. 

2 Schrire, B. D. and Andrews, S. (1992). 

Sutherlandia: gansies or balloon peas: Part 1 . 

The Plantsman 14: 65-69. 

The species are difficult to distinguish 

because they often grade into each other 

and some botanists consider them to be 

merely different forms of a single large and 

variable species. Three of the species, 

Sutherlandia frutescens, S. microphylla and 

S. tomentosa have overlapping distributions 

in the Western Cape Province and are 

probably used interchangeably in this area 

as kankerbos. 

Recent taxonomic studies 3 have suggested 

that Sutherlandia be taken into synonymy in 

Lessertia on the grounds that there is 

insufficient basis for recognition of two 

separate genera. Following this treatment 

Sutherlandia frutescens is now Lessertia 

frutescens (L.) Goldblatt and J. C. Manning. 

The reader is referred to the relevant 

literature for details. For the purpose of the 

present work, the name Sutherlandia 

frutescens is retained to avoid possible 

confusion by non botanists. 

Figure 2 – line drawing 

3 Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J. (2000). Cape 

plants: a conspectus of the Cape Flora of South 

Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute.

Microscopical 

Figure 3 – microscopical features 

Characteristic features are 

The very numerous unicellular stiff clothing 

hairs, up to 200 microns in length, with warty 

walls, adpressed to the leaf surface and 

along leaf margins (3); the straight-walled, 

polygonal cells of both upper and lower leaf 

surfaces (1), papillate in sectional view; the 

small stomata (± 20 microns in length); the 

bifacial structure of the leaf lamina (2); the 

absence of calcium oxalate crystals 

Crude drug 

Supplied in bundles of fresh or dried 

material, consisting of leaf and stem only or 

including flowers and fruit. The foliage is 

grey-green in colour, the fruits green flushed 

with red; the herb has a characteristic bitter 

and slightly aromatic odour. 

Geographical distribution 

Figure 4 – distribution map 

Widespread in drier areas of the South 

Western and Northern Cape Provinces; 

often as a weed of disturbed places e.g. 

road verges. 

Quality standards 

Identity tests 

Figure 5 – TLC plate 

Thin layer chromatography on silica gel 

using as solvent a mixture of toluene:diethyl 

ether:1.75M acetic acid (1:1:1). Reference 

compound cineole (0,1% in chloroform). 

Method according to Appendix 2a. 

Rf values of major compounds: 0, 50 

(yellow-green); 0, 63 (purple); 0, 91 (purple); 

cineole: 0, 81 (blue-purple) 

HPLC on C18 column, method according to 

Appendix 2b. 

Major compounds: 

Figure 6 – HPLC spectrum

Methanol extract: (Figure 6) 

Retention times (mins): 19.88; 20.68 

Ethanol (70%) soluble extractive value: 

not less than 27% (range: 27.22-38.90%) 

Purity tests 

Assay 

Not yet available 

Major chemical constituents 

Figure 7 – chemical constituents 

Microchemical tests in our laboratories 

indicated the presence of tannins but no 

alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins or 

anthraquinone derivatives. The non-protein 

α-amino acid canavanine has been detected 

in the seeds of this species but not in other 

organs 4 . Free amino acids are reported as 

common constituents of Sutherlandia 

frutescens. 5 

Dosage forms 

Used mainly as an aqueous infusion or 

decoction, either internally or externally as 

an antiseptic wash, eye lotion or douche. 

Whole fruits may be chewed for the relief of 

stomach pains. 

4 Bell, E.A. et al. (1978). The systematic 

significance of canavanine in the Papilionoideae. 

Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 6: 201- 

212. 

5 Van Wyk, B-E., Gericke, N.P.and van 

Oudtshoorn, B. (1997). Medicinal plants of 

South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria. 

Medicinal uses 

Internal 

For the treatment of cancer, gastric 

ailments, gynaecological problems, 

backache, rheumatism, oedema and fevers; 

also as a bitter tonic or blood purifier. 

External 

For the treatment of eye infections and 

wounds; as a douche for prolapse of the 

uterus. 

Pharmacology/bioactivity 

Studies using 50% ethanol extracts of fresh 

flowers of Sutherlandia frutescens found no 

antitumour activity against CA-Lewis lung, 

Leuk-L1210 or Sarcoma 180 (solid) tumours 

in the mouse. Similar extracts, assayed for 

cytotoxicity against CA-9KB cell lines, at a 

concentration of 20.0 mcg/ml, proved 

inactive. 6 

No in vitro antimicrobial activity against 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida 

albicans or Mycobacterium smegmatis was 

observed in the concentrations used for disc 

assays in our laboratories. Some activity 

was recorded against Staphylococcus 

aureus. 

Research into anticancer and 

immunomodulatory activity of this species is 

currently in progress. The results appear 

promising. 

Contraindications 

The use of this herb is not recommended 

during pregnancy. 

Adverse reactions 

The use of excessive amounts of this herb 

are reputed to cause emesis. Side effects of 

moderate use include sweating and mild 

purgation. 

Precautions 

6 Charlson, A.J. (1980). Antineoplastic 

constituents of some Southern African plants. 

Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2(4): 323-335.

Investigations in our laboratories of different 

collections of this herb suggests that it is 

biochemically variable and that distinct 

chemical races of the species may exist in 

different parts of its distribution range. These 

may vary in potency and bioactivity. 

Dosage 

Half a bunch (±10g = 3 tablespoonsful) of 

dried ground herb is infused until cold with 

one litre of boiling water, then strained and 

taken in half teacupful doses (90ml) three 

times daily. Children 6 –12 years: one 

quarter teacupful (45ml). 

Copyright in this monograph resides with the authors, the South 

African National Biodiversity Institute, the South African Medical 

Research Council and the University of the Western Cape. It may 

not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of 

the copyright holders.

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