Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activity of Selected Medicinal Plantsof Ethiopia

Abstract

Interest in obtaining biologically active compounds from natural sources has recently spiked dueto their low toxicity, complete biodegradability, availability from renewable sources, and in mostcases, low cost. According to the WHO, a medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more ofits organs, contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes, or which are precursorsfor chemo pharmaceutical semi synthesis. Such a plant will have its parts including leaves, roots,rhizomes, stems, barks, flowers, fruits, grains or seeds, employed in the control or treatment of adisease condition and therefore contains chemical components that are medically active. Thesenon-nutrient plant chemical compounds or bioactive components are often referred to asphytochemicals and are responsible for protection of the plant against microbial infections orinfestations by pests.The report comprises phytochemical analysis, biological activity and molecular docking analysiswork done on the roots of Tephrosia villosa, Balanites egyptica, Zanthoxylum chalybeum,Euphorbia schimperiana, Teclea nobilis, Clausena anisata and Kniphofia schimperiana. Overall, the work resulted in isolation and full spectroscopic charachterization of 27 compounds (1-27). Essential oils extracts of fruits of Zanthoxylum chalybeum were analyzed by GC-MS and atotal of 19 compounds were identified. Detailed of isolation procedures, and comprehensivespectroscopic (UV-Vis, IR, NMR; 1D and 2D) characterization and antibacterial activity of theisolated compounds and crude extracts are included in this report. The antibacterial activity thecrude extracts as well as isolated compounds were conducted using agar disk diffusion method.Docking studies of four compounds (17-20) was performed with DNA-Gyrase (6F86) and LasRbinding domain (2UVO) employing flexible ligand docking approach by using AutoDock Vina.So far the work resulted in two publications (Tesfaye Nuru et al., 2018 and Dandena et al.,2019), two international conference paper presentations by PI and three more manuscripts fromthe results of Tehphrosia villosa, Euphorbia schimperiana and Z. chalybeum are on preparation.