<i>O. affinis</i> Dlower (IMAGE)

Botanical Society of America

<i>O. affinis</i> Dlower

Caption

These are leaves from the Oldenlandia affinis flower. The first cyclotide discovered, kalata B1, was identified as the active component in an African tribal medicine prepared from the leaves of Oldenlandia affinis (R&S) DC. (Rubiaceae). The leaves were boiled to prepare a tea to accelerate childbirth, illustrating the stability of cyclotides at high temperatures as well as in the digestive system of humans. Since then other bioactivities have been reported such as anti-HIV, antineurotensin, and antimicrobial. In plants they function in defense against insects, and they are also potent nematocides.

Credit

Courtesy of Marilyn Anderson, Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

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