NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT,MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

1

MAJOR RUNNING THEME SINCE 1998

BIOPROSPECTING FOR FLAVONOIDS IN UGANDANFLORAMain collaborator: Prof. Øyvind AndersenUniversity of Bergen,NorwayMain collaborator: Prof. Øyvind AndersenUniversity of Bergen,NorwayThe focus has been guided by the following questions:•Have plants been used locally for medicinal purposes?•Have plants been researched for flavonoid content before?•Are the flavonoids observed in a preliminary screening newcompounds or not?•Are the plants or plant parts edible2

Current Research Team

• Prof. Bernard T. Kiremire• Assoc. Prof. Robert Byamukama• Dr. Hannington Twinomuhwezi-Busitema

University• Ms. Jane Namukobe• Ms. Adia Madina• Mr. Christopher Adaku-Mbarara University• Collaborators: National and International to be

detailed later

• Prof. Bernard T. Kiremire• Assoc. Prof. Robert Byamukama• Dr. Hannington Twinomuhwezi-Busitema

University• Ms. Jane Namukobe• Ms. Adia Madina• Mr. Christopher Adaku-Mbarara University• Collaborators: National and International to be

detailed later

3

On Going Projects in natural products2013

2. Multi-disciplinary University TraditionalHealth Initiative (MUTHI): BuildingSustainable Research Capacity on Plants forBetter Public Health in Africa

1. Bioprospecting For Flavonoids InUgandan Flora

• Researchers:• Bernard. T. Kiremire, Robert Byamukama, GraceNambatya,Jane Namukobe, Adia Madina, ChristopherAdaku

2. Multi-disciplinary University TraditionalHealth Initiative (MUTHI): BuildingSustainable Research Capacity on Plants forBetter Public Health in Africa

4

On Going Projects in natural products2013 -continued

CollaboratorsUniversity of Oslo: Prof. Berit Paulsen, Over allcoordinator, Mr. Jørgen Kirksæther [Finance admin]University of Bergen:Prof. Øyvind AndersenUniversity of Mali: Prof. Drissa DialloJoop deJong; Mrs Charlotte van’t KloosterOxford University: Prof.Gerry Bodeker,Dr. MerlinWillcox,University of Western Cape: Prof.Gail Hughes,University of orange Free state:

CollaboratorsUniversity of Oslo: Prof. Berit Paulsen, Over allcoordinator, Mr. Jørgen Kirksæther [Finance admin]University of Bergen:Prof. Øyvind AndersenUniversity of Mali: Prof. Drissa DialloJoop deJong; Mrs Charlotte van’t KloosterOxford University: Prof.Gerry Bodeker,Dr. MerlinWillcox,University of Western Cape: Prof.Gail Hughes,University of orange Free state:5

France-Uganda Research cooperation (FURC)project on plant Phytochemistry

• Researchers: Bernard. T. Kiremire, Robert Byamukama, JaneNamukobe

• Collaborators• John.M. Kasenene :Mountain of the Moon University• Françoise Guéritte: Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles,

France• Vincent Dumontet : Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles,

France• Sabrina Krief : Eco-Anthropologie et Ethnobiologie,France• Isabelle Florent :National Museum Natural History,France• John D. Kabasa : College of Veterinary Medicine, animal resources

and biosecurity, Makerere university :

• Researchers: Bernard. T. Kiremire, Robert Byamukama, JaneNamukobe

• Collaborators• John.M. Kasenene :Mountain of the Moon University• Françoise Guéritte: Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles,

France• Vincent Dumontet : Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles,

France• Sabrina Krief : Eco-Anthropologie et Ethnobiologie,France• Isabelle Florent :National Museum Natural History,France• John D. Kabasa : College of Veterinary Medicine, animal resources

and biosecurity, Makerere university :

6

PhD based studiesPhD based studies

7

Isolation and Characterization of Anti-BacterialConstituents of Maytenus Putterlickioides, Vernonia

Glabraand Thalictrum Rhychocarpum

PhD studentMayeku Philip WafulaSupervisor/collaborators

• Prof. Bernard Kiremire, Makerere University• Prof. Abiy Yenesew, University of Nairobi,Kenya• Dr. Josiah Odalo, Jomo Kenyatta University

Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journals

PhD studentMayeku Philip WafulaSupervisor/collaborators

• Prof. Bernard Kiremire, Makerere University• Prof. Abiy Yenesew, University of Nairobi,Kenya• Dr. Josiah Odalo, Jomo Kenyatta University

Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journals

8

Phytochemical investigation of selected plantsfrom the family Asphodelaceae for Anti-Infective principles:PhD studentInduli Martha

Supervisor/collaborators• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Abiy Yenesew, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journals

PhD studentInduli MarthaSupervisor/collaborators

• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Abiy Yenesew, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journals

9

Phytochemical and AntiplasmodialStudies of Neoboutonia Macrocalyx L.

