Search Results (193)

Cancer represents one of the major public health issues in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with increasing incidence and mortality rates as a result of late diagnosis, limited healthcare infrastructure, and financial difficulties. Traditional medicine plays an important role in healthcare across different populations in SSA, as more than 80% of the population depend on indigenous plant-based remedies for treating or managing different ailments, including cancer. This study aimed to document medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer in SSA. A systematic search of all documents available in the last two decades (2006–2026) was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. After screening studies using the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 studies met the eligibility requirements and were selected for analysis based on their relevance to the topic, geographic scope, and reported applications in cancer management. The scientific names of the identified plant species and their taxonomic authorities were verified using the Plants of the World Online database. A total of 556 species, belonging to 110 families, were recorded as medicinal plants used to treat various forms of cancer in SSA. The top five families with the most frequently used plants were Fabaceae (51 species), Asteraceae (34 species), Euphorbiaceae (25 species), Apocynaceae (22 species) and Lamiaceae (22 species). Frequently cited plants include Kigelia africana, Annona muricata, Adansonia digitata, Carica papaya, and Tamarindus indica. A total of 11 plant parts were documented, with leaves (41.20%), roots (18.75%), and bark (17.25%) being the dominant plant parts utilised. The primary methods of preparation were decoction (38.23%), powdering and grinding (14.51%), and infusion and tea preparation (49.73%), while the main modes of administration were oral (66.88%) and topical (26.46%). The results show that traditional medicinal plants hold significant potential as sources of novel anticancer drugs in SSA. However, a significant gap exists between ethnobotanical knowledge, laboratory research, and clinical application. Rigorous pharmacological and toxicity evaluations and well-designed clinical trials on the identified medicinal plants are needed to integrate effective and safe plant-based therapies into evidence-based oncology. Full article

Sugarcane is a high-value crop in Egypt, yet weed communities in the understudied Upper Egypt region have not been systematically characterized. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of weed floristic composition, phytogeographical affinities, and the edaphic and canopy light factors governing vegetation structure across contrasting Nile Valley clay and reclaimed desert lands in Qena Governorate. Fourteen stands were surveyed during the 2024/2025 sugarcane growing season, recording 110 species from 33 families (68 annuals and 42 perennials), which were dominated by Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Amaranthaceae (54.6% of the flora recorded). Therophytes were the most abundant life form (60.9%), and 51.8% of species belonged to Neotropical, Palaeotropical, Cosmopolitan, and Pantropical chorotypes. Diversity indices showed high and balanced species diversity, with no dominance by any single species. Seasonal variation showed that species richness peaked in spring, decreased through summer and autumn, and correlated with light intensity under the canopy. TWINSPAN identified four vegetation groups, which were merged into three primary vegetation groups (A, B, and C) via DCA and CCA ordinations and linked to microhabitats shaped by elevation and soil physicochemical properties. CCA revealed that Group C (stands in the Nile Riverbank lands) had the highest diversity, which was associated with organic matter, clay, and field capacity. In contrast, Group A (stands of reclaimed desert land) had low richness linked to high levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Na, K, Mg, CaCO₃, and sandy soils. Group B (stands of Nile clay lands) was an intermediate transitional community between groups A and C. These findings establish edaphic factors as the primary determinant of weed community structure, with salinity as the critical constraint in reclaimed lands and seasonal light variation as a secondary diversity filter. Full article

