Screening Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Updates on Tropical Medicinal Plant Tinospora cordifolia as an Antimicrobial Shrub to Combat Respiratory Infections

Abstract: Respiratory infections are a universal issue with high death rates caused by several pathogens. It makes it obligatory to explore novel antimicrobial drugs to cure lung infections. Phytochemicals, which are herbal compounds found in plants, exhibit antimicrobial properties and contain substances like tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, etc. Now, researchers have opted for novel strategies for drug invention through the screening of medicinal plants. These plants offer a lavish source of new structures and phyto moieties, making them precious in the development of effective treatments. Many current researchers recommend medicinal plant formulations to cure different respiratory disorders. Among these are Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers (T. cordifolia) shrubs. The plant T. cordifolia is mainly claimed for its antispasmodic, antipyretic, antineoplastic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunopotentiating, and hepatoprotective pharmacological properties. This review provides insight into T. cordifolia, which plays a significant role in combating infectious ailments and its significance in maintaining the health of mankind. This review article recapitulates the plant TC and specifies different bioactive components that showed antimicrobial action. The present study outlined various investigations that have been done on T. cordifolia, i.e., in-silico, toxicity, and antimicrobial, which will explore the opportunity in the development of novel medications against microbial infections. In addition, this study depicts the application of T. cordifolia in culinary, beverage and marketed products that were found helpful in the treatment of various disorders and recent updates on T. cordifolia. The literature acknowledges that this natural antimicrobial plant will help to lay the foundation for upgrading exhaustive pharmacological and pharmaceutical studies to better understand the clinical relevance and application of T. cordifolia in the prevention and treatment of life-threatening respiratory infections.

B-HEMATIN INHIBITION ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT AND RESIDUAL AQUEOUS FRACTION OF FICUS ASPERIFOLIA

Chemotherapy is still regarded as the major intervention in fighting the malaria scourge despite the recent introduction of malaria vaccine. Screening of medicinal plants provides opportunities for the discovery of the potential drug molecules. Ficus asperifolia (Miq) family Moraceae has been traditionally employed in the treatment of many diseases including pain, fever and malaria. The aim of this study was to examine the anitmalarial activity of both the methanol leaf extract (MEFA) and residual aqueous fraction of Ficus asperifolia (RAF) through the determination of their heme polymerization inhibition ability. The powdered leaf was extracted using 70%

Cytotoxicity, antifungal and antioxidant properties of Lonchocarpus capassa leaf extracts

Background: Lonchocarpus capassa is a medicinal plant used to treat diseases such as fungal infections, diarrhoea, oral candidiasis, and stomach complaints in South Africa.Aim: The study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and antifungal compounds isolated from L. capassa leaf extracts.Setting: The study was conducted in Muduluni village, Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo province.Methods: Leaf extracts were screened for antifungal activity against fungal pathogens: Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Bioassay-guided fractionation using column chromatography of the acetone extract led to the isolation of six antifungal compounds. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry were used for the identification of compounds. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Cytotoxicity of isolated compounds was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against Vero monkey kidney cells.Results: The plant extract had an excellent minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) value of 40 μg/mL against the microorganisms. Compound 1 was identified as Lupeol, Compound 3 as Friedelin, and Compound 4 as 6-(γ,γ-Dimethylallyl)-3’,4’-dimethoxy-6”,6”-dimethylpyrano-[2”,3”:7,8]-flavanone (Compound 4). Compounds 2 and 5 were not identified because of the presence of mixtures of long-chain fatty acids. Friedelin was the most active radical scavenger in the DPPH assay. The compounds were not toxic with an LC50 value of ˃ 0.2 mg/mL.Conclusion: Screening of medicinal plants could provide lead to the discovery of novel antifungal agents.Contribution: The results support the traditional use of L. capassa to combat fungal infections in humans.

