F.E Olumese

Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre is a medicinal plant widely used across West Africa for the treatment of various ailments, yet the chemical constituents responsible for many of its reported therapeutic effects remain underexplored in scientific literature. This study aimed to identify the major fatty acids and ester compounds present in the aqueous stem extract of S. jollyanum using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), with the goal of contributing to phytochemical profiling and supporting the plant’s ethnomedicinal applications. Fresh stems were cleaned, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted by cold maceration. The resulting filtrates were freeze-dried and the crude aqueous extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis under optimized chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions. The GC-MS scan revealed a spectrum of bioactive constituents including compounds known for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic regulatory activities. This study provides scientific support for the medicinal uses of S. jollyanum and establish a biochemical basis for its reported bioactivities. It further highlights the importance of GC-MS as a robust analytical tool for identifying volatile and semi-volatile compounds in medicinal plant extracts. Overall, the results strengthen the pharmacognostic understanding of S. jollyanum and lay groundwork for future studies on its biological mechanisms, safety, and potential drug development applications.

This study investigated the antidiabetic and electrolyte-modulating effects of ethanol extract of Tetracera alnifolia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The extract was administered at doses of 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg, and its effects on fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and sodium levels were evaluated. The results showed that the 500 mg/kg dose exerted a significant hypoglycemic effect, maintaining lower FBS levels over time. Additionally, the extract at 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg maintained sodium levels closer to the normal range. These findings suggest that the ethanol extract of Tetracera alnifolia may have therapeutic potential in the management of diabetes, particularly in regulating blood glucose and electrolyte balance.

Sphenocentrum jollyanum (Menispermaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat fever, inflammation, jaundice, tumors, and metabolic disorders. Its pharmacological potential is thought to arise from bioactive secondary metabolites, yet comprehensive profiling of stem extracts remains limited. This study aimed to compare the phytochemical composition of aqueous and ethanolic stem extracts using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Dried stem material of S. jollyanum was extracted sequentially with water and ethanol. Extracts were analyzed using GC–MS, and compounds were identified by matching mass spectra to the NIST library. Retention times, relative peak areas, and compound identities were documented, with particular attention to unsaturated fatty acid derivatives. GC–MS detected 33 and 34 compounds in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. The aqueous extract was dominated by inositol, 1-deoxy- (43.45%), along with α-methyl mannofuranoside, phytol acetate, and five unsaturated fatty acid derivatives, including methyl and ethyl oleate, oleamide, and 9-octadecenal. The ethanolic extract contained a higher proportion of lipophilic compounds, including triolein (13.46%), squalene (7.35%), methyl and ethyl oleate, oleamide, and 10-undecenoic acid methyl ester. Overall, unsaturated fatty acids and their esters accounted for over 30% of the total peak area in both extracts. S. jollyanum stems are a rich source of pharmacologically relevant UFAs (Unsaturated fatty acids), sugar alcohols, and bioactive lipids. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts provide complementary phytochemical profiles, supporting the plant’s traditional medicinal applications and highlighting its potential for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Further studies are warranted to isolate individual compounds and validate their therapeutic effects.

Salvia species have been traditionally used in the treatment of colds, aches and pains, infections, wounds, bronchitis, flu, tuberculosis, haemorrhage, insomnia, some cardiovascular and
menstrual disorders, stomach, liver, and rheumatism pain. This is due to their bioactive
constituents such as terpenoids, phenolics, essential oils, and fatty acids) that give them their
medicinal properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-obesity of Salvia hispanica
seeds (chia seeds) by investigating the anti-pancreatic lipase activity of the seed. The objective of
the study was to determine the anti-pancreatic lipase activity of Salvia hispanica. The standard
anti-obesity drug (Orlistat) was used as a control. The data obtained was analysed using a
Graphpad prisim version 8.0.3.The results showed that the ethanol extract had a greater anti- pancreatic lipase activity (IC50:870.47µg/ml) when compared to the aqueous extract (IC50:
2866.58µg/ml) and the standard (Orlistat) (IC50:2338µg/ml) making it a viable management
option for obesity and related metabolic syndrome.