Phytochemical Profile and anti-MRSA Potential of West African Flora: A Systematic Review of Efficacy, Toxicity and Molecular Mechanisms (2000-2025)

Abstract

Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is increasing and poses a serious threat to healthcare. This threat is particularly relevant to West African countries, where the circulation of multi-resistant pathogens and limited access to advanced antibiotics only serve to reinforce this threat. This systematic review presents the phytochemical diversity and anti-MRSA efficacy of West African flora studied between 2000 and 2025. A total of 45 species belonging to 20 botanical families were identified in seven countries in the western part of the African continent. The Combretaceae, Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae families proved to be the most important taxa, with species such as Terminalia avicennioides demonstrating exceptional potency (MIC as low as 0.0182 mg/mL). Phytochemistry reveals the presence of polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids and volatile compounds. These act through various mechanisms, including cell wall disruption, DNA intercalation and energy metabolism inhibition. These mechanisms allow the standard resistance pathways of staphylococci to be bypassed. While traditional medicinal knowledge provides a solid starting point, the study identifies significant methodological variability in extraction protocols, which constitutes an obstacle to clinical standardisation. These results highlight the high potential of sub-regional biodiversity for the discovery of a new molecular arsenal for the development of anti-MRSA phytomedicines.