Sceletium Tortuosum: Effects on Central Nervous System and Related Disease

Sceletium tortuosum is a well-known medicinal plant in South Africa with potential applications. Its raw material, extracts and isolated alkaloids are used as dietary supplements, natural medicines and health food. In this paper, methods of planting, extraction, isolation and identification of Sceletium tortuosum , as well as its chemical structure of main extracted alkaloids, their related pharmacological effects and mechanisms for treating the disease are reviewed. In general, Sceletium tortuosum is active to central nervous system (CNS) by inhibiting phosphodiesterase isozyme 4 (PDE4), serotonin (5-HT) uptake and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It also acts as a monoamine releasing agent for antidepressant effects. Therefore, it is a useful therapeutic agent in clinical use.