Integrated Health Research Journal

Documentation of medicinal plants of The Sudan, methods applied and future prospects

Gamal El Ghazali — 2026-06-01

In an attempt to establish a national work plan or program for studying medicinal plants and their therapeutic uses, it is primarily important to identify and document all available information in the field. Documentation of medicinal plants is considered crucial in preserving the loss of orally transmitted indigenous cultural heritage, identifying new therapeutic compounds for further pharmacological studies, securing the intellectual property rights for local communities, and facilitating conservation processes to overwhelm overexploitation through sustainable utilization.

MET-Mediated Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: In Silico Analysis of the Potential of Epicatechin-3-Gallate and Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate as Therapeutic Adjuvants

Anwar Rovik — 2026-06-01

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide by incidence and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Although chemotherapy has improved survival rates, long-term use often leads to chemoresistance and significant side effects. Therefore, new adjuvant strategies are urgently needed. This study examines the potential of tea catechins (Camellia sinensis), specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), as adjuvants to overcome chemoresistance in CRC.
Methods: We used a computational approach combining network pharmacology and molecular docking.
Results: Protein target analysis showed that ECG and EGCG specifically target four proteins, including the key hub protein c-Met (MET). The MET protein plays a vital role in CRC chemoresistance, especially in response to anti-angiogenic therapy. This potential is supported by patient survival data indicating a poor prognosis for CRC patients with MET overexpression. The molecular docking results suggest that EGCG and ECG bind strongly to c-Met, with binding energies of -9.2 kcal/mol and -9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. This high affinity supports the idea that ECG and EGCG can directly modulate c-Met's various functions.
Conclusion: This in silico study provides a solid molecular basis for developing tea catechins as chemosensitizers to improve chemotherapy effectiveness and reduce chemoresistance in CRC.

Cassia tora Gum: Structural Modification and Pre- Formulation Studies

Bhargavi Pavuluri — 2026-06-01

Background: Natural gums are biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, easily available, and accessible. However, certain associated disadvantages such as low swellability, low viscosity, and flowability make them unsuitable for pharmaceutical applications. The study aims to modify Cassia tora gum (CTG) through cross-linking by exploring the free hydroxyl groups.

Methods: Borax (B), Epichlorohydrin (ECH), and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) were used as the cross-linking reagents.

Results: The cross-linking envisaged modifying parameters such as swelling index, viscosity, flowability, sedimentation volume, flocculation efficiency, and retrogradation.

Conclusion: The study concluded CTG-ECH and CTG-B as the cross-linked gums displaying significantly modified properties. The CTG-ECH displayed better compressibility, flowability, viscosity, retrogradation, and flocculation efficiency, while the CTG-B was better in terms of freeze-thaw stability and sedimentation volume. In addition, the fabricated gums displayed distinct surface morphology which suggested their enhanced drug loading capacity. Therefore, the results of the study present their utility as novel bio-polymeric materials.

Phytochemical-mediated silver nanoparticles synthesized from Vachellia sieberiana suppress redoxinflammatory signaling in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced organ toxicity

Oladayo Daniel, Afolabi — 2026-06-01

Background: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are central drivers of chemically induced organ injury and colorectal carcinogenesis, particularly following exposure to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), a potent pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory carcinogen. Plant-mediated nanotechnology has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the bioactivity and systemic efficacy of phytochemicals against oxido-inflammatory damage. This study investigated the protective effects of Vachellia sieberiana–functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on DMH-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in male Wistar rats.

Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous leaf extract of V. sieberiana and characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, confirming nanoparticle formation with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 437 nm. Oxidative and inflammatory stress was induced by weekly subcutaneous administration of DMH (25 mg/kg) for six weeks, alongside oral treatment with V. sieberiana–AgNPs (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were quantified in the colon, liver, and kidney, while colonic IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured using ELISA. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results: DMH markedly suppressed colonic GPx (61.43%), GST (68.72%), GSH (57.07%), and SOD (42.45%), with a concomitant increase in MDA levels (39.55%, p < 0.05). Hepatic and renal tissues showed similar antioxidant depletion, including reductions in hepatic GPx (73.53%) and renal GSH (65.51%), alongside significant elevations in MDA (up to 73.25%). V. sieberiana–AgNPs dose-dependently restored antioxidant defenses and reduced lipid peroxidation, achieving MDA reductions of 54.38% in the colon and 47.15% in the kidney at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01). DMH-induced increases in colonic IL-6 (23.42%), IL-1β (43.30%), and TNF-α (18.37%) were significantly attenuated following AgNPs treatment.

Conclusion: Vachellia sieberiana–functionalized silver nanoparticles confer significant protection against DMH-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory injury, highlighting their potential as phytochemical-based nanotherapeutics for managing chemically induced tissue damage.

