Brazilian green propolis (GP) has antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity and may protect the ocular surface from preservative toxicity. We tested a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based GP formulation in an acute benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-induced ocular surface injury model with dry eye disease (DED)-like features in BALB/c mice. Animals (n = 8/group; one eye treated) received 0.5% BAK (5 µL, 4×/day) for 5 days alone or concomitantly with 0.4% HA, HA + GP (0.5%), or HA + taurine (Tau; 0.5%). Tear production (Schirmer I; baseline, days 1, 3, 5) decreased in the BAK group by day 5 (p < 0.05 vs. baseline) but remained stable with HA + GP and HA + Tau. Corneal sensitivity was unchanged. HA + GP reduced clinical irritation/inflammation, preserved eyelid aperture, and maintained corneal smoothness. Corneal histology showed BAK-induced epithelial detachment and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity, both similarly reduced by HA + GP and HA + Tau. Overall, HA + GP matched the HA + Tau benchmark and improved comfort-related measures.
Ansacarbamitocin B (1) and D (2) were identified as major compounds from ISP-2 agar culture of Amycolatopsis sp. FID23-7-18, isolated from the exoskeleton of Mycetomoellerius mikromelanos worker ants. Elucidation of their structures was accomplished using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed antifungal activity against the mycoparasite Escovopsis sp. and inhibited the growth of MCF-7, SF-268, and NCI-H460 cancer cell lines with an IC50 of 0.42 to 12.0 µM. Both compounds showed no evident activity against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli CETC 434, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145), yeast-like fungus (Candida albicans ATCC10231), and protozoa (Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum, and Trypanosoma cruzi).
Siparuna guianensis is a medicinal species widely used in South America, although its cytotoxic constituents remain poorly characterised. In this study, the hydroethanolic leaf extract and solvent-partitioned fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, aqueous and alkaloid fraction) were evaluated against MCF-7, 4T1, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and subsequently investigated by NMR-based metabolomics. The crude extract, hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the strongest cytotoxic effects, whereas the butanol, alkaloid and aqueous fractions showed little or no activity. NMR-guided dereplication suggested the occurrence of aporphine and oxoaporphine alkaloids, including glaucine-, norglaucine-, isocorydine-, N-methyllaurotetanine-, oxoglaucine-, liriodenine-, and dehydroglaucine-related compounds. Pentacyclic triterpenoids tentatively annotated included lupeol-, taraxerol-, taraxasterol-, pseudotaraxasterol-, ursane-, and oleanane-type derivatives. The enrichment of these relatively apolar metabolites in the active fractions suggests a direct association with the observed antitumoral effects through chemometric analysis. These findings highlight S. guianensis as a promising source of cytotoxic natural products for anticancer research.
By combining NMR fingerprint with rapid activity screening of eight crude fractions, eleven guanidine alkaloids were obtained from Buthus martensii Karsch, including one new natural product 7 and one new compound 10. Fraction 6 (IC50 = 141.40 ± 0.21 μg/mL) and Fraction 7 (IC50 = 50.89 ± 1.43 μg/mL) showed radical scavenging activity, and compound 8 exhibited the most potent free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 5.09 ± 0.12 μg/mL. Their anti-ferroptotic capacities were validated across FerroOrange staining, which revealed that compounds 1 and 7 significantly inhibited erastin-induced ferroptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Through network pharmacology, these alkaloids appeared to exert their effects by modulating core targets related to ferroptosis, such as AKT1, EGFR, SRC, HSP90AA1, CASP3, and ESR1, with the notable impacts on the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and Lipid and atherosclerosis. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the strong binding affinities and stabilities between guanidine alkaloids and these targets.
Conventional therapies for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) often fail to prevent metastasis and recurrence. A critical determinant of EOC behaviour is the ERα/ERβ ratio, where ERα promotes tumorigenesis and ERβ exerts tumour-suppressive effects. This study investigated the effects of xanthomicrol, a polymethoxyflavone, on SKOV-3 cells. Xanthomicrol significantly modulated the oestrogen receptor balance by decreasing ERα and increasing ERβ expression, while upregulating the tumour-suppressive receptor GPER. Functionally, xanthomicrol attenuated cell migration and reduced proliferation without compromising cell viability. Notably, this effect persisted for 96 h following treatment withdrawal. These findings indicate that xanthomicrol reprograms EOC cells towards a less aggressive phenotype. Further in vivo studies are warranted to determine if this phenotypic shift can effectively mitigate EOC progression and clinical recurrence.
