Researchers Uncover Bioactive Compounds in Medicinal Plants with Anti-Diabetes and Anti-Cancer Properties

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Scientists at the Faculty of Sciences in Medea, Algeria have been studying the bioactive properties of five medicinal plants traditionally used to treat diabetes and cancer. The researchers, led by Faculty of Sciences, have been analyzing the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from ginger, ephedra alata, ajuga iva, nettle, and graviola (anonna muricata). Their study, published in Microbiology Research, reveals that these plants exhibit significant biological activities, including antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examined the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of five medicinal plants: ginger, ephedra alata, ajuga iva, nettle, and graviola (anonna muricata).
  • The researchers found that ethanolic extracts contain higher concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids than aqueous extracts.
  • Maceration was found to be the more efficacious technique compared to decoction for ginger, graviola, and ajuga iva.
  • The aqueous extracts of ajuga iva and nettle demonstrated the highest inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
  • The study was complemented by an FTIR analysis of the different extracts.
  • The highest yield (27.465%) was observed in the case of the ethanolic extract of ginger.

Statistics:

  • The study found that ethanolic extracts contain higher concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids than aqueous extracts (16.6% vs. 12.3%).
  • The aqueous extracts of ajuga iva and nettle demonstrated the highest inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (92.1% and 86.5% respectively).
  • The highest yield (27.465%) was observed in the case of the ethanolic extract of ginger.
  • The study analyzed the antibacterial effect on four strains: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Sources:

  • Comparison of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Five Plants with Anti-Diabetes and Anti-Cancer Potential. Microbiology Research, 2025, 16(6):108. (Microbiology Research - https://www.pagepress.org/mr/)
  • Faculty of Sciences, Medea, Algeria
  • Nassiba Mimi, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Materiel Sciences, University Yahia Fares of Medea
  • Leila Madani, Djamila Kerrouche, Nabila Boucherit, Nabil Touzout, Jie Zhang, Abdeltif Amrane, Hichem Tahraoui.