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The role of African medicinal plants in dermatological treatments: a systematic review of antimicrobial, wound-healing and melanogenesis inhibition
(MDPI, 2025) Elmahaishi, Lubna MS; Fisher, Farzana; Africa, Charlene WJ
Background: Medicinal plants are widely used across the globe as complementary and alternative therapies for managing various health conditions. The use of medicinal plants is a fundamental component of the African traditional healthcare system and most diverse therapeutic practices. Africa harbors a variety of plant species, many of which are estimated to be endemic, making it a rich source of medicinal plants with potential relevance to human health. Aim of the study: The study aimed to review and highlight the information in the literature related to the antimicrobial activity, wound-healing activity, and melanogenesis inhibition of African medicinal plants. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines, a literature search was conducted on ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Medline Ebscohost, and PubMed, which were searched for articles published between 2018 and 2024. Due to high heterogeneity and variability in study designs, data were synthesized using a narrative approach. Result: A total of 37 studies were included. Emilia coccinea, Entada africana, Trichilia dregeana, Physalis angulata, and Prunus africana demonstrated strong wound-healing activity (100%) at concentrations between 5 and 10%. For melanogenesis inhibition, Ormocarpum trichocarpum (IC50 = 2.95 µg/mL), Limonium cercinense (IC50 = 3 µg/mL), and L. boitardii (IC50 = 5 µg/mL) showed the most potent effects. The strongest antimicrobial effects were reported for Harpagophytum procumbens (MIC = 10 µg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis and Pistacia atlantica (MIC = 78.1 µg/mL) against Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans (MIC = 39 µg/mL). Conclusions: This study highlights the broad therapeutic potential of African medicinal plant extracts in addressing various health conditions, including skin infections, wound management, and skin pigmentation. While several extracts demonstrated strong bioactivity, inconsistent reporting of statistical data limited quantitative synthesis. Future studies should adopt standardized methodologies and report complete statistical outcomes to enable robust meta-analyses and support clinical translation.
Assessing pharmaceuticals in bivalves and microbial sewage contamination in Hout Bay, Cape Town: identifying impact zones in coastal and riverine environments
(MDPI, 2025) Ojemaye, Cecilia Y; Moser, Justin; Petrik, Lesley
This study investigates the implications of sewage contamination in the coastal and riverine environments of Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Chemical analyses were applied to quantify the presence of pollutants such as pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in sentinel marine organisms such as mussels, as well as microbial indicators of faecal contamination in river water and seawater, for estimating the extent of impact zones in the coastal environment of Hout Bay. This research investigated the persistent pharmaceuticals found in marine outfall wastewater effluent samples in Hout Bay, examining whether these substances were also detectable in marine biota, specifically focusing on Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels. The findings reveal significant levels of sewage-related pollutants in the sampled environments, with concentrations ranging from 32.74 to 43.02 ng/g dry weight (dw) for acetaminophen, up to 384.96 ng/g for bezafibrate, and as high as 338.56 ng/g for triclosan. These results highlight persistent PPCP contamination in marine organisms, with increasing concentrations observed over time, suggesting a rise in population and pharmaceutical use. Additionally, microbial analysis revealed high levels of E. coli in the Hout Bay River, particularly near stormwater from the Imizamo Yethu settlement, with counts exceeding 8.3 million cfu/100 mL. These findings underscore the significant impact of untreated sewage on the environment. This study concludes that current sewage treatment is insufficient to mitigate pollution, urging the implementation of more effective wastewater management practices and long-term monitoring of pharmaceutical levels in marine biota to protect both the environment and public health.
Facilitating access to higher education and promoting academic readiness through digital pedagogical implementation for recognition of prior learning: a South African case study
(SAGE Publications Inc., 2026) Rambharose, Rekha
For more than three decades, recognition of prior learning (RPL) has appeared as a pivotal mechanism in widening access to higher education, particularly for mature adult learners whose knowledge and skills have been acquired outside formal schooling. In South Africa, RPL has been embedded in post-apartheid policy frameworks as a strategy for equity, social justice, and epistemic redress. Despite its strong policy orientation, RPL practices have often been contested, unevenly applied, and limited in their pedagogical depth. This article examines the Portfolio Development Hybrid Programme (PDHP), a redesigned model for RPL implementation and undergraduate access at a South African university. Anchored in digital pedagogy, adult learning theory, and activity theory, the PDHP represents a significant curriculum renewal that aims to both validate experiential knowledge and strengthen academic readiness for higher education study. Drawing on a qualitative case study design, the article analyses the rationale, design, and outcomes of the PDHP. The findings suggest that embedding digital pedagogy within RPL delivery enhances candidates’ academic literacy, digital skills, and confidence, while also addressing structural inequities in access. The paper contributes to global debates on RPL by illustrating how digital innovations can transform RPL from a compliance-driven exercise into a specialised pedagogy that is transformative, inclusive, and future-oriented.
