Research Journal of Medicinal Plants - Current Issue

Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Root Bark Extracts of Moringa stenopetala

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: Different parts of Moringa stenopetala are traditionally used to treat several human diseases and treatment of dirty water. We have revealed the bacterial activity of the root wood of M. stenopetala previously. This study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical constituents of root bark extracts of this plant and evaluating its antibacterial activity. Materials and Methods: The powdered plant material was subjected to extraction using solvent systems such as petroleum ether, chloroform and acetone involving and the maceration technique. After yield calculation, the crude extracts obtained were subjected to phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity tests. The antibacterial activity test was carried on four bacterial strains viz. S. aureus, E. coli, P. aerugenosa and S. thyphimurium. Results: The extraction gave 1.34 (0.54%), 2.26 (0.91%) and 3.80 g (1.54%) crude extracts from n-hexane, chloroform and acetone extracts, respectively. Phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, terpenoids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, polyphenols and phytosterols in the various extracts. The extracts of M. stenopetala revealed antibacterial effects against the tested bacterial strains with zone of inhibition 15-25 mm and acetone extract was the most active. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that the plant has a great potential as a source of modern antibacterial agents against selected bacterial strains and potential role in disinfection of dirty water.

Angiogenesis-Interfering Potential of Wound Healing Plants in Subintestinal Blood Vessels of Tg(fli1a:EGFP)y1/+Zebrafish Embryos

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: Plants are often traditionally used for managing wounds. Angiogenesis is an important event in wound healing. In this study, six traditionally used wound-healing plants from Suriname (South America) have been evaluated for their capacity to stimulate Subintestinal Vessel (SIV) formation in Tg(fli1a: EGFP)y1/+zebrafish embryos. Materials and Methods: Extracts were prepared from Carapa guianensis, Copaifera guyanensis (stembark), Punica granatum (fruit) and Piper betle, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis as well as Uncaria guianensis (leaves). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to the plant e. The P. betle and S. jamaicensis preparations at 100.0 μg mL^–1 also produced a decrease in SIV lengths of around 50% but killed more than half of the embryos. Conclusion: The traditional xtracts (10^–5 - 100 μg mL^–1) in Hank’s solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide 0.1% (v/v) from 8 hrs post-fertilization (hpf) in ovo until 96 hpf ex ovo. Total SIV lengths were quantified using the Axiovision 4.8.1 Image Acquisition and Management Software. The numbers of surviving embryos were also recorded. Data were compared to those found with untreated controls (ANOVA, p<0.05). Results: None of the plant extracts produced greater SIV lengths than controls. However, the C. guianensis extract at 0.01 μg mL^–1 produced a decrease of about 40% in SIV length and left about 70% of the embryos unharmeduse of the plants for wound healing may not involve proangiogenic events. However, the C. guianensis stem bark extract may possess antiangiogenic properties. This may impede wound healing but may be useful against conditions associated with excessive angiogenesis.

Effects of Plant Extracts on the Transcriptional Activity of Nuclear Factor-κB

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: The Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) family of transcription factors is known to have a central regulatory effect on many physiological processes including the immune response and cell survival. Besides, the modulation of the NF-κB transduction pathway is a principal therapeutic target in cancer and inflammatory disease states. Many natural products have been shown to modulate the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. This research work was aimed at determining the phytochemical content of selected Maltese medicinal plants and investigating their ability to modulate the activity of NF-κB. Materials and Methods: Extracts with different polarities were prepared from Aloe vera L. (Aloaceae), Jasonia bocconei (Brullo) M. Pardo and R. Morales (Asteraceae), Calendula suffruticosa Vahl (Asteraceae) and Ruta bracteosa DC. (Rutaceae). The extracts were studied for the total content of phenols and alkaloids and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity. Further studies were carried out to investigate extract-induced modulation of the transcriptional activity of NF-κB in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells that had been stably transfected with an NF-κB-luciferase reporter construct. Results: Extracts from Ruta bracteosa caused increased luciferase activity. Besides, significant positive statistical correlations were found between alkaloidal content, increased luciferase activity and increased EC₅₀ values for DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: Polar extracts from Ruta bracteosa with high alkaloidal content exerted increased transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Because of the evidence that links apoptotic cell death with activation of NF-κB in a variety of tumor cells, further studies are warranted, so that the chemotherapeutic potential of the plant could be established.

Total Phenolics, Flavonoids and in vitro Antioxidant Properties of Lophira lanceolata TIEGH

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: Oxidative stress is linked to many illnesses like cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorder and aging. Thus, the search for plant reaches in polyphenolic compounds is apt to ameliorate these diseases. The present study aims at screening various solvent fractions of the methanol extract of Lophira lanceolata to ascertain it's in vitro antioxidant potentials. The antioxidant metabolites like phenolics and flavonoids were also quantified in the various solvent fractions. Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of Lophira lanceolata was purified using column chromatographic technique to afford n-hexane (HF), ethyl acetate (EF) and methanol (MF) factions respectively. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the solvent fractions was also determined while the Total Phenolics Content (TPC) was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the Total Flavonoids Content (TFC) quantified colorimetrically using the aluminum chloride method. The total yield of the fractions and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the solvent fractions were also determined. Results: The phytochemical screening of the fractions revealed the presence of antioxidant metabolites like phenolics and flavonoids. The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) of the fractions showed that EF had the highest value while HF had the least value. The half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of the various fractions was generally lower showing that the fractions have potential antioxidant properties. Conclusion: The data obtained showed the solvent fractions of Lophira lanceolata act as an antioxidant due to its free radical scavenging potentials.

Phytochemical, Acute Toxicity and Tolerance Evaluation of Solanum rugosum (Solanaceae) on Skin and Eye

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: The root bark of Solanum rugosum is used in traditional Ivorian medicine to treat certain eye diseases such as allergic, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. Thus, the objective of this study was to highlight the presence of alkaloids in the root bark of Solanum rugosum and evaluate in vivo the acute oral toxicity as well as the skin and eye tolerances of the extract. Materials and Methods: The powdered root bark was refluxed for 15 min in distilled water. The chemical study of the extract was made by LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS. For acute oral toxicity in mice, skin and eye tolerance OECD methods 423, 404, 405 were used, respectively. Results: Four alkaloids including lycorine, corynanthine, corynantheine and mitrinermine were found in the root bark. The cutaneous and ocular tolerance tests carried out demonstrated good cutaneous and ocular tolerances of the extract. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that the total aqueous extract of the root bark of Solanum rugosum is not toxic and is well tolerated.