Bioactive Compounds from African Medicinal Plants in Ulcerative Colitis: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Prospects -A Narrative Review
Blessing Oluwagbamila Omolaso*, Adedoyin Bisola Arogundade, Deborah Doyin Alade and Emmanuel Orire Ikuomola
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the rectum and colon. Despite the availability of standard therapies, many patients fail to achieve sustained remission, and current treatments are often associated with significant adverse effects, high costs, and limited accessibility particularly in resource-constrained regions such as Africa. The pathogenesis of UC is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental insults, epithelial barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and persistent oxidative stress. African traditional medicine provides a rich repository of medicinal plants historically employed in the management of gastrointestinal disorders, and growing preclinical evidence supports their therapeutic potential. For example, Alstonia boonei extracts have demonstrated potent anti-colitic activity by attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, with effects comparable to or exceeding certain conventional treatments. Other plants of ethnomedicinal relevance, including Aloe barbadensis, Vernonia amygdalina, and Azadirachta indica, contain diverse bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These compounds exert anti-colitic effects through mechanisms including inhibition of NF-κB signaling, suppression of COX-2 expression, antioxidant defense enhancement, and immunomodulatory modulation. While extensive traditional knowledge exists, rigorous scientific validation remains insufficient. Further investigations are required to elucidate mechanisms of action, confirm efficacy, and establish safety profiles. Bridging traditional knowledge with modern pharmacological research holds promise for developing accessible, affordable, and culturally acceptable complementary therapies to address the unmet needs of UC patients worldwide.
