Asian Journal of Research in Botany

Medicinal Plants Used against Snakebite Envenomation in Cameroon: Ethnobotanical Evidence, Research Gaps and Perspectives

2026-06-12T08:05:54+00:00

Tropical countries harbor the majority of the world's venomous snakes. The medicinal plants used for the treatment of snakebite are rare due to inaccessibility in hospitals and poor storage facilities for Antivenom. The review synthesises knowledge on antivenom plants of Cameroon and provides a critical analysis of gaps and future research avenues for the valorisation of these plants, which constitutes an encouraging and promising alternative in the management of snakebite treatment in Cameroon. The Google search engine was consulted, using keywords such as "snakes in Africa", "snakes in traditional practices", "anti-snake venom activity", "anti-snake activity", "ethnobotany", "medicinal plants" and "snake bite" in Cameroon. A review of scientific articles on plants used to treat snake envenomation Articles, books, reports and others scientific documents on ethnobotany, ethnobiology, pharmacology and ethnomedicine related to the antivenom domain were was undertaken to identify information on traditional knowledge of medicinal, consulted and reviewed with regard to the antivenom activity of plants. A total of 21 species belonging to 15 families were identified. The common botanical families were Asteraceae (19%), Apocynaceae (9%), Burseraceae (9%) and Rubiaceae (9%). Different morphological types were used against snakebites. The most represented botanical types was grasses 38%, follow by trees (33%), shrubs (24%) and lianas (5%). The various plant organs used as antivenins include leaves (43%), bark (24%), roots or bark (9%), leaves or flowers (9%), bark and leaves (5%), leaves or stems (5%) and fruit or barks (5%). Decoction, powder and maceration were the most commonly used extraction methods. The type of administration varies with the species of plants. Oral administration of plant extract, which is the product of decoction, maceration, infusion or trituration, was the most commonly used method of administration. The knowledge of these antivenom plant species will be useful to the population in the event of snake bites and can constitute a basic data to the scientific community which can permit to improve research on the degree of their toxicity.

Impacts of Salt Stress on the Growth and Yield Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.)

2026-06-06T07:30:54+00:00

Numerous studies on some plants have shown that plant growth, development and yields are affected by salt stress. This study was carried out at the Botanical Garden of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology (PSB) in Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria between August to October, 2024. having latitude and longitude of (4.804^oN and 6.980^oE), annual rainfall of (200.45mm) and annual temperature range of (25^oC - 27^oC), to investigate the impact of salt stress on the growth and yield parameters of maize which. Sandy-loamy soil used for this study was collected from the above study area. Maize grains (SAMMAZ-51 cultivar) were subjected to viability test and germination percentage was determined. Viable seeds were sown into polybags filled with 18kg of soil at the rate of 2-seeds per bag having 4 treatments (10mM-T1, 30mM-T2, 50mM-T3, Control-T4) replicated 8-times and arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data collected were plant height, number of leaves, days to tasseling, days to cobbing, number of cobs, weight of cob with and without husk. There were no significant differences (P<0.05) in the data collected. Although, Control had higher values in plant height, number of leaves, number of cobs, and weight of cob with and without husk compared to other treatments.

Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Profiling of Selected Medicinal Plants: Emilia sonchifolia, Bridelia ferruginea, and Rhizophora racemosa

2026-05-30T09:34:40+00:00

Medicinal plants remain a vital source of bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential, particularly in regions where traditional medicine is widely practiced. This study aimed to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition of aqueous extracts of Emilia sonchifolia leaves, Bridelia ferruginea leaves, and Rhizophora racemosa stem bark in order to provide scientific evidence supporting their ethnomedicinal uses. Standard phytochemical screening methods were employed to identify major classes of secondary metabolites, while spectrophotometric and gravimetric techniques were used for quantitative determination of total phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of key phytochemicals including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, carbohydrates, and proteins across the three plant species, with notable variations in their distribution. Quantitative results showed that E. sonchifolia possessed the highest levels of total phenolics (166.07 ± 1.88 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (287.18 ± 8.42 mg QE/g), indicating strong antioxidant potential. R. racemosa exhibited the highest concentrations of saponins (133.75 ± 1.34 mg/100 g), tannins (212.36 ± 3.40 mg GAE/g), and alkaloids (126.78 ± 1.39 mg AE/g), suggesting potent antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. B. ferruginea demonstrated moderate but balanced levels of phytochemicals, particularly alkaloids and carbohydrates, supporting its combined nutritional and medicinal relevance. Overall, the study highlights significant interspecies variation in phytochemical composition, which may influence the biological activities and therapeutic applications of these plants. The findings provide a scientific basis for their traditional uses and underscore their potential as sources of natural bioactive compounds. Further studies focusing on the isolation, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of individual constituents are recommended to fully explore their medicinal potential.

GC–MS Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae)

2026-06-03T10:43:52+00:00

Background: Achyranthes aspera is a traditionally important medicinal plant with documented antimicrobial properties, whose hydroethanolic leaf extract warrants phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation to identify bioactive compounds and support its therapeutic applications.

