Volume 16, Issue 2

Fungal Infections are a rising challenge in global health because of the increasing number of immuno-compromised patients, shortage of antifungal drugs, and increased resistance. Medicinal plants have been investigated as alternative sources of antifungal agents because of their diversity, bioactivities, and safety. Among these, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Bougainvillea spectabilis have been scientifically studied because of their various phytochemical constituents and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the antifungal efficacy of different parts of these plants, such as leaves, flowers, stems, and roots, against fungi, Candida, dermatophytes, and filamentous fungi. This review summarizes the antifungal activities of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Bougainvillea spectabilis.

Traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and African Traditional Medicine (ATM) represent rich reservoirs of therapeutic knowledge developed over thousands of years. These systems primarily rely on medicinal plants containing diverse bioactive compounds responsible for their pharmacological effects. With growing interest in natural products for safer and multi-target therapies, scientific validation of traditional medicines has become increasingly important. This review critically examines the major bioactive compounds reported in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and African traditional medicines, focusing on their chemical nature, pharmacological activities, and molecular mechanisms of action. Emphasis is placed on neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metabolic regulatory activities, along with their relevance to modern drug discovery. Challenges related to standardization, safety, and clinical validation are discussed, and future research directions are proposed. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern pharmacology may accelerate the development of novel therapeutic agents.