<p>Early man dabbled with the use of plant extracts to cure ailments. This practice has been passed down from generation to generation and today more than 50% of the world'sdrugs are natural products or derivatives thereof. Scientists have thus established a branch of research called natural product research. This branch of research involves the identification and purification of secondary metabolites with a specific biological activity. The methodology involves the screening of plant products for a specific biological activity, purification of the biologically active natural product by separation technology and structure determination. The biologically active natural products is then further scrutinized to serve as a novel drug or lead compound for the development of a novel drug. This research exploited this research methodology.</p>

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The first objective of this study was to determine the symptomatology that the plant remedy Peucedanum galbanum 30CH, produced in healthy individuals, so that it could be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. The second objective was to analyse this symptomatology in relation to the doctrine of signatures. It was hypothesised that Peucedanum galbanum 30CH would produce symptomatology in healthy individuals which would correlate to the doctrine of signatures of the plant. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / This research study was conducted to elucidate the total symptomatology that the plant Peucedanum galbanum in the thirtieth centesimal potency would produce on healthy individuals so that it may be prescribed according to the Law of Similiars. A further aim of the investigation was to compare this remedy to other remedies yielding the highest numerical values and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms. Wagner (2007), in a concurrent study, analysed the proving results of Peucedanum galbanum in relation to the doctrine of signatures. It was hypothesised that Peucedanum galbanum 30CH would produce recognizable signs and symptoms in healthy provers, and that the comparative study of this remedy would highlight the differences and similarities between remedy symptoms and thus confusion as to indication is eliminated, plus a fuller understanding of the remedy and its relationship to other remedies is gained. / M

M.Sc. (Botany) / The genus Lessertia DC. consists of 54 species of papilionoid legumes. The species have imparipinnate leaves, paired stipules, sub-capitate or elongate racemes and compressed or inflated legumes. The closest relative of the genus is Sutherlandia R. Br. ex W. T.Aiton, which differs in having a very large, bird-pollinated flower, a standard which is smaller than the keel, a long ovary stipe and a very large, much inflated legume. The last comprehensive revision of Lessertia was done by Harvey (1862), where 30 species were recognized. Harvey concluded that the species were difficult to define. This study was therefore initiated to evaluate characters of possible taxonomic value so that the circumscription and identification of species can be facilitated. More than 1000 specimens from different herbaria were examined to study morphological characters such as habit, indumentum, leaves and leaflets, flowers and flowering times, fruits, habitat and distribution of the species. Flowers of all the species were dissected and flower parts were drawn using camera lucida. Flower characters such as the length, width and vestiture of the petals were studied. For flavonoids and terpenoids, 17 species of Lessertia were sampled for a pilot study to compare chemical compounds between the species. The ethnobotanical literature was reviewed in order to compile a list of all the species of value in traditional medicine. Vegetative characters are often not species-specific but they can be used to distinguish between some closely related species, either as single characters or as combinations of characters. Further details can be seen in the keys presented in this study.