Mapping International and Regional Collaboration Networks in African Traditional Medicine Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000 – 2024)

Samuel Ankamah — 2026-06-01

Background: African Traditional Medicine (ATM) plays a central role in healthcare across Africa and contributes to global drug discovery through its long-standing use of herbal, ritual, and spiritual practices. Although research output in ATM has increased, evidence on international and regional collaboration patterns remains limited. Understanding these partnerships is critical for strengthening research productivity, knowledge exchange, and the integration of traditional medicine into formal healthcare systems.

Methods: A descriptive bibliometric analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed ATM-related publications indexed in the Scopus database from 2000 to 2024. Publication trends, authorship patterns, institutional productivity, and country-level collaborations were analysed. Co-authorship and collaboration networks were visualised using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix (R package).

Results: A total of 2,392 publications were identified, representing an approximately 85-fold increase over the study period. South Africa led research output (37.4%), followed by Nigeria (4.8%), while the United States and the United Kingdom were the main non-African collaborators. Van Staden J., Afolayan A. J., and Maroyi A. were the most prolific authors. South African institutions, particularly the University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Pretoria, and University of Fort Hare, dominated institutional output. Strong collaborative links were observed between South Africa and Nigeria, the USA, and the UK, with additional contributions from France, Germany, India, and Australia.

Conclusions: ATM research has expanded substantially, with South Africa serving as a key collaboration hub. However, intra-African collaboration remains limited. Strengthening regional partnerships, institutional capacity, and funding is essential for advancing evidence-based traditional medicine in Africa.

Antiviral Activity of Indigenous Medicinal Plants in Kenya and Their Potential Role in Managing Viral Infections: A Systematic Review

RAPHAEL LWEMBE — 2026-06-01

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of indigenous medicinal plants to manage viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), Herpes, Hepatitis, and measles is a global practice, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reliance on traditional remedies increased significantly. However, concerns remain regarding the scientific validation of efficacy, dosage and safety of these remedies.

Objective: To systematically summarise the available scientific evidence on the antiviral properties of Kenyan medicinal plants and highlight those suitable for further pharmacological research and development.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Google Scholar and PubMed using Boolean combinations of keywords: “antiviral,” “activity,” “herbal,” “plant,” and “Kenya.” Eligible sources included original research articles, conference papers, and abstracts that assessed antiviral activity through in vitro, in-vivo, or clinical methods.

Results: Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 54 plant species evaluated, 28 exhibited antiviral activity against six viruses: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (14 plants), herpes simlex virus (HSV) (9), measles virus (MV) (5), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) (4), hepatitis B virus (HBV) (3), and dengue virus (DV) (1).

Conclusion: Several Kenyan medicinal plants show promising antiviral properties. Further research is needed to investigate their mechanisms of action, toxicity/safety, and dosaging to support their integration into evidence-based healthcare.

Plant-Derived Bioactive Proteins and Peptides as Emerging Therapeutics: Current Evidence and Potential Translational Challenges

Makarim Osman — 2026-06-01

Medicinal plants have long served as a cornerstone of traditional therapies, primarily recognized for their rich repertoire of secondary metabolites. Beyond these small molecules, plants produce a diverse array of proteins endowed with potent bioactive properties that remain comparatively underexplored in modern drug discovery. This review aims to consolidate and highlight the current knowledge on major families of plant-derived proteins and peptides with medicinal value, with particular emphasis on their mechanisms of action, therapeutic limitations, mitigation strategies, and translational potential. A narrative literature survey was conducted using peer-reviewed studies to feature plant proteins/peptides, such as lectins, pathogen-related proteins, RIPs, proteases, etc., with reported medicinal values. The review highlights how plant proteins exert therapeutic effects through defined molecular interactions, including enzymatic catalysis, selective membrane disruption, receptor binding, immune modulation, and interference with pathogen or cancer-associated cellular processes, resulting in antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. It is believed that the evolutionary diversification and lineage-specific expansion of these protein families have generated extensive functional variability, increasing the likelihood of identifying molecules with novel or enhanced bioactivity. Advances in genomics, proteomics, and recombinant expression technologies have further accelerated protein discovery, functional characterization, and bioengineering, enabling improved specificity, stability, and delivery. Collectively, the evidence supports plant-derived proteins as a versatile and multifunctional class of biomolecules that complement conventional small-molecule therapeutics, while underscoring the need for systematic characterization, optimized production strategies, and well-designed preclinical and clinical studies to support their future application in disease prevention, management, and biomedical innovation.

