Phytochemical study and evaluation of the anti-radical, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of the leaves of Tetracera rosiflora Gilg (Dilleniaceae)
Authors
Christophe Muanyishay Lukanda, Carlos Kabengele Nkongolo, Fatuma Luhahi Lumba, Sebastien Luyindula Ndiku, Pius Mpiana Tshimankinda
Share
Annotation
Tetracera Tetracera rosiflora is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat a number of ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, dysentery, hepatitis , etc. This study aimed to evaluate the microscopic, phytochemical, and biological characteristics of total aqueous and organic extracts of Tetracera leaves. rosiflora Gilg ( Dilleniaceae ), a plant used in traditional African medicine. Histological examination revealed several distinctive diagnostic features, including polycytic stomata , unicellular hairs, spiral vessels, and calcium oxalate crystals, which are reliable identification markers. Phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins , and saponins. Quantitative assays showed a high total polyphenol content (42.12 ± 1.14 mg GAE/g), confirming the species' rich antioxidant content. Biological tests revealed marked antioxidant activity, greater in the low-concentration aqueous extract, and significant anti-inflammatory activity, especially in the organic extract (maximum inhibition: 80.20%). Cytotoxicity assessment showed low to moderate toxicity (hemolysis rate < 50%), suggesting a satisfactory safety profile. Overall, Tetracera rosiflora is distinguished by a rich phytochemical composition and notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, justifying its traditional uses and supporting its potential for the development of plant-based therapeutic products.
Keywords
Authors
Christophe Muanyishay Lukanda, Carlos Kabengele Nkongolo, Fatuma Luhahi Lumba, Sebastien Luyindula Ndiku, Pius Mpiana Tshimankinda
Share
References:
Seudi , AK, Muanyishay , CL, Muabu , AK, Bulubulu , FO, Kazadi , TK, Amogu , JD, Tshiongo , CM, Taba , KM, & Ntumba , JK (2025). Extraction of secondary metabolites responsible for biological activities from the leaf callus of Tetracera rosiflora . Orapuh Journal, 6(5), e1243. https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/index.php/orapj/article/view/e1243
Muanyishay , CL, Mutwale , PK, Diamuini , AN, Luhahi , FL, Ngombe, NK, Luyindula , SN, & Mpiana , PT (2018). Microscopic features , chromatographic fingerprints and antioxidant property of Tetracera rosiflora Gilg . Scholars Bulletin, 4(5), 451–459. https://saudijournals.com/articles/9582
Ogunlakin , A., & Sonibare , M. (2022). Phytochemistry and biology activities of Tetracera species . Trends in Phytochemicals Research , 6(1), 1–20. https://oiccpress.com/tpr/article/view/11836
Kamisah , Y., Othman, F., & Jaarin , K. (2013). Anti-cancer properties of Dillenia suffruticosa root extract by induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest . Journal of Ethnopharmacology , 146(2), 525–535. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23353897
Santos, AT, Ragasa , CY, De Roxas, MB, Mandia , EH, Brkljača , R., & Urban, S. (2019). Cytotoxic triterpenes from the leaves of Dillenia philippinensis . Natural Product Research , 34(23), 3421–3425. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31759350
Silva, LF, Silva, RB, Souza, CR, et al. (2024). Phyto -cytogenotoxic potential assessment of Davilla nitida and Davilla elliptica ( Dilleniaceae ). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health , Part A, 87(11), 635–648. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2024.2397649
Naeem, A., Hu, P., Yang, M., Zhang, J., Liu, Y., Zhu, W. and Zheng, Q. (2022). Natural products as anticancer agents: current state and future prospects. Molecules, 27(23), 8367.
Carlos N. Kabengele , Etienne M. Ngoyi, Giresse N. Kasiama, Jason T. Kilembe , Aristote Matondo, Clement L. Inkoto , Emmanuel M. Lengbiye , Clement M. Mbadiko , Jean Jacques D. Amogu , Gedeon N. Bongo…Pius T. Mpiana: Antihelminthic Activity, Phytochemical Profile and Microscopic Characteristics of Ocimum basilicum Collected in DR Congo. AJOB, 10(3): 42-50, 2020.
Kasiama GN, Kabengele CN, Kilembe JT, Kitadi JM, Mifundu M., Ngbolua JP, ... & Tshimankinda PT (2023). Green Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Ag- Mno Nanocomposites from Cyttaranthus Congolensis . Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, 24-36.
Kasiama, GN, Ikey, A., Kabengele, CN, Kilembe , JT, Matshimba , EN, Bete , JM, ... and Mpiana, PT (2022). Activities anthelmintic and antioxidant profile phytochemicals and characteristics microscopic samples of Senna alata collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Biol, 37, 28-36.
Lebreton P, Jay M, Voirin B. On the qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids. Chem. Anal. (Paris). 1967; 49(7):375-383.
Dohou N, Yamni K, Tahrouch S, Hassani LM, Badoc A. Gmiran . Phytochemical screening of an Ibero-Moroccan endemic, thymelaea lythroids . Bull. Soc. Pharma. Bordeaux; 2003.