M Tech. (Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Rhus leptodictya commonly known as a mountain karee belongs to the family Anacadeceae and has been used since antiquity in tradition medicine. In the present study antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of the leaves of Rhus leptodictya were studied, followed by isolation of at least one active compound which showed antibacterial and antioxidant potentials. Extractions were performed based on the polarity of the solvent used. The solvents used were hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol. Dichloromethane was found to be extracting more compounds than the other used solvents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to determine the chemical composition of the extracts by employing different solvent systems. The results showed that, of the solvent systems used, namely ethyl acetate: methanol: water (EMW) 40: 5: 1; chloroform: ethyl acetate: formic acid (CEF) 5: 4: 1 and benzene: ethanol: ammonium hydroxide (BEA) 90:10:1, BEA produced better separations. To determine the antioxidant potential of the leaves, 2.2-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used. Different spot with different Rf values were found to be active by show of yellow colour on the TLC plate. The yellow colour is due to the proton gained by DPPH when it reacts with active compound. Bioutography results showed that different leaves were active against selected bacterium. Minimum inhibitory concentration studies showed that the methanol extract was more active against B.subtilis and S.pnuemonia at concentration less than 0.1 mg/ml respectively. Dichloromethane extract was found to be the least effective on S.pneumonia, as compared to the methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts. In terms of the total activity, the ethyl acetate concentration showed better total activity than the other extracts studied in this research. A new compound 7, 8-trihydroxy-2-(4’hydroxy phenyl)-3-5-[5’’, 6’’-dihydroxy-2’’-O-(4’’’hydroxyphenyl)-4-1t-chromen-4’’-one]-41t-chromen-4-one was isolated and characterized by H1-NMR, C13-NMR, MS and IR. According to the literature search, this compound has never been isolated from any plant and it has showed both antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2013. / The integration of indigenous knowledge into the mainstream science curriculum has been advocated for by science educators around the world. The Revised National Curriculum Statements (RNCS) for Grades R-9 (Natural Sciences) clearly advocates for the incorporation of indigenous knowledge into the science curriculum. They stipulate that learners must learn science within the context of their historical, societal and cultural knowledge and values. It is important that learners should understand other systems of knowledge, such as indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). The underlying assumption is that teachers can help learners integrate science and indigenous knowledge but in order to do that, they too must have adequate knowledge and understanding regarding the two thought systems. The challenge is that some teachers are not well informed about the varying indigenous knowledge that typifies the multi-cultural situation in South African classrooms as they have been schooled in western science The study aimed at eliciting learners‟ and teachers‟ knowledge about traditional medicinal plants and their attitudes towards integration of that knowledge into the science curriculum. This was with a view to exploring any differences or similarities between the views of teachers and learners. A case study was carried out at a secondary school in Meadowlands, Soweto. A sample of 36 Grade 9 learners and 10 teachers of Natural sciences was selected using the convenience sampling technique. Structured pictorial questionnaire was used to collect data from both teachers and learners. Field notes were taken during a class debate on the effectiveness of traditional medicines versus western medicines. Unstructured follow up interviews (5 learners- group interview and 3 teachers-individual) were performed on selected participants to probe further their responses to the questionnaire. A ROSE1 type questionnaire was used as a follow up when learners were in grade 10 (2013). Analysis of the findings showed that a majority of learners and teachers that participated in this research have opposing attitudes regarding the need to integrate knowledge about traditional medicinal plants into the science curriculum. The 1ROSE-Relevance Of Science Education, a questionnaire distributed in many countries by Prof Svein Sjøberg, ILS, University of Oslo, Norway. learners in this study had generally more knowledge that the teachers about traditional medicinal plants. The majority of learners are willing to learn about indigenous knowledge (IK). Nine teachers out of ten in this study were generally less enthusiastic about teaching about traditional medicinal plants. In light of the findings it is recommended that teachers need to have in-house training in so far as the methodological aspects of integrating components IK into the science curriculum relate. This may go a long way in limiting conceptual conflicts amongst the learners.

