Background: Traditional herbal steam inhalation (Nyungu) is a key healthcare practice in Zanzibar for treating respiratory, febrile, and spiritual ailments. Despite its importance, it remains under documented and underutilized in wellness tourism. This study aimed to document the medicinal plants used in Nyungu and explore opportunities for integration into tourism. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 26 shehias (14 in Unguja and 12 in Pemba). Sixty-eight traditional healers were purposively selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires. Data on plant use, preparation, treated ailments, and commercialization were analyzed using SPSS and Origin software. Results: The study identified 73 and 75 plant species in Unguja and Pemba, respectively. Commonly cited species included Citrus aurantiacus, Azadirachta indica, and Ocimum americanum. The main ailments treated were runny nose (18%), fever (15%), common cold (13%), and spiritual disorders (12%). Treatment regimens varied: most healers in Unguja preferred one-day sessions, while those in Pemba favored three- to seven-day duration. Polyherbal preparations were widely used. Commercialization was limited, with 60% of healers in Unguja and 84% in Pemba not offering services to tourists. Documentation was low, as only 8% (Unguja) and 17% (Pemba) recorded their practices. Conclusion: Nyungu remains a cornerstone of traditional healthcare in Zanzibar and holds promise for wellness tourism. However, poor documentation, limited commercialization, and lack of standardization hinder its development. Phytochemical validation, cultivation of key species, tourism integration, and supportive policies are recommended for sustainable use and cultural preservation.
Background: Solanum erianthum root (SER) extract is used in traditional medicine to treat dysentery, fever and for pain management. This study examined the toxicity and safety profile of ethanol extract of SER in rats. Method: The LD50 of SER was determined using Lorke’s method. Groups of rats were administered 250, 500 or 750 mg/kg of the ethanol extract of SER daily for 28 days, this was followed by 21 days of recovery study. Various endpoints of toxicity on the kidney, liver and brain including haematological and biochemical parameters as well as histopathological examination were assessed. Result: The LD50 of SER was determined to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. There was no significant difference across the weight and haematological parameters as well as the lipid profile across all the doses investigated when compared to control in the repeated dose toxicity and recovery studies. The results of biochemical evaluations of liver and kidney injury biomarkers in the serum suggest varying degree of effects on the organs marked by significant increases in serum AST, ALT, urea and creatinine. Histopathological examination revealed that the extract caused dose dependent inflammation and vascular congestion to the brain, liver, and kidney in the toxicity study. However, these effects resolved significantly in the recovery study. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of SER is safe for acute use but has potential to induce reversible toxic manifestations on the brain, liver and kidney following prolonged repeated administration.
Blood stasis leads to water retention" is a classic theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) proposed in the ancient text "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber". This academic concept has traditionally been applied primarily in gynecological clinical diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, this theory has been widely applied in treating traumatic limb edema in orthopedics, demonstrating significant efficacy with minimal adverse reactions. This paper presents a preliminary discussion on the application of this theory in treating traumatic limb edema in orthopedics.
Background:Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redhead,is a fast growing herb that is native to west and central Africa, the leaf is use in the treatment of ulcer, hernia, pain and tumor by traditional healers in these regions. It is explored in thisstudy for its phytochemicals and cytotoxic activities. Materials and Methods:The powdered leaf was screened for phytochemicals using standard methods, while profiling of the methanol extract was done by both Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Cytotoxic potential was evaluated using Raniceps raninus (Tadpole-fish) at varying doses (20-320 μg/mL) of the extract (methanol) and fractions (ethylacetate and dichloromethane). Results:Tannins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids and saponins were revealed by the phytochemical screening. The GC-MS analysis identified thirty-three compounds, which include aziridine, benzaldehyde, benzofuran, carbazole, hydroquinone, isopropylidine,indole, piperidine, piperazine,pyrazole, pyridine, pyrrolidine and tetrazole derivatives. Twelve compounds were identified and quantified from the HPLC analysis; coumaric acid (10.2385 μg/ml), cresol (25.7350 ppm), ellagic acid (3.9547 μg/ml), ferulic acid (8.9514 μg/mL), isoflavone (22.7694 ppm), naringenin (14.1526 μg/mL), naringin (5.6179 μg/ml), pyrogallol (12.5850 μg/g), resveratrol (3.8639 ppm) and salicylic acid (17.4195 μg/mL) respectively. A dose of 160 μg/mL of the methanol extract significantly (P<0.05) resulted in (60.00 ± 5.78) % mortality rate within 90 minutes, and (100.00 ± 0.00) % mortality as the dose was double (320 μg/mL) after 120 minutes. Conclusion:These thus indicate the presence of phytochemicals in E. praetermissaleaf with cytotoxic potential.