The genus Alchornea Sw. belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Alchornea species are commonly used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation; infectious, gastrointestinal, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and dermatological disorders; as well as other diseases. This comprehensive review provides an overview of recent scientific findings on the taxonomy, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, and toxicology of the Alchornea species. The literature was searched using SciFinderⁿ, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The taxonomy of all reported plants was authenticated using “Plants of the World Online”. Studies were examined and categorized according to the genus’s taxonomic classification, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, and toxicity. Phytochemical studies have identified 396 bioactive compounds, primarily triterpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics. Pharmacological studies have reported significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-plasmodial, and cytotoxic effects. Nevertheless, toxicological statistics are limited and vary among species and extracts. The genus Alchornea exhibits significant pharmacological potential, as evidenced by its traditional uses. In comparison, the genus remains underexplored in terms of detailed mechanistic pharmacological evaluation. Studies of chemical constituents and biological activities have been conducted for only approximately 17 species. To translate the pharmacological potential of the genus Alchornea into clinical practice, a strategic focus on modern plant valorization is required. Future research should focus on the valorization of Alchornea species by developing standardized oral formulations and topical preparations that harness their validated anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects beyond traditional uses. However, these findings suggest that further research is needed to assess the efficacy and safety of the largely unexplored genus Alchornea. Full article

The study of airborne pollen and spores in regions, communities, and campuses has gained importance in Nigeria in recent times. Aerospora sampling was carried out from November 2012 to February 2013 on the University of Ibadan campus Watch Tower. The Tower is the tallest building on campus, standing at 35 m. An Aero sampler was used to collect aeropalynomorphs monthly at the site. The recovered residues were acetolysed and studied microscopically. Meteorological data for this location were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for the prevailing weather conditions. Statistical analysis using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between airborne pollen and spores and meteorological parameters. A variety of palynomorphs, characteristic of rainforest, secondary/open forest, savanna, and freshwater vegetation types, were recovered. The dominant ones belonged to the Arecaceae, Anacardiaceae, Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Poaceae families, as well as fungal spores. Pollen counts with meteorological data revealed variations in palynomorph types and concentrations that reflected the influence of the aerosampler location, weather parameters, and the degree of human activities on the floral composition. This work is the first aero-sampling on the University of Ibadan campus and a contribution to the aeropalynological data of campuses across Southwest Nigeria. Full article

Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, the Jatropha genus is a promising source for the discovery of antitumor compounds. Jatropha ribifolia is a traditionally used species in folk medicine in the semi-arid region of Brazil, with a few chemical and pharmacological reports. Based on that, the aim of the current work is to isolate, structurally characterize, and assess the cytotoxic activity of isolated compounds through in vitro and in silico analyses. To achieve these main goals, the underground parts were dried, extracted and purified using classical and instrumental chromatographic techniques, leading to the isolation of 16 compounds. Altogether with HR-ESI-MS, IR, one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments, eight previously unreported diterpenes, named ribifolones A-H, along with eight known compounds, were obtained and are herein described. Regarding their activity against melanoma (SK-MEL-28) and colorectal cancer (HCT-116) cell lines, jatrophone was the most potent with IC₅₀ values of 6.19 µM and 10.09 µM, followed by ribifolone C that exhibited a moderate cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 50.71 µM and 33.39 µM, respectively. Network pharmacology analysis suggests the involvement of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in the activity of both compounds; meanwhile, molecular docking and dynamics simulations demonstrate the main interactions with key proteins in the pathway, indicating putative targets. This work opens new perspectives for the discovery of bioactive compounds found in Euphorbiaceae species, especially from those occurring in Caatinga. Full article

Tropical forests differ widely in floristic composition, stand structure, standing volume, and carbon storage, yet comparative evidence across contrasting tropical forest types remains limited. This study examined whether variation in standing volume and carbon stocks among contrasting tropical forests was more closely associated with structural attributes or with diversity-related patterns. Two tropical wet forests in Colombia and one tropical semi-deciduous forest in Mexico were evaluated using 40 circular plots of 500 m² established within a 100 ha reference area in each forest, where all trees with DBH > 10 cm were measured. Floristic composition, ecological dominance, diversity, dendrometric attributes, standing volume, biomass, and carbon stocks were estimated using a common analytical framework. The two wet forests showed higher effective diversity, broader taxonomic dominance, greater basal area, mean height, standing volume, biomass, and carbon stocks than the tropical semi-deciduous forest. In contrast, the semi-deciduous forest showed stronger dominance concentrated in fewer taxa, especially Euphorbiaceae, a pattern that may reflect the ecological suitability of this family under more seasonal and water-limited conditions. At the family level, standing volume, biomass, and carbon were distributed more evenly among dominant families in the wet forests, whereas they were more concentrated in fewer lineages in the semi-deciduous forest. Basal area showed the strongest association with standing volume, total biomass, and total carbon, followed by mean height and mean DBH. Overall, the results indicate that, under the conditions evaluated, structural organization was more closely associated with standing volume and carbon storage than diversity alone, while diversity acted as a complementary correlate. Full article