Introdução: Para o ribeirinho amazônico as plantas medicinais representam muitas vezes o único recurso terapêutico disponível para o tratamento de suas doenças. Utilizam como base para produção do recurso natural, folhas, cascas e sementes, com o objetivo de alívio de problemas de saúde. O registro das plantas medicinais utilizadas de modo terapêutico por tais grupos humanos tem oferecido base para o desenvolvimento de estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos de novas drogas. Além disso, a análise de práticas de cuidado em ambientes culturalmente exóticos fortalecem a enfermagem transcultural, a medida que visa o intercâmbio dos saberes populares e científico. Como referencial teórico utilizou-se a etnobotânica e o modelo Sunrise de Leininger e Mc Farland. Objetivo geral: Analisar o uso terapêutico de plantas medicinais no contexto sociocultural ribeirinho da comunidade Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Boam, localizada no Médio Solimões, Coari Amazonas. Objetivos específicos: Conhecer os valores, crenças e aspectos da estrutura sociocultural que envolvem a utilização da fitoterapia popular no ambiente ribeirinho; identificar o itinerário terapêutico das famílias ribeirinhas; analisar o uso das plantas medicinais entre os ribeirinhos com notório saber em plantas medicinais; e analisar o uso terapêutico da planta de maior importância para a comunidade. Material e Método: Estudo etnobotânico realizado na comunidade ribeirinha Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Boam, localizada na cidade de Coari-Amazonas. Os participantes do estudo foram 19 informantes, gerais e especialistas pessoas de notório saber na terapeutica com plantas medicinais. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre os meses de janeiro de 2015 e maio de 2016 por meio da turnê-guiada, exsicata, entrevistas semi-estruturadas e estruturadas. A análise dos dados ocorreu de forma quanti-qualitativa através da análise temática e cálculos de Fator de Consenso Individual, Importância Relativa e Valor de Uso, para identificacao das plantas e doenças de maior relevância comunitária. Resultados: Os especialistas foram predominantemente do sexo feminino (88%), com idade média de 50 anos. Em termos de ocupação, a maioria deles eram agricultores (63,3%), com rendimento médio mensal abaixo do salário mínimo brasileiro por família e apenas 36,4% dos entrevistados eram alfabetizados. O itinerário terapêutico da comunidade inicia-se com a fitoterapia popular, em seguida o rezador, o agente comunitário de saúde local, e, finalmente, o médico. As razões que influenciavam a terapêutica com plantas medicinais eram: a fé, a segurança, o conhecimento sobre o preparo, o fácil acesso e a eficácia das plantas. Foi relatado o uso de 62 plantas medicinais, para o cuidado de doenças infecciosas e parasitárias, neoplasias, doenças hematológicas, nutricionais, dermatológicas, transtornos comportamentais, doenças do sistema nervoso, ouvido, dos aparelhos circulatório, respiratório, digestivo, osteomuscular, geniturinário; como anti-inflamatórios e anticoncepcional, totalizando 49 indicações terapêuticas. As doenças do sistema respiratório foram as mais relevantes na comunidade com maior quantitativo de plantas (n=30) e citações (n=162). A planta medicinal de maior importância e versatilidade foi a caatinga de mulata (S. Aeollanthus), uma erva com evidências de ação antimicrobiana, anticonvulsivante, sedativa, analgésica e anti-inflamatória, utilizada na comunidade para doenças pulmonares, intestinais, dermatológicas e hemorrágicas, em nove problemas de saúde diferentes. Conclusão: Nesta comunidade, a estrutura sociocultural ribeirinha, assim como seus valores e crenças envolvem a utilização de ervas medicinais como a primeira escolha terapêutica. A rica farmacopeia encontrada pode facilitar a descoberta de novas drogas. Além disso, por meio da Teoria do Cuidado Cultural foi constatada a possibilidade da preservação do cuidado com a espécie S. Aeollanthus. Todavia, para se tornar um prática baseada em evidência existe a necessidade de ensaios pré-clínios e clínicos em humanos. / Introduction: | Most of the times, the medicinal plants represent to the riparian the only therapeutic resource available to the treatment of their diseases. Sheets, shells and seeds are the basis to the production of these natural resources looking for the relief of health problems. Registration of the therapeutic use of the medicinal plants has been the basis for phytochemical and pharmacologic studies to the discover of new drugs. Besides that, the analysis of practices of caring in culturally exotic environments, strengthen the transcultural nursing in a way that deal with the exchange between the popular and the scientific knowledges. As a theoretical framework it was used the ethnobotany and the Sunrises model of Leininger and Mc Farland. General objective: Analyze the therapeutic use of the medicinal plants in the sociocultural context of the riparian in the community Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Boam, localized in the Médio Solimões, Coari - Amazonas. Specific objectives: Know the values, beliefs and aspects of the sociocultural structure involving the use of the traditional medicinal plants among the riparian; identify the therapeutic itinerary of these families; analyze the use of theses plants by the riparian with notorious knowledge in medicinal plants; and analyze the therapeutic use of the most important plant to that community. Material and method: Ethnobotanic study developed in the riparian community Nossa. Senhora da Conceição do Boam, localized in the city of Coari - Amazonas. The participants of the study were 19 general and specialist informants - the second one, people with notorious knowledge in using medicinal plants. The data collection occurred between January/2015 and May/2016 by guide-tours, excicata, semi-structured and structured interviews. Analysis was made by quanti-qualitative through the thematic analysis, calculus of Individual Consensus Factor, Relative Importance