Background:In 2020, the World Health Organization urged nations to take domestic steps to curb the spread and contain the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, also referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the meantime, there was growing clinical evidence that reported favourable effects of using herbal medicine in managingCOVID-19. We, therefore, repurposed Nibima (a Cryptolepis sanguinolenta-based herbal preparation) as an adjunct to conventional therapy for COVID-19. This was premised on our previous in vitroinvestigations that showed that Nibima has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Materials and Methods:This trial (FDA/CT/11) was an open-label, randomised controlled phase II pilot study, which was conducted from March 2021 to October 2022 among hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Participants were either randomised to aqua(water)or Nibima,the investigational product as adjunct to COVID therapy. Results:Nibima was well tolerated by the study participants, and the patients who were administered that together with the standard COVID-19 therapy had rapid clinical recovery compared to those taking aqua and the standardorconventional COVID-19 therapy. The evidence obtained provides a strong basis for future studies with large numbers of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections. Article HistoryReceived: June 11th2024Revised Received: April 13th2025 Accepted:April 14th2025Published Online: Aug. 29th2025 2Conclusion: Though COVID-19 is no longer a pandemic, it is still a public health challenge. We recommend that Nibima be further investigated for its broad-spectrum antiviral and immunomodulatory activities against SARS-COV-2 and other viral infections in preparedness for the re-emergence of future pandemics
Background: Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) has traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat hypertension; however, clinical studies are limited to show efficacy as an antihypertensive. Today, hypertension is an important comorbidity in the face of the covid-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a commercial H. sabdariffa infusion on blood pressure (BP) levels in hypertensive patients through a pilot clinical study. Materials and Methods: Patients with a previous diagnosis of hypertension were chosen, regardless of their BP figures, who frequently came for consultations at a health center. The infusion (10 g/240 mL) was administered orally daily for four weeks in 33 patients, 11 of them presented uncontrolled levels of BP. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values, but not for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (n=33), suggesting that the values could decrease until being significant with a longer supplementation time or higher doses. In uncontrolled patients (n=11), both SBP and DBP showed a significant decrease. Conclusion: The results showed that the use of H. sabdariffa in this study could be useful in the management of patients with hypertension. However, future studies should be performed on larger samples so that effectiveness can be fully determined.
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate a potential therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Materials and Methods: Six males aged 28-45 with CSC were treated with a TCM formula called Bupleurum and Poria Variant Decoction (Jia Jian Chai Ling Tang), in the form of concentrated powder herbs (4.0 g) taken before meals, three times daily. They were monitored clinically with optic coherence tomography (OCT) scans every one or two weeks until CSC symptoms completely resolved. Results: All six cases showed clinical improvement after receiving the prescribed treatment, with subretinal serous fluid progressively decreasing within 3 weeks to 3 months based on follow-up OCT scans. Conclusions: The patients with CSC responded positively to the Jia Jian Chai Ling Tang prescription, indicating a potential new approach for treating CSC. This study suggests a promising avenue for further exploration in CSC treatment options.
