Euphorbia lateriflora is used in ethnomedicine for treating several conditions, including genital and urinary tract infections (UTI). Although ethnobotanical claims support its use in therapy, there is limited evidence on its effect on UTI, even though UTI remains a public health problem in Nigeria especially due to increasing antimicrobial resistance. We investigated the activity of E. lateriflora extracts and fractions on bacterial and fungal isolates from symptomatic urinary tract infections and vaginosis respectively. Qualitative phytochemical screening was conducted on dried pulverised leaves. Successive gradient extraction was carried out with the aid of a soxhlet extractor with n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol respectively. Bioactivity guided fractionation was conducted on the ethyl acetate extract using Vacuum Liquid Chromatography. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion was conducted on test isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates to extracts and fractions was done using the agar well diffusion technique. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Biocidal Concentrations (MBC) were determined by agar and broth dilutions respectively. Time-kill assay of the ethyl acetate extract was conducted using the viable count technique. Phytochemicals present include saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The majority of isolates used in this study were multidrug resistant. Extracts and fractions of E. lateriflora produced appreciable zones of inhibition on both antibiotic susceptible and resistant bacteria with MICs of 6.25 mg/mL and MBC ranging from 6.25–50 mg/mL. Bactericidal activity of the ethyl acetate extract was concentration and time dependent with 100% kill at 25 mg/mL after 6 h for E. coli and 2 h for C. albicans. Euphorbia lateriflora contains phytochemicals which possess antimicrobial activity on antibiotic resistant bacteria and has potential in the development of chemotherapeutics for bacterial and fungal infections.

Agrimonia asiatica is a perennial plant with deep green color and covered with soft hairs and has a slightly aromatic odor. This genus Agrimonia has been used in traditional medicines of China, Greece, and European countries. It was mainly used as a haemostatic, a tonic for asthenia, and an astringent for diarrhea. Agrimony is part of the division Magnoliophyta; class is represented by order Rosales, family Rosaceae, of the genus Agrimonia. Family Rosaceae—or pink eels—is one of the largest families of flowering plants, including about 100 genera and 3000 species. Rosaceae is common in almost all areas of the globe where flowering plants can grow, but most of them are concentrated in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Phytochemical investigation on ethanolic extract of A. asiatica led to isolation of four flavonoid derivatives (kaempferol-3-glycoside, quercetin-3-O-α-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, 3-O-kaempherol 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4-O-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-6-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucosopyranoside, and catechin) alongside of sucrose. All the extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds were tested for antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities. We also studied the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from the aerial part of A. asiatica. The essential oil constituents from the aerial part of A. asiatica were obtained using a steam-distillation method in wild growing conditions in Kazakhstan. The essential oil extracted from the aerial part of the plant was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and its major components amounting to 100% were found to be β-selinene (36.370%), α-panasinsene (21.720%), hexadecanoic acid (7.839%), and 1,2-nonadiene (6.199%). Neither the extract nor the isolated compounds showed antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities.

Background: Diabetes mellitus, which is described to be a lifestyle disease, affects about 8.3% of the adult population of the world. Due to its alarming rate, it is one of the most common non-communicable diseases of current era. The burden of this disease is immense owing to transition in lifestyle and dietary habits, ageing of the population and urbanization in the setting of a genetically predisposed environment.Methodology: The study was aimed at documenting the knowledge of Traditional Medical Practitioners (TMPs) in Ibadan on ethnomedicinal plants used in the management of diabetes. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 100 TMPs and herb sellers within the study area. Data obtained was analysed using both descriptive statistics as well as quantitative ethnobotany including Use Mention Index, Use Value index and Fidelity level. Results:The total number of respondents from both study areas were 100, which were mainly females (94%) and most of them had no formal education. All respondents were Yoruba speaking. Results revealed 60 plants species belonging to 35 different families and 57 genera were cited by the respondents which they use in the management of diabetes. Hunteria umbellata is the most prominent plant species having the highest UMI reflecting it popularity and efficacy in the management of diabetes in both areas. Fabaceae (23%) has the highest number of plants species followed by Apocynaceae (17%), Annonaceae (11%), Curcurbitaceae (11%) and Liliaceae (8%). The leaves (25%) were the most commonly used plant parts for the management of diabetes followed by fruits (22%) and Bark (13%).in that order.Conclusion: The Southwest part of Nigeria is rich with unexplored plants useful in management of Diabetes and these documented traditional uses require scientific exploration and exploitation for drug discovery in diabetes therapy. Further studies are therefore encouraged in order to isolate, chemically elucidate and characterize the hypoglycaemic bioactive component which could serve as chemical lead for the development of novel antidiabetic drugs with desirable efficacy and safety profiles.

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.

Ethnobotanical knowledge is firmly ingrained in Africa’s rich cultural legacy and is important in traditional healing practices across the continent. This research investigates medicinal plants’ historical and cultural relevance in African communities, emphasizing the influence of traditional healers, herbalists, and spiritual activities on community healthcare. With hundreds of plant species used to cure a variety of diseases, African ethnobotany provides a rich and mostly unexplored pool of medical knowledge. The study examines the symbolic and spiritual significance of certain plants, showing how medicinal flora is linked to African rituals, social norms, and cultural identity. It also addresses the potential of this ancient knowledge to inform current healthcare and pharmaceutical research. However, there are significant barriers to preserving this information, including the loss of oral traditions, urbanization, and the exploitation of indigenous knowledge without proper benefit-sharing. The report underlines the necessity of recording and preserving ethnobotanical knowledge through collaboration among local populations, scholars, and politicians. Economic prosperity and rural community empowerment can be achieved by supporting the sustainable use and commercialization of African medicinal herbs. Maintaining and integrating ethnobotanical knowledge is critical not just for protecting Africa’s cultural legacy but also for promoting healthcare innovation internationally.