This study provides a targeted bioactive lipid and nutritional profile of the under-investigated leaves of Vitex agnus-castus L. An absolute methanolic extract of shade-dried leaves was analysed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after derivatization, alongside essential mineral quantification via atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and proximate analysis. Rigorous data validation excluded analytical artefacts. GC/MS tentatively identified ten validated bioactive compounds, predominantly glycerol (45.21%, a lipid hydrolysis artefact), oleic acid (9.89%), and palmitic acid (9.16%), alongside phytosterols stigmasterol (1.14%) and ergosterol (0.84%). AAS revealed rich essential trace elements, specifically iron (49.8 ppm) and zinc (33.8 ppm). Proximate analysis showed moisture (7.15%), ash (9.53%), protein (13.42%), crude fibre (26.05%), fat (4.25%), and carbohydrates (39.60%). The combination of high crude fibre, moderate protein, and skin-compatible fatty acids highlights V. agnus-castus leaves as realistic raw materials for fibre-fortified animal feed, dietary fibre supplements, and topical cosmeceutical formulations, providing a solid foundation for future therapeutic exploration.
Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata is traditionally used in African medicine, but its phytochemical composition and cholinesterase inhibitory activity have not been comprehensively investigated. This study evaluated the cholinesterase inhibitory activity and phytochemical profile of the methanolic extract of O. europaea aerial parts, integrating in vitro assays with LC-DAD-QToF-MS characterisation and molecular modelling. We used the Ellman assay to measure cholinesterase inhibition and LC-DAD-QToF-MS for metabolite profiling, while molecular docking and dynamics simulations helped us understand how specific metabolites interact with human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The extract inhibited AChE (IC50 = 15.99 ± 1.62 μg/mL) to a greater extent than BChE (IC50 = 22.62 ± 2.20 μg/mL). LC-DAD-QToF-MS allowed the tentative identification of 65 metabolites, comprising iridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, and one alkaloid. Computational predictions support potential interactions only between constituents within the enzyme active sites but do not establish biological activity. These results offer the first detailed phytochemical profile of the aerial parts of O. europaea and confirm its in vitro cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Bioactivity-guided isolation and in vivo studies are required to pinpoint the metabolites responsible for the observed effects and to establish their therapeutic relevance.
This study reports, for the first time, the microscopic characteristics, HPTLC fingerprinting, UHPLC-QTOF-MS profiling, and biological activities of Eurya nitida Korth. stem extracts, including those obtained with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), methanol (MeOH), and water. UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis tentatively identified nine compounds in the MeOH extract. All extracts demonstrated notable in vitro antioxidant activity. The EtOAc exhibited the strongest effects, significantly reducing TNF-α levels and correlating with high total phenolic, flavonoid, and procyanidin contents. The n-hexane extract exhibited the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (49.86 ± 1.54% at 500 µg/mL). The EtOAc extract showed good α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 of 129.8 ± 1.98 µg/mL). Both these extracts displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity without cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells and demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines. The extracts had insignificant AChE inhibition. Overall, E. nitida stem extracts exhibit promising potential for skincare, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-related applications.
Wild plants, such as African breadfruit (Treculia africana), represent a valuable yet underutilised resource for nutrition, health, and sustainable food systems. Too often displaced by imported, carbohydrate-rich products, these resources deserve renewed attention. Combining traditional knowledge and scientific research may help better characterise these resources and support their local valorisation. This study examines the phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of T. africana, with a focus on phenolic compounds. Unlike previous research that emphasised seeds, we analysed both seeds and pulp using extraction methods compatible with traditional practice (aqueous, hydroethanolic, and heat-assisted techniques). Heat improved phenolic recovery from the pulp, while ethanol addition was more effective for the seeds. A positive correlation was found between phytochemical content and antioxidant activity, highlighting the importance of considering both plant parts. Multivariate analysis showed how plant part and extraction method influence the phytochemical profiles and in vitro antioxidant responses of T. africana.
Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Ventilago denticulata afforded three previously undescribed metabolites, a pyranonaphthoquinone derivative dimer, ventilanone W (1), and two naphthalene derivatives, ventilagodenins C (2) and D (3), together with sixteen known compounds (4-19). The structures were established by IR, one-dimensional (1H,13C, and DEPTQ-135) and two-dimensional (HSQC, COSY, NOESY, and HMBC) NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The structure of 1 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Selected isolates were assessed for in vitro cytotoxicity against HeLa, A549, and MCF-7 cell lines using the MTT assay. Compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 28.54 ± 0.45, 25.56 ± 0.71, and 30.57 ± 0.54 µM, respectively, while 8 exhibited moderate activity, with IC50 values of 32.97 ± 0.44, 21.28 ± 0.13, and 12.17 ± 0.10 µM, respectively. These results enrich the phytochemical profile of V. denticulata and highlight 2 and 8 as bioactive constituents.