Aims: This study aimed to identify the phytochemical constituents of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera L. by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and to evaluate its in vitro antimicrobial activity against selected clinical pathogens.

Methodology: Fresh leaves of A. aspera were collected, shade-dried, and extracted using a hydroethanolic solvent system. GC–MS analysis was performed on a GCMS5975 instrument using an Agilent DB-5 capillary column, and compound identification was carried out by library matching against the NIST11 mass spectral database. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by the agar well-diffusion method against Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were determined by the broth dilution method.

Results: GC–MS analysis revealed 20 phytoconstituents, dominated by 11-Octadecynoic acid, methyl ester (74.78%), followed by falcarinol (5.71%) and 7,10-hexadecadienoic acid, methyl ester (4.65%). Other pharmacologically relevant compounds included myricetin (0.78%), α-tocopheryl acetate (1.37%), phytol (0.69%), stearic acid (0.95%), and myristic acid (0.62%). The extract exhibited broad-spectrum, concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity. At 500 mg/mL, inhibition zones ranged from 27.7 mm (Klebsiella sp.) to 38.0 mm (C. albicans), surpassing the chloramphenicol control (28.0 mm) against several organisms. MIC values ranged from 25 mg/mL (E. coli) to 100 mg/mL (Klebsiella sp.).

Conclusion: The hydroethanolic leaf extract of A. aspera is rich in bioactive phytoconstituents, particularly fatty acid methyl esters, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, and vitamins. Its strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including exceptional antifungal potency against C. albicans, supports its ethnopharmacological use in treating infectious diseases and validates the plant as a candidate for further pharmacological investigation.

Effect of Salt Stress on the Proximate Composition of Zea mays L. Seeds

2026-06-12T08:16:02+00:00

Zea mays L. (Maize) is an annually growing plant of the Poaceae plant family. It is an essential and most consumed staple food as it is consumed around the world because of its nutritive values and it also serves as a source of biofuel production. Various researchers have attributed the varying plant quality and proximate composition to various environmental/abiotic factors of which salt stress is one. This study aims at assessing the effect of salt stress on proximate composition of Zea mays seeds and was carried out in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology in Rivers State University. The soil used for the study was collected from the study area. Maize grains (SAMMAZ-51) were subjected to viability test and subsequently sown into polybags filled with 15kg of soil at the rate of 2-seeds per bag with 4 treatments (10mM-T1, 30mM-T2, 50mM-T3, Control-T4), replicated 8-times and arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Treatments were applied at intervals of two days and allowed for two months before harvest and the harvested seeds were analyzed for proximate (protein, moisture, ash, carbohydrate, lipid and crude fibre) compositions using the methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Proximate composition of the treated maize seeds differed significantly (P<0.05). The results revealed T3 as compared to other treatments to have highest values in protein, ash and lipid (7.59+0.2, 1.22+0.00, 2.90+0.00) respectively with T1 having less values in ash, carbohydrate, lipid (0.10+0.00, 42.22+0.03, 1.60+0.00) respectively compared to all other treatments. This study shows that the quality of maize plant when exposed to salt stress can affect its quality contents and variability in proximate composition can therefore be attributed to the salt stress at different concentrations of salt treatments used.

Species- and Organ-dependent Variation in Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants from West Pokot, Kenya

2026-06-13T12:19:34+00:00

Medicinal plants remain important sources of bioactive compounds; however, comparative evidence on how plant species and organs influence phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential remains limited for several traditionally used taxa in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) profiles and antioxidant activity of Lannea fulva, Ochna insculpta, Pittosporum viridiflorum, Schrebera alata and Teclea pilosa across leaves, stem bark and roots collected from West Pokot County, Kenya. Methanolic extracts were prepared using Soxhlet extraction, followed by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses, TLC profiling and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values were estimated using a four-parameter logistic model and data analyzed using analysis of variance at p < 0.05. Qualitative screening revealed tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids and steroids, with clear interspecific and inter-organ variation. The TLC analysis showed 2-6 separated bands with distinct retention factor (Rf) values (0.18-0.92), indicating variability in phytochemical complexity among extracts. Quantitative analysis demonstrated significant differences in secondary metabolite concentrations across species and plant parts (p < 0.001), with flavonoids and alkaloids generally higher in leaves and stems than in roots. Antioxidant activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner across all extracts (p < 0.001). IC₅₀ analysis showed that P. viridiflorum (32.19 µg/mL) and S. alata (34.99 µg/mL) exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity among the plant extracts, whereas L. fulva, T. pilosa and O. insculpta showed higher IC₅₀ values of 53.73, 53.79 and 57.93 µg/mL, respectively. Root extracts consistently exhibited higher IC₅₀ values than leaves and stems. Hierarchical clustering grouped the species into three antioxidant activity clusters corresponding to IC₅₀ patterns, with P. viridiflorum and S. alata clustering with the standard antioxidant (ascorbic acid), while T. pilosa formed a distinct low-activity group. The findings demonstrate that phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity in the studied medicinal plants are strongly influenced by species identity and plant part, providing baseline evidence for future isolation of bioactive compounds and pharmacological evaluation.