The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants has attracted special interest in recent years as a result of their abundant reservoirs of bioactive compounds. The purpose of this review is to discuss the value of medicinal plants in cosmeceutical applications based on their bioactive constituents and their relevance to skin health. Plant bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannins display a wide variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. By enhancing moisture, elasticity, and barrier function of the skin, these features help overcome the typical pathology of the skin, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and infections caused by microorganisms. Aloe vera, Curcuma longa (turmeric), Camellia sinensis (green tea), and Centella asiatica (gotu kola) are some of the most studied plants in terms of their cosmeceutical potential. Throughout this review, we examine the mechanisms by which their bioactive compounds inhibit collagen synthesis, melanin production, and free radical production. Furthermore, the latest developments in formulation technology, namely the use of nanoencapsulation and liposomal delivery systems with enhanced stability and bioavailability of plant-derived ingredients, will be discussed. While these findings are promising, some concerns include variability in plant composition, standardization of extracts, and the potential risk of adverse effects. These concerns warrant further investigation both in terms of safety and efficacy. Currently, the regulatory environment for cosmeceuticals derived from plants is far from standardized; therefore, further harmonization of regulations or guidelines is required. Through promoting natural and environmentally friendly alternatives, this review examines the vast potential of medicinal plants as sustainable and effective sources of development in cosmeceuticals. To meet growing consumer demand, future studies should focus on clinical validation, new formulation strategies, and scaling up production.
Polyphenols are bioactive compounds with notable pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective activities. This study investigated the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties of polyphenols extracted from Guiera senegalensis. Phytochemical analyses confirmed high levels of phenolics and flavonoids, with catechins, quercetin, and kaempferol identified using FTIR, GC-MS, and NMR. Toxicity studies validated the safety of these polyphenols at therapeutic doses. Cytotoxicity assays revealed enhanced anti-cancer effects compared to doxorubicin, with reduced cell viability, colony formation, and migration in MCF-7 and OV7 cancer cell lines. Mechanistic insights showed ROS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase-3 activation, and G2/M cell cycle arrest, indicating apoptosis induction. The polyphenols also demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects, downregulating TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, and NF-κB expression. The neuroprotective activity was evidenced by increased levels of TH, TPH, DAT, SERT, and BDNF, alongside reduced Iba1 expression, suggesting mitigation of neuroinflammation and enhanced neurotransmitter function. These findings highlight the multi-targeted efficacy of G. senegalensis polyphenols in modulating apoptosis, inflammation, and neuroprotection, surpassing doxorubicin. Their dual anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects underscore their potential as safe therapeutic agents. Further research is warranted to explore their translational applications in integrative medicine for cancer and neuroinflammatory disorders.
In Nigeria, numerous organic wastes from the processing of Prosopis africana are indiscriminately discarded and this has led to environmental pollution. This study compared the phytochemical, mineral and proximate constituents of epicarp, mesocarp and seeds of P. africana. Plant samples were collected from P. africana sellers in Ogodo, Ankpa Kogi State. The collected samples were dried at room temperature for 21 days and were grounded to a powdered form. Phytochemical, proximate and mineral analyses were carried out using standard methods of AOAC (2020). Data was analysed by One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence limits upper confidence limit and lower confidence limit using the SPSS, IBM Statistics version 21.0 software. Differences between groups were considered to be statistically significant at p≤0.05. Results revealed the epicarp, mesocarp and seeds of P. africana as a rich source of protein, carbohydrate and fibre and also contained considerable amounts of phytochemicals such as alkaloid, flavonoid, saponins, tannin and phenols. It also contained good composition of macro and micro elements like calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron. The seeds and epicarp contained a high nutritional and phytochemical composition compared to the mesocarp. The epicarp and mesocarp could be explored pharmacologically for their therapeutic values instead of being disposed.
This study aims to investigate the ulcer healing effects of freeze-dried leaf extracts of Rhus natalensis on Ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in Sprague Dawley rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (40), 250-300g were randomly assigned into 5 groups each with 8 animals as follows: negative control (1 ml / 200 g ethanol), positive control (20 mg / kg Esomeprazole + 1 ml /200 g ethanol), normal control (normal saline), low dose (150 mg / kg + 1 ml / 200 g ethanol), and high dose (300 mg / kg + 1 ml/ 200 g ethanol). To induce ulcers, absolute ethanol was administered on the first day at a dose of 1 ml / 200 g body weight by oral gavage to all groups except the normal control. Treatments were administered 1 hour after ethanol administration and once daily up to the 6th day. The ulcer healing effects were assessed by determining the total ulcer area, pH, and total acidity of stomach contents, volume of stomach secretions, levels of GSH, and levels of malondialdehyde in gastric tissue, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity in gastric tissue. The data was reported as the mean ± SEM. There was a significant reduction in the total ulcer area in the treatment groups. The results showed a significant increase in the pH of gastric secretions in the treatment groups and also a dose dependent reduction in the total acidity of gastric secretions of the same groups. In this study, there was a decrease in the volume of gastric secretions in the treatment groups as compared to the negative control which showed an increase in the volume of secretions. The study showed an increase in cellular antioxidant activity in the treatment groups by increased catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). The study shows that Rhus natalensis possesses ulcer healing effects. The effects are potentially due to reduced acidity of gastric contents, increased pH of gastric contents, reduced volume of secretions, and increased activity of cellular antioxidant systems; catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione.
