Explore the Therapeutic Potential of
Natural Products from Africa
The African Natural Products Database (ANPDB) is a comprehensive repository for natural compounds sourced from diverse species across the African continent. ANPDB compiles detailed metadata on the traditional medicinal uses of source organisms, linking ethnobotanical knowledge with chemical and biological data.
Click on a country to explore documented natural products isolated there.
11,000+ Compounds
Documented natural molecules
1,750+ Species
From diverse African ecosystems
2,150+ Scientific Publications
PhD/MSc theses & journal articles across Africa
Open Access
Free & open for researchers worldwide
Africa’s Natural Products
Natural products (NPs) have long served as vital sources for drug discovery and inspiration. Recent exploration of African flora reveals the continent as a significant reservoir of bioactive NPs, characterized by diverse chemical structures and biological activities. Many NPs have been derived from plants used in traditional African medicine, with notable examples including the potent, FDA-approved antimalarial, artemisinin. The database contains 11,000+ compounds, primarily sourced from 1,750+ organisms (mainly plants, but also microorganisms, animals, and marine sources), with data spanning from 1962 to 2024. Information is drawn from mainstream natural product journals, theses in African university libraries, and select local journals. Each entry includes compound names, molecular structures, source organisms, references, biological activities (e.g., antimalarial, anticancer), and modes of action where available. To date, ANPDB is recognized as the largest repository of NPs isolated from native African organisms.
- Rich Ethnobotanical Insights
- Chemical Structure Search
- Phylogeny Tree
- Species Taxonomy Linkage
- Community-driven Updates
- Freely Accessible & Downloads
Prof. Dr. Stefan Günther
stefan.guenther[at]pharmazie.uni-freiburg.de
PD Dr. Fidele Ntie-Kang
fidele.ntie-kang[at]ubuea.cm