Medicinal Significance, Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Properties of Prunus persica (L.): A Review

Daniya Nadeem — 2026-06-01

Peaches, scientifically named Prunus persica Linn. and belonging to the Rosaceae family, have been found to be very acceptable due to their taste, nutritional, and therapeutic qualities. Peaches are native to China but widely grown around the globe. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or even frozen. In this review, the pharmacological activities of the peach plant, including the leaves, fruits, bark, and seeds, will be discussed. According to the chemical composition, Peach has very high antioxidant properties because components such as flavonoids, hydroxyl-cinnamates, polyphenols, and glutathione remove free radicals and apply antioxidant effects at the cell level. These include quercetin, catechin, persuasive, and cyanogenic glycosides, which inhibit inflammatory enzymes and pathways. The fruit also has anticancer properties whereby polyphenols, flavonoids, peptides, glycosides, and phenols hinder the growth of the tumors, cause the death of the cells, and also stop the spreading of the cancer cells. Furthermore, peach contains flavonoids, phenolics, sterols, and nano-silver, which are associated with its antimicrobial action against hosts of microorganisms. It is reported to possess an anti-allergic effect by suppressing histamine release and regulating allergic reactions. Therefore, Prunus persica is a versatile medicine plant with multiple pharmacological importance and may be used therapeutically in the near future. More research is required to examine its comprehensive potential for wellness and health related to the present sources of bioactive compounds.

Wound Healing and Pharmacological Properties of the Siddha Formulation Mathan Thailam: A Narrative Review

Bhavna Kumari — 2026-06-01

Wound healing remains a significant concern in clinical practice, especially in chronic and infected wounds, where delayed healing can lead to serious complications and increased healthcare costs. The rising problem of antimicrobial resistance has encouraged a renewed interest in traditional systems of medicine as alternative options for wound care, even though conventional treatments are often effective. The Siddha system of medicine offers several medicated oils for external application, one of which is Mathan Thailam, a formulation that has been used for a long time in the treatment of burns, infected wounds, and ulcers.In this review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords including “Mathan Thailam,” “wound healing,” and “Siddha medicine.” Studies published in English up to 2025 were considered, including preclinical experiments, traditional Siddha texts, and selected case reports; studies lacking relevant data were excluded. Evidence was synthesized narratively to evaluate pharmacological properties, mechanisms of action, and clinical outcomes. Mathan Thailam formulation is prepared using Datura leaf extract, purified copper sulfate, and coconut oil. Earlier reports indicate that this preparation shows antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing effects. Preclinical data suggest that topical application of Mathan Thailam accelerates wound healing through increased collagen deposition, greater tensile strength, and improved epithelialization. It is thought that these effects are linked to changes in inflammatory mediators(TNF-α, IL-10) as well as better antioxidant defense systems and angiogenesis. Clinical evidence however remains limited and is largely confined to observational case reports documenting symptomatic improvement and reduction in wound size in chronic ulcers. In the absence of controlled clinical trials, such observations should be interpreted with caution. Overall, the existing literature indicates that Mathan Thailam possesses wound-healing potential that is supported mainly by preclinical data. Further well-designed clinical studies are required to establish its safety, efficacy, and therapeutic relevance within evidence-based wound-care practice.

A Comprehensive Review of the Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds, and Health- Promoting Potential of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn (Finger Millet)

Fakeha Shaikh — 2026-06-01

Eleusine coracana (finger millet), also known as Ragi is a traditional cereal extensively cultivated in India and parts of Africa, is gaining attention as a nutrient-dense food with multiple health-promoting properties. It is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Processing methods such as germination, fermentation, malting, and roasting have been shown to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of these bioactive compounds, further improving the nutritional and functional quality of finger millet-based foods. Scientific studies indicate that finger millet regulates oxidative stress, improves enzymatic antioxidant defenses, lowers postprandial glucose, modulates gut microbiota, inhibits pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and exhibits cytotoxic and chemopreventive effects against various cancer cell lines. Its prebiotic properties also support beneficial gut microbes, contributing to overall metabolic and immune health. This review consolidates current research on the phytochemical composition, biological activities, and therapeutic potential of Eleusine coracana, emphasizing its role as a functional food and a natural source of health-promoting compounds. Future research should focus on detailed characterization of bioactive constituents, optimization of processing techniques, and the development of nutraceuticals to fully harness the functional, therapeutic, and disease-preventive potential of finger millet.

Bridging Tradition and Science in Herbal Medicine

Emadeldin H. Konozy — 2026-06-01

The evolution of man and that of plants have an inseparable connection. Since time immemorial, the birthplace of man has also been the birthplace of medicine, where the harmonious interplay of nature and need gave rise to what is today known as African Traditional Medicine (ATM). As we embark upon this special issue on Traditional and Herbal Medicine: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Health Research by the Integrated Health Research Journal (IHRJ), we stand at an important crossroad. We are not only preserving the knowledge of our forefathers but also integrating their botanical legacy into contemporary medical practice through rigorous scientific investigation.