Planetary Health and Traditional Medicine: A Potential Synergistic Approach to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobials are compounds that impede the activities of bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Continuous antimicrobial overuse, misuse, and improper use for human, animal, and agricultural purposes are raising concerns about antibiotic residue pollution in the environment, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Because antimicrobial-resistant diseases are linked to human–-microbial ecosystems, environmental pollution from antibiotic residue and ARGs alters the makeup and diversity of human gut microbiota, putting resistance under selection pressure. This perspective proposes that antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion is linked to environmental quality and has repercussions for human health via the gut microbiome’s sensitive ecosystem. This has stimulated new global efforts and multidisciplinary, integrative approaches to addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) awareness in communities. Several academic papers published in recent years have shown that medicinal plant extracts are effective against diseases on WHO’s pathogen priority lists (PPL), such as the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species). Traditional medicine, with its knowledge of medicinal plants, promises to be a valuable source of next-generation powerful antimicrobials. Examples include the recent discovery of Artemisinin, a highly active antimalarial drug derived from Artemisia annua, and the discovery of Taxol, an active chemotherapeutic drug derived from the bark of the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia. The connections between small and large ecosystems’ vitality, biodiversity protection, and human health have been acknowledged by Planetary Health principles. To address these intertwined concerns, a Planetary Health and Traditional Medicine approach can be adopted, and antimicrobial resistance can be addressed by expanding the screening of medicinal plants for bioactive compounds.

Promising antifungal activity of two varieties of Capsicum chinense against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Colletotrichum goleosporoides

Peppers (Capsicum sp.) which belong to the Solanaceae family constitute an important segment in the vegetable sector, both in agriculture and in the food industry. This paper aims to investigate in vitro antifungal activity of hexane extracts from Capsicum chinense fruit (unripe bode pepper – ‘HE-UB’ – and ripe little beak pepper – ‘HE-RB’) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Antifungal activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method (DDM) at doses between 25 µL and 300 µL of both diluted extracts. Chemical analyses revealed that the major constituent in both extracts was E-caryophyllene. HE-RB inhibited 100% of S. sclerotiorum, R. stolonifer and C. gloeosporioides growth at doses of 200 µL, 100 µL and 300 µL, respectively. HE-UB also inhibited 100% of fungal growth at doses of 100 µL (S. sclerotiorum), 150 µL (C. gloeosporioides) and 200 µL (R. stolonifer). HE-RB and HE-UB were active against the fungi under study; thus, screening of medicinal plants provides another alternative to produce chemical fungicides that are relatively non-toxic and cost-effective.

Traditional uses of medicinal plants of Badami Taluk district Bagalkot

Traditional knowledge of local vaidhyas about medicinal plants and their importance in local health care is well known since Vedic period. Plants are considered as divine in origin and were worshipped as Mother (Goddess). Screening of medicinal plants has become a potential source of bio-dynamic compounds of therapeutic value in phytochemical researches. Ethno-botanical documentation is one way of capturing this body of knowledge. Hence the survey of medicinal plants and their traditional uses by traditional practitioners of Badami taluk of Bagalkot district as it has a long history of medicinal plants since from Chalukyan period.

Assessment and Evaluation of the Leaf Extract of Begonia barbata to the Reduction LDL-Cholesterol in Carbamazepine Induced Obese Rats

Scientific endeavor has made it possible to discover and synthesize lipid-lowering drugs but, in most cases, their beneficial effects are overshadowed by their adverse effects. Hence, research interest in the screening of medicinal plants has intensified in recent years with a view of discovering potential antioxidants, lipid, and glucose-lowering phytochemicals. Four-month feeding of carbamazepine (both 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg body weight) with a normal diet increased the body mass of rats. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level was increased based on the oral execution of carbamazepine. But high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and weight of the liver increased slightly and the level of triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) level remain unchanged. Nonetheless, the Begonia barbata feeding with a normal diet reduced carbamazepine-induced obesity at both high and low doses. The level of LDL cholesterol and liver weight was significantly decreased due to the oral execution of B. barbata together with normal diet and carbamazepine, where HDL level was changed but not significantly.

