Introduction: Fungal endophytes of medicinal plants origin are gaining increasing interest as sources of novel bioactive agents with therapeutic capacity. This study was designed to identify and evaluate secondary metabolites isolated from Fusarium equiseti; an endophytic fungus isolated from leaves of Ocimum gratissimum for their antimicrobial potentials. Methods: The isolation and molecular identification of the endophytic fungus, as well as fermentation, and extraction of secondary metabolites were carried out following standard laboratory procedures. The crude extract was partially purified by partitioning into different fractions using column chromatographic techniques and the fractions were tested for antimicrobial activity. The phytoconstituents in the bioactive fractions were detected by dereplication using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography linked with Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD). Results:  Our findings showed that fraction 4 (DCM/ Methanol fraction 95:5) exhibited moderate to strong inhibition against the test micro-organisms namely, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans with MIC values in the range of 0.03 to 1 mg/mL but had no inhibition against Aspergillus niger and Salmonella typhi. The compounds detected in the HPLC assay include Phomoxanthone A, Scalarolide, equisetin, epi-equisetin an episomer of equisetin, Naamine A, Carbonarone A, destruxin B, cytosporin G, and WLIP (β-hydroxydecanoyl-Leu1-D Glu-De-Thr-Dval-DLeu3 DSer-Leu-Dser-Ile). These compounds have been reported to possess antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: The detection of these metabolites further confirms the potential of the endophytic fungus, Fusarium equiseti isolated from leaves of Ocimum gratissimum as a potential source of bioactive molecules for treatment of infectious diseases.

Endophytes have continued to gain fame due to their ability to produce an array of secondary metabolites within the host system with huge untapped pharmacological potentials. This study was carried out to further identify and isolate novel therapeutic compounds from Fusarium equiseti, an Endophytic fungus isolated from leaves of Ocimum gratissimum. Endophytic fungal isolation, fungal fermentation, and extraction of secondary metabolites were carried out using standard laboratory methods. The crude extracts of Fusarium equiseti were subjected to further chromatographic techniques using vacuum liquid chromatography, Sephadex LH 20 and semipreparative HPLC for isolation of bioactive compounds. The fractions and the isolated compounds obtained were further subjected to high performance liquid chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD). The analytical HPLC led to the further detection of many bioactive compounds namely: Enniatin A, Aureonitol, Serasinoside H1, Altenusin, Aplysinamisin, benzylnitril, ruspolinone and Orientin. Semipreparative HPLC led to the isolation of 6 pure compounds of which two were identified as benzylnitril, and ruspolinone. The remaining four were not identified due to lack of library hits. The detected and the isolated compounds have been previously shown to exhibit a wide array of biological activities including antiviral, antifungal, hepatoprotection, antibacterial, anticancer, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties. The unidentified compounds may hold enormous potential as new bioactive lead compounds for development into novel therapeutic agents. Therefore, the Endophytic fungus, Fusarium equiseti should be harnessed for its potential pharmacological, pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenal mucosa. This study was aimed at evaluating the antiulcer activity of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (black seed) and its constitutents. The pharmacognostic properties of the dry seeds were determined. The seeds were extracted using two methods digestion and hydro-distillation. The acute toxicity, phytochemical constituents and the antiulcer evaluation were performed on ethanol-induced ulcer in wistar rats using a standard method. FTIR and GC-MS analysis of the aqueous seed extract was also determined using standard methods. Nigella sativa seed shows the presence of starch grains, lignified tissues, tannins, cellulose, protein and oil globules. The aqueous extract has a high safety margin. The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, fats and oil. The black seed aqueous and oil extract at 500 mg/kg significantly reduced the acidity, total acidity, and ulcer index, and pH of gastric content when compared with the positive control (Famotidine). The FTIR analysis identified the presence of the following functional groups chloro, ether, amine, carboxylic acid, nitriles, methylene, alcohol, while the GC-MS identified five compounds such as glycerin, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid-methyl ester, 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid and 9, 12-octadecadienoyl chloride. The pharmacognostic properties can act as a reliable tool for the standardization of the plant part. This study suggests that aqueous and oil extract possess antiulcer properties. Thus the aqueous and oil extract of black seed can be considered as antiulcer medication traditionally. Keywords: Nigella sativa, Black seed, Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical, Acute toxicity (LD50), Antiulcer.

Background: Various studies have been conducted to identify drug candidates to combat the virus, meanwhile some persons believe that consuming herbal medicines or medicinal plants that act as immunomodulators can prevent or even cure COVID-19. It was reported that about 85% of COVID-19 patients in China received combined treatment with Traditional and Complementary Medicine and regular medication. Recent systematic review has shown that herbal medicines can be significantly effective in alleviating different disease symptoms, including COVID-19. Objectives: The study was conducted to identify different herbal preparations and medicinal plants used in the prevention of COVI-19 and its symptoms. Methods: About twenty-five (25) different journal articles obtained from Pubmed, Elsevier, Hindawi, PLOS ONE, African Journals Online (AJOL), Lancet, Research gate, Google scholar and other journal hubs, relating to the use of herbal medicines and medicinal plants on prevention management of COVID-19 and related infection and its symptoms were reviewed and summarized to generate useful data and document the various herbs and medicinal plants employed in managing COVID-19. Results: From the results obtained, various plants have been tested across the globe as possible candidate in the prevention and management of COVID-19 symptoms. Some of the notable medicinal plants reported to have such properties include Artemisia annua, neem tree (Azadirachta indica), Garlic (Allium sativum), Lime or Lemon (Citrus limonum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale, Xanthorrhizol (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), Cinchona bark (Cinchona sp.), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), among others. Conclusion: Herbal medicines might have the capabilities to regulate the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines, interfere with the development of the virus in host cells, and modify certain molecular pathways related to the RAA system; hence many herbal agents might be useful in the prevention and possible treatment of COVID-19.