and Value of Using to identify the plants and the diseases of most relevance in the community. Results: The specialists were mainly female (88%), an average of 50 years old. Most of them were farmers (63,3%), with the average monthly income under the national minimum wage by family, and 36,4% of the interviewed were alphabetized. The communitys therapeutic itinerary starts with the traditional medicinal plants, following the prayer, the community health agent, and, finally, the doctor. The therapeutic with medicinal plants were influenced by faith, security, knowledge about its preparing, the easy access to the plants and their efficacy. It was related the use of 62 medicinal plants, to the caring of infectious and parasite diseases; neoplasia; hematological, neurological, nutritional and dermatological diseases, behavior disorders, other diseases of the ear, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal and genitourinary systems; as anti-inflammatory and contraceptive, totalizing 49 therapeutic indications. The respiratory diseases were the most relevant in the community, with the highest quantitative of plants (n=30) and citations (n=162). The most important and versatile medicinal plant to the community was the catinga de mulata (S. Aeollanthus), an herb with evidences of antimicrobial, anti convulsive, sedative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions, used by the community to respiratory, intestinal, dermatological and hemorrhagic diseases, totalizing nine different health disorders. Conclusion: In this community, the riparian sociocultural structure, as their values and beliefs involves the using of medicinal herbs as their first therapeutic choice. The rich pharmacopoeia found can make easier the discovering of new drugs. Besides that, the Cultutal Care Teory enables the preservation of the caring with the species S. Aeollanthus, but randomized pre-clinic and clinic trials with humans are important to use it based on evidence.

O interesse de plantas, do ponto de vista medicinal e cosmetológico, tem levado a necessidade de eficientes métodos de extração. A preparação da amostra é uma das mais importantes fases no desenvolvimento de uma metodologia analítica em preparações herbais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo propor metodologias alternativas para a análise de metabólitos vegetais em produtos naturais, com ênfase em procedimentos de extração. As seguintes plantas foram avaliadas: soja (Glycine Max, Fabaceae), capsicum (Capsicum anuum, Solanaceae), camomila (Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae), guaraná (Paullinia cupana, Sapidaceae) e erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis, Aquifoliaceae). As principais classes de metabólitos vegetais estudadas foram os compostos fenólicos e metilxantinas, sendo utilizada a eletroforese capilar, como técnica de análise, em solução livre e em meio micelar. A otimização da metodologia de extração isoflavonas da soja, em cápsulas farmacêuticas, incluiu o uso de diferentes solventes, o tempo de extração, bem como a escolha do melhor solvente para a dissolução dos analitos para posterior injeção. A identificação tentativa de grupos derivados de malonil foi obtida a partir dos espectros de UV, tempo de migração e por hidrólise da amostra. Um estudo da composição de diferentes metabólitos primários e secundários da folha de soja, a saber: flavonóides, ácidos orgânicos, açúcares, cátions, ânions e ácidos graxos livres, foi realizado por variadas formas de extrações. Para o capsicum explorou-se a extração de capsaicinas por dispersão de matriz em fase sólida (MSPD). Os sorventes testados foram florisil, C-18 e sílica, sendo avaliados diferentes solventes para eluição. Um estudo de otimização da extração de cafeína em amostras de guaraná em pó foi realizado, utilizando-se, como referência, um extrato obtido em Soxhlet. Os polifenóis da camomila foram extraídos em ultrassom em diferentes tempos e temperaturas, comparada a análise por maceração e processador industrial, utilizando como extrator, o meio hidroglicólico. / The interest for plants of medicinal and cosmetic application demands methods with efficient extraction. Sample preparation is one of most important steps in the development of an analytic methodology in herbal preparation. The present work proposes methodologies for the analysis of the secondary metabolites in natural products, with emphasis in extraction procedures. The following plants were evaluated: soy (Glycine max), capsicum (Capsicum anuum), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), guaraná (Paullinia cupana), mate (Ilex paraguariensis) by the use of capillary electrophoresis. The first proposed method was applied to the determination of isoflavones in soy germ capsules from four different pharmaceutical laboratories. Peak assignment of unknown isoflavones in certain samples was assisted by hydrolysis procedures, migration behavior and UV spectra comparison. A study of the composition of metabolites and nutrients as flavonoids, organic acids, carbohydrates, cations, anions and fatty acids were evaluated in soy leaf. An easy, rapid method of extraction was performed for capsicnoids in Capsicum anuum by Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD). Different solid phases C18, silica and florisil were tested. To guaraná different methodologies of extraction were tested (ultrasound, turrax) compared to exhaustive Soxhlet extract. The influence of operating parameters (temperature, time) on the extraction efficiency of chamomile by ultrasound was studied, compared extract by maceration and processing. The mixture of water and glycol was used.

