Exploring nature’s Pharmacy: Indigenous Plants of Southern Africa with Antiallergic Properties and their Mechanism of Action

Allergic diseases have become a global problem posing a serious threat to human health. The treatment of allergic diseases is limited due to efficacy and safety. In this regard, natural products derived from plants are gaining positive impact due to lesser side effects and better compatibility with the human body. Keeping this in mind, the current chapter focuses on the selected plant species: Ximenia americana, Ximenia caffra, Mimusops zeyheri, Azanza garckeana, and Tribulus terrestris, which are indigenous to Southern Africa. The chapter will commence with the botanical description of these mentioned plant species, their geographical distribution, and traditional uses as medicines followed by their antiallergic potential and mode of action against allergic reactions. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies on bioactive compounds from these plant species and their efficacy in treating allergic reactions are also discussed. Understanding the biological origin and molecular mechanism of specialized metabolites will aid in the exploitation of these natural bioactive compounds as potential therapies in addition to current formulations to combat various allergies.