A sediment provenance study of middle Jurassic to cretaceous strata in the eastern Sverdrup basin: implications for the exhumation of the north eastern Canadian Greenlandic shield
(MDPI, 2025) Frei, Dirk; Pointon, Michael A.; Smyth, Helen
The Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada, is ideally situated to contain an archive of tectono-magmatic and climatic events that occurred within the wider Arctic region, including the exhumation of the adjacent (northeastern) part of the Canadian-Greenlandic Shield. To test this, a multi-analytical provenance study of Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous sandstones from the eastern Sverdrup Basin was undertaken. Most of the samples analysed were recycled from sedimentary rocks of the Franklinian Basin, with possible additional contributions from the Mesoproterozoic Bylot basins and metasedimentary shield rocks. The amount of high-grade metamorphic detritus in samples from central Ellesmere Island increased from Middle Jurassic times. This is interpreted to reflect exhumation of the area to the southeast/east of the Sverdrup Basin. Exhumation may have its origins in Middle Jurassic extension and uplift along the northwest Sverdrup Basin margin. Rift-flank uplift along the Canadian–West Greenland conjugate margin and lithospheric doming linked with the proximity of the Iceland hotspot and/or the emplacement of the Cretaceous High Arctic Large Igneous Province may have contributed to exhumation subsequently. The southeast-to-northwest thickening of Jurassic to Early Cretaceous strata across the Sverdrup Basin may be a distal effect of exhumation rather than rifting in the Sverdrup or Amerasia basins.
Examining the perceived benefits of structured and unstructured physical education lessons among high school learners in Cape Town
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2025) Johannes, Chante'; Titus, Simone; Young, Marie
Introduction: Research shows a decline in adolescent physical activity in developing countries. Physical education (PE) lessons, including both structured (SPE) and unstructured (UPE) formats, are vital for promoting regular participation. While SPE is formally delivered, UPE offers an informal alternative that may enhance engagement. Despite the potential benefits of both forms of PE, there is limited understanding of their individual and combined effects. Objective: This study is aimed at examining the perceived benefits of structured and unstructured physical education lessons, as perceived by Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners, at selected high schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional design among Grade 8 and 9 learners was employed. Learners were recruited from 10 schools across Cape Town (n = 321). Purposive sampling was exercised to administer a validated survey, with data being analyzed using SPSS V28. Results: Grade 8 (37.1%) and 9 (62.9%) learners participated in the survey. Results showed that 45.2% of learners acquired skills in SPE, with 53.9% feeling more alert and energetic during classes. Learners (52.3%) reported improved thinking abilities, and 46.7% noted better health. In UPE, 29.9% found it more enjoyable than SPE, 38.9% felt skills learned during recess helped in SPE, and 40.5% could think creatively about new activities. Discussion: Findings highlight the significant benefits of SPE for secondary school learners, with a focus on promoting health, motor and cognitive skill development, and enhancing critical thinking abilities. However, it is important to recognise that, while SPE primarily targets motor skills development, UPE also plays an essential role in helping learners understand that PE is fundamentally centred on fitness and overall health, principles that are complementary to the objectives of SPE. The physical activities engaged in during UPE contribute to learners' overall PA levels, thereby facilitating their active participation in the more structured environment of SPE. Conclusion: This study highlights the complementary roles of structured and unstructured PE in supporting adolescent development. Structured PE fosters motor skill acquisition, physical fitness, and classroom readiness, while unstructured PE encourages creativity, independent thinking, and peer interaction. By intentionally integrating both PE formats into the curriculum, educators can create more engaging and developmentally supportive environments that not only enhance physical activity levels but also contribute to learners’ cognitive, emotional, and social growth. These findings offer practical guidance for improving PE delivery in South African schools.