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of climatic conditions on the fatty acid composition of Globularia alypum L. Whole plants were collected from six natural populations representing different bioclimatic regions of Tunisia. Total lipids were extracted using a chloroform/methanol mixture according to the Folch method, converted into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and analysed by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID). The obtained data were subjected to analysis of variance and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Eight fatty acids were identified: lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidic acids. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among populations. Linolenic acid was the predominant unsaturated fatty acid in mst localities, reaching its highest levels in Seliana (30.98%) and Sbikha (29.38%), while the lowest content was recorded in Hafouz (18.51%). Among saturated fatty acids, stearic acid exhibited the greatest variability, with an exceptionally high proportion in Bouchebka (25.70%). PCA clearly discriminated the six populations according to their fatty acid profiles, highlighting the influence of climatic conditions on lipid composition. These findings demonstrate substantial intraspecific variability in the fatty acid composition of G. alypum and suggest that environmental factors play an important role in determining its lipid profile.
This study evaluates the chemical profile, physicochemical stability, and antifungal potential of the essential oil extracted from Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi residues (EOStR) against banana anthracnose, using a confirmed Colletotrichum musae isolate in the in vitro assays. Hydrodistillation yielded 6% ± 1 (m m-1) of EOStR, mainly composed of δ-3-carene (28.1%), limonene (22.5%), and α-phellandrene (17.1%), with hydrogenated monoterpenes representing over 93% of the oil. A stable microemulsion containing 10% EOStR was formulated, showing no phase separation, predictable colloidal rearrangements, and stable pH during storage. In vitro assays revealed strong inhibition of conidial germination (IC50 = 14.17 μL mL-1; IC90 = 20.26 μL mL-1) and mycelial growth (IC50 = 29 μL mL-1; IC90 = 57 μL mL-1), comparable to thiabendazole. In vivo assays confirmed effective postharvest control, delaying disease onset, reducing AUIPC (up to 83.5%) and AUDPC (up to 97%), and extending fruit shelf life. EOStR is thus a promising natural alternative for anthracnose management.
Plant bacterial diseases threaten global food security and agricultural product quality. This study aimed to explore natural products with anti-phytopathogenic bacterial activity towards the new target guanosine monophosphate synthase (GMPS). Twelve phenolic compounds, including a new one, peniquinone L (1), were isolated using column chromatography and semipreparative HPLC from Chaetomium grande-JPT2. The molecular structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectrometry. High-throughput activity screening revealed that compound 11 could inhibit GMPS, yielding an EC50 value of 58.83 μg/mL. Molecular docking further revealed that the binding interaction between 11 and GMPS was primarily stabilised by two hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl group in 11 and amino acid residues in GMPS. This is the first report on GMPS inhibition by phenolic compounds. Furthermore, compounds 4 and 7 displayed antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis by two-fold serial dilution method, with MIC values of 100 μg/mL.
The species Tabernaemontana divaricata of Apocynaceae has a long history of application in folk medicine. Previous phytochemical studies have revealed that it is abundant in monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs). To support the comprehensive development and utilisation of active compounds from T. divaricata, an undescribed monoterpenoid indole alkaloid named 6α-hydroxy-20-epi-ervatamine (1), together with twelve known MIAs (2-13), were isolated from its aerial parts. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR, UV, IR, and MS techniques. The biological evaluation showed significant anti-inflammatory and inhibitory effects against leukaemia cell proliferation. Compounds 1 and 7 exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory effects, comparable to the positive control dexamethasone (DXM) at a concentration of 20 μM. Furthermore, compounds 2 and 8 exhibited inhibitory effects against all three acute leukaemia cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 0.84 ± 0.06 μM to 18.75 ± 0.73 μM, highlighting their potential biological activities.
This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms of cinnamon leaves and identify activity-related quality markers (Q-markers). Through UHPLC-HRMS and GC-MS/MS, 40 compounds were identified in cinnamon leaves. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 244 potential targets closely associated with the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cinnamon leaves. After screening, 18 core active components and 15 key targets (such as STAT3, IL-6 and TLR4) were retained. Molecular docking results demonstrated that components such as coumarin and cinnamaldehyde exhibited low binding energies with key targets, suggesting good binding affinity. In vitro antioxidant assays demonstrated that both the ethanol extract and volatile oil of cinnamon leaves exhibited over 92% scavenging efficiency against ABTS+· and DPPH radicals, confirming their significant antioxidant activity. Based on the Q-marker screening principles, cinnamic acid, coumarin, 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde, and cinnamaldehyde were identified as Q-markers for cinnamon leaves.