A Review of Recent Studies on The Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activity of Annona Muricata

Medicinal plants have been used to treat illness and disease for thousands of years. Bioactive principles present in medicinal plants attribute to the therapeutic efficacy and it can be incorporated into modern medicine systems for the development of newer drug formulation for therapeutic ailments. Even now they are economically important, being used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, perfumery, and food industries. Screening of medicinal plants for antimicrobial activities and phytochemicals is important for finding potential new compounds for therapeutic use. In the present review, an attempt has been made to congregate the traditional, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies done on an important medicinal plant Annona muricata. Cyclo hexapeptides, acetogenins, annonaceous acetogenins were the major phytochemical compounds studied from this medicinal plant. The fruit is of economic value and hence cultivated and used widely as edible food. The plant possesses the major pharmacological activities includes Anti-viral activity, Anti-oxidant Activity, Larvicidal activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Antipediculicidal activity, Anti-bacterial activity, and wound healing. It also has an anti-carcinogenic and cytotoxic effect.

Extraction of phytochemicals and study of its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Helicteres isora L.

BackgroundHerbal medicines are used for the treatment of many infectious diseases throughout the history of mankind. The increasing antibiotic resistance exhibited by microorganisms has led to the phytochemical screening of medicinal plants for antimicrobial activity. Many infections can be treated by phytochemicals possessing potent antibacterial efficiency. The pharmacological activities of any plant is because of the presence of primary metabolites, secondary metabolites and its secretary products, comprising the phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavanoids, steroids, etc. Helicteres isora L. is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine. The root and bark are expectorant, demulcent, astringent to the bowels, antigalactagogue, lessen gripping; a cure for scabies when applied topically.MethodSoxhlet extraction or hot continuous extraction: In this method, finely ground sample was placed in thimble chamber of the Soxhlet apparatus. Extraction solvents was heated in the bottom flask, vaporizes into the sample thimble, condenses in the condenser and drip back. When the liquid content reaches the siphon arm, the liquid contents emptied into the bottom flask again and the process is continued. Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2079, Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli NCIM 2109, Fungi (Yeast) Candida albicans NCIM 3471, Fungi (Mould) Aspergillus niger NCIM 545 are used as reference Strain for antimicrobial activity. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH method.ResultChloroform Extracts of leaves, Stem and fruits of Helicteres isora L. exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus, niger. The stem extract showed highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli with zone of inhibition of 19.24 mm and leaves lowest activity against Candida albicans with zone of inhibition of 11.26 mm. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH method.ConclusionThe use of herbal crude drugs, in tracts and their remedies have significantly increased throughout the world. Efforts must be made to ensure safe, effective and affordable treatments for wide range of diseases by traditional methods which use locally available medicinal plants. The scientific and authentic researches on these aspects are to be done in order to exploit traditional knowledge of medicinal plants.

Preparation of Medicinal Plants: Basic Extraction and Fractionation Procedures for Experimental Purposes.

Preparation of medicinal plants for experimental purposes is an initial step and key in achieving quality research outcome. It involves extraction and determination of quality and quantity of bioactive constituents before proceeding with the intended biological testing. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate various methods used in the preparation and screening of medicinal plants in our daily research. Although the extracts, bioactive fractions, or compounds obtained from medicinal plants are used for different purposes, the techniques involved in producing them are generally the same irrespective of the intended biological testing. The major stages included in acquiring quality bioactive molecule are the selection of an appropriate solvent, extraction methods, phytochemical screening procedures, fractionation methods, and identification techniques. The nitty-gritty of these methods and the exact road map followed solely depends on the research design. Solvents commonly used in extraction of medicinal plants are polar solvent (e.g., water, alcohols), intermediate polar (e.g., acetone, dichloromethane), and nonpolar (e.g., n-hexane, ether, chloroform). In general, extraction procedures include maceration, digestion, decoction, infusion, percolation, Soxhlet extraction, superficial extraction, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted extractions. Fractionation and purification of phytochemical substances are achieved through application of various chromatographic techniques such as paper chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Finally, compounds obtained are characterized using diverse identification techniques such as mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Subsequently, different methods described above can be grouped and discussed according to the intended biological testing to guide young researchers and make them more focused.

