Skin diseases are a worldwide issue, accounting for approximately 34% of all occupational illnesses. The aim of this study was to investigate medicinal plants used to treat wounds and skin diseases in the eastern Free State Province of South Africa. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to gather information from traditional healers on plants they use to treat human ailments. Plants were collected and then investigated for antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties using standard assays. Cotyledon orbiculata, Dioscorea sylvatica, and Lycopodium clavatum had the highest frequency of citation (RFC) values among the 22 plants reported. Saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, and tannins were found in the phytochemical examination. L. clavatum had the greatest activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 0.39 mg/mL and 0.098 mg/mL, respectively. C. orbiculata and D. sylvatica extracts showed significant antifungal activity between 0.39 and 1.56 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals was found in all extracts. The extracts had significant anti-inflammatory action against the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.02 to 0.49 g/mL. The usage of C. orbiculata, D. sylvatica, and L. clavatum in the treatment of skin problems in the Eastern Free State of South Africa was verified in this research.

Platycarpha glomerata (Thunb.) Less. has recently become a plant species of interest to researchers due to its biological activities and less toxic effects. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the in vitro anticancer potential and phytochemical constituents of P. glomerata plant extracts. Phytochemical screening and FTIR were carried out using standard methods. The antioxidant activity was accessed by determining its ability to scavenge the DPPH radical and nitric oxide radical, whereas the anticancer activity against prostate (DU-145 and PC-3), human T-lymphocyte (SKU-T), gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS), and human prostatic epithelial (PNTA1) cell line was evaluated using the MTT assay. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. The FTIR spectrum for the aqueous extract displayed characteristic peaks for O–H, C=O, C=C, and =C–H stretch. The aqueous ethanol and methanol extracts showed significant dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The aqueous, ethanol, and methanol extracts showed minimum NO scavenging activity of 4.3%, 9.6%, and 11.7% at 2500 µg/mL. The water extract demonstrated good activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and B. pumilus with an MIC of 0.195 mg/mL. The ethanol and methanol extracts significantly reduced the percentage proliferation of DU-145, PC-3, and SKU-T cells at 100 μg/mL. These extracts demonstrated strong dose-dependent DPPH and NO scavenging and antibacterial and cell proliferation inhibition activities. The strong bioactivity of P. glomerata makes it a good candidate for the isolation and identification of active compounds for anticancer and related illnesses.

Euryops floribundus has traditionally been recognized for its therapeutic benefits, although its pharmacological potential has not been fully explored. This study investigated the leaves of E. floribundus for volatile compounds, in vitro anticancer potential, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical composition using standard methods. Terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, and steroids were identified using qualitative screening. FTIR analysis verified that the functional groups corresponded to bioactive substances. Methanol, ethanol, and aqueous extracts showed dose-dependent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Nitric oxide scavenging activity ranged from 7.2% to 22.5% at 2500 μg/mL. GC-MS profiling of essential oils revealed monoterpenes as the primary constituents (60%), with sabinene (27.86%) and terpinen-4-ol (13.63%) as major chemicals. Significant antiproliferative effects were shown by ethanol and methanol extracts against DU-145, PC-3, and SK-UT-1 cancer cell lines with cell viability inhibition ranging from 82.6% to 85.6%, and IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.7 ± 0.02 to 2.7 ± 0.03 µg/mL. These findings support the potential therapeutic uses of E. floribundus leaves and necessitate additional bioassay-guided research since they indicate that the leaves are rich in bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant and anticancer activities.

Despite the significant advancements in treatment and prevention, the fight against cancer is ongoing worldwide. This study evaluated the pharmacological properties and anticancer activity of Afzelia quanzensis bark, traditionally used by the indigenous communities of KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa to treat cancer and related illnesses. Phytochemical screening, high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were carried out using established protocols. The antioxidant activity was assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and nitric oxide radicals. The anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and phlobatannins. The HPLC-DAD analysis detected seven distinctive peaks in the aqueous extract and three distinctive peaks in the methanolic extract. The FTIR spectra of the aqueous extract displayed characteristic peaks corresponding to O-H, C=O, C=C, and =C–H functional groups. Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by the ethanolic extract, in both DPPH and nitric oxide. The methanol extract showed a higher cell proliferation inhibition against the DU-145 cancer cell line with the percentage of inhibition of 37.8%, followed by the aqueous extract with 36.3%. In contrast, limited activity was observed against PC-3, SK-UT-1, and AGS cell lines. The results demonstrated notable dose-dependent antioxidant and antiproliferative activities supporting the ethnomedicinal use of Afzelia quanzensis bark in cancer management. These findings warrant further investigation into its bioactive constituents and mechanisms of action.

The Asteraceae family represents one of the largest groups of medicinal plants, widely used in traditional medicine and increasingly investigated for its pharmacological potential. This review summarizes current evidence on the botanicals derived from Asteraceae plant species and their molecular mechanisms of action against inflammation and cancer. Major classes of bioactive compounds in extracts are discussed in relation to their modulation of key signaling pathways and therapeutic targets such as NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, COX-2, iNOS, and apoptotic regulators (Bax/Bcl-2, caspases). A literature search covering studies published between 2022 and 2026 was conducted. Evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies demonstrates that Asteraceae-derived botanicals exert therapeutic effects through antioxidant activity, cytokine suppression, enzyme inhibition, and regulation of gene expression. Overall, the mechanistic insights presented herein support the rational use of Asteraceae medicinal plants and identify promising lead compounds for drug discovery and development.

Medicinal plants play a significant role in traditional African medicine, particularly in the treatment of elephantiasis, a debilitating condition often ov