Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to strengthen its position as a leading contributor to health sciences research through groundbreaking doctoral work that has uncovered promising antiviral compounds from South African medicinal plants. Newly graduated Doctor of Philosophy (Botany) graduate, Dr Mmamudi Anna Makhafola, has developed an innovative drug-discovery framework that combines metabolomics, computational biology and laboratory analysis to identify potential treatments targeting SARS-CoV-2 and future coronavirus threats.
At a time when the world continues to seek new strategies to combat emerging infectious diseases, Dr Makhafola’s research highlights the untapped therapeutic value of indigenous medicinal plants. It demonstrates how African scientific knowledge can contribute to global health solutions.
Her doctoral study, titled Metabolomics approaches with in silico molecular docking and dynamics, and in vitro analysis for the discovery of South African plant-derived target drugs focusing on SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease (PLpro) inhibitors, focused on the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro), a critical enzyme involved in both viral replication and immune evasion.
The study explored two medicinal plants widely used in South African traditional medicine for respiratory ailments, Lippia javanica and Acorus calamus. Using an advanced untargeted UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics approach, Dr Makhafola successfully identified key bioactive compounds within the plants, including flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids and jasmonate derivatives.
“The objective was to establish and validate an integrated metabolomics-guided drug-discovery framework capable of identifying antiviral compounds from South African medicinal plants,” said Dr Makhafola. “Our findings demonstrate that traditional medicinal plants remain a valuable source of bioactive molecules that can be developed into future therapeutic agents.”
Following phytochemical profiling, the study employed advanced computational techniques to assess the therapeutic potential of compounds identified in medicinal plants. Among the most promising were catechin-7-glucoside and S-adenosyl-methionine, which emerged as leading candidates due to their strong and stable interactions with the viral target. The findings underscore the value of South Africa’s rich medicinal plant heritage as a source of novel bioactive compounds that may contribute to the development of future therapies against emerging health challenges.
Laboratory-based analyses further confirmed the antiviral activity of these compounds. The findings demonstrated that selected plant-derived compounds, especially Catechin-7-glucoside, possess promising therapeutic potential and warrant further investigation as candidates for future drug development.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the research was observing how plant-derived compounds could influence multiple biological pathways associated with disease processes,” said Dr Makhafola. “These findings highlight the potential of medicinal plants as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for future therapeutic development.”
The findings were further supported by cellular and metabolic analyses, which demonstrated measurable biological responses associated with the investigated compounds. These results provide additional evidence of the value of integrating metabolomics, computational approaches and laboratory-based validation in natural product drug discovery.
Dr Makhafola gratefully acknowledges the financial support received through the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Research Capacity Development Initiative (RCDI) Nested Scholarship Programme, which funded her doctoral studies. This support played a significant role in enabling the successful completion of the research.
Beyond the scientific discoveries, the research has already generated significant academic impact. Dr Makhafola has published multiple peer-reviewed articles arising from her doctoral work and continues to contribute to teaching, community engagement, postgraduate supervision and research as a part-time lecturer in SMU’s Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences. Her work spans metabolomics, medicinal plant research, drug discovery and infectious disease biology.
The study provides an important scientific foundation for the development of novel therapies against SARS-CoV-2 and future emerging coronaviruses while showcasing the value of South Africa’s rich biodiversity. It also demonstrates the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches that combine traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technologies.
Dr Makhafola’s achievement reflects SMU’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research. By advancing scientific discovery, nurturing emerging researchers and translating knowledge into solutions that address global health challenges, the university continues to strengthen its research footprint and contribute meaningfully to improving health outcomes in South Africa and beyond.
By Tumelo Moila
