Sonibare, M. A. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2025

Molecular identification of Ageratum conyzoides Linn (asteracea) leaf using DNA barcoding technique

Background and AimsReliable and accurate identification of medicinal plants is very pivotal for their safe use and handling in new drug development. This study is aimed at identifying the leaf of A. conyzoides Linn plant by using popular DNA barcode technique. MethodsGenomic DNA was isolated from the plant sample followed its amplification through polymerase chain reaction convectional method. DNA barcoding specifically, Mat-K was used to identify and classify the plant sample. Consequently, plant sample was purified and sequenced. An evolutionary tree was constructed to assess A. conyzoides common ancestry. ResultsThe plant sample showed a high degree of homology with known sequences in NCBI database after blasting analysis. ConclusionsThe findings indicated that DNA barcoding is a reliable and effective for medicinal plant identification and Maturase K (mat-K gene) is a reliable option for this application.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

The Growth Inhibitory study of Methanol Extract and Fractions of Seeds of Chrysobalanus icaco (Chrysobalanceae)

BackgroundChrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) is a spice commonly used by the Ijaws, Itsekiris, and Urhobos in Delta State. In ethnomedicine, it helps treat conditions such as diarrhoea, diabetes, high cholesterol, infections, and inflammation. ObjectiveThe study evaluated the growth inhibitory effect of C. icaco seed and its chromatographic fractions. MethodThe powdered seed sample of C. icaco was extracted with 70% ethanol by cold maceration, and the extract was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites. The extract was subjected to a vacuum liquid chromatographic technique, and the extract and fractions were subjected to bench-top biological assay using the growth inhibitory radicle of Sorghum bicolor at a concentration (1-30 mg/mL) for duration of 96 h. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in data analysis and was represented as Mean Standard Error of Mean (SEM). ResultsSecondary metabolites present in the extract were alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, reducing sugar, terpenoids, proteins and amino acids, and phytosterols. The results revealed that the length of seed radicles progressively increased over time. The results showed that the length of seed radicles progressively increased over time. The extract reduced the length of the seed radicle by 14.51-58.39% and 66.44-84.74% at 20 and 30 mg/mL. The bulked vlc fractions BAF, BBF, and BDF significantly reduced the length of the radicle at 5 and 10 mg/mL, and bulked vlc BCF was effective at 10 mg/mL only. ConclusionThe study showed that the extract of C. icaco and its vlc fractions possess an anti-proliferative effect with medical relevance in the development of anticancer therapy. The growth inhibitory effects of the extract of C. icaco and its vlc fraction on Sorghum bicolor could be linked to the phytochemicals present, associated with potential anticancer activity.

cancer biology↗