Medicinal plants are sources of crude traditional herbal medicines that are utilized to reduce the risk of, treat, or manage diseases in most indigenous communities. This is due to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is estimated that about 80% of the population in developing countries rely on herbal traditional medicines for healthcare. This signifies the need for traditional herbal medicines, which are polyherbal formulations prepared by traditional health practitioners. This review examines preparatory steps to extract bioactive phytoconstituents and post-extraction processes to increase the potency of the extracted bioactive phytoconstituents. Achieving this will allow for the reduced use of plant materials and promote the sustainable use of the limited resource of medicinal plants, especially in our South African context. Electronic ethnobotanical books and online databases were used to find studies that focus on phytoconstituent extraction and post-extraction processing to enhance the potency of the extracted bioactive phytoconstituents. Modification of the extracted bioactive phytoconstituents to synthesize daughter compounds facilitates an enhancement in their potency and bioavailability. Based on the data collected through this review, the importance of understanding the properties of the targeted phytoconstituents is essential in selecting the required extraction method. This determines the quality and yield of extracted bioactive phytoconstituents.

(1) Background: The utilization of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes is of great importance to the health of the indigenous population on the African continent. The high cost of orthodox conventional medicines coupled with the perceived side effects encourages the high patronage of indigenous medicinal plants in the management of this metabolic disorder. We conducted a review on the indigenous African medicinal plants that could be useful in preclinical and clinical trials in the field of diabetes mellitus research. (2) Methods: Data were mined from research articles published and associated with the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes on the African continent (from January 2019 to March 2024). Literature from ethnobotanical studies on the African continent was searched from the Google Scholar, SCOPUS, Medline, Web of Science and PubMed databases. We employed the following keywords: “indigenous plants”, “diabetes in Africa” and “antidiabetic effect of medicinal plants”. (3) Results: A total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families were recorded in this study. Amaryllidaceae (14.28%), Fabaceae (9.52%) and Asteraceae (9.52%) were the most cited plant families. The frequently used indigenous medicinal plants on the African continent were Allium sativum L. (n = 6), Olea europaea L. (n = 6), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (n = 5), Allium cepa L. (n = 5) and Moringa oleifera Lam. (n = 5). The highly cited parts of the plant used in the management of diabetes were the leaves (45.55%), bark (14.44%) and bulbs (12.22%). The preferred methods of the preparation of herbal medicines were decoction (45.23%) and infusion (25%). Oral (52.32%) was the preferred route of the administration of herbal medicine on the African continent. (4) Conclusions: The data revealed some similarities in the way countries on the African continent manage diabetes. This interesting observation will assist in our quest towards obtaining a standardized protocol using indigenous medicinal plants to combat diseases on the African continent.

The treatment and management of diabetes mellitus (DM) with conventional therapies, such as insulin injections and oral hypoglycemic agents, present significant challenges due to their side effects and burdensome administration. Therapies often manage symptoms rather than addressing insulin regulation, akin to medications like thiazolidinediones and glinides, which resemble many medicinal plants. Medicinal plants offer potential alternative treatments due to bioactive compounds targeting diabetes causes. We aimed to explore the antidiabetic potential of two medicinal plants, Psidium guajava and Seriphium plumosum L., by investigating their phytochemical constituents, medicinal uses, pharmacological actions, and mechanisms. This review followed specific guidelines and searched databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science for studies on medicinal plants and DM. Eligible studies underwent quality assessment and were categorized based on their design and interventions for data synthesis. This review identified the phytochemical constituents in Psidium guajava and Seriphium plumosum L., including tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and steroids, exerting antidiabetic effects through various mechanisms like antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, stimulation of insulin secretion, glucose regulation, and inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. Psidium guajava and Seriphium plumosum L. exhibit promising antidiabetic potential, offering alternative approaches to diabetes management. Polyherbalism, combining multiple plant extracts, may enhance therapeutic efficacy in diabetes treatment. Comprehensive research is needed to explore the combined therapeutic effects of these plants and develop more effective antidiabetic treatments. This review highlights the importance of harnessing natural resources to combat the global burden of DM. Further research is warranted to fully explore the combined therapeutic effects of these plants and develop novel treatments.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) remains an integral part of the Medical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology curriculum. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a reconfiguration of operations and practices in institutions of higher education globally. The current, theoretically-based paper reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the instructional offering of Work Integrated Learning. A recount of the lessons of the transitional phase of our pedagogical approach from the traditional instructional method to strategic implementation of Problem Based Learning (PBL) in the (WIL) module is shared, including highlighting the overall long-term implications of remote instruction as an alternative to experiential learning within the Medical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology education.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education is gaining global momentum, particularly within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. In Africa, however, the adoption of AI in STEM education remains fragmented and underexplored. This systematic review offers a novel and comprehensive synthesis of 46 peer-reviewed studies to assess how AI is being integrated into STEM education across African higher education institutions. Using the PRISMA framework, the review applies both thematic analysis and a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) lens to discover patterns, regional disparities, and systemic barriers. The study reveals three key innovations: first, it integrates a wide range of theoretical perspectives including Diffusion of Innovations, Constructivist Learning Theory, Cognitive Load Theory, and Postcolonial Theory to interpret the socio-technical and pedagogical dynamics of AI adoption. Second, it develops a strategic, context-sensitive framework to guide the equitable and sustainable implementation of AI in STEM education, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4 and 9). Third, it critiques Eurocentric approaches to AI adoption and calls for a decolonized, locally adaptive model of AI integration. Major findings include infrastructure deficits, insufficient lecturer training, ethical and policy gaps, and the digital divide all of which hinder AI’s transformative potential in African STEM education. Yet, the increasing use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, and LMS platforms post-2020 signals a turning point. This review advances a nuanced, Africa-centered roadmap for AI in STEM education and contributes original theoretical and strategic insights to the global discourse on educational innovation.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the frequency and antibiotic resistance patterns of various organisms isolated from paediatric samples in a South African hospital. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in healthcare, particularly in paediatric patients more vulnerable to infections. It was conducted in an attempt to address the lack of data on the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms in South African paediatric patients. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on the microbiological results of paediatric samples obtained between 2017 and 2018 at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Organisms were identified using standard microbiological techniques, and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and Vitek method. Results: Of the 165 organisms isolated, the most common were Acinetobacter baumannii (20.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.3%), and Enterobacter cloacae (10.9%). High rates of resistance were observed to commonly used antibiotics, including amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and augmentin. Candida albicans and Candida spp. showed high resistance rates to fluconazole. Conclusion and recommendation: This study underscores the importance of continued surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns in pediatric patients in South Africa. The high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms and limited treatment options emphasize the need for implementing antibiotic stewardship programs, strengthening infection control measures, and conducting ongoing surveillance. Additionally, investment in research and development, along with promoting education and awareness, is crucial for effectively managing antimicrobial resistance in this population. These recommendations will guide the selection of empiric therapy and aid in the development of antibiotic stewardship programs in South African hospitals.