PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY

Artemisia annua (Asteraceae), commonly known as sweet wormwood, has been widely used in traditional medicine for treating fevers, malaria, and various infections. While it’s active component, artemisinin, is well known for its antimalarial properties, recent studies have suggested that other bioactive compounds in A. annua may also exhibit significant antimicrobial activity. However, the antimicrobial potential of A. annua leaf extract, particularly against multidrug-resistant bacteria, remains underexplored. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of A. annua leaves and identify constituents with potential antimicrobial activity. The research involved the collection and authentication of A. annua leaves, extraction and fractionation using organic solvents of varying polarity (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol), acute toxicity screening and antimicrobial testing against selected bacterial strains. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were employed to identify bioactive compounds in the most active fractions. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, with significant inhibitory effects on a broad spectrum of bacteria. Key bioactive compounds
identified include scopoletin, deoxyqinghaosu, naringenin, kaempferol, and sapogenin. Acute toxicity studies revealed a high safety margin for A. annua extract. These findings highlight A. annua’s potential as a natural antimicrobial agent, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to synthetic antibiotics, particularly in resource-limited settings.

The leaves of Persea americana have been discovered to exert antimicrobial properties. The upsurging need for new antimicrobial formulations has driven the quest to formulate and test the compatibility of formulation excipients and avocado extract. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol avocado leaf extract of Persea americana and its balm formulation. Fresh Persea americana leaves were harvested, dried, pulverized and macerated in ethanol for a week. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract, after which it was formulated into balms (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/ml). The different balm concentrations were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using the ditch plate method. Ciprofloxacin was used as the positive control, and statistical significance was determined using ANOVA, with a significance level of P≤ 0.05. The ethanol plant extract was found to contain alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. The extract with (0, 100 mg/ml) showed no activity on the tested organisms. The extracts at 200 and 400 mg/ml exhibited antimicrobial activity ranging from 19 – 27 mm with the 400 mg/ml extract showing greater activity against the tested organisms. The balm formulation exerted reduced antibacterial activity compared to crude extract. The balm formulation with (0, 100 mg/ml) showed no activity, while the 200 and 400 mg/ml showed lesser activity ranging from 8 – 20 mm. Conclusively, the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of avocado leaves was influenced by the balm formulation. This indicates that the interactions and compatibility of formulation excipients are crucial factors to consider when formulating herbal products.

In folk medicine, Emilia coccinea, is used to treat microbial infections and wounds. Thus the
aim of this study was to Investigate the Antifungal Activity of the n-hexane fraction of Emilia
coccinea (Sims) G. Don. The Assessment of the n-hexane fraction of Emilia coccinea whole
plant was investigated in order to verify its claimed folkloric usage in treatment of microbial
infections. Sensitivity tests for anti-fungi activities of the whole plant n-hexane fraction were
determined using Agar well diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs)
of fractions were also determined using Agar dilution. Commercial antifungal agent
(Ketoconazole) were used as positive reference standard to determine sensitivity of tested
organisms. The test organisms (Candidia albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Rhodotorula
glutinis) were found to be sensitive to the n-hexane fraction while no sensitive on Aspergillus
fumigatus, and Microsporum audounii. The n-hexane fraction recorded highest mean
inhibition diameter of 15.50±1.06 mm against Candidia albican. The results demonstrate that
the n-hexane fraction of E. coccinea plants has antifungal activity and can be a potential
source of antifungal agents. Thus, the folkloric usage of this plant for the treatment of
microbial diseases is justified.

In folk medicine, Emilia coccinea, is used to treat microbial infections and wounds. Thus the
aim of this study was to Investigate the Antifungal Activity of the n-hexane fraction of Emilia
coccinea (Sims) G. Don. The Assessment of the n-hexane fraction of Emilia coccinea whole
plant was investigated in order to verify its claimed folkloric usage in treatment of microbial
infections. Sensitivity tests for anti-fungi activities of the whole plant n-hexane fraction were
determined using Agar well diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs)
of fractions were also determined using Agar dilution. Commercial antifungal agent
(Ketoconazole) were used as positive reference standard to determine sensitivity of tested
organisms. The test organisms (Candidia albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Rhodotorula
glutinis) were found to be sensitive to the n-hexane fraction while no sensitive on Aspergillus
fumigatus, and Microsporum audounii. The n-hexane fraction recorded highest mean
inhibition diameter of 15.50±1.06 mm against Candidia albican. The results demonstrate that
the n-hexane fraction of E. coccinea plants has antifungal activity and can be a potential
source of antifungal agents. Thus, the folkloric usage of this plant for the treatment of
microbial diseases is justified.