Sciences of Phytochemistry

Elodie Melro, Carolina F. Jesus, Tomás Duarte, Andreia A. S. Alves, Filipe E. Antunes, Margarida Lindo, Daniel Ribeiro

This comparative screening study investigated how solvent polarity and extraction technique influence the recovery of bioactive compounds from four Portuguese native plants: Geranium robertianum (herb Robert), Olea europaea (olive leaves), Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary) and Laurus nobilis (bay laurel). Maceration and Soxhlet extractions were performed using five solvents spanning a polarity range (methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hexane), followed by colorimetric phytochemical screening and extraction-yield comparison; aqueous infusion and water-based Soxhlet extraction were also assessed. Among the organic solvents tested, methanol generally gave the highest extraction yields, whereas aqueous extraction showed species-dependent behavior; for example, infusion yields for olive leaves and rosemary ranged from approximately 26% to 34%, whereas water-based Soxhlet extraction of herb Robert exceeded 35%. Qualitative phytochemical assays indicated the broadest class-level detection in methanolic extracts, whereas tannins were not detected in ethanolic extracts and were only evidenced in bay laurel under less-polar conditions. GC–MS profiling of ethanolic extracts provided comparative species-dependent fingerprints dominated by fatty acid derivatives and terpenoid-related compounds within the analytical window of the method, with Soxhlet generally enhancing late-eluting hydrophobic metabolites; rosemary was enriched in phenolic diterpenes, herb Robert and olive leaves showed a stronger contribution of carbohydrate-related compounds, and bay laurel displayed a comparatively simpler lipid/terpenoid profile. These results provide a preliminary n exploratory comparative framework for future studies on extraction-condition selection basis for selecting extraction conditions according to plant matrix and analytical purpose.

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

J. Malavika, K. Thenmozhi

Symplocos obtusa Wall. Ex G. Don. (Symplocaceae) is an endemic medicinal plant whose pharmacological potential remains largely uncharacterized. This study utilized integrated in vitro and in silico methodologies to establish a comprehensive phytochemical and therapeutic profile of its ethanolic leaf extract. Initial screening revealed a significant extractive yield of 6.0%, with substantial concentrations of total phenolics (4.30 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g), tannins (2.91 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (71.15 ± 0.86 mg RE/g). Structural characterization via FTIR spectroscopy confirmed diverse functional groups, while GC-MS analysis identified 19 bioactive constituents with putative pharmacological relevance. The extract demonstrated potent antioxidant capacity across multiple benchmarks, yielding an $I{C}_{50}$ of 26.55 ± 0.61 µg/mL in DPPH assays, alongside robust activity in ABTS (27.09 ± 0.11 µmol/g) and phosphomolybdenum (51.38 ± 0.08 mg/g) evaluations. Computational in silico modeling further corroborated the safety and therapeutic viability of the identified compounds, predicting favorable drug-likeness and low toxicity profiles (Classes IV–VI). Collectively, these findings validate S. obtusa as a prolific reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites, supporting its development as a candidate for plant-derived drug discovery and antioxidant therapy.

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

Innocent Chukwujekwu Onunkwo, Mary Olire Edema, Christiana E. Ogwuche, Bamidele H. Akpeji

Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical global challenge due to microbial enzymes that neutralize antibiotic efficacy, prompting the use of nanotechnology to enhance the therapeutic potential of plant properties. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were biosynthesized using a methanol extract of Cissus aralioides leaves obtained through Soxhlet extraction. Characterization via UV-vis, FTIR, PXRD, SEM, EDX, and TEM revealed a maximum absorption at 398 nm, a bandgap energy of 3.12 eV, and a hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average particle size of 15.90 ± 2.81 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed essential chemical groups (C-H, C=O, O-H), while SEM and EDX showed rough surfaces with a predominant zinc content of 80.76%. The antimicrobial potential of these ZnONPs was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method at concentrations of 100–400 mg/mL. Results demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, with the highest sensitivity observed against S. aureus (24.0 ± 0.01 mm), followed by C. albicans, E. coli, and Aspergillus sp., and an estimated minimum inhibitory concentration of 100–300 mg/mL. Consequently, this research highlights the potential of green-synthesized ZnONPs as a viable alternative for managing pathogenic microorganisms.

Sciences of Phytochemistry