Abstract: Structural features of the triterpenoid skeleton that are necessary for antimycobacterial activity are not well understood. Following the isolation of the triterpenoids ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide, 6β-hydroxykulactone, 12β-hydroxykulactone, (24R)-24,25-epoxycycloartan-3-one and (3β,24R)-24,25-epoxycycloartan-3-ol, and (3β,24R)-24,25-epoxycycloartan-3-acetate with varying antimycobacterial activity ranging between MIC of 1 µg/ml to128 µg/ml prompted us to study this class of compounds further to shade light on the structural features necessary for their antimycobacterial activity. This in silico study involved docking the triterpenoids on the mycobacterial multi-pharmacophore receptor protein MmpL3. The docking results were compared with the MmpL3 receptor protein co-crystallized TB drug candidate, AU1235, (1-(2-adamantyl)-3-[2,3,4-tris(fluoranyl)phenyl] urea). The virtual screening revealed key structural features in the triterpenoid skeleton, including the C-3 keto and β-hydroxy group on C-3 or C-6, as important for antimycobacterial activity. Also, the decreased binding affinity for compounds 2 and 7 with an acetate group on C-3 were in tandem with those observed in vitro. Toxicity predictions revealed that this class of compounds had no mutagenic effects and displayed favorable pharmacokinetic parameters. The study reveals the potential of the triterpenoid skeleton exemplified by the readily available ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide as a useful scaffold in searching and developing effective therapeutic lead entities to facilitate anti-tuberculosis drug discovery. Show less...

Abstract: Solenostemon monostachyus (S. monostachyus) is a widely distributed and important herb in central and west Africa, traditionally used in treating various ailments, including tumors. This study aims to identify the phytoconstituents in the methanol leaf extract of S. monostachyus and evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative potentials of the methanol extract and its fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate). Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted to determine different classes of phytochemical constituents in the powdered leaf. Phytoconstituents were identified from the methanol extract by chromatographic analysis (HPLC and GC-MS). The extract and fractions of S. monostachyus were tested against Raniceps raninus tadpoles and Sorghum bicolor radicles to evaluate their cytotoxic and growth suppression potentials. HPLC analysis revealed catechin, cyanogenic glycosides, flavanone, sparteine, sapogenin, and phytate. GC-MS analysis displayed (Z)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl 9-octadecenoic acid ester, 2-dodecyl-1,3-propanediol, 1-nitro-bicyclo[6.1.0]nonan-2-one, and furazano[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,6-diamine, N, N’-di(propynyl) as the prominent compounds. A cytotoxic effect was observed at 160 µg/mL, with a recorded 56.67 ± 3.33% mortality within 0.5 h, increasing to 100.00 ± 0.00% mortality of the tadpoles within 1 h of treatment. A concentration of 16 mg/mL of S. monostachyus extract significantly (p<0.05) exerted 56.15% (0.82 ± 0.08) suppression of the emerging radicles in 24 h, which later increased to 94.55% (1.10 ± 0.07) after 96 h. This indicates that S. monostachyus leaf extract contains phytochemicals with cytotoxic and growth-suppression potentials. Show less...

Abstract: One species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family is Tithonia diversifolia A. Gray (T. diversifolia), which grows as a shrub or weed. Significant anti-infective therapeutic characteristics, such as anti-mycobacterial, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-malaria, and anthelmintic effects, have been discovered in the plant's extracts. Ethnic communities have been using the plant extract to cure wounds. They appear to prefer it above conventional treatments in many circumstances, to the point where their aqueous solution may be smuggled into medical institutions in order to augment the care provided. The purpose of this study was to compare T. diversifolia with silver sulphadiazine's capacity for wound healing. For 72 hours, a 70% ethanol alone and water alone was used to extract the plant. After the extracts dried out, the powder was measured and 10 mL of reconstituted volume was assessed at various concentrations for the purpose of treating wounds. Silver sulphadiazine was used as the positive control and distilled water as the negative control. According to the findings, the aqueous extract had a 48.0% healing rate after 14 days of treatment, ethanol had a 20.0% healing rate, and silver sulphadiazine had a 22.0% healing rate. It is possible to draw the conclusion that the aqueous extract concentration of 0.6 mg/10 mL demonstrated a higher healing percentage than silver sulphadiazine and the ethanol extract. Show less...