Ghaoui Abir, NHHR (2023) . Activity Evaluation antioxidant from two medicinal plants (Calendula suffruticosa and Drimia) anthericoides ).
Kumari C. Sree, N. Yasmin, RM Hussain and M. Babuselvam . Invitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic property of rhizopora mucronata leaves. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR). Flight.; 6 (2015) 3. ISSN: 0975 9492.
Kaźmierczak, T., Bonarska -Kujawa, D., Męczarska , K., Cyboran-Mikołajczyk, S., Oszmiański , J., & Kapusta, I. (2023). Analysis of the polyphenolic composition of vaccinium L. extracts and their effect protective on the membranes of red blood cells. Membranes, 13(6), 589.
Akoubet , et al. (2022). Histological and pharmacognostic study of Picralima nitida ( Apocynaceae ). Journal of Ethnopharmacology , 275, 114–128.
Ukwubile , C.A. (2013). Comparative pharmacognostic study of Ficus abutilifolia miq .( Moraceae ) plant leaf, stem bark, and root. Int. J.Adv. Pharm. Organic. Chem, 2(1), 90-98.
Alamgir, ANM (2017). Pharmacognostical Botany: Classification of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), botanical taxonomy, morphology, and anatomy of drug plants. In Therapeutic use of medicinal plants and their extracts: Volume 1: Pharmacognosy (pp. 177-293). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Dalia, F., & Bentchouala , C. (2022). Study of the main medicinal plants aromatics used traditionally in infectious diseases respiratory in Northeast Algeria (Doctoral dissertation, University Constantine 3 Salah Boubnider , Faculty of Medicine ).
Ansari, P., Reberio , A.D., Ansari, NJ, Kumar, S., Khan, J.T., Chowdhury, S., ... and Seidel, V. (2025). Potential therapeutics of medicinal plants and their Phytoconstituents in diabetes , cancer, infections, cardiovascular diseases , inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders . Biopharmaceuticals , 13(2), 454.
Imene, BAKHOUCHE (2021). Phytochemical study and evaluation of properties biological of a plant spontaneous Algerian : Limonium delicatulum (Doctoral dissertation).
Trik, S. (2020). Synthesis on activities biological d'Arbutus unedo L (Doctoral dissertation, Mouloud Mammeri University).
Khamel, A., Salhi, S., & Baghiani , AE (2024). Potential assessment antioxidant and anti- inflammatory of five compounds flavonoids isolated from Varthemia iphionoides ( Boiss&Blanche ).
Antioxidant Interactions synergistic and antagonistic combinations phytochemicals food science . Critical reviews in food science and nutrition , 62(20), 5658-5677.
Ladeska, V., Elya, B., Hanafi, M. and Rohmat , SS (2024). Assessment pharmacognostics and activities antioxidants from Tetracera indica ( Christm . et Panz .) Merr . HAYATI Journal of Biosciences, 31(5), 836-853.
Kittiwisut , S., Amnuoypol , S., Pathompak , P. and Setharaksa , S. (2021). α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory effects with antioxidant activity of Tetracera loureiri (Finet & Gagnep .) Extracts of leaves of Pierre ex Craib . Pharmaceutical Sciences in Asia , 48 (2).
Roheem , FO, Ahmed, QU, So'ad , SM, Shah, SAA, Latip , J., Alhassan , AM, and Mohammad, SS (2020). Evaluation of the free radical scavenging and digestive enzyme inhibitory activities of extract, fractions, and compounds isolated from Tetracera leaves macrophylla . Journal of phytotherapy , 22 , 100351.
Akinmoladun , AC, Ibukun, EO, Aiyegoro , OA, & Akinrinlola , BL (2015). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Tetracera alnifolia Willd. leaf extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 162, 137–146.
Agbor, G.A., Kuate, D., & Oben, JE (2018). Medicinal plants of the genus Tetracera and their pharmacological potentials. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 12(24), 112–119.
Olayemi, S.O., Adetutu, A., & Adesanya, S.A. (2019). Bioactive triterpenes and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory potential from Tetracera species. Natural Product Research, 33(4), 543–550.
Ayele, TT, Mekonnen, YT, & Tadesse, EG (2020). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Tetracera scandens extract. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20, 102.
Ibrahim, MA, Lawal, AM, & Bello, AM (2021). Effect of extraction solvents on the anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenol-rich plant extracts. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 11(3), 95–101.
Adesina, S.K., Idowu, O., Ogundaini , A.O., Oladimeji, H., Olugbade , T.A., Onawunmi , G.O., & Pais, M. (2013). Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Tetracera potatoria and Tetracera alnifolia ( Dilleniaceae ). Phytotherapy Research, 27(8), 1218–1223. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4841
Abubakar, MS, Musa, AM, Ahmed, A., & Hussaini, IM (2016). The perception and practice of traditional medicine in the treatment of diseases in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 194, 387–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.018
Eze, PM, Eze, CN, Abba, CC, Nnadi, CO, & Esimone , CO (2020). Evaluation of the cytotoxic and antioxidant potentials of Tetracera scandens Linn. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), 198. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02994-2
Other articles of the issue