PhD student• Jane Namukobe, Makerere University

Supervisors• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University

Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journal

PhD student• Jane Namukobe, Makerere University

Supervisors• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University

Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journal

10

Nutraceutical Potential of Some UgandanPlants with Focus on Anthocyanins

PhD student• Christopher Adaku

Supervisor/collaborators

• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University• Prof. Øyvind Andersen,University of Bergen

PhD student• Christopher Adaku

Supervisor/collaborators

• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University• Prof. Øyvind Andersen,University of Bergen

11

Phytochemistry of selected herbal remedies usedby traditional herbalists in treatment of malariain UgandaPhD student

• Adia Madina, Makerere University(MUTHI)Supervisor/collaborators

• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University• PROMETRA Uganda-Association of herbalists

PhD student• Adia Madina, Makerere University(MUTHI)

Supervisor/collaborators• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, MakerereUniversity• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University• PROMETRA Uganda-Association of herbalists

12

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Characterization of anthocyanins from SelectedPlants in UgandaPhD Candidate

• Byamukama Robert, Makerere University, PhDThesis, currently teaching at Makerere University.Out put4 Publications in International JournalThesis Publication at Makerere University

Characterization of anthocyanins from SelectedPlants in UgandaPhD Candidate

• Byamukama Robert, Makerere University, PhDThesis, currently teaching at Makerere University.Out put4 Publications in International JournalThesis Publication at Makerere University

13

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Characterization and Analysis of Some NaturalDyes from Selected Plants in Uganda.

Researcher• Wanyama Aaron Philip Guloba,

Achievements• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 5 Publications in International journals

Characterization and Analysis of Some NaturalDyes from Selected Plants in Uganda.

Researcher• Wanyama Aaron Philip Guloba,

Achievements• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 5 Publications in International journals

14

COMPLETED PROJECTSPhytochemical Investigation of Erythrina

Abyssinica, ErythrinaBurttii, ErythrinaMelanacanthaAnd Derris Trifoliata: TowardsMalaria Control.

ResearcherTwinomuhwezi HanningtonAchievements

• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 3 Publications in International journals• Lecturership at Busitema University.

Phytochemical Investigation of ErythrinaAbyssinica, ErythrinaBurttii, ErythrinaMelanacanthaAnd Derris Trifoliata: TowardsMalaria Control.

ResearcherTwinomuhwezi HanningtonAchievements

• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 3 Publications in International journals• Lecturership at Busitema University.

15

COMPLETED PROJECTS• Antimalarial Activities Of Some Flavonoids And

Flavonoid-Rich Plant ExtractsResearcher

• Akala Miima HoseahAchievements

• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 3 Publications in International journals• currently working at Kenya Medical ResearchInstitute[KEMRI]

• Antimalarial Activities Of Some Flavonoids AndFlavonoid-Rich Plant Extracts

Researcher• Akala Miima Hoseah

Achievements• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 3 Publications in International journals• currently working at Kenya Medical ResearchInstitute[KEMRI]

16

COMPLETED PROJECTSCapacity building

• 14 MSc graduates working on natural productsareas (medicinal and flavonoids).• 4 PhD graduates working on natural products• 32 publications in International journals

MoUs developed• MoU with PROMETRA Uganda, process completed• MoU with MUMETHA, on-going

Capacity building• 14 MSc graduates working on natural productsareas (medicinal and flavonoids).• 4 PhD graduates working on natural products• 32 publications in International journals

MoUs developed• MoU with PROMETRA Uganda, process completed• MoU with MUMETHA, on-going

17

CONTRIBUTION

Capacity building in terms human resource• several graduates from Natural products• Completed: 4PhDs, 14MSc• Ongoing: 5PhDs, 3MScContribution to science knowledge/flavoinoid

chemistry• 30 novel compounds have been characterized togetherwith several known compounds.• HPLC, GC-MS, Small equipments for isolation of naturalproducts.

Capacity building in terms human resource• several graduates from Natural products• Completed: 4PhDs, 14MSc• Ongoing: 5PhDs, 3MScContribution to science knowledge/flavoinoid

chemistry• 30 novel compounds have been characterized togetherwith several known compounds.• HPLC, GC-MS, Small equipments for isolation of naturalproducts.

18

FUTURE PROJECTS

• Improvement of Selected Anti-malarial HerbalMedicines Through Identification of BioactiveCompounds and Development of StandardisedFormulation Methods• Development of Antioxidants and Flavonoids as foodsupplements from indigenous plant sources• The Potential of Natural Dyes from SelectedIndigenous Dye-Yielding Plants as Substitutes forSynthetic Dyes.• Pesticide properties of Plants and Their Potential inCrop Disease Control

• Improvement of Selected Anti-malarial HerbalMedicines Through Identification of BioactiveCompounds and Development of StandardisedFormulation Methods• Development of Antioxidants and Flavonoids as foodsupplements from indigenous plant sources• The Potential of Natural Dyes from SelectedIndigenous Dye-Yielding Plants as Substitutes forSynthetic Dyes.• Pesticide properties of Plants and Their Potential inCrop Disease Control

19

SIDA phase IV• Concept was submitted based on the four topics inour future projects• PI on the concept is Assoc. Prof. whom Prof.Kiremire has mentored through the previousProjects

Required assistance.• possible collaborators from SWEDEN on the aboveareas of natural products

• Concept was submitted based on the four topics inour future projects• PI on the concept is Assoc. Prof. whom Prof.Kiremire has mentored through the previousProjects

Required assistance.• possible collaborators from SWEDEN on the aboveareas of natural products

20

CHALLENGES

FUNDING• Lack of local funding from University or Government,

and this sometimes creates discontinuity when theproject ends and you have no other project.

EQUIPMENT• Research funding usually not enough to buy big

equipment vital in Natural products research such asMS and NMR.

• Much reliance on collaboration in order to use largeequipments.

FUNDING• Lack of local funding from University or Government,

and this sometimes creates discontinuity when theproject ends and you have no other project.

EQUIPMENT• Research funding usually not enough to buy big

equipment vital in Natural products research such asMS and NMR.

• Much reliance on collaboration in order to use largeequipments.

21

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS• NUFU• SIDA• University of Bergen• Makerere university

Thank you for listening

• NUFU• SIDA• University of Bergen• Makerere university

Thank you for listening

22