Improved mass screening of medicinal plants for antibacterial activity by Leaf Disc antibacterial assay

Improved mass screening of medicinal plants for antibacterial activity by Leaf Disc antibacterial assay

Naturally Derived Formulations and Prospects towards Cancer

Traditional Medicine (TM) and their secondary metabolites are being increasingly recognized as useful complementary treatments toward the cancer. A large number of clinical studies have reported and proven concern of cancer patients. Here we have also reported recent studies on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms of Traditional Medicine (TM). Nowadays, Chemotherapy and surgery are standard methods for treatment of cancer, but still it’s not been fully successful. Some progress has been made in cancer diagnosis and treatment, but high incidence rate of cancer and low survival rate of patient are still being reported worldwide. Since ancient times, a number of traditional medicines known as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Iranian, Chinese, Korean, acupuncture, Muti, Ifa, and African medicine are widely used for therapeutic purposes and are becoming popular as Traditional Medicine (TM). It has been reported that plants synthesize plethora of “secondary metabolites” or “phytochemicals”, proven to possess anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer properties in many research studies. There are many possibilities for further organized research for screening of medicinal plants for their potential and efficacy against chronic diseases such as a cancer and other inflammatory diseases. Therefore, researcher’s interest should be in identification and standardization of new anti-cancer drug with low side effects and greater efficacy, that is easily acceptable in medical community and which may overcome the challenges in present and future cancer therapy. This review explores therapeutic value of certain bio-active principals of plant which could serve as potential pharmacologically active drug for treatment of cancer in future.

In Vitro Anti-helminthic Activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Martynia annua L. and Pentanema indicum

Objective: Modern anti- helmintics has limited the effective control of the parasites due to number of side effects and development of resistsnt in helminthes.This renewed the interest in screening of medicinal plants for their anti-helmintic activity and the present study was design to invastigate the In vitro anthelmintic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Martynia annua L. and Pentanema indicum. Methods: Nine groups each containing three adult Indian earthworms(Phentanema posthuma) of approximately same size were received into 20ml of desired formulation. I group was treated with normal saline and II group was treated with albendazole (20mg/ml) in 1% w/v of CMC as standard and III, Iv and V group was concentrations of hydroalcoholic extracts of Martynia annua L. 10, 20, 50mg/ml and VI,VII and VIII group was concentrations of hydroalcoholic extracts of Pentanema indicum 10,20,50mg/ml in 1% w/v of CMC. Last ninth group was treated with combination of Martynia annua L. and Pentanema indicum (50mg/ml and 50mg/ml). Result: Both the extracts show a dose dependent reduction in paralysis and death time of the worm, combination of Martynia annua L. and Pentanema indicum 1:1 ratio extrcat was found to be more effcetive especially at 50mg/ml and 50mg/ml. Conclusion: The anti-helmintic activity of extracts was comparable to standard Albentazole , and could be effective against parasitic helminths of humans and animals.The presence of alkoloid, flavonoids, tannins and phenol in the extracts may be contributory to its anti-helmintic activity.

Evaluation of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors by SPR biosensor and theoretical studies

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor has been utilized for monitoring analyte-ligand interactions in modern drug discovery processes. SPR biosensors measure the change in refractive indexes over the course of analyte molecules' binding to a specific immobilized ligand on sensor chip. This effort highlights a comprehensive SPR study besides enzymatic assay for discovery of new Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors via screening of medicinal plants. At first, five medicinal plants were selected as potential sources for developing new ACE inhibitors through hydrolyzing hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL) assay. The interaction of selected extracts with immobilized ACE on the sensor chip (500D) confirmed that the Onopordum acanthium L. had the greatest ACE inhibition activity among the set of compounds and its active compound (onopordia) was isolated. SPR biosensor used to evaluate binding affinity of onopordia and ACE. Equilibrium constant (KD), and changes in Gibb's free energy of the binding (ΔGbinding) values for the interaction of onopordia with ACE were found to be 10.24 μM and -28.48 kJ/mol, respectively. Computational analysis supported the binding of onopordia to the ACE active site. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of binding revealed that onopordia is an acceptable ACE inhibitor and could treat hypertension. SPR biosensor can be used to improve the drug discovery process for many important classes of drug targets due to its great sensitivity.

