NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

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MAJOR RUNNING THEME SINCE 1998

BIOPROSPECTING FOR FLAVONOIDS IN UGANDAN FLORAMain collaborator: Prof. Øyvind Andersen University 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 new compounds or not?•Are the plants or plant parts edible 2

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

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On Going Projects in natural products 2013

• Researchers: • Bernard. T. Kiremire, Robert Byamukama, Grace Nambatya,Jane Namukobe, Adia Madina, Christopher Adaku

2. Multi-disciplinary University Traditional Health Initiative (MUTHI): Building Sustainable Research Capacity on Plants for Better Public Health in Africa

1. Bioprospecting For Flavonoids In Ugandan Flora

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On Going Projects in natural products 2013 -continuedCollaborators University of Oslo: Prof. Berit Paulsen, Over all coordinator, 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. Merlin Willcox, University of Western Cape: Prof.Gail Hughes,University of orange Free state:

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

• Researchers: Bernard. T. Kiremire, Robert Byamukama, Jane Namukobe

• 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 : 

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PhD based studies

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Isolation and Characterization of Anti-Bacterial Constituents of Maytenus Putterlickioides, Vernonia Glabra and Thalictrum Rhychocarpum PhD studentMayeku Philip WafulaSupervisor/collaborators

• Prof. Bernard Kiremire, Makerere University• Prof. Abiy Yenesew, University of Nairobi,Kenya• Dr. Josiah Odalo, Jomo Kenyatta UniversityAchievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journals

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Phytochemical investigation of selected plants from the family Asphodelaceae for Anti-Infective principles: PhD student Induli Martha

Supervisor/collaborators • Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, Makerere University• Prof. Abiy Yenesew, University of Nairobi, Kenya Achievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journals

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Phytochemical and Antiplasmodial Studies of Neoboutonia Macrocalyx L.PhD student• Jane Namukobe, Makerere University Supervisors• Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, Makerere University• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere UniversityAchievements so far• 2 Publications in International Journal

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Nutraceutical Potential of Some Ugandan Plants with Focus on Anthocyanins PhD student• Christopher Adaku

Supervisor/collaborators • Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, Makerere University• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University• Prof. Øyvind Andersen,University of Bergen

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Phytochemistry of selected herbal remedies used by traditional herbalists in treatment of malaria in UgandaPhD student• Adia Madina, Makerere University (MUTHI)Supervisor/collaborators • Assoc. Prof. Byamukama Robert, Makerere University• Prof. Kiremire Bernard, Makerere University• PROMETRA Uganda-Association of herbalists

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COMPLETED PROJECTSCharacterization of anthocyanins from Selected Plants in UgandaPhD Candidate• Byamukama Robert, Makerere University, PhD Thesis, currently teaching at Makerere University. Out put4 Publications in International JournalThesis Publication at Makerere University

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COMPLETED PROJECTSCharacterization and Analysis of Some Natural Dyes from Selected Plants in Uganda. Researcher• Wanyama Aaron Philip Guloba, Achievements• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 5 Publications in International journals

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COMPLETED PROJECTSPhytochemical Investigation of Erythrina Abyssinica, Erythrina Burttii, Erythrina Melanacantha And Derris Trifoliata: Towards Malaria Control.ResearcherTwinomuhwezi HanningtonAchievements• PhD Thesis published at Makerere University.• 3 Publications in International journals• Lecturership at Busitema University.

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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 Research Institute[KEMRI]

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COMPLETED PROJECTS Capacity building

• 14 MSc graduates working on natural products areas (medicinal and flavonoids).• 4 PhD graduates working on natural products• 32 publications in International journalsMoUs developed• MoU with PROMETRA Uganda, process completed• MoU with MUMETHA, on-going

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CONTRIBUTIONCapacity 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 together with several known compounds.• HPLC, GC-MS, Small equipments for isolation of natural products.

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FUTURE PROJECTS• Improvement of Selected Anti-malarial Herbal Medicines Through Identification of Bioactive Compounds and Development of Standardised Formulation Methods • Development of Antioxidants and Flavonoids as food supplements from indigenous plant sources• The Potential of Natural Dyes from Selected Indigenous Dye-Yielding Plants as Substitutes for Synthetic Dyes.• Pesticide properties of Plants and Their Potential in Crop Disease Control

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SIDA phase IV• Concept was submitted based on the four topics in our future projects• PI on the concept is Assoc. Prof. whom Prof. Kiremire has mentored through the previous ProjectsRequired assistance.• possible collaborators from SWEDEN on the above areas of natural products

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CHALLENGESFUNDING

• Lack of local funding from University or Government, and this sometimes creates discontinuity when the project ends and you have no other project.

EQUIPMENT• Research funding usually not enough to buy big

equipment vital in Natural products research such as MS and NMR.

• Much reliance on collaboration in order to use large equipments.

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

Thank you for listening

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