BIOACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF GUIERA SENEGALENSISJ.F.GMEL (COMBRETACAE)

The phytochemical constituents of Guiera senegalensis, a widely used traditional medicinal plant in Africa, were investigated for their potential biological activities. Ethanolic extracts of G. senegalensis leaves were fractionated, and the resulting fractions were analyzed using GC-MS and NMR techniques. Forty compounds were identified by comparing their spectral data with published references. The hexane extract exhibited promising anti-leishmanial activity against Leishmania major, with an IC₅₀ of 16.69 ± 0.3 µg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction showed moderate activity (IC₅₀ = 89.63 ± 0.6 µg/mL), while dichloromethane fractions were inactive at concentrations exceeding 100 µg/mL. The extract demonstrated limited antibacterial activity, inhibiting only Bacillus subtilis with a 60.31% inhibition rate, and showed no antifungal effects. Cytotoxicity testing on 3T3 cells revealed less than 50% inhibition, indicating minimal toxicity at tested concentrations. These findings support the ethnopharmacological relevance of G. senegalensis and highlight its potential as a source of anti-leishmanial drug candidates.