Globally, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent tumors in women and remains a major concern due to its high mortality rate. Although treatment options for this disease have evolved over the years, there are still many cases of recurrence and metastasis. In this context, considering the importance of evaluating less aggressive and more efficient therapeutic alternatives to aid in the treatment of breast cancer, the present study critically discusses the cytotoxic effects of diterpenoids isolated from Croton species (Euphorbiaceae). The articles were retrieved from different databases, from the first report published in 2005 to October 2025. A total of 115 diterpenoids were isolated from 15 Croton species and investigated against different breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-468). These compounds mainly belong to the kaurane group (40%), followed by clerodane (14%), tigliane (12%), and abietane (10%). Of this total, only 25 compounds showed promising results (IC₅₀ = < 10 µM). The mechanisms of action of the compounds crokokaugenoid A, kongensin A, kongensin D, ent-16β,17α-dihydroxykaurane, and lauicyclone A have been reported. These compounds likely act by inducing apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cell migration and invasion, and DNA fragmentation in breast cancer cell lines. To date, no randomized clinical trials have been conducted using Croton diterpenoids for the treatment of breast cancer. Therefore, further studies on the modulation of the immune response by these natural products are essential to better understand their immunotherapeutic activity in the tumor microenvironment during breast cancer progression. Full article

The Croton genus includes a diverse group of plants with remarkable potential in natural products research, particularly due to their bioactive compounds with hypoglycemic and phytochemical significance. This study examines Croton guatemalensis Lotsy, focusing on its chemical composition and its biological efficacy as a glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitor. Phytochemical analysis led to the isolation and structural elucidation of eleven compounds (1–11), including three new ent−clerodane diterpenes, designated crotoguatenoic acids C (9), D (10), and E (11). The absolute configurations of compounds 9–11 were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) as (5R,8R,9R,10S)-configured ent–clerodanes. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) revealed 25 peaks tentatively assigned to terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, highlighting the species’ chemical diversity. In vitro assays using ethanol–water extract (EWE) and isolated compounds with rat liver microsomes demonstrated inhibitory activity against glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), particularly among ent–clerodane diterpenes (73–96%), with EWE and compounds 1, 4, and 11 showing the highest inhibition. Molecular docking analysis revealed strong interactions between these diterpenoids and the G6PC1 binding pocket, with binding energies comparable to chlorogenic acid (positive control). These findings position C. guatemalensis as a valuable source of bioactive diterpenoids and support the potential of ent-clerodane derivatives as natural G6Pase inhibitors for hyperglycemia management. Full article

Breast cancer is a significant cause of death worldwide. Recent research has focused on identifying natural compounds for developing effective cancer treatments. Resiniferatoxin, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) agonist, is a common diterpene in Euphorbia bicolor Engelm. & A. Gray (Euphorbiaceae), a plant native to the southern United States that has not been studied before. We investigated the antiproliferative activities and mechanisms of action of E. bicolor xylene extract in estrogen receptor-positive T47D and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The extract significantly reduced the viability of T47D and MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the extract induced apoptosis via intracellular calcium overload, triggered by TRPV1 activation. This effect was diminished by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine and the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM. Intracellular calcium influx was confirmed through Fura-2 AM staining, revealing that E. bicolor phytochemicals activated TRPV1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment of T47D cells with E. bicolor xylene extract resulted in apoptosis associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (10-fold higher in T47D cells than in MDA-MB-231 cells) and mitochondrial calcium overload. These effects were significantly blocked when cells were pretreated with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a ROS inhibitor. Both cell lines underwent apoptosis via multiple mitochondrial- and endoplasmic reticulum stress–mediated pathways. This was supported by the activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9; increased expression of FAS, XBP1s, and CHOP; upregulation of BAX; and downregulation of BCL-2. In addition, PI3K, AKT, and pAKT protein expressions were also reduced in both cell lines, indicating downregulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Phytochemicals in E. bicolor xylene extract could become promising ingredients for developing breast cancer therapeutics. Full article