O guaco (Mikania glomerata Sprengel) é uma planta medicinal brasileira empregada em medicamentos para tosse e problemas respiratórios. Devido ao interesse que esta espécie desperta e a popularidade de sua utilização estão sendo realizados estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver metodologia para o controle de qualidade do extrato fluido e tintura desta planta, a partir da escolha de uma substância marcadora - a cumarina (1,2-benzopirano), e pesquisar um método de doseamento preciso, exato e de fácil execução. Primeiramente, testou-se o método da A.O.A.C. 10&#170; ed. (Association of Official Agricultural Chemists), um método oficial para doseamento de cumarina em extrato de vanilina, cujo resultado não foi considerado reprodutível para extrato fluído e tintura de guaco por apresentar coeficiente de variação e desvio padrão muito altos. Em seguida, desenvolveu-se um método por espectrofotometria derivada de primeira ordem, obtendo-se um resultado preciso, exato, linear e reprodutível, cujo desvio padrão foi menor que 1%, o teste de recuperação ficou em torno de 102% e coeficiente de linearidade da reta de calibração foi de 0,9951. O método de espectrofotometria derivada foi utilizado na análise das amostras adquiridas no comércio, analisando-se em paralelo o teor de taninos, teor resíduo seco, densidade e análise cromatográfica em camada delgada. Através do estudo de estabilidade, conclui-se que a validade mínima do extrato fluido e tintura de guaco é de 2 anos. / The guaco (Mikanina glomerata Sprengel) is a brazilian medicinal plant used in medicines for cough and breathing problems. Because of the interest that these species arouse and the popularity of their use, phytochemical and pharmacological studies are being realized. The objetive of this work was to develop a methodology for the quality control of \"guaco\" fluid extract and tinture, separating the marked substance the coumarin (1,2 - benzopyran), and to research an accurate and exact method that it was easy to execution. First, it was tested the A.O.A.C.(Association of Official Agriculture Chemists) method 10&#170; ed., an official method for coumarin dosage in vanilin extract, which the result wasn\'t considerated reproductive for \"guaco\" fluid extract and tincture because it shows a coefficient of variation and standard devation very high. Then, a method by first-derivative spectrophotometry was development and it was achieved an accurate, exact and reprodutive result, which the standart devation was less than 1%, the recovery test was around 102% and the linearity coeficient of calibration curve was 0,9951. The derivative spectrophotometric was used to analyse samples acquired in the market and in parallel, tannins content, dry residue content , density and thin layer cromatografy analyse. According to stability studies, it was conclued that the minimum expiry date of \"guaco\" fluid extract and tinture is 2 years.

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Deteriorating living and environmental conditions have contributed to the increasing prevalence of diseases in plants and animals. In humans, accumulation of abnormally high levels of free radicals in the tissues has been implicated in many non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, ischemia, gastritis, obesity and asthma. Worldwide, there is recognition of need to improve plant and animal health. Tulbaghia violacea (Alliaceae) is a medicinal plant that is extensively harvested by traditional healers in the wild for its medicinal uses and if this practice continues, it may result in an unsolicited decline of the species in situ. Therefore, there is a need for cultivation of this species. Plant cultivation in a controlled environment for conservation purposes as well as the enhancement of yield and quality is gaining favour among farmers and consumers. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of altering the growing conditions by applying environmental stresses on the plant growth, antifungal and antioxidant activities of T. violacea, with the view of enhancing the future cultivation of this species for pharmaceutical companies, traditional healers and the horticulture industry. This study was divided into two parts, and the first part, which was further sub-divided into two separate preliminary experiments, is presented in chapter three. Simultaneous assessments of the effects of i) varied pH levels (pH 4, pH 6, pH 8) and ii) light intensity on plant growth, antioxidant-content and -capacity of extracts of T. violacea were carried out. The second part of the thesis consisted of a more detailed assessment of the above-mentioned independent variables and interactions thereof on plant growth, and antifungal activity of extracts of T. violacea. Results obtained from the first part of the study, showed that plants exposed to pH 6 showed a marked increase in plant height (from 25-37 cm) after 2 months of treatment although, generally, the