In vitro antiviral activity of twenty-seven medicinal plant extracts from Southwest Nigeria against three serotypes of echoviruses

BackgroundEchoviruses, a serotype of enteroviruses, infect millions of people globally and there is no specific drug treatment or vaccine available for its management. The screening of medicinal plants used locally for the treatment of infectious diseases, can provide a reliable option in the discovery of potent therapeutic compounds. This study was carried out to investigate the antiviral activities of 27 medicinal plant extracts, belonging to 26 different plant species, selected from Nigerian ethnobotany, against echovirus 7, 13 and 19 serotypes (E7, E13 and E19, respectively).MethodsThe plants were macerated in methanol and the cytotoxicities of the crude extracts were evaluated on the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line using the MTT assay. The antiviral activity of the plant extracts and fractions against echoviruses (E7, E13, and E19) was determined using the neutralisation assay, an assay that measures the inhibition of cytopathic effect on cell culture.ResultsThe crude extract of Macaranga barteri leaves had the highest cytotoxicity with CC50 value of 0.27 μg/mL. This was followed by Crinum jagus (9.88 μg/mL) and Terminalia ivorensis (12.14 μg/mL). The antiviral screening showed that ten out of the 27 crude plant extracts tested were active on E7 and E19, inhibiting the cytopathic effect of the virus in tissue culture. None of the extracts inhibited the cytopathic effect caused by E13 serotype. Amongst the active plant extracts, the methanol extract of M. barteri leaves had the highest antiviral activity on both E7 and E9 with IC50 values of 0.028 and 0.0017 ng/mL, respectively, followed by the Ageratum conyzoides extract (0.208 μg/mL, E7; 0.006 μg/mL, E19) and Mondia whitei extract (0.038 μg/mL, E7; 0.005 μg/mL, E19). Amongst the fractions of M. barteri, the DCM fraction was most the active and selective on E7 (IC50 = 0.0075 ng/mL; SI = 19,896.54) and E19 (IC50 = 0.0175 ng/mL; SI = 8581.24).ConclusionOur research has demonstrated that Macaranga barteri extracts has potent antiviral activity against echoviruses E7 and E19, and our findings suggest that this extract may have potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of enteroviral infections.

Cytotoxic activity of abietane diterpenoids from roots of Salvia sahendica by HPLC-based activity profiling

Screening of medicinal plants from Iranian flora against human cancer cell-lines have shown that an hexane extract from roots of Salvia sahendica Boiss. & Buhse, Lamiaceae, is active against human cervical cancer (HeLa) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell-lines at the test concentration of 100μg/ml (100% inhibition). Cytotoxicity of the extract was localized with the aid of HPLC-time-based activity profiling adapted to the tetrazolium colorimetric bioassay. Four abietane-type diterpenoids in active time-windows were identified as cytotoxic compounds namely: sahandone (1), sahandol (2), 12-deoxy-salvipisone (3) and sahandinone (4). Compound 1 showed the highest toxicity against HeLa cells (IC50=5.6±0.1μg/ml), which was comparable with betulinic acid (IC50=4.3±1.2μg/ml), the positive control. Compound 2 was active against the HeLa cells (IC50=8.9±0.7μg/ml) but not the Caco-2 cell-line. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 exhibited moderate activity (IC50=22.9–41.4μg/ml) against the Caco-2 cells. This study reveals that the HeLa cells are more sensitive to all tested compounds than the Caco-2 cells. In silico molecular docking study showed a rigid binding of the compounds to tyrosine kinase pp60src, and proved their cytotoxic activity.