Background: The beta-hematin-inhibitory potential of the extract and the partitioned fractions of Nephrolepis undulata have not been determined, neither the likely constituents responsible for the observed in vivo antiplasmodial activities identified, hence this study. Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of N. undulata (MNU), was evaporated in vacuo and subsequently partitioned to give HNU (n hexane), DNU (dichloromethane), ENU (ethyl acetate) and ANU (aqueous phase) which were investigated in vivo in mice at 0-800mg/kg against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei using Peter’s four-day test. The Beta hematin inhibition assay was carried out on the extract and the fractions as well as Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy for identification of the chemical constituents. Normal saline and chloroquine (10mg/kg) were negative and positive controls, respectively. All the results were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA with Student Newman Keul’s as post hoc test. Results: The partitioned fractions elicited comparatively lower percentages chemosuppression/inhibition and higher effective doses/inhibitory IC50 compared to NU in both experiments respectively suggesting that the constituents were acting synergistically. The GC-MS analysis revealed a total of eleven compounds in MNU partitioned into HNU: Neophytadiene, Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, N--Hexadecanoic acid, 10 octa decenoic acid methyl ester and Methyl stearate, DNU: 2 ethyl acridine, ENU: Benzoic acid methyl ester and ANU: Benzoic acid methyl ester, 2 ethyl acridine while additional five compounds found in MNU were not detected in any of the fractions. Conclusion: The constituents of the antimalarial MNU seem to be acting synergistically to inhibit haemozoin formation in the parasite.
Background:Dissotis rotundifolia(Sm.) Triana isa prostrate herb of the family Melastomataceae. It is used for the treatment of obesity, hypertension, circulatory problems and metabolic syndrome (MS). This study evaluated the antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory.and antimicrobial activities of the whole plant of D. rotundifoliato validateits therapeutic potential in the management and treatment of MS. Materials and Methods: The plant was screened for proximate, mineral, vitamin and phytochemical components, as well as antioxidant activities using standard laboratory techniques. The anticancer activities of the ethanol plant extract were against kidney (VERO) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was determined using nitric oxide production inhibition assay and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated against five pathogenic organisms. All data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The plant was rich in carbohydrate (47.87%), protein (22.5%), crude fibre (9.57%), Na (206.67 mg/100 g), Ca (183.33mg/100 g), vitamin C (25.53 mg/100 g), flavonoids (685.00 mg/100 g), alkaloids (616.67 mg/100 g) and saponins (471.67 mg/100 g) contents. Theextract exhibited considerableand variedantioxidant activities.The plant extract was very active against VERO and MCF-7 cellsatlow concentrations(0.145 mg/ml and 0.141 mg/ml respectively) compared to doxorubicin. It also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory action against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW macrophage. The extract was active against all test organisms. Overall, D. rotundifolia displayed significant antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Conclusion: The observed bioactivities of the plant could be attributed to its phytocontents and are indications of itspotential as an agent for the managementand treatment ofmetabolic syndrome.
Background: The increasing patronage of Adansonia digitatafor medicinaland cosmeticsvalues makes it a potential source of indiscriminate uses. This studyaimsat establishing the toxicity potential of the ethanol stem bark extract with a view to providing scientific evidence for the safe use of the plant. Materials and Methods: The stem bark of Adansonia digitatawas identified, collected, dry, milled to powder, extracted in absolute ethanol, filtered and concentrated in vacuowith rotary evaporator at 45oC. The oral median lethal dose (LD50)was determined using Lorke‘s method. Male and female rats (100 –140 g) were used in this study. Toxicity effects on haematological and plasma biochemical indices, as well as histopathological effect in the selected organs was done usingsingle (1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg) and repeated dose (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) toxicity profiling, and in silicotoxicity profiling of its selected phytoconstituents. Results: The oral LD50was greater than 5000 mg/kg, suggesting non-toxic potential. Our results show varying degree of significant alterations in heamatological, biochemical and histopathological indices following single and repeated doses. These alterations were dose and sex dependent,more pronounced at doses ≥ 1000 mg/kgand correlated well with in silicotoxicity profiling. Though some of the phytoconsituents were predicted to show some elements of toxic potentials,ourin silicotoxicity profiling revealed that none has potential formutagenicity, genotoxicity, nor inhibit major P450 cytochromeenzymes.Conclusion: The study concluded that the extract may be more beneficial at lower repeated doses than high doses with toxic potential