Gastrointestinal disorders negatively affect populations worldwide. Considering the side effects of synthetic drugs, natural products can be a safe and effective alternative to help treat gastric ulcers and diarrhea. In this context, the present study reviewed the antiulcerogenic and antidiarrheal activities of species of the genus Croton (Euphorbiaceae). The scientific documents were retrieved from different databases, covering publications from the first report on the topic in 1998 to October 2025. Although the genus Croton comprises approximately 1200 species, only 11 have been evaluated for their antiulcerogenic and antidiarrheal potential in in vivo and in vitro studies. Among the identified bioactive constituents, the diterpenes trans-dehydrocrotonin and trans-crotonin, isolated from Croton cajucara, demonstrated significant antiulcerogenic activity in several experimental models in vivo. Similarly, the compound crofelemer, isolated from the latex of the bark of Croton lechleri, has shown promising results in several clinical trials for the treatment of diarrhea. Furthermore, flavonoids including rutin and quercitrin have been detected in Croton campestris. Regarding gastroprotective mechanisms, evidence suggests that extracts and essential oils obtained from Croton species may act through the nitric oxide pathway, promoting an antiulcerogenic effect. Additional studies are needed to investigate the gastroprotective and antiulcerogenic potential of at least 17 Croton species used empirically in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders but still without scientific validation. Full article

Until now investigations on the ultrastructural characteristics of Pseudanthus pollen using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were limited. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to present the first comprehensive TEM-based analysis of Pseudanthus pollen; (2) to provide a holistic morphological and ultrastructural description of Pseudanthus pollen; (3) to compare Pseudanthus pollen to that from other Picrodendraceae and closely related families; (4) to clarify intraspecific, interspecific, intrafamilial, and interfamilial character traits of Pseudanthus pollen in relation to that from related genera/families; and (5) to conclude if Pseudanthus pollen could potentially be identified in the palynological record. Pseudanthus pollen samples were collected from anthetic flowers and prepared according to standard methods for investigation with TEM. Interpretations of pollen ultrastructure in other Picrodendraceae and closely related families were based on previously published TEM micrographs. The pollen ultrastructure from six out of nine Pseudanthus species is described here for the first time. By integrating LM, SEM, and TEM techniques, this study offers a holistic perspective on the genus’s pollen morphology and ultrastructural range. It also illuminates the intraspecific and interspecific pollen morphological and ultrastructural diversity within Pseudanthus and how it differentiates from other Picrodendraceae as well as the Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthaceae. The combined morphological and ultrastructural traits of Pseudanthus pollen render it unique among Picrodendraceae and differentiate it from the pollen of closely related families. This opens the door for future paleopalynological investigations, but until now Pseudanthus pollen has not been reported from the fossil record. Full article

The new species Euphorbia peruviandina (Euphorbiaceae) is described and illustrated with photos and line drawings. It belongs to subgenus Chamaesyce section Anisophyllum and is restricted to the puna vegetation of central and southern Peru at elevations of 3300 to 4200 m. It is proposed to be endangered following IUCN criteria. A comparison is made with two other Andean species of the section, E. jamesonii of Ecuador and E. orbiculata of Colombia and Venezuela. For all three taxa, type specimens are cited, and morphological descriptions, habitat information, exsiccate, and synonymy are given. An identification key to these taxa is provided. Euphorbia melanocarpa is proposed to be a synonym of E. jamesonii, and E. meridensis is treated as a synonym of E. orbiculata. Full article

