Phytochemistry and medicinal potential of Nigerian medicinal plants: ethnobotanical foundations, bioactive compounds, and translational prospects

Flora of Nigeria is a rich source of diverse plant resources, which are used in traditional medical practice. Use of plants in controlling malaria, sickle cure anemia, infections, inflammation complications metabolic effects and cancer have been widely discussed since ancient times. Current phytochemical and pharmacological investigations prove that Nigerian medicinal plants are rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenolic with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial and anticancer activities. This review compiles ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological information on Nigerian medicinal plants that have been validated about their uses which included representative species such as Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Garcinia kola, Allstonia boonei, food medicinal plants like Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale. A systematic literature searches from 2000 to 2025 across PUBMED, SCOPUS, SCIENCE DIRECT, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR identified 37 relevant studies, which were analyzed for phytochemical profiles, bioassay guided isolation of bioactive compounds, and therapeutic potential. Typical methodologies involve solvent extraction, preliminary phytochemical screening, chromatographic techniques (thin layer chromatography, column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography), and spectroscopic methods (ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry). Many findings support traditional uses, translational applications remain limited due to experimental variability, insufficient toxicological and clinical studies, and regulatory challenges. The development of Niprisan® (Nicosan), a polyherbal anti-sickle cell formulation, exemplifies both the promise and the obstacles in commercializing phytomedicines. Advancing Nigerian phytomedicine requires standardized methodologies, investment in advanced analytical platforms, locally relevant clinical trials, conservation strategies, equitable benefit sharing, and integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches.