European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Medicinal Plants in Migraine Management: A Narrative Review

G. Sujatha — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Migraine is a prevalent chronic neurovascular disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia, and it substantially impairs quality of life. Migraine is broadly categorised into migraine with aura and migraine without aura, while diagnosis depends primarily on clinical history, symptom assessment, and the International Classification of Headache Disorders guidelines. Conventional pharmacological therapies, including ergot alkaloids, analgesics, triptans, calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists, beta-blockers, and antidepressants, are widely used for acute and preventive migraine management. However, prolonged use of these synthetic agents is commonly associated with adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, cardiovascular complications, dizziness, and medication-overuse headache. This narrative review evaluates the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and their bioactive phytoconstituents in migraine management. Data were collected from Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Springer Link, Oxford University Press, MDPI, and Taylor and Francis Online. The reviewed literature indicates that selected medicinal plants may influence migraine-related pathways through modulation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, nociceptive signalling, and vascular dysfunction. Key phytoconstituents discussed include parthenolide from Tanacetum parthenium, petasin and isopetasin from Petasites hybridus, valerenic acid from Valeriana officinalis, linalool from Lavandula angustifolia, and withanolides from Withania somnifera. These compounds are reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, vasorelaxant, and neuromodulatory activities. Overall, medicinal plants may offer complementary, multitargeted options for migraine management. Nevertheless, the limited availability of large-scale, well-controlled clinical trials restricts definitive conclusions regarding their long-term efficacy, safety, dosage standardisation, and integration with conventional therapy.

Ethnobotanical Assessment of Herbal Remedies Used for Stomach Disorders, Diarrhoea and Dysentery: A Critical Global Review

Saraswati Majhi, Prerna Soni, Premchandra Oinam, Sanjeet Kumar — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhoea and dysentery, remain significant contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide, disproportionately affecting populations in low- and middle-income countries. Across diverse cultural traditions, herbal medicine has long served as the primary or supplementary means of managing these conditions, and a substantial body of ethnobotanical research now documents the plant species employed, the modes of preparation, and the communities that use them. This review critically examines the ethnobotanical evidence base underpinning the use of medicinal plants for stomach disorders, diarrhoea, and dysentery, synthesising findings from studies published between January 2010 and February 2026. The review evaluates the congruence between traditional knowledge and pharmacological validation, considers the methodological quality of ethnobotanical surveys, identifies the most consistently reported plant families and species, and assesses the degree to which bioactive compounds have been characterised and attributed mechanistic activity. Across the literature, families such as Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae emerge as predominant sources of antidiarrhoeal and antiulcer remedies, with preparations typically involving aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extracts administered orally. In vitro and In vivo studies corroborate antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antisecretory mechanisms for many of the reported species, yet critical gaps persist in clinical translation, standardisation, and safety assessment. The review also addresses conservation concerns, intellectual property tensions, and the integration of ethnobotanical knowledge into primary healthcare frameworks. It concludes with a call for methodologically rigorous, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged research to bridge the substantial distance between field documentation and therapeutic application.

Comparative In vitro Antioxidant Potential of Leaf, Bark, and Stem Extracts of Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.

Zoofishan Kazi, Vijaya Lobo — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. is a high-value species known for its phytochemical richness, although the comparative bioactive potential of its different plant parts remains underexplored. The present study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant potential of ethanolic leaf (ELDL), stem (ESDL), and bark (EBDL) extracts of D. latifolia. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of major secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and sterols. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents showed minor, non-significant variation among extracts (P > 0.05), with ELDL showing the highest phenolic content (8.09 ± 1.12 mg GAE/g) and ESDL showing the highest flavonoid content (3.68 ± 0.01 mg QE/g). Antioxidant activity was assessed using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reducing power assay (RPA), DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging assays. TAC differed significantly among extracts, with EBDL showing the highest activity (323.83 ± 3.70 mg AAE/g), followed by ESDL and ELDL (P < 0.05). In contrast, RPA values were statistically comparable among extracts (p = 0.1621). In DPPH, ELDL and ESDL showed comparable IC₅₀ values (16.00 ± 0.76 and 16.18 ± 0.18 µg/mL) and significantly stronger activity than EBDL (31.26 ± 3.67 µg/mL; P < 0.0001). Similarly, in ABTS, ELDL and ESDL showed lower IC₅₀ values than EBDL (P < 0.0001), with ELDL comparable to the standard Trolox (P = 0.0563). The findings demonstrate assay-dependent antioxidant variation in D. latifolia, with bark showing stronger total antioxidant capacity and leaf and stem extracts showing superior radical scavenging activity. This study can help understand tissue-specific bioactivity and its therapeutic use to guide extraction as well as spatial isolation and characterization of the phytoconstituents.