A refined polysaccharide component (ADP-0.1-1) was isolated and purified from Angelicae dahuricae radix. Structural analysis revealed that ADP-0.1-1 had a molecular weight of 1.32 × 107 Da and was primarily composed of galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara), galacturonic acid (GalA), rhamnose (Rha), mannose (Man), and glucose (Glc). Methylation analysis, along with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, indicated that the main chain of ADP-0.1-1 was →3,5)-α-Araf-(1→ and →4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, the side chains were →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-GalAp-(1→, →5)-α-Araf-(1→, and terminal units were α-Araf-(1→ residues. In an H2O2-induced oxidative stress model using RAW264.7 macrophages, ADP-0.1-1 not only reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content but also enhanced the activities of key antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, it up-regulated the mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes such as HO-1, NQO1, SOD2, GPX1, and CAT. The mechanism underlying these effects is closely associated with the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway.
The essential oil (EO) extracted from fresh flowers of Solenanthus tubiflorus Murb. growing in Tunisia was analysed by GC/MS and its chemical composition was reported for the first time. Seventy-two compounds were identified, with 3-carene (19.57%), estragole (17.75%), bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, 4-methylene-1-(1-methylethyl)- (7.32%), and α-terpinyl acetate (6.13%) as the major constituents. The antibacterial activity of the EO was evaluated against five bacterial strains using the microbroth dilution assay. It showed notable activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1% (v/v). The antibacterial mechanism of the essential oil against S. aureus was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed severe morphological alterations including membrane disruption, cell deformation, and cytoplasmic leakage. Moreover, molecular docking of the main compounds with the acylated penicillin-binding protein 2a from methicillin-resistant S. aureus (PDB: 1MWT) demonstrated promising interactions. These findings highlight the potential of Solenanthus tubiflorus Murb. EO as a natural antibacterial agent.
Carissa spinarum L. is traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, yet its bioactive potential remains insufficiently explored. In this study, stem and leaf extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), metabolite composition, and biological activities. TPC values were 87.13 and 89.90 mg GAE at concentrations of 217.83 mg/mL and 224.78 mg/mL for stem and leaf extracts, respectively. 1H-NMR analysis revealed several tentative bioactive metabolites including syringic acid, catechin, hiravanone, quinic acid, betulinic acid, and linoleic acid. Antibacterial activity tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and MRSA showed strong inhibition of all pathogens except B. subtilis. Anticancer activity on HeLa cells and antioxidant evaluation using DPPH confirmed higher efficacy of the stem extract compared to the leaf extract. Overall, C. spinarum demonstrates promising antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties, supporting its potential as a source of natural therapeutic agents.
Microcystis aeruginosa, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium, produces diverse secondary metabolites with notable anticancer potential. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of its metabolites on two gastrointestinal cancer cell lines, AGS and SW480. Strain identification was confirmed through morphological and molecular analyses, while GC-MS profiling revealed a variety of bioactive fatty acid esters such as E-11-Hexadecenoic acid, ethyl ester, Linoleic acid, ethyl ester, Hexadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, and Palmitic acid ethyl ester. High chlorophyll a content (22.42 ug/g fresh weight (FW)), Total phenolic (9.42 ug/g FW), flavonoid (15.86 ug/g FW), and anthocyanin (6.42 ug/g FW) contents indicated strong photosynthetic activity and metabolic richness. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects, with IC50 values of 365-536 and 244-409 µg/mL in AGS and SW480 cells after 24 and 48 h respectively. Western blot analysis further revealed apoptosis-related molecular alterations, including Bax upregulation, Bcl-2 suppression, and activation of p53 in both cell lines.
Two novel lipids lentinoside A (6), [1-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(2S,3R,4E,8E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxytricosanoylamino]-9-methyl-4,8-heptadecadiene-1,3-diol], and lentinamide A (5), [((2'R)-2-hydroxy-N-((2S,3S,4R)-1,3,4-trihydroxyheptatriacontan-2-yl)pentadecanamide)] were isolated from Lentinus sajor-caju (Fr.) Fr. 1838, alongside stearic acid (1), ergosterol (2), ergosterol endoperoxide (3), and asperglaucide (4). Antioxidant evaluation revealed that (3) (25.706%) and the extract (25.858%, IC50 = 0.188 mg/mL) exhibited DPPH• radical scavenging capacity, though lower than the reference ascorbic acid (21.26%, IC50 = 0.0621 mg/mL). In the ABTS•+ assay, (4) demonstrated the strongest activity (0.800 mg TE/g), followed by (6) (0.646 mg TE/g) and (5) (0.612 mg TE/g). FRAP assay revealed (5) had the highest ferric reducing capacity (0.982 ± 0.069 mg Fe(II)/g), followed by (4) (0.690 mg Fe(II)/g). In contrast, (2) (0.456 mg Fe(II)/g) and the extract (0.440 mg Fe(II)/g) displayed weak capacity. These findings highlight lipid and peptide contributions to the nutraceutical potential of L. sajor-caju and expands the chemical diversity of bioactive fungal metabolites.
