''Hypoxis hemerocallidea'', the African star grass or African potato, is a
medicinal plant in the
Hypoxidaceae family. It is native to southern
Africa from
South Africa as far north as
Mozambique and
Zimbabwe. This plant is the best known member of this genus.
Medicinal uses
''Hypoxis'' is promoted as an
alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any practice that aims to achieve the healing effects of medicine despite lacking biological plausibility, testability, repeatability, or evidence from clinical trials. Complementary medicine (CM), complementary and alt ...
treatment for
benign prostatic hyperplasia, but research has found no evidence of beneficial effect. Additionally, one study suggests ''Hypoxis'' alters the activity of
cytochrome P450
Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are a Protein superfamily, superfamily of enzymes containing heme as a cofactor (biochemistry), cofactor that functions as monooxygenases. In mammals, these proteins oxidize steroids, fatty acids, and xenobiotics, and are ...
, suggesting that it may interfere with the effectiveness of other drugs or supplements, such as
antiretroviral drugs.
References
External links
* Hypoxis hemerocallidea research University Kwazulu-Nata
* Hypoxis hemerocallidea South African National Biodiversity Institut
Hypoxis, hemerocallidea
Flora of Southern Africa
Medicinal plants of Africa
Plants described in 1842
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