Despite the ethnobotanical significance of Chilean Colliguaja species, research on their biological activities and phytochemical composition remains limited. Among these species, Colliguaja odorifera Molina (Euphorbiaceae), traditionally used in folk medicine to alleviate toothaches, stands out for its potential for medicinal applications. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the C. odorifera leaf extracts and their secondary metabolites isolated from the most active extract. A hydroalcoholic extract of C. odorifera leaves was prepared, and subsequently ethyl acetate (EA-E), n-butanol (B-E), and water (W-E) extracts were obtained by liquid–liquid partition. The extracts were first evaluated for their ability to inhibit lipoxygenase, and the most active extract was subsequently tested for hyaluronidase (HA) and secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA₂). The most active extract was EA-E, with IC₅₀ values of 11.75, 31.09, and 6.60 µg/mL for anti-LOX activity, hyaluronidase, and sPLA₂, respectively. This extract was analyzed by chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, allowing the identification, for the first time, of shikimic acid, gallic acid, methyl gallate, ethyl gallate, and a putative galloyl-luteolin. These results suggest that C. odorifera is a promising candidate for the development of natural alternatives to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Full article

Volcanic crater interiors in Nicaragua’s Pacific region are a valuable, understudied, and threatened native plant resource. Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve encompasses a crater and lake formed following a Quaternary volcanic explosion in Pacific Nicaragua. The flora of the tropical dry forest in the crater’s interior surrounding the lake has not been extensively assessed. We identified 403 native and 72 introduced plant species and their uses through a combination of survey plots, unstructured interviews, expert consultations, and targeted searches for plant species coordinated with key informants in the Reserve. Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Asteraceae were the most represented native species, whereas the most significant numbers of introduced species were found in Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Fabaceae. Forty-one species have conservation priority status. Documented uses were found for 70% of the native species and 88% of the introduced species. The most significant numbers of plant species with reported use types were ornamentals and fuelwood. This study constitutes the most comprehensive plant species inventory in a protected area of Nicaragua’s tropical dry forest biome. These findings indicate native plant diversity is high, introduced species pose considerable risks, and most species are integrated into local uses. Consequently, management decisions should explicitly promote native diversity, protect threatened species, better control introduced species, and encourage sustainable use. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the flavonoid enrichment and antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) obtained from Croton blanchetianus (Euphorbiaceae) leaves against Staphylococcus aureus, including the methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) that were isolated, as well as its possible mechanism of action. Methods: Croton blanchetianus leaves were extracted with ethanol:water (50%), then the extract was spray-dried and partitioned (8×) with ethyl acetate. Phytochemical analysis was performed using thin layer chromatography (TLC), while antibacterial activity was conducted using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Results: Chemical profiling (TLC) confirmed multiple flavonoid bands and the presence of hyperoside; the total flavonoid content in the EAF reached 25.3% (≈2.28× the spray-dried extract and 6.65× the aqueous fraction). The MIC and MBC assays against S. aureus ATCC 29213 and six clinical isolates showed an MIC of 4–32 μg/mL and an MBC of 16–64 μg/mL for EAF. The combination of EAF with chloramphenicol showed a complete synergistic effect for S. aureus ATCC 29213 and S. aureus UFPEDA 705, a partial effect for S. aureus UFPEDA-659 and S. aureus UFPEDA-671, antagonistic effect for S. aureus UFPEDA 731 and S. aureus UFPEDA 802, and no effect for S. aureus UFPEDA-691. Growth curves indicated time- and concentration-dependent inhibition. Membrane integrity assays revealed K⁺ efflux and release of DNA/RNA and proteins, suggesting bacterial membrane destabilization as a likely mechanism. Conclusions: The flavonoid-rich fraction of C. blanchetianus exhibits potent anti-S. aureus activity, including MRSA. Furthermore, it was observed that EAF has a synergistic effect with chloramphenicol and acts through membrane damage, making it a candidate for a phytoderived adjuvant in antimicrobial therapies. Full article