variations of the different growth parameters among the pH treatments were not significant (p > 0.05). Antioxidant-contents and -capacity were not significantly different (p > 0.05) when pH treatments were compared. However, a high polyphenol content value (of 3 mg/g) occurred in leaves of plants exposed to pH 8. Overall, comparatively, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in antioxidant-content and -capacity when pH treatments. In the light experiment, decreasing light intensity led to the elongation of plant height. A higher mean shoot length of 34.6 cm was obtained under low light compared to normal light (26.5 cm) two months post-treatment. The results obtained in this study indicated that light had a significant affect (p < 0.05) on the vegetative growth of this species. In contrast, normal light intensity yielded higher antioxidant-content and -capacity. The polyphenol and flavanol content were fluctuating between the averages of 5.8 mg/g to 8.5 mg/g. Overall, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the antioxidant-content and -capacity when low and normal light intensity treatments compared. In conclusion, both normal light intensity and at pH 8 induced better antioxidant results. In the second part of the study, chapter four, one-month old T. violacea plantlets were grown under two light intensities (low light and normal light) in a greenhouse and concurrently exposed to varying pH levels: pH 4, pH 6 and pH 8. Plants exposed to normal light received natural sunlight through the roof of the greenhouse, while low light intensity (40% reduction) was achieved using shade nets. Plants were drip irrigated with Nutrifeed fertilizer. Plant growth parameters such as height and fresh and dry weights were determined. Leaf samples were analysed for macro-and micro-nutrients contents. Antifungal tests were carried out on the plant extracts from the various treatments in an antifungal bioassay (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]). The experimental data collected were analysed using one and two-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey HSD was used to separate the means at p < 0.05 level of significance. Varied effects of different pH levels (4, 6 and 8) and light intensities (low and normal) on plant height, and fresh and dry weights were recorded in the current study. A significant interactive (df, 2; F = 0.001; p < 0.001) effect between pH and light on fresh weight was observed. The results revealed that there was a significant difference (df, 2, 57; F = 12.63; p < 0.001) in dry weights with plants under normal light intensity and pH 4 treatment (8.285 ± 0.802 g) producing the highest dry weight. There was a significant interaction (df, 2; F = 6.4; p < 0.001) between pH and light intensity on plant dry weight. Extracts from plants grown under normal light intensity showed stronger antifungal activity at pH level 4, and MIC values ranged from 0.18 ± 0 to 0.375 ± 0.04 mg/ml at 6h and 1.5 ± 0 to 0.97 ± 0.18 mg/ml at 18h. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the interactive effects of pH and light intensity on the growth of T. violacea. These findings also confirmed that it is possible to enhance the cultivation of T. violacea under greenhouse conditions. Chapter 5 focused on the interactive effects of pH and watering regime on plant growth, nutrient uptake and antifungal activity of T. violacea plant extracts, grown hydroponically. The results showed that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) on plant growth parameters amongst the different watering regimes under normal light intensity. Broadly, two trends occurred in the results: firstly, more macro-nutrients were taken up by plants in the higher frequency watering intervals as opposed to higher tissue micronutrient nutrient values for plants grown under the lower light intensity conditions. The levels of N, P, K, Mg nutrient uptake differed significantly in plants (p < 0.001) among watering interval periods. On the other hand, plants simultaneously exposed to extended watering intervals of 21-day and low light intensity showed more bioactivity of the crude extracts against F. oxysporum in the MIC bioassay. Based on the current results, a combination of shorter watering interval and normal light intensity favoured plant growth and development, while plants grown under low light intensity with longer watering interval showed good bioactivity. Broadly, these results demonstrated that varying pH, light intensity, and watering regime can influence plant growth, secondary metabolite contents and antifungal activity of crude extracts of T. violacea. These findings will contribute to the current body of knowledge around cultivation of indigenous medicinal plants. The study will further benefit the conservation of medicinal plant initiatives, increased income of small-scale farmers and potentially promote indigenous knowledge by increasing the availability of South African medicinal plants.