The value of central-African traditional medicine for lead finding: Some case studies

Abstract

In this publication, several examples of bioassay-guided isolation and identification of pharmacologically active lead compounds from plants used in Central-African traditional medicine by our research group will be presented and discussed.

Isolation and structure elucidation of two antiprotozoal bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Triclisia gilletii stem bark

“…People in endemic areas have started for a long time to look for antimalarial remedies from natural sources by using medicinal plants according to daily practices of practitioners. The isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants based on traditional use seems to be a very promising approach for the discovery of new antimalarial drugs (Xu and Pieters, 2013;Vlietinck et al, 2015).…”

Methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of Tragia involucrata L. leaves exhibit anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic activity in Swiss albino mice

“…By mimicking calcium, lead can cross the blood-brain barrier and degrades the myelin sheaths of neurons, reduces their numbers, interferes with neurotransmission routes and decreases neuronal growth. In the human body, lead inhibits porphobilinogen synthase and ferrochelatase, resulting in ineffective heme synthesis causing anemia [53,54]. The role of arsenic in humans is not well understood; however, excess intake of arsenic has detrimental effects on human health [55].…”

Design, Synthesis, and Antifungal Evaluation of Cryptolepine Derivatives against Phytopathogenic Fungi

“…In our proceeding pursuit of antifungal natural compounds, a traditional African climbing herbal medicinal plant named Cryptolepis sanguinolenta caught our greatest interest. 11 As a shrub indigenous to West Africa, C. sanguinolenta had long been employed by Ghanaian traditional healers in the treatment of various fevers, including malaria. 12 and separation test revealed that it contains cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, quindoline, hydroxycryptolepine, and other ingredients.…”