Phytochemical Profiling and Characterization of the Ethanol Leaf Extract of Buchholzia coriacea (Wonderful Kola) Using GC–MS Analysis

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Buchholzia coriacea is a medicinal plant widely used in West African traditional medicine for treating ailments such as diabetes, malaria, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders. Its leaves contain bioactive phytochemicals with strong antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, making it a promising natural alternative to synthetic drugs.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, anti-nutrient content, antioxidant activity, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) characteristics, and GC–MS profile of ethanol leaf extracts from fresh and freeze-dried Buchholzia coriacea.

Study Design: An experimental laboratory-based study involving qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses, spectroscopic characterization, and chromatographic profiling.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in a laboratory setting of the Federal University of Technology, Akure and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology Ikere Ekiti, over a defined experimental period.

Methodology: Ethanol extracts were prepared from both fresh leaf extract (FLE) and dried leaf extract (DLE) of Buchholzia coriacea. Standard procedures were employed to determine phytochemical constituents (qualitative and quantitative) and anti-nutrient levels. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Functional groups were identified using FTIR spectroscopy, while GC–MS analysis was used to characterize the chemical constituents of the extracts.

Results: Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and anthraquinones in both extracts. Quantitative analysis revealed significantly higher concentrations in DLE compared to FLE, with alkaloids (7.92 ± 0.17 mg/g), saponins (5.28 ± 0.10 mg/g), and flavonoids (4.61 ± 0.15 mg/g) being predominant. GC–MS analysis identified 13 compounds in FLE, mainly caffeine (8.78%), n-hexadecanoic acid (7.68%), and octadecane (6.59%), while 19 compounds were detected in DLE, dominated by n-hexadecanoic acid (28.82%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (28.40%), and lupeol (7.17%). The extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with DPPH scavenging values of 84.45% (FLE) and 85.81% (DLE) at 30 mg/mL. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, aromatic, ether, and amine functional groups.

Conclusion: The findings validate the ethnomedicinal relevance of Buchholzia coriacea and highlight its potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds, supporting its prospective application in pharmaceutical development.

Comparative Metabolite Profiling of Sauropus androgynus (L) Merril: Influence of Hydroponic and Soil Cultivation on Alkaloid and Triterpenoid Composition

Shital Chaukhande, Mangesh Dagawal, Vinay Khare — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merrill is a medicinal plant that holds significant therapeutic value. This study investigates the impact of hydroponic cultivation on the phytochemical profile of Sauropus androgynus (L). Merrill, in comparison to traditional soil-based farming. The main emphasis is on the compositions of alkaloids and triterpenoids. The plants were cultivated in controlled hydroponic and potting soil conditions, and the harvested leaves underwent analysis through High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) for fingerprint profiling and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) for quantitative assessment. Results indicate that hydroponic cultivation significantly modifies the secondary metabolite composition of S. androgynus. LC-MS findings revealed elevated levels of important alkaloids, including pseudoephedrine, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, and L-(1-naphthyl) thiourea and identified prominent triterpenoids such as betulinic, ganoderic, and oleanolic acids in both cultivation systems, although their concentrations differed based on the growing method. HPTLC fingerprinting supported these variations, displaying unique banding patterns for samples grown hydroponically versus those grown in soil. Overall, these findings emphasise the significant impact of cultivation methods on the phytochemical profile relevant to medicinal benefits and safety in S. androgynus, advocating for hydroponics as an effective approach to cultivating valuable, metabolite-rich medicinal plants sustainably.

Chemical Composition and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from the Leaves and Bark of Alstonia boonei De Wild

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Alstonia boonei De Wild is used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases according to the literature. This study aimed to characterise the chemical composition of essential oils obtained from the leaves and bark of Alstonia boonei De Wild acclimatised in Congo and to evaluate their antioxidant potential. In this study, the essential oils of the leaves and bark of Alstonia boonei were analysed by GC-MS and GC/FID, and their antioxidant activity was tested by TLC. Fifty and sixty-one chemical compounds were identified, including alkanes (24.60%), fatty acids (17.59%), aldehydes (12.01%), sesquiterpenes (4.10%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (6.16%) as major families in the essential oil of the leaves, and fatty acids (32.32%), oxygenated monoterpenes (12.96%) in that of the bark. n-heptane (15.25%), palmitic acid (13.72%), pentadecanal (8.68%), n-nonacosane (5.79%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (2.94%) and phytol (2.15%) are the most abundant compounds in the essential oil of the leaves, and hexadecanoic acid (32.32%), α-terpineol (7.66%) and eugenol (6.28%) in that of the bark. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of the essential oils from Alstonia boonei. revealed spots with retention factors (Rf) of 0.44 for the leaves and 0.83 for the bark, confirming the presence of antioxidant compounds.