The growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients in cosmetic formulations has driven scientists to explore a wide range of botanical resources. Helinus integrifolius, a lesser-known botanical entity, has recently emerged as a formidable contender in this field. This review explores the possibility of incorporating Helinus integrifolius in the cosmetics industry, synthesizing data from the literature on pharmacological, botanical, and cosmetic research. Additionally, this highlights the versatility and multipurpose nature of this botanical resource in cosmetic applications. Furthermore, concerns regarding the safety of contemporary cosmetic products, formulation compatibility, and regulatory aspects are addressed to accelerate its integration into cosmetic products. Ultimately, this review highlights the untapped potential of Helinus integrifolius as a treasured resource for the cosmetics industry, emphasizing its ability to meet the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly, effective, and naturally inspired cosmetic solutions. Through thorough exploration and analysis, this paper aims to stimulate further research and development initiatives aimed at harnessing the cosmetic capabilities of Helinus integrifolius, thus contributing to the advancement of innovation in natural cosmetics.

The rise of South African women in higher education is a story of perseverance and transformational change. South African women, particularly black women, were historically marginalized and excluded due to colonial and apartheid-era policies, posing significant barriers to higher education. The early twentieth century saw the gradual emergence of women’s colleges and limited access to higher education for white women, while black women were largely excluded. Following World War II, the landscape began to shift gradually as social and political movements advocated for women’s rights. The end of apartheid in 1994 was a watershed moment, resulting in legal reforms and policies aimed at redressing historical injustices and promoting gender equality. The new democratic government’s initiatives, including the National Policy on Gender Equity in Education (1997), resulted in a significant increase in the enrolment and employment of females in higher education institutions. By 2019, women made up most students in South African higher education institutions, marking a significant shift from previous decades. Despite these advances, current challenges remain, such as underrepresentation in STEM fields, gender-based violence, and economic barriers. The government, universities, and civil society organizations must continue to work together to address these issues and ensure that women have equal access to and success in higher education. This evolution highlights the dynamic interplay of gender, race, and education in South Africa, emphasizing the need for ongoing advocacy and policy intervention to achieve true gender parity in higher education.

The integration of traditional medicinal plant knowledge with contemporary pharmaceutical research has enormous potential for the development of novel and cutting-edge modern medication. This study explores how indigenous and traditional uses of medicinal plants can informatively enhance drug discovery and development procedures. Traditional knowledge, honed over decades, frequently includes a thorough understanding of plant-based cures and their therapeutic applications. Case studies where traditional medicinal plants have been used to formulate new drugs will be examined. For instance, the discovery of artemisinin from the traditional Chinese medication sweet wormwood has revolutionized the treatment of malaria. The Madagascar periwinkle, which was traditionally used to treat diabetes, is now the source of the pediatric cancer treatments vinblastine and vincristine. Technologies and methods that can be used to accelerate the translation of traditional practices into modern medicine will also be evaluated. These include systems biology techniques, metabolomics, and high-throughput screening to clarify the mechanisms of action of traditional treatments. Through the documentation of the safety, efficacy, and chemical composition of traditional remedies, researchers can confirm their effectiveness and possibly identify active ingredients for additional research. This approach makes use of indigenous knowledge of traditional medicine to treat modern health issues while also acknowledging the cultural and historical relevance of the practice. Additionally, opportunities and challenges in this multidisciplinary collaboration will be identified.

Bowiea volubilis subsp. volubilis is primarily used to address human respiratory infections, coughs, and colds due to its diverse pharmaceutical properties. Notably, the plant contains alkaloids that exhibit notable antifungal, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties. Additionally, the presence of saponins, with recognized antioxidant and anticancer attributes, further contributes to its medicinal potential. Steroid compounds inherent to the plant have been associated with anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Moreover, the bulb of B. volubilis has been associated as a source of various cardiac glycosides. Despite these therapeutic prospects, B. volubilis remains inedible due to the presence of naturally occurring toxic substances that pose risks to both animals and humans. The review focuses on a comprehensive exploration concerning B. volubilis ethnobotanical applications, phytochemical properties, and diverse biological activities in relation to in vitro and in vivo applications for promoting human health and disease prevention. The aim of the study is to comprehensively investigate the phytochemical composition, bioactive compounds, and potential medicinal properties of Bowiea volubilis, with the ultimate goal of uncovering its therapeutic applications for human health. This review also highlights an evident gap in research, i.e., insufficient evidence-based research on toxicity data. This void in knowledge presents a promising avenue for future investigations, opening doors to expanded inquiries into the properties and potential applications of B. volubilis in the context of human diseases.

Tylosema esculentum and Tylosema fassoglense are highly nutritious, drought tolerant perennial legumes that typically grow in nutrient poor soil in hot environments. Despite marama beans being the ideal crop for domestication, the legume remains unexploited. Marama beans are prone to infestation by insect pests although limited information exists in literature on the pests of the legumes. Insect pests of marama beans that could pose a threat to yield were identified in this study. Active and passive insect collection methods were undertaken on marama plants growing in the wild in the North West and Limpopo provinces of South Africa. Sampled insects were identified manually and by molecular methods. Identified insects were from the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Isoptera, Odonata, Mantodea, Diptera and Blattodea. Coleopteran, Orthopteran and Hemipteran adults caused damage to leaves and flowers while Lepidopteran larvae caused damage to the leaves, pods and seeds. Identified insects have the potential to limit yield of marama beans, therefore this study presents an opportunity for the determination of abundance of specific pests, the extent of damage as it relates to productivity to establish relevant pest management practices.

Africa – like the rest of the world – periodically experiences drought, which may become further exacerbated because of climate change, leading to severe impacts on crop production and food security in the region. The genus Tylosema consists of five distinct species, namely T. humifusum, T. argentum, T. angolense, T. esculentum, and T. fassoglense. Tylosema fassoglense (Schweinf.) Torre & Hillc. has the widest distribution across Africa in diverse habitats, while Tylosema esculentum (Burch.) A. Schreib. is limited to arid regions in southern Africa. T. fassoglense holds unique nutritional composition and bioactive properties, and thus could offer unique uses that are not found in T. esculentum. Consequently, enhancing drought tolerance in T. fassoglense can contribute to food security and sustain its medicinal applications and thus mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations in the region. The present study aimed at comparing the physiological and biochemical responses between the two species to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of differences in drought tolerance between T. esculentum and T. fassoglense. We compared water status, growth performance, oxidative stress levels as well as the responses of selected antioxidant components under water deficit in the two species. Our results showed that the water deficit caused higher reductions in leaf water potential and relative water content in T. fassoglense than in T. esculentum, which translated to a higher loss of leaf and root fresh weights in T. fassoglense than in T. esculentum. A higher increase in free proline content, hydrogen peroxide content and lipid peroxidation level were observed in T. fassoglense when compared to T. esculentum. Distinct differences were observed in the antioxidant enzyme activities for superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase between these two species in response to water deficit. The observed differences in antioxidant enzyme responses demonstrate their role in the differences in water deficit tolerance between the two species. Further detailed ‘omics’-based analyses will aid in understanding the molecular basis of drought responses in these two species and potentially towards improving drought tolerance in T. fassoglense.