The effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) depends not only on that of artemisinin but also on that of partner molecules. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of mutations in the Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and Pfmdr1 genes from isolates collected during a clinical study. Plasmodium genomic DNA samples extracted from symptomatic malaria patients from Dogondoutchi, Niger, were sequenced by the Sanger method to determine mutations in the Pfdhfr (codons 51, 59, 108, and 164), Pfdhps (codons 436, 437, 540, 581, and 613), and Pfmdr1 (codons 86, 184, 1034, and 1246) genes. One hundred fifty-five (155) pre-treatment samples were sequenced for the Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and Pfmdr1 genes. A high prevalence of mutations in the Pfdhfr gene was observed at the level of the N51I (84.97%), C59R (92.62%), and S108N (97.39%) codons. The key K540E mutation in the Pfdhps gene was not observed. Only one isolate was found to harbor a mutation at codon I431V. The most common mutation on the Pfmdr1 gene was Y184F in 71.43% of the mutations found, followed by N86Y in 10.20%. The triple-mutant haplotype N51I/C59R/S108N (IRN) was detected in 97% of the samples. Single-mutant (ICS and NCN) and double-mutant (IRS, NRN, and ICN) haplotypes were prevalent at 97% and 95%, respectively. Double-mutant haplotypes of the Pfdhps (581 and 613) and Pfmdr (86 and 184) were found in 3% and 25.45% of the isolates studied, respectively. The study focused on the molecular analysis of the sequencing of the Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and Pfmdr1 genes. Although a high prevalence of mutations in the Pfdhfr gene have been observed, there is a lack of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine resistance. There is a high prevalence of mutation in the Pfmdr184 codon associated with resistance to amodiaquine. These data will be used by Niger’s National Malaria Control Program to better monitor the resistance of Plasmodium to partner molecules in artemisinin-based combination therapies.

In the present study, the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Englerastrum gracillimum Th. C. E. Fries growing in Niger were investigated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 42 compounds representing 97.9% of the total oil constituents. The major compounds of the essential oil were: α-humulene (30.5%), followed by cubenol (19.8%), γ-muurolene (14.0%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (5.8%), β-gurjunene (5.2%), and curzerene (4.9%). The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was determined by using the free radical-scavenging activity (2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH˙) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The essential oil showed good antioxidant potential with both methods. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii P1483, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-Escherichia coli Bu8566, Salmonella spp. H1548, Proteus mirabilis Bu190, Enterobacter cloacae Bu147, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus P1123, Enterococcus faecium H3434, and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) using the agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The essential oil exhibited good antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial effect was observed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus P1123 with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.03 mg/mL and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. These data are of scientific importance for the valorization of aromatic and medicinal plants of Niger, especially E. gracillimum. This study reports for the first time the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of this essential oil.

Endostemon tereticaulis (poir.) M.Ashby is a species of the Lamiaceae family present in Niger. This plant is used in traditional medicine due to its various biological potentialities. The present study investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil and the antibacterial activity of the essential oil and ethanolic extract of Endostemon tereticaulis against resistant pathogenic bacteria. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oil led to the identification of 43 compounds representing 99.55% of the total essential oil. The major components were caryophyllene oxide (15.17%) followed by α-humulene (13.96%), α-copaene (11.75%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (8.44%), and δ-cadinene (6.78%). The antibacterial activity was tested against multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii P1483, Salmonella spp. H1548, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-Escherichia coli Bu8566, Enterobacter cloacae Bu147, Proteus mirabilis Bu190, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Enterococcus faecium H3434, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus P1123, and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The antibacterial assays revealed that the essential oil was more active than the ethanolic extract against the studied bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranging from 0.06 to 2 mg/mL. Also, the ethanolic extract was effective against the bacteria tested with MIC and MBC values ranging from 0.12 to 3 mg/mL. This study showed that Endostemon tereticaulis essential oil is rich in bioactive compounds. Ethanolic extract and essential oil exhibited potential antibacterial activity. These results provide a scientific basis for the use of this plant in traditional medicine. The current study described for the first time the antibacterial activity of Endostemon tereticaulis.

The management of sickle cell disease is a major challenge at the international level. In many African countries, sickle cell anemia is one of the major causes of mortality and is a critical public health problem in Niger. In this part of the continent, the estimated prevalence is around 18 to 22%, which is amongst the highest in Africa. Nowadays, despite the existence of some ways to improve the prognosis of sickle cell anemia as allograft, it turns out that these resources are expensive and out of reach of underdeveloped countries. The purpose of this study was to identify the preliminary anti-sickle cell plants in Niger's traditional pharmacopoeia. To do this, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted among the patients consulting the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease (CNRD) and the traditional healers in the city of Niamey. At the end of this survey, 29 plant species were identified. The phytochemical study of 12 plants showed the presence of large chemical groups known for important biological properties (polyphenols, alkaloids, gallic tannins, sterols and polyterpenes). Key words: Phytochemical study, sickle cell disease, Niger, medicinal plants, ethnobotanical survey.

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Niger, accounting for 5.6% of global malaria‐related deaths. Local medicinal plants are frequently used as traditional treatments for malaria, although their efficacy and safety are often insufficiently investigated. This study aims to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity and chemical composition of eight medicinal plants from Niger. Plant extracts were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the uptake of [ ³ H]‐hypoxanthine in the Plasmodium falciparum NF54 chloroquine‐sensitive strain. The most active extract was subjected to chemical analysis using HPLC–PDA–HRMS/MS dereplication, whereas major compounds were quantified via a validated LC–UV method. The ethyl acetate extract of Combretum aculeatum ( 2a ) demonstrated important antiplasmodial activity, with an IC ₅₀ value of 3.1 µg/mL and a selectivity index of 24.5. C ‐glycosyl flavonoids were identified as the primary constituents, present at concentrations ranging from 5.7 to 9.8 mg of vitexin equivalent per g of extract. However, the low abundance of these compounds suggests that other constituents may contribute to the extract's antiplasmodial effects. Further investigations are required to explore possible synergies among the components of 2a and to assess its efficacy in vivo models.

C-H activation is a powerful strategy for forming C-C bonds without the need for prefunctionalization. In this paper, we present a general, direct, and regioselective palladium-catalyzed functionalization of a phosphorus heterocycle, 2-phenyl-1H-isophosphinoline 2-oxide. The mild reaction conditions enabled the introduction of various functionalized alkenes. Moreover, the flame-retardant properties of selected products clearly highlighted the synergy between the phosphine oxide and another heteroatom-based group, even in the condensed phase.