Roots, leaves, and bark from plants have been known for their medicinal properties as their bioactive compounds have been utilized in traditional medicine for the past 60,000 years. However, the emergence of fast, efficient rational drug discovery methods has caused natural product research to take a secondary role in drug development. To remain competitive with these advanced methods, researchers must demonstrate the importance of natural products by continuing to identify lead compounds in key therapeutic areas such as immunosuppression, anti-infectives, and metabolic diseases. As such, an unknown plant sample known for its healing properties in diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer was obtained from Zambia. It was tested for its bioactivity through a series of isolations, purifications, characterizations. This included elemental analysis where an X-ray Florescence instrument indicated elements that were present. Potassium, calcium and strontium, that have previously been regarded as medically beneficial, were found to be in excess. Phytochemical screening used a series of reactions to indicate secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and others with therapeutic potential. Microwave assisted extraction techniques were utilized to isolate organic compounds for further analysis. Further testing will include assays to determine the complete bioactivity of the plant sample.

Extraction, characterization, and screening of plant extracts used in the traditional medicine of Zambia

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.