Background: Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) leaves are commonly used for diabetes in Mali. This pilot clinical study aimed to evaluate its effect on post-prandial blood glucose in preparation for a larger trial. Methods: Diabetic patients and non-diabetic healthy volunteers (35 each) were asked to fast for 13 hours on three occasions. Blood glucose was measured before and after eating 100g of white bread (at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes). On their second and third study visits, they were given 1g and 2g respectively, of M. oleifera leaf powder, 30 minutes after eating the bread. The mean paired reduction in blood glucose at each time interval and the incremental area under the curve were calculated. Results: Ingestion of Moringa powder had no effect on blood glucose in non-diabetic participants, but in diabetic patients, it lowered blood glucose at 90 minutes. There was a trend towards lower incremental area under the curve when diabetic patients took 2g of Moringa. No side-effects were reported by any participant. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf powder reduced post-prandial glycaemia in diabetic patients. A larger study is needed to define the optimal dose and to assess whether this translates into longer-term benefits.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious public health challenge, projected by WHO to be one of the 7 leading cause of death by 2030. Medicinal plants have been demonstrated to be useful in DM local management because of polyphenols present in these plants. For an alternative treatment approach especially with polyphenols-rich herbs, knowledge of comparative efficacy of the polyphenols will lead to enhanced therapy especially in postprandial hyperglyceamic control. Materials and Methods: Vegetative parts of Anacardium occidentale, Abelmoschus ecsulentus and Ceiba pentandra, prominent in the local management of DM were identified, collected and subjected to alcoholic extraction. From the crude extracts were isolated agathisflavone, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-diglycoside, mangiferin, isomangiferin and pentagalloyl glucose, belonging to flavonoid, xanthones and tannins structural classes. These polyphenols were evaluated for their potentials to inhibit both α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Physicochemical parameters of the polyphenols were evaluated and molecular docking experiments were carried out to gain insight into the observed inhibitory activity. Results: quercetin 3-O-glucosidewas the most potent of the polyphenols against the two enzymes. Increase in the number of phenolic hydroxyl group did not increase the inhibitory activity and neither computation of the binding energies with the enzymes nor physicochemical parameters of the polyphenols could explain the observed inhibitory activity against the enzymes, across the structural classes. Thus, only the bioassay against the enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase correlated well with the use of the plants in treating diabetic mellitus Conclusion: Medicinal plants rich in quercetin 3-O-glycoside may have better treatment outcomes in postprandial hyperglycaemia control.
Background: Stress induces secretion of cathecolamines and glucocorticoids, which may produce liver injury. Followed by the production of inflammatory mediators, it causes apoptosis. Centella asiatica (CeA) has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. The present study aims to determine the role of CeA in the attenuation of liver pro-inflammatory mediator expression in rats with electrical foot shock stress model. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups consisted of six rats each: (1) Control group, (2) CeA-treated group, (3) Stress group, and (4) CeA + stress group. Reverse transcriptase PCR of inflammatory and apoptosis markers as well as Real-Time PCR of β2-adrenergic receptor were performed from liver tissues. Results: Electrical foot shock stress induced up-regulation of NFκB and TNF-α mRNA expressions as pro-inflammatory mediators, compared to control group. This alteration was followed by up-regulation of BAX and β2-adrenergic receptor, as well as the down-regulation of BCl2 compared to control. CeA treatment prevented enhancement of NFκB, TNF-α, TLR-4 and β-adrenergic receptor mRNA expressions, which was followed by down-regulation of BAX and up-regulation of BCl-2, compared to stress group. Conclusion: CeA prevents secretion of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines as well as apoptotic markers in liver cells through the activation of β2-adrenergic receptor.
