How African scientists are harnessing nature's medicine cabinet at the NAPRECA Symposium
In the heart of Africa, where biodiversity thrives in spectacular abundance, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Imagine a world where malaria is treated with local plants, where cancer fighters are derived from rainforest roots, and where traditional healing knowledge meets cutting-edge artificial intelligence. This is not science fiction—this is the vital work of the Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA), which will host its international symposium in Kampala this November 1 .
of world's plant diversity found in Africa 3
countries in the NAPRECA network
years of natural products research
For centuries, Africa's rich botanical heritage has been undervalued in global science, despite containing approximately one-quarter of the world's plant diversity 3 . The upcoming NAPRECA symposium represents a growing movement to change this narrative, bringing together brilliant minds from across the continent to explore how nature's chemical masterpieces can address our most pressing health challenges. At a time when drug-resistant infections are rising and new pandemics threaten, the quest for novel treatments from plants has never been more urgent.
When you brew a cup of tea or take an aspirin, you're using natural products—chemical compounds produced by living organisms. Plants, in particular, are master chemists, creating complex substances to protect themselves from pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. These same compounds often have profound effects on human health.
NAPRECA's journey began in 1984, when African scientists attending the "14th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products" in Poland made a powerful observation: Africa was rich in biodiversity but poor in research and development 3 . This realization sparked the creation of a network that would grow to include branches in twelve countries: Botswana, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe 3 .
African scientists identify the biodiversity-research gap at international symposium
NAPRECA becomes fully operational with support from Uppsala University 3
Network spans 12 countries with ongoing research and capacity building
Since becoming fully operational in 1988 with support from the International Science Programme at Uppsala University, NAPRECA has worked tirelessly to reverse this paradox 3 . The network's mission is threefold:
Develop natural products research in Eastern and Central Africa
Coordinate regional links among research groups
Foster global collaborations with scientists
The upcoming symposium at Makerere University (November 1-3, 2025) carries the powerful theme: "Ethical natural products research for industrial development & one health" 1 . This gathering will explore how natural products research can drive industrial growth while respecting ethical boundaries and recognizing the interconnected health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
Discovering a new medicine from plants is like finding a needle in a haystack—but scientists have developed systematic approaches to improve their odds. Let's explore a hypothetical but representative experiment based on current natural products research, illustrating how African scientists are identifying promising compounds from medicinal plants.
To identify antibacterial compounds from Tagetes minuta (African marigold), a plant used traditionally in East Africa to treat wounds and infections.
Researchers harvest Tagetes minuta from different regions. Botanists identify the plant, and voucher specimens are deposited in herbariums.
Plant materials are dried, ground, and extracted using solvents of increasing polarity to recover different compound types.
Extracts are tested against multidrug-resistant bacteria strains using disc diffusion method to identify active samples.
Active extracts undergo fractionation using chromatographic techniques to separate complex mixtures into individual compounds.
| Plant Part | Extract Type | S. aureus | E. coli | K. pneumoniae |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Hexane | 8.2 | 6.5 | 7.1 |
| Leaves | Ethyl Acetate | 14.7 | 9.3 | 11.2 |
| Leaves | Methanol | 12.1 | 8.7 | 9.8 |
| Flowers | Hexane | 7.5 | 5.9 | 6.8 |
| Flowers | Ethyl Acetate | 16.3 | 10.5 | 12.9 |
| Flowers | Methanol | 13.8 | 9.1 | 11.4 |
| Control | Ampicillin | 22.5 | 18.7 | 20.3 |
Table shows that ethyl acetate extracts of flowers displayed the strongest antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus.
| Compound Code | MIC against S. aureus (μg/mL) | MIC against E. coli (μg/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| TM-001 | 15.6 | 125.0 |
| TM-004 | 7.8 | 62.5 |
| TM-007 | 31.2 | 250.0 |
| TM-012 | 3.9 | 31.2 |
| Gentamicin | 1.0 | 2.0 |
MIC values represent the lowest concentration that prevents visible bacterial growth. Compound TM-012 shows particularly promising activity, especially against Gram-positive S. aureus.
| Treatment Combination | MIC Reduction | Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index |
|---|---|---|
| TM-012 + Penicillin | 8-fold | 0.375 |
| TM-004 + Gentamicin | 4-fold | 0.5 |
| TM-007 + Ampicillin | 2-fold | 0.75 |
| TM-001 + Ciprofloxacin | 4-fold | 0.5 |
Synergy testing reveals that combining plant-derived compounds with conventional antibiotics significantly enhances their effectiveness, potentially helping to overcome antibiotic resistance.
The discovery of compounds like TM-012 with significant antibacterial activity, particularly when combined with conventional antibiotics, represents a major step forward in addressing the global antibiotic resistance crisis. With an estimated 1.27 million deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance in 2019, these plant-derived compounds offer new hope.
Furthermore, the stronger activity observed against Gram-positive bacteria aligns with known differences in cell wall structure, providing clues about the mechanism of action. The synergistic effects are particularly promising, suggesting that lower doses of conventional antibiotics could be used when combined with natural compounds, potentially reducing side effects and slowing resistance development.
Function: Separate complex mixtures
Essential for isolating pure compounds from crude plant extracts
Function: Determine molecular structure
Reveals the atomic architecture of new compounds
Function: Identify molecular weight
Provides crucial data for compound identification
Function: Grow microbial strains
Enables antibacterial and antifungal testing
The Kampala symposium will address critical questions that extend far beyond laboratory walls 1 . How can African countries ensure they benefit from discoveries based on their biodiversity? What ethical frameworks should guide the partnership between modern science and traditional knowledge? The "One Health" approach recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected—a concept deeply embedded in many African traditional knowledge systems.
NAPRECA's work includes capacity building through scholarships for MSc and PhD students, supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) 3 .
This investment in the next generation of African scientists ensures that the continent can lead in researching and developing its own natural resources.
"The 'One Health' approach recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected—a concept deeply embedded in many African traditional knowledge systems."
As we look toward the Kampala symposium this November, the promise of natural products research shines brightly. With the integration of artificial intelligence in compound screening and the growing emphasis on ethical, sustainable practices, this field is poised for transformative advances 1 .
Using artificial intelligence to accelerate compound screening and discovery
Emphasizing ethical and sustainable approaches to biodiversity utilization
Developing African scientific sovereignty in natural products research
The work of NAPRECA represents more than just drug discovery—it's about reclaiming African scientific sovereignty, honoring traditional knowledge, and developing sustainable solutions to health challenges that affect the continent and the world. As Professor Sameh AbouZid, the network coordinator, and his colleagues continue to build this scientific community, they write a new story of African innovation—one where the continent's biological treasures are matched by its scientific excellence.
The next breakthrough medicine might be growing in an Ethiopian forest, a Ugandan garden, or a Madagascan rainforest. Thanks to the dedicated scientists of NAPRECA, we may soon know its name.
To learn more about the upcoming symposium or NAPRECA's work, visit the network's coordinating office at Beni-Suef University in Egypt or explore their collaborations with the International Science Programme at Uppsala University 3 .