Bioprospecting Nigerian Ethnomedicinal Plants for Novel Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Development: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a formidable global health threat, with Nigeria bearing a significant burden as Africa’s highest-ranked TB-endemic country. Despite national interventions like the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) program, Nigeria’s TB control efforts are undermined by factors including poor adherence, drug resistance, and limited resources. Complicating these challenges is the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, alongside high rates of TB-HIV co-infection. Recognizing these gaps, attention has turned to traditional medicinal plants as potential sources of novel anti-TB compounds. This paper explores the epidemiology of TB, the urgent need for new therapeutic agents, and the scientific basis for ethnomedicinal plants traditionally used in Nigerian communities to manage TB symptoms. Empirical data highlight the antimicrobial potential of various plant extracts and bioactive compounds, such as Licarin A from Aegle marmelos and Geraniol from Costus speciosus, which exhibit promising activity against mycobacteria. Despite these advances, challenges persist, including variable phytochemical profiles, potential toxicity, and the need for rigorous in-vivo studies to confirm therapeutic efficacy. This paper outlines a road-map for harnessing these natural resources through standardized extraction protocols, structural modification to reduce toxicity, and translational research to ensure clinical relevance. Ultimately, integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with modern scientific approaches could unlock innovative, affordable, and culturally acceptable solutions to combat TB in Nigeria and beyond.