Cuauthemone sesquiterpenes and flavones from Laggera tomentosa endemic to Ethiopia

Three sesquiterpenes, 3-O-(3’-acetoxy-2’-hydroxy-2’-methylbutyryl)cuauthemone (1), 4-O-acetylcuauthemone-3-O-angelate (2), 4-O-acetylcuauthemone 3-O-(2’-hydroxy-2’-methyl-3’-acetoxybutyrate) (3) and two flavones, 3’,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone (4), 3’,5,6-trihydroxy-3,4’,7-trimethoxyflavone (5) were isolated from the aerial parts of Laggera tomentosa. The compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques. Complete 1H and 13C NMR assignment of compound 1 was done for the first time. This is the first report on the occurrence of cuauthemone sesquiterpenes in the genus Laggera. KEY WORDS: Laggera tomentosa, Asteraceae, Cuauthemone sesquiterpenes, 3-O-(3’-acetoxy-2’-hydroxy-2’-methylbutyryl)cuauthemone   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2010, 24(2), 267-271

The potential of Ethiopian medicinal plants to treat emergent viral diseases

Ethiopians have deep-rooted traditions of using plants to treat ailments affecting humans and domesticated animals. Approximately 80% of the population continues to rely on traditional medicine, including for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Many antiviral plants are available to and widely used by communities in areas where access to conventional healthcare systems is limited. In some cases, pharmacological studies also confirm the potent antiviral properties of Ethiopian plants. Building on traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and testing their antiviral properties may help to expand options to address the global pandemic of COVID-19 including its recently isolated virulent variants and prepare for similar outbreaks in the future. Here, we provide an ethnobotanical and pharmacological inventory of Ethiopian medicinal plants that might contribute to the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. We identified 387 species, about 6% of Ethiopia\u27s known flora, for which records of use by local communities and traditional herbalists have been documented for the treatment of viral diseases. We provide a framework for further investigation and development of this vital resource much anticipated to help combat emergent viral diseases along with existing ones in Ethiopia and elsewhere. © 2023 The Authors. Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Remote-controlled experiments with cloud chemistry

Developing cleaner chemical processes often involves sophisticated flow-chemistry equipment that is not available in many economically developing countries. For reactions where it is the data that are important rather than the physical product, the networking of chemists across the internet to allow remote experimentation offers a viable solution to this problem