Sciences of Phytochemistry

Jimmy J Daka, Temwani Nyimbili, Grace Mwaba, Gladys Dowati, Albert Mwanza, Munsaka Siankuku, Derrick Banda, Zebron N Tembo, Francis Kayamba, Danny Banda, Arunachalam Kalirajan, Hyden Simwatachela

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.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Mohamed Said Rajab

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.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Emmanuel Eimiomodebheki Odion, Daniel Akpe-Efiak Ambe, Kidochukwu Naomi Ifejika, Eravweroso Congrat Odiete, Chinyelu Clementina Osigwe

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.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Mohamed Said Rajab

Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive pest causing significant crop losses worldwide. Resistance development and health and environmental concerns associated with synthetic insecticides have prompted a search for eco-friendly biopesticides. Limonoids such as salannin, volkensin, and volkensinone, isolated from the East African plant Melia volkensii, show antifeedant activity against S. frugiperda larvae. Volkensin had an ED50 of 3.5 µg/cm², volkensinone (a lactone of volkensin) an ED50 of 6 µg/cm², and salannin an ED50 of 13 µg/cm². Additional limonoids from M. volkensii, including salanninolide and toosendanin, also displayed strong antifeedant effects. With toosendanin already used commercially, a re-evaluation of M. volkensii antifeedant compounds was conducted using in silico techniques. Docking simulations with 3D models of these limonoids and the S. frugiperda ryanodine receptor protein revealed binding affinities from -6.4 to -7.5 kcal/mol, comparable to those of chlorantraniliprole, a commercial insecticide targeting ryanodine receptors. These binding affinities at two distinct receptor sites align well with in-vitro antifeedant activity, underscoring M. volkensii’s potential for environmentally friendly, receptor-targeted biopesticide development against S. frugiperda.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Dauda Garba, Bila Hassan Ali, Bashar Bawa, Abdulrazaq Sanusi, Yahaya Mohammed Sani, Muhammad Garba Magaji, Musa Isma’il Abdullahi, Aliyu Muhammad Musa, Hassan Halimatu Sadiya

The development of parasite resistance to first-line antimalarial medicines, especially the Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), has made the research and development of novel antimalarial medications vital. Globimetula oreophila, a plant used in traditional medicine to treat malaria, is a natural product that may provide new antimalarial drugs with fewer side effects, greater efficacy and lower risk of resistance than synthetic drugs. This study aims to evaluate the antiplasmodial properties of G. oreophila's fractions. The plant leaves were air-dried and reduced in size using a pestle and mortar. The pulverized plant was macerated in 70% ethanol and fractionated with solvent in increasing polarity of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol to produce the various fractions. The antiplasmodial activity of the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of G. oreophila leaf extract was assessed using an in vivo method in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice via prophylactic, suppressive, and curative test. The fractions' median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice. The median effective dose (ED50) of the fractions at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg produced a significant (p< 0.001) decrease in the level of parasitemia. The ethyl acetate fraction had the best antiplasmodium activity compared to other plant fractions. The fractions of G. oreophila showed significant in vivo antiplasmodial activity, which upholds the earlier in vivo findings for the crude extract and its folkloric use. Further study should be carried out to isolate active secondary metabolites responsible for this observed antimalarial activity in all four investigated fractions.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Mubarak Muhammad Dahiru, Abdulhasib Oluwatobi Oni, James Danga, Aisha Alfa Alhaji, Faith Jonah, Alkasim Yahaya Hauwa, Zainab Muhammad

Medicinal plants are regarded as important sources of exogenous antioxidants due to their phytoconstituents’ free radical scavenging potential. The present study explores the phytoconstituents and antioxidant activity of n-hexane (HFDM) and chloroform (CFDM) fractions of Detarium microcarpum for potential use in the phytotherapy of oxidative stress-linked ailments. The phytoconstituents were qualitatively determined, while the antioxidant activity was determined by in vitro assays. Alkaloids, saponins, steroids, and flavonoids were detected in both fractions, while glycosides and terpenoids were absent. The HFDM (55.40 ± 2.66 AAE µg/mL) showed a significantly higher total antioxidant capacity than the CFDM (34.84 ± 1.22 AAE µg/mL, p < 0.05) at the tested concentration (100 µg/mL) while the CFDM (57.84 ± 2.16 AAE µg/mL) exhibited a significantly higher ferric reducing antioxidant power than the HFDM (46.11 ± 1.91 AAE µg/mL, p < 0.05) at the tested concentration (100 µg/mL). In the ferric thiocyanate assay, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the HFDM (65.59 ± 2.32%) and CFDM (77.42 ± 2.95%). However, both fractions exhibited significantly higher percentage inhibition than ascorbic acid (9.68 ± 5.41%, p < 0.05). Moreover, the HFDM (0.21 ± 0.01 nmol/mL) exhibited a significantly lower MDA concentration than the CFDM (0.66 ± 0.06 nmol/mL) and AA (0.46 ± 0.02 nmol/mL). Additionally, ascorbic acid (0.46 ± 0.02 nmol/mL) showed a significantly lower MDA concentration than CFDM (0.66 ± 0.06 nmol/mL). The n-hexane and chloroform fractions of the plants showed promising antioxidant potential, which might be attributed to the identified phytochemicals that have potential applications in the phytotherapy of oxidative stress-linked diseases.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Aisosa Prince Erhabor, Osayawe Pride Erhabor

Azadirachta indica (neem) and Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) are among the most promising medicinal plants, valued for their broad spectrum of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antidiabetic, and antitumor properties. These plants play a central role in traditional Nigerian medicine for treating tropical diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, yellow fever, and scabies. This study employed gravimetric analysis to identify and quantify the phytochemical compounds in both plants. Fresh leaves were collected, cleaned, air-dried, and their aqueous extracts were screened for key phytochemical constituents. The analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds in both extracts. Quantitative results showed that A. indica had the highest flavonoid content (13.80%), slightly surpassing V. amygdalina (13.62%). Similarly, terpenoids (13.13%) and alkaloids (10.67%) were more abundant in the neem extract compared to the bitter leaf (8.21% and 9.68%, respectively). Lower percentages of glycosides and saponins were observed, with neem containing higher concentrations of both compounds than the bitter leaf. These findings suggest that both plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential applications in developing antibacterial and antifungal treatments. Further research into the phytochemical properties of these plants may facilitate the discovery of novel drugs to combat tropical diseases while reducing the reliance on synthetic chemicals, thus mitigating environmental degradation.

Sciences of Phytochemistry

Abdul K. Jaleel, Sapna Jacob, Suresh Mohan Ghosh, Amritesh Suresh

The Banana (Musa paradisiaca Linn., Family: Musaceae) is one of the oldest and most widely cultivated fruit plants, dating back to prehistoric times. Bananas are rich in minerals and phytochemicals, contributing to their significant culinary, nutritional, and medicinal properties. This review analyzes 191 peer-reviewed articles published between 1981 and July 2023 to comprehensively assess the health benefits of bananas. Studies highlight their effectiveness in reducing inflammation, cancer, diabetes, depression, diarrhea, urolithiasis, and ulcers. Additionally, bananas exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, hepatoprotective, hair-growing, wound-healing, and antihypertensive properties. The articles were sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using keywords like M. paradisiaca, health benefits, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, and phytochemicals. Inclusion criteria included original research, clinical trials, in vitro and in vivo studies, and reviews focused on banana’s medicinal properties, while non-peer-reviewed papers and studies not directly related to M. paradisiaca were excluded. This review reinforces the comprehensive health-promoting benefits of bananas and sets the stage for future research, which should focus on large-scale clinical trials, phytochemical standardization, and sustainable utilization of banana plant components. Bananas hold immense potential as both a functional food and a medicinal plant, making them a promising subject for future studies in nutraceuticals and sustainable agriculture.

Sciences of Phytochemistry