Diabetes remains an important disease worldwide with about 500 million patients globally. In tropical Africa, Morus mesozygia is traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes. Biological and phytochemical investigation of the root bark extracts of the plant led to the isolation of a new prenylated arylbenzofuran named 7-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)moracin M (1) and two congeners, moracins P (2) and M (3). When compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 486 µM), all the isolated compounds are better inhibitors of α-glucosidase with in vitro IC₅₀ values of 16.9, 16.6, and 40.9 µM, respectively. However, they were not active against α-amylase. The compounds also demonstrated moderate inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4). Based on in silico docking studies, all isolates (1, 2, and 3) exhibit binding affinities of −8.7, −9.5, and −8.5 kcal/mol, respectively against α-glucosidase enzyme (PDB: 3AJ7). They are stabilized within the α-glucosidase active site through hydrogen bonds, pi interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. This study provides scientific support for the traditional use of Morus mesozygia in the treatment of diabetes as well as adding to the repository of α-glucosidase inhibitory agents.

Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) are among the most frequently consumed vegetables in Kokori and Abraka communities of Delta State, Nigeria. However, the continuous crude oil exploration and spillages in Kokori may threaten their safety for use as food and medicine. Twelve samples of VA and OG obtained from crude oil-rich and crude oil-free communities were comparatively analysed for proximate composition, heavy metals, and cytotoxicity. Data obtained were subjected to various multivariate statistical techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), biplot, and analysis of variance (ANOVA), to investigate the correlations between the vegetables from the different communities and the effect of crude oil exploration and spill on plant biomass. Results obtained indicate a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the proximate composition of VA and OG and higher heavy metal content for VA from the crude oil-spill Kokori. Two VA collections from Kokori were exceptionally toxic to cellular crustaceans.

The Nigerian Niger-Delta crude oil exploration often results in spills that affect indigenous medicinal plant biodiversity, likely changing the phytochemical profile of surviving species, their bioactivity or toxicity. In crude oil-rich Kokori and crude oil-free Abraka, classic examples of indigenous plants occupying the medicine-food interface include Vernonia amygdalina (VAL) and Ocimum gratissimum leaves (OGL). These plants are frequently utilised during pregnancy and in anaemia. To date, no scientific investigation has been reported on the potential changes to the phytochemical or bioactivity of the study plants. To discuss the similarities and dissimilarities in antisickling bioactivity and phytochemicals in VAL and OGL collected from Kokori (VAL-KK and OGL-KK) and Abraka (VAL-AB and OGL-AB), in silico, in vitro and comparative UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis was performed. Nine unique compounds were identified in OGL-KK, which have never been reported in the literature, while differences in antisickling potentials were observed in VAL-KK, OGL-KK and, VAL-AB, OGL-AB. Our findings show that VAL-AB and OGL-AB are richer and more diverse in phytochemicals and displayed a slightly higher antisickling activity than VAL-KK and OGL-KK. Ligand-based pharmacophore modelling was performed to understand the potential compounds better; this study may provide a basis for explaining the effect of crude oil spills on secondary metabolites and a reference for further research.

In the fascinating world of medicinal plants, there are often species that look remarkably similar to one another. These botanical doppelgängers can cause quite a conundrum, especially when it comes to drug development and safety. Imagine a scenario where two seemingly identical plants are used interchangeably, potentially leading to adulteration or substitution of valuable drugs. To avoid such mix-ups, accurate identification becomes crucial. Therefore, this study aimed to distinguish between the two species by the morphological characters of the leaves and bioactive compounds. Plants were collected, identified, pulverized, and subjected to botanical evaluation as well as phytochemical screening. Leaf characters were selected and measured morphometrically. Microscopic leaf characters revealed that leaf width, trichome type, margin type, and colours of the leaves are different. The chemo-microscopic evaluation revealed mucilage and cellulose to be present in C. populnea. While there is no significant difference in the palisade ratio of these Cissus species. The presence of xylem vessel elements in the midrib of C. populnea and increased number of vein islets (18) differentiates it from C. arguta (Vein islet number, 11) while stellate trichome with many mucilaginous cells, stomata at the adaxial (43) and abaxial (57) part of leaves and leaf width (14.18 ± 0.25) cm, in C. populnea differentiate it from C. arguta. Thin-Layer chromatographic analysis using Dichloromethane and Ethylacetate (3:1) showed seven (7) and three (3) spots with their respective Rf values. These findings reinforce the importance of accurate plant identification in medicinal research, preventing misidentification and ensuring the integrity of drug development.