Background: Ethno-medicinal survey of herbal recipes used in managing sickle cell disease in Ile-Ife, Osun-State, Nigeria was carried out and two recipes selected for antisickling studies. Materials and Methods: Information was obtained using semi-structured questionnaires and open interview from respondents consisting of herb sellers, traditional medical practitioners, artisans and traders in two local government areas of Ife. Two recipes from the survey were selected for antisickling studies. Aqueous extract of each recipe was obtained by boiling the constituents in water for 1 h while the hydro ethanolic extracts were obtained by maceration in 70% ethanol for 72 h. Inhibitory and reversal antisickling properties were assessed using sodium metabisulphite as deoxygenating agent, vanillic acid (inhibitory agent), para-hydroxybenzoic (reversal agent) acid as positive controls while phosphate buffered saline was employed as negative control. Results: Fifty four recipes comprising forty six plants were obtained from the ethno-medicinal survey. The respondents comprised of 44% men and 56% women. The most frequently and commonly used plants belong to family Fabaceae. The inhibitory and reversal activities of the aqueous extract of recipe 1 (81.37± 1.09%, 88.56 ±1.38% respectively) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than recipe 2 (78.51 ± 0.78% inhibition and 79.8 ± 2.16% reversal) at same concentration. The hydro-alcoholic extracts of recipes 1 and 2 gave highest inhibitory activities at 0.5 mg/mL (69.25 ±1.30% and 68.28 ±2.78% respectively). Conclusion: This study documented the medicinal plants and recipes used in Ile-Ife for managing sickle cell disease, and validated the ethno-medicinal claim of two recipes.
Background: Most of the people living in developing countries rely on local remedies from traditional medicines to take care of their healthcare needs. In recent years, the use of medicinal plants increased considerably. Consequently, studies on medicinal plants are necessary to produce more effective drugs with fewer side-effects. This work aims to compile the dispersal data on Strychnos spinosa Lam., a medicinal plant with great therapeutic potential in traditional medicine, on its ethnobotanical uses, chemical compounds, as well as its pharmacological and nutritional effects. Material and Methods: To achieve the aforementioned aim, electronic databases such as Pubmed, Science Direct, Google scholar, Scopus and SciFinder were scanned. Results: Literature survey revealed that S. spinosa is used in the treatment of microbial infections, malaria, trypanosomiasis, intestinal worms, tuberculosis, infertility, gastrointestinal disorders, snake bite, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus among other ailments. The plant is also used as food material. S. spinosa contains many chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, terpenes, sterols, fatty acids, flavonoids, saponin, and others. The fruits are a source of important nutrients such as carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, vitamins and fibres. Experimental studies have shown numerous pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, anti-trypanosomal, anti-leishmanial, anti-nematicidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic and other activities. Conclusion: This review article provides comprehensive information on S. spinosa and its various extracts. Due to the promising effects of the plant extracts on various diseases and its nutritional values, there is a need for toxicity studies and clinical trials to assess the effects of its identified bioactive compounds.
Wealthy nations must step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present and future impacts of climate changeThe 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a dark picture of the future of life on earth, characterised by ecosystem collapse, species extinction, and climate hazards such as heatwaves and floods (1).These are all linked to physical and mental health problems, with direct and indirect consequences of increased morbidity and mortality.To avoid these catastrophic health effects across all regions of the globe, there is broad agreement-as 231 health journals argued together in 2021that the rise in global temperature must be limited to less than 1.5 o C compared with pre-industrial levels.
Background: The number of people using traditional medicines in the management of chronic diseases is increasing. The safety profile of some of the formulations, however, has not been scientifically demonstrated. This study assessed the acute and sub-acute toxicity of Uthuli Lwezichwe™ (UL), a traditional medicine used by a traditional healer in the management of diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: In the acute toxicity assay, one female Sprague dawley rat was administered 1000mg/kg body weight (BW) of Uthuli lwezichwe™ and observed for 14 days. In the sub-acute assay, 24 Sprague dawley rats were randomized into four groups. With one group as the control, the other groups were administered varying daily doses (100 mg, 300 mg, 1000 mg/kg BW) of UL for 28 days. Phytochemical analysis of UL was done using Liquid Chromatography – Quadrupole Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer (LC-QTOF-MS). Results: There were no significant differences in liver function biomarkers and kidney function biomarkers between the control and all the treatment groups. Histological examination of the kidney however, showed enlarged bowman’s space and distal convoluted tubule diameter and area in the 1000mg/kg UL treated group compared to the control group. Similarly, histological examinations of the liver showed increased sinusoidal space and decreased central vein area in the 1000mg/kg UL treated group. A number of phytoconstituents were identified in UL. Conclusion: The maximum safe dose was determined to be between 300 – 1000 mg/kg BW. We recommend a chronic toxicity study to assess the long-term effects.
