Ethnopharmacological Insights into Tropical Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity, Bioactive Compounds, and Therapeutic Potential for Modern Drug Discovery: Ethnopharmacological Insights into Tropical Medical Plants

Umar Aminu Mohammed; Kamal Abdullahi; Zainab Auwal Zigau; Amina Mukhtar; Aisha Mustapha

doi:10.47540/ijias.v6i1.2572

Authors

Umar Aminu Mohammed Federal University of Health Sciences
Kamal Abdullahi Saadu Zungur University Bauchi
Zainab Auwal Zigau Saadu Zungur University Bauchi
Amina Mukhtar Federal University of Health Sciences Azare
Aisha Mustapha Federal University of Health Sciences Azare

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47540/ijias.v6i1.2572

Keywords:

Ethnopharmacology, Medicinal Plants, Bioactive and Biodiversity

Abstract

Abstract: Tropical medicinal plants sustain traditional healing and yield bioactive compounds for drug development. This review synthesizes evidence from biodiversity hotspots the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia where Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, and Fabaceae families prevail. Indigenous uses of species such as Artemisia annua for malaria and Momordica charantia for diabetes receive partial scientific corroboration. Key compound classes alkaloids (e.g., quinine from Cinchona), terpenoids (e.g., artemisinin from Artemisia), flavonoids, and phenolics underlie mechanisms against cancer, antimicrobial resistance, and neurodegeneration, as shown in vitro, in vivo, and limited clinical data. Synergies emerge, yet toxicities persist. Challenges include bioprospecting ethics, intellectual property conflicts, and sustainability risks from climate change and habitat loss. Drawing from PubMed and Scopus (2015–2026), this analysis exposes gaps between ethnobotanical claims and pharmacological proof, pressing for integrated conservation to secure novel therapeutics.

References

Adebayo, J. O., & Krettli, A. U. (2011). Potential antimalarials from Nigerian plants: A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133(2), 289–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.024

Anyanwu, G. O., Nisar-ur-Rehman, Onyeneke, C. E., & Rauf, K. (2015). Medicinal plants of the genus Anthocleista—A review of their ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 175, 648–667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.032

Asaad, I., Lundquist, C. J., Erdmann, M. V., & Costello, M. J. (2017). Marine biodiversity hotspots. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 567, 1–15.

Asase, A., & Akwetey, G. A. (2010). Ethnopharmacological use of herbal remedies for the treatment of malaria in the Dangme West District of Ghana. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 129(3), 367–376.

Avoseh, O., Oyedeji, O., Rungqu, P., Nkeh-Chungag, B., & Oyedeji, A. (2015). Cymbopogon species; ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and the pharmacological importance. Molecules, 20(5), 7438–7453. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules20057438

Banag, C., Thangaraj, M., & Ramachandran, S. (2015). Climate change impacts on Himalayan biodiversity. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24(4), 883–899.

Carballo-Arce, A. F., et al. (2025). Mini review: Ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry of the Marcgraviaceae family. PMC, PMC12318944.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih

Chege, I. N., Okalebo, F. A., Guantai, A. N., Karanja, S., & Derese, S. (2015). Management of type 2 diabetes by traditional medicine practitioners in Kenya. Pan African Medical Journal, 22, 90.

Chen, S. L., Yu, H., Luo, H. M., Wu, Q., Li, C. F., & Steinmetz, A. (2016). Conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants: Problems, progress, and prospects. Chinese Medicine, 11(1), 37.

Coals, P. G. R., Moorhouse, T. P., D'Cruze, N., Macdonald, D. W., & Loveridge, A. J. (2024). Ethnopharmacology and wildlife conservation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 320, 117456.

DasGupta, R., & Shaw, R. (2013). Cumulative impacts of human interventions and climate change on mangrove ecosystems of South and Southeast Asia. Journal of Environmental Management, 128, 244–251.

del Carmen Vázquez-Briones, M., Hernández, L. R., & García, J. A. (2015). Phytochemistry of Adiantum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 162, 1–2.

Erwin, K. L., Gerber, L. R., & Krausman, P. R. (2010). Marine biodiversity value. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 408, 233–247.

Fabricant, D. S., & Farnsworth, N. R. (2001). The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(Suppl 1), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.01109s169

Farashi, A., & Erfani, M. (2018). Modeling of habitat suitability of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus) in Iran in future. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 38(1), 9–14.

Fonkeng, L. S., Mouokeu, R. S., Tume, C., Njateng, G. S. S., Kamcthueng, M. O., Ndonkou, N. J., & Kuiate, J. R. (2015). Anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of methanol extracts of 12 plants used in Cameroonian folk medicine. BMC Research Notes, 8, 710.

Gebashe, F., Aremu, A. O., Gruz, J., Finnie, J. F., & Van Staden, J. (2020). Phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of grasses used in South African traditional medicine. Plants, 9(3), 371.

Gruca, M., van Andel, T. R., & Balslev, H. (2015). African palm ethno-medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 165, 227–237.

Gurib-Fakim, A. (2006). Medicinal plants: Traditions of yesterday and drugs of tomorrow. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 27(1), 1–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mam.2005.07.001

Gurib-Fakim, A. (2018). African ethnopharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 214, 1–2.

Heinrich M, Appendino G, Efferth T, Fürst R, Izzo AA, Kayser O, Pezzuto JM, Viljoen A. Best practice in research - Overcoming common challenges in phytopharmacological research. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Jan 10;246:112230. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112230. Epub 2019 Sep 14. PMID: 31526860.

Jäger, A. K. (2015). Medicinal plants thrive in biodiversity hotspots. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 162, 1–2.

Kimta, N., Chauhan, Puri, S., Amita, K., Rohit, S., Akshay, K. & Dhriti, K. (2025). Phytomediated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Derived from the Fronds of Adiantum venustum D. Don: Evaluation of their Biomedical Potential. Springer Nature, 197, 398–426 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-024-05031-0

Komakech R, Kang Y (2019) Ethnopharmacological potential of African cherry [Prunus africana]. Journal of Herbal Medicine 17–18(April):100283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2019.100283

Kumari, P., Kumari, S., & Kumari, R. (2023). Antioxidant activity of Lamiaceae. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 300, 115789.

Maldini, M., Sosa, S., Montoro, P., Giangaspero, A., Balick, M. J., & Pizza, C. (2020). Bioactive compounds from plants and their medicinal applications. Molecules, 25(22), 5324.

Myers, N., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., da Fonseca, G. A. B., & Kent, J. (2000). Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature, 403(6772), 853–858.

Newman, D. J., & Cragg, G. M. (2016). Natural products as sources of new drugs from 1981 to 2014. Journal of Natural Products, 79(3), 629–661. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b01055

Newman, D. J., & Cragg, G. M. (2020). Natural products as sources of new drugs over the nearly four decades from 01/1981 to 09/2019. Journal of Natural Products, 83(3), 770–803. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01285

Ondo, I., Possingham, H. P., & Bode, M. (2024). Plant diversity darkspots for global collection priorities. New Phytologist, 243(5), 1892–1903. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.20024

Pais, A. (2022). The use of plants by human and non-human primates in altered landscapes [PhD thesis, Cardiff University].

Rastogi, S., Pandey, M. M., & Rawat, A. K. S. (2015). Medicinal plants of the genus Betula—traditional uses and a phytochemical-pharmacological review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 159, 62–83.

Rates, S. M. K. (2001). Plants as source of drugs. Toxicon, 39(5), 603–613. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0041-0101(00)00154-9

Schmelzer, G. H., & Gurib-Fakim, A. (2008). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1): Medicinal plants 1. PROTA Foundation.