Osayemwenre Erharuyi

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.

Picralima nitida, commonly known as Akuamma, is a plant native to West Africa and has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition and subchronic toxicity profile, with a specific focus on biochemical analysis and histopathology of rats administered the roots of Picralima nitida. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard chemical tests and the subchronic toxicity study was done for 28 days with the administration of the methanolic root extract to the rats. Biochemical analysis and histopathological studies were carried out after to assess subchronic
toxicity effects. Picralima nitida was shown to contain phytochemicals most likely responsible for its pharmacological properties and therefore, its ethnomedicinal uses. The rats in the treatment groups based on the biochemical parameters showed no signs of toxicity when compared to the control group. In conlusion, phytochemical screening and subchronic toxicity evaluation are essential steps in assessing the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants. The study demonstrates that the root extract at doses administered were not toxic. However, further studies are needed where the animals are given higher doses with longer durations to fully understand the plant's toxicity.

This study investigated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, andantimicrobial activity of the methanol leaf extract of Bryophyllumpinnatum(Crassulaceae), a plant widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of infections, inflammation, and wounds. The crude extract was prepared by maceration in methanol and screened for secondary metabolites using standard phytochemical tests. The extract showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, carbohydrates, and anthraquinones, while tannins were absent. Quantitative analysesrevealed a total phenolic content of 0.040 ± 0.008 mg GAE/g and a total flavonoidcontent of 0.197 ± 0.005 mg QE/g, confirming the predominance of flavonoidconstituents.The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated using DPPHandFRAP assays. The DPPH radical scavenging test showed concentration-dependent activity with an IC₅₀ value of 189 µg/mL compared to 120 µg/mL for ascorbic acid, whilethe FRAP assay demonstrated moderate reducing power. Antimicrobial screeningusingthe agar well diffusion method against selected bacterial and fungal isolates (S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, C. albicans, and A. niger) revealedthat the methanol extract exhibited no detectable inhibitory zones at 1000 mg/mL, whereasstandard drugs ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole showed significant activity. The findings indicate that Bryophyllum pinnatum contains bioactive secondarymetabolites with measurable antioxidant capacity but limited antimicrobial effect underthe tested conditions. Nonetheless, its strong phytochemical and antioxidant profilesupports its ethnomedicinal use and suggests potential for further purificationandevaluation of its individual constituents as sources of novel therapeutic agents.

Free radicals have been implicated in the occurrence of oxidative stress. They have also been found to be important in the pathophysiology of a number of disease conditions. This therefore, underlies the need for very effective antioxidants. Ficus exasperata has been used traditionally for the treatment and management of numerous disease conditions. Assessment of antioxidant properties creates opportunities for further research into the pharmacological, toxicological properties and clinical relevance of Ficus exasperata. The plant sample was collected, identified, dried, and extracted. Plant sample was assessed for its phytochemical constituents, Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), using spectrophotometric methods. Using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and Total Antioxidant Capabilities (TAC), the antioxidant properties of the plant extract was assessed using specified methods. Glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols were among the phytochemicals observed to be present. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was -1.82±47 mg GAE/g of exteract, Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) was found to be 47.69±23.2 mg QE/g of extract. The IC50 of ascorbic acid and extract for DPPH scavenging activity was determined to be 1.31 µg/mL and 1.91 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 for TAC of the extract was determined to be 1.23 µg/mL, while that of the standard (ascorbic acid) was found to be 8.82𝑥10−9 µg/mL.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) management faces rising challenges from antibiotic resistance and side effects of synthetic drugs. The plant Sida acuta Burm. f. is traditionally used in African Traditional medicine for gastrointestinal ailments. Preliminary studies confirmed its anti-ulcerogenic and antioxidant potential. This study aims to evaluate the in vivo curative anti-ulcer activity of the fractions of the crude methanol extract of S. acuta leaves and to identify the most potent fraction and its possible mechanism of action. The study involved methanol extraction and subsequent fractionation of the extract using solvents of increasing polarity: n-Hexane, Dichloromethane, Ethyl acetate and Aqueous methanol. Phytochemical screening and antioxidant efficacy tests (DPPH, FRAP) were carried out to confirm the extract's components. The in vivo anti-ulcer activity was assessed in Wistar rats using the ethanol-induced ulcer model over five days. Groups received 100 or 200 mg/kg of each fraction, or 40 mg/kg Omeprazole (standard). Ulcer severity was determined via the Mean Ulcer Index (MUI) and percentage ulcer inhibition. Qualitative analysis confirmed Alkaloids, Carbohydrate, Saponins, Terpenoids, Phenols, and Flavonoids. The crude methanol extract, containing significant levels of Total Phenol (38.61 mg GAE/g) and Total Flavonoid (20.70 mg QE/g), exhibited potent antioxidant activity, confirmed by the DPPH (IC50 of 32.26μg/ml) and FRAP (0.21 mM FeSO4 equivalent/g) assays. The in vivo anti-ulcer study, using the ethanolinduced ulcer model in Wistar rats, showed the standard treatment group achieved 73.95% ulcer inhibition. Among the fractions, the n-Hexane fraction exhibited the superior anti-ulcer potential, achieving 61.5% inhibition at 100 mg/kg. The DCM, EtOAC, and Aqueous- Methanol fractions showed moderate to low inhibition (39.70% to 57.07%). The dominant activity concentrated in the non-polar n-Hexane fraction suggests that the primary anti-ulcer mechanism of S. acuta is rooted in cytoprotection (mucosal stabilization) rather than the polar antioxidant effects. This finding successfully validates the traditional use of the plant in treatment of gastrointestinal ailments and identifies the n-Hexane fraction as the primary candidate for future bioassay-guided isolation of novel anti-ulcer compounds.