In Vitro antioxidant activity of <em>Polygonum Glabrum </em>

<p>Assessment of antioxidant activity was imperative in the screening of medicinal plants for potential health benefits. In present study methanol extract of <em>Polygonum glabrum</em> <em> </em>(polygonaceae) was screened for its in vitro antioxidant activity using biologically relevant methodologies which scavenge radicals such as 1,1 diphenyl 2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl, superoxide anion and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Total reducing ability by conversion of ferric (III) to ferrous (II) and molybdenum (VI) to molybdenum (V), metal ion chelating capacity and anti lipid peroxidation activities were also examined. The antioxidant ability of <em>Polygonum glabrum</em> whole plant extract was found to be in a dose dependent manner. The IC<sub>50</sub> values for scavenging of DPPH<sup>●</sup> and ABTS<sup>●+</sup> free radicals were 13.18 μg/ml and 20.46 μg/ml. For scavenging of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, the IC<sub>50</sub> values were found to be 80.22 μg/ml, 33.06 μg/ml, 52.26μg/ml and 36.98 μg/ml respectively. Further, addition of 120μg/ml of plant extract to the reaction mixture produced 50% lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. Commercial antioxidants such as vitamin E, quercetin, butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid were used as reference compounds. The strong antioxidant activity of <em>Polygonum glabrum</em> may be credited to the presence of triterpenes [beta-hydroxyfriedalanol], phenols [3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene], flavonoids [pinocembrin and pinocembrin-5-methylether], steroids [sitosterol - (6-O-palmitoyl)- 3-O-β-D glucopyranoside and sitosterol-3-O-β-D glucopyranoside], sesqueterpenes [2,3-dihydroxy isodrimeninol] and pigments etc in methanol extract.</p>

Anticancer screening of medicinal plants growing in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia

Background: Desert condition in which plants grow and survive and altering biochemical properties of plants are known to increase the secondary metabolite induction in a variety of medicinal plants. Cancer is a terrible disease and fighting it is of abundant significance to public health. Aims and Objective: To search for new compounds with cytotoxic activity isolated from natural source. In this article, we studied the anticancer properties of three plants (Farsetia aegyptia, Lactuca serriola, and Santolina chamaecyparissus) growing under desert condition of the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Hydromethanol extracts of the plants were investigated in vitro against four different cell lines. Anticancer activities were assayed with standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric procedure against A549, HCT116, Hep G2, and MCF7 cell lines. Result: From the analysis, it was found that Lactuca and Santolina sp. showed 71% and 66% cytotoxic activity against Hep G2 and inhibited cell line at 100 µg/mL tested dose; F. aegyptia showed 74% cytotoxic activity against A549 and inhibited cell line at 100 µg/mL. But, the three plants did not show much anticancer activity against HCT116 cancer cell line. Methanol extracts were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) in order to evaluate the chemical constituents of these plants. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, in F. aegyptia, L. serriola, and S. chamaecyparissus, which grow undrer dry desert condition of Northern Borders Region, the stress condition makes the plant accumulate active compounds that possess anticancer properties against nonsmall cell lung adenocarcinoma and human hepatocellular liver carcinoma.

Ethnobotanical database development and screening of medicinal plants in villages under the Jongilanga Traditional Council, Mpumalanga

Ethnobotanical database development and screening of medicinal plants in villages under the Jongilanga Traditional Council, Mpumalanga

Plenary Lecture] - African Ethnopharmacology: The Southern African Perspective

Southern Africa is endowed with a rich floral biodiversity and cultural values of which the inhabitants have taken full advantage. The importance of traditional healers and remedies made from indigenous plants play a crucial role in the health of millions, making traditional herbal medicines an important part of the healthcare systems. This impressive biodiversity, however, presents researchers with many challenges, opportunities and responsibilities. This presentation describes the role southern Africa has played in contributing to the worldwide increase of knowledge in the field of ethnopharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on the screening of medicinal plants in southern African for ethnopharmacological properties which primarily focus on investigating the efficacy of these plants in the search for new therapeutic products. Other important aspects of medicinal plant research related to safety of indigenous medicinal plants and the conservation and sustainable use will be highlighted. Issues on the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems will be tackled. Emerging research areas such as infectious and neglected diseases such as tuberculosis and venereal diseases will be placed under the spotlight. In addition to ethnopharmacological aspects of southern African traditional medicine, issues pertaining to the development and improvement of traditional medicinal plant research are equally important. These include the successful commercialisation of key medicinal plants, legislation to regulate trade and projections on research funding. It is hoped that this presentation will draw attention to the great opportunities for improved research on southern Africa's rich floral biodiversity and cultural values towards the development of herbal medicines through sustainable utilization of the floral heritage.