Sciences of Phytochemistry

Chimezie Alexdaniel Chukwuemeka, Chukwudi Jude Ofoegbu, Nnaemeka Promise Amadi

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of the acetone extract of green coffee beans (Coffea excelsa) using in vitro assays. The extract was assessed for its ability to inhibit protein denaturation and stabilize biological membranes using heat-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes as a model. The extract exhibited an overall increase in inhibitory effect across the tested concentrations in both assays. In the protein denaturation assay, percentage inhibition increased from 13.10% at 100 µg/mL to 70.45% at 1000 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ value of 249.8 µg/mL. Similarly, in the membrane stabilization assay, inhibition ranged from 21.16% to 62.06% across the same concentration range, with an IC₅₀ value of 391.6 µg/mL. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test indicated that all tested concentrations produced significant effects compared to the control (p < 0.0001). IC₅₀ values were determined using nonlinear regression analysis (n = 3). Although the extract showed lower activity compared with acetylsalicylic acid, it demonstrated moderate anti-inflammatory activity. These effects may be associated with the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids; however, this cannot be confirmed since no phytochemical analysis was conducted in this study. Overall, these results indicate that the acetone extract of green coffee beans possesses measurable anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, suggesting that it may serve as a potential source of bioactive compounds for further investigation. Further studies, including phytochemical characterization and in vivo evaluations, are required to validate these findings.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Sylvester Nefai Mathias, Aliyu Hamidu Ahmed, Emmanuel Halilu Mshelia, Achor Mohammed, Chinenye Jane Ugwah-Oguejiofor, Mansur Lawal, Ibrahim Yusuf Alkali, Nkeiruka Nkeonyere Igbokwe, Cletus Anes Ukwubile, Ahmed Aminu Biambo

This study investigated the phytochemical composition, safety profile, and pharmaceutical formulation of capsules containing the hexane fraction of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOHx). The main objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the phytochemical constituents, toxicity profile, and develop a standardized oral capsule formulation of the hexane fraction of M. oleifera leaves suitable for potential therapeutic application. Phytochemical profiling was performed using LC–MS and GC–MS, and compounds were tentatively identified based on spectral library matching and fragmentation patterns. Selected phytochemicals were evaluated using in silico ADMET prediction and molecular docking analyses. Acute oral toxicity was assessed in Wistar rats using Lorke’s method. Pre-formulation studies were conducted prior to capsule formulation using the wet granulation technique. The granules were evaluated for micromeritic properties, and the capsules were subjected to pharmacopoeial quality tests including weight uniformity, disintegration, and dissolution. The estimated LD₅₀ of the extract was 3.808 mg/kg body weight, indicating relatively low acute toxicity. Dissolution testing showed more than 80% release within 20 min under the experimental conditions employed. These findings suggest that the developed capsule formulation provides a suitable pharmaceutical dosage form for the hexane fraction of M. oleifera, although further studies including stability testing, quantitative phytochemical standardization, and pharmacological evaluation are required.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Patrick Buah, Akwasi Acheampong, Cedric Dzidzor Amengor, Adolf Oti-Boakye, Kennedy Ameyaw Baah, Judith Odei, Lydia Opoku Acheampong, Lydia Tima Sarfo-Mainoo

Memecylon amoenum is traditionally employed across West Africa for treating waist pains, diarrhoea, wounds, toothache and various skin ailments. The study aimed to identify major phytoconstituents using standard phytochemical screening, chromatographic separation, and FTIR analysis and to evaluate the biological activities of the methanol and petroleum ether leaves extracts. Phytochemical investigations revealed twelve constituents in the pulverized plant material and eleven in the methanolic extract, while the petroleum ether extract contained six. In the DPPH assay, the methanol and petroleum ether extracts of M. amoenum demonstrated IC₅₀ values of 11.42 ± 0.05 and 43.42 ± 0.62 µg/mL, respectively, outperforming ascorbic acid (58.46 ± 0.8 µg/mL). Total antioxidant capacity values (gAAE/100 g) were 36.04 ± 1.43 for the hetmethanol extract and 31.35 ± 3.98 for the petroleum extract. The extracts also exhibited potent anthelmintic activity, surpassing mebendazole at all tested concentrations for example the death time at 6mg/mL are 2min 05s, 4min 16s and 8min 33s respectively for the methanol extract, pet-ether extract and mebendazole. Both extracts showed broad antimicrobial effects, with minimum inhibition concentrations, 0.0122 to 25 mg/mL, and demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory properties. Thin-layer chromatographic profiling revealed four spots in the methanolic extract and seven in the petroleum ether extract, suggesting chemical diversity between the solvent fractions. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of functional groups consistent with the compounds detected through phytochemical screening. The results indicate that the methanol and petroleum ether extracts of M. amoenum possess significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anthelmintic activities, supporting their potential as therapeutic effect.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Courage Chandipwisa, Harrison Banda, Agness Shimilimo

Plant secondary metabolites are natural compounds with immunomodulatory and adjuvant properties that may complement conventional vaccines and support regionally relevant vaccine strategies in Africa. This structured narrative review analyzed English-language studies published between 2000 and 2025 from PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and EBSCOhost. Included publications comprised original research, systematic reviews, and clinical trials addressing mechanisms, formulation, safety, and clinical development. Evidence included in vitro studies, animal models, formulation research, and human investigations. Preclinical findings show that selected metabolites enhance antigen presentation, promote dendritic cell maturation, and strengthen humoral and cellular immune responses through modulation of key signaling pathways. Triterpenoid saponins from Quillaja saponaria have progressed into clinical adjuvant platforms, while polysaccharides from Moringa oleifera and flavonoids from Curcuma longa and Artemisia annua demonstrate immunostimulatory effects and improved antigen stability in preclinical models. Nanoencapsulation improves compound stability and delivery but lacks sufficient clinical validation. Clinical translation requires standardized phytochemical characterization, comprehensive safety evaluation, regulatory harmonization, validated manufacturing processes, and adequately powered clinical trials with defined immunological endpoints.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Noudou Solitaire Bodrix, Malle Lando Armand, Mbazoa Djama Celine, Aponglen Ayimele Godfred, Wandji Jean, Taiwe Sotoing Germain, Ndinteh Tantoh Dereck, Talla Mangoua Rostan

A known peptide, Asperphenamate (1) and a labdane diterpenoid, Nepetaefuran (2) were isolated for the first time from the aerial parts of Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) Ait. f. (Lamiaceae) together with five known compounds: ß-sitosterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside and β-sitosterol, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid and Apegenin-7-O-glycoside. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of mass spectrometry, NMR data and by the comparison with literature data. The dichloromethane-methanol (1:1, v/v) (LM) extract, the peptide and the labdane diterpenoid compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant effects on pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin or bicuculine induced convulsions in mice. All the tested treatments showed anticonvulsant effects on experimental models of epileptic seizures chemically induced in mice. Asperphenamate (1) (JW514) showed up to 100% protection of animals against convulsions, Nepetaefuran (2) (JW512) and the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1, v/v) (LM) extract showed a maximum of 83.33% protection against pentylenetetrazol induced convulsions.

Sciences of Phytochemistry