Background: Herbal remedies are making waves in many neurological conditions, and it will be wrong to assume that they do not have to be subjected to the same rigorous ethical investigational pathways as for the synthetic medicines/remedies. The primary and most important concern of pharmacologists in the team of drug developers is the safety of the remedy, whether herbal or synthetic. The remedies are aimed at the human body for the alleviation of the medical condition, so it makes sense to protect that body against further injury. In this context, there is no consideration for a different treatment when herbs are involved. Methods: This review is based on the teaching approaches of the author, with a view to explaining the rationale for some of the experimental steps in neuropharmacological experiments, particularly with herbs. The issues of experimental models are discussed, with sufficient explanations for the choice of the model, the indices to monitor and the interpretation of the indices. Supporting literature are also provided as appropriate. Conclusions: Appropriate conclusions are drawn and the target audience are put in a good stead of the appreciation of why they do what they do, while correcting what they have not done well.
Background: The therapeutic utility of herbal medicinal products including antimalarial herbal remedies has been hampered by some unfavorable biopharmaceutical properties of the bioactive constituents such as low aqueous solubility, poor oral bioavailability, poor intestinal permeability and large molecular size. Al these biopharmaceutical issues are responsible for observed reduced in vivo efficacy of some herbal products compared to their in vitro efficacy. These drawbacks can by countered by the integration of nanotechnology. The present article identified the various documented nanosystems and examined the recent efforts in the deployment of nanotechnology in formulations of antimalarial herbal medicines for improved therapeutic efficacies. Also safety considerations in clinical applications of nanoformulations were highlighted. Methods: The information was acquired from an extensive literature searching of electronic databases such as Science-Direct, PubMed, and Google-Scholar to obtain appropriate articles made in the English language which were published up to 2022, using a combination of relevant keywords. Results: Only very few herbal antimalarial remedies such as extracts of Azadirachta indica, Momordica charantia, Curcuma longa, and Artemisia species have been nanoformulated and evaluated for antimalarial efficacy. In all these studies, the drug-loaded nanoformulations exhibited significantly higher in vitro and/or in vivo antimalarial efficacy. The different nanoformulations of antimalarial herbal remedies that have been reported include nanoparticles of lipid-based, cyclodextrin, chitosan/lecithin , liposomes, nanosuspension, nanoemulsions, and metal-based nanoparticles.. Conclusion: Different types of nanoformulations of herbal antimalarial drugs have been reportedly prepared by different techniques and these offer advantages of improved efficacies. Safety concerns present a hurdle to clinical applications.
Background: Natural products have been shown to be reliable sources of anticancer medicines although there is still a consistent demand for new therapeutic natural products for cancer treatment with minimal side-effects.Materials and Methods: In this study, six plant extracts (Grevillea robusta; Euphorbia millii; Euphorbia royleana; Aloe grandidentata; Bauhinia corniculate; and Cassia fistula) were screened for the presence of phytochemical metabolites as saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones and sterols, using qualitative tests.Antiproliferative screening assay was performed on a panel of three cancer cell-lines (HepG-2, HCT-116 and MCF-7) using MTT assay, and cytotoxicity was determined using WI-38 human fibroblast cell-line.Results: Some plant extracts reduced cellular growth for the selected cancerous cell-lines.For example, E. royleana and A. grandidentata extracts reduced HepG-2 cellular growth with IC50 of 0.42 and 0.53µg/mL, respectively.Moreover, A. grandidentata and C. fistula reduced cellular growth of MCF-7 with IC50 of 0.37 and 0.67 µg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: E. royleana, A. grandidentata and C. fistula showed significant anti-proliferative activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell-lines with non-cytotoxic nature.This suggests their potential role as anticancer agents against these types of cancer.The presence of flavonoids, sterols and anthraquinones may suggest their enhanced anti-proliferative activities.Therefore, this study has shed light on the possible use of these extracts as potential sources of natural products-based therapy for cancer.
