O.K. OGBEIDE

Medicinal plants represent one of the oldest forms of treatment, having been utilized for thousands of years across different cultures in traditional healing practices. They serve as a vital source of bioactive compounds that can be developed into pharmaceutical drugs (Rasool, 2012; Ogbeide et al., 2018). Across the world, many plant species grow abundantly, yet remain underutilized despite their potential medicinal benefits. This has led to a renewed interest in plant-based medicine, increasing demand for drugs derived from natural sources.

This study investigates the medicinal properties of the leaf extract of Morinda Citrifolia, commonly known as Noni, with a particular focus on its anti-diabetic potential, antioxidant activity, and biochemical composition. The research encompasses an in-depth analysis of the Morinda Citrifolia extract phytochemical composition, antidiabetic activity, elemental composition, heat-induced hemoglobin inhibition, and alkaloid and amino acid profiles. After
identifying bioactive components by phytochemical screening, the extract was tested in vitro for its potential as an antidiabetic and its capacity to prevent hemoglobin denaturation. In addition to
analyzing the alkaloid and amino acid profiles, elemental analysis was used to ascertain the concentration of both beneficial and detrimental components. An inhibitory assay was used to
measure the antidiabetic action, and absorbance measurements were used to identify heat-induced hemoglobin inhibition.
The extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and phenolic chemicals, according to phytochemical screening. With a maximal inhibitory activity of 49.10%
at a dosage of 0.5 mg/mL, the antidiabetic activity demonstrated a dose-dependent rise in inhibition. Significant action was shown by the heat-induced hemoglobin inhibition, which peaked
at 84.07% at 300 mg/mL. Essential elements including calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium were found by elemental analysis; dangerous elements like lead and chromium were not found in
any discernible amounts. The total protein or amino acid content in the extract was 111.58840, and there was 0.2 g of total alkaloids.
Morinda Citrifolia extract has significant biological properties, such as antioxidant and antidiabetic actions, as well as the capacity to prevent hemoglobin denaturation. The extract's possible therapeutic applications are further supported by the presence of vital components and bioactive phytochemicals. The presence of protein and amino acids, however, raises the plant’s nutritional and medicinal value. These results lay the groundwork for additional research into
Morinda Citrifolia’s active ingredients and potential medical uses

Acalypha indica Linn. stem, a widely utilised medicinal plant in traditional health systems, was investigated for its phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) activities. The stem bark was successfully extracted with ethyl acetate using cold maceration techniques. The phytochemical examination, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory activity, glucose adsorption assay, and in vivo anti- BPH evaluation were carried out using established analytical methods.Phytochemical profiling using GC–FID revealed appreciable levels of phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids, including ephedrine (19.21 mg/g), cortisol (10.06 mg/g), rutin (0.64 mg/g) and quercetin (0.50 mg/g), alongside phenolic compounds such as resveratrol (1.43 mg/g). The antioxidant potential were examined using Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) Assay. The extract
displayed concentration-dependent total antioxidant capacity, increasing from approximately 15%-19.7% across near 0–80 mg/mL concentration. In anti-inflammatory assessment, the extract significantly inhibited heat-induced haemolysis, with values increasing from approximately 45% to 55% inhibition at the highest concentration, indicating potent membrane-stabilising ability. In anti-diabetic evaluation, the glucose adsorption capacity of the extract ranged from 1.38–0.17 mM/g at (0–80 mg/mL glucose) concentration, having higher adsorption at 20mg/ml lower than acarbose (4.84–10.78 mM/g), but showing inconsistent adsorption behaviour across concentrations. In testosterone-induced BPH rats, the extract produced significant modulation of prostate biomarkers. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) decreased from 2.40 ± 0.64 ng/mL in testosterone induced BPH control to 1.37 ± 0.03, 1.07 ± 0.09 and 1.17 ± 0.15 ng/mL at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, approaching values similar to normal control at higher doses. dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels reduced from 66.23 ± 11.03 ng/mL in testosterone induced BPH control to 47.70 ± 3.91, 38.40 ± 4.33 and 42.30 ± 5.08 ng/mL, while prostate volume and weight were markedly lowered, with 100 mg/kg producing the greatest reduction (0.06 ± 0.01 mL and 0.190 ± 0.01 g), comparable to finasteride -a standard control drug. All extract-treated groups showed consistent increases in body weight over 14 days, particularly at 50 and 100 mg/kg, indicating
good tolerance. The combined antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated the protective ability of the extract against BPH-associated changes. These findings conclude that Acalypha indica stem extract possesses promising therapeutic
potential as a natural agent for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, warranting further toxicological and clinical investigations.