This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Achyranthis Radix (Achyranthes bidentata Blume, Amaranthaceae) coordinately regulates sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and obesity. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the active components and targets of Achyranthis Radix via Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. Common targets for the three diseases were identified from CTD, DisGeNet, GeneCards, OMIM, and PharmGkb databases. Overlapping targets were determined through Venn analysis, and Cytoscape was used to construct "Herb-Component-Target-Disease" and protein–protein interaction networks with topological analysis, identifying quercetin as the core bioactive component. Molecular docking demonstrated a binding affinity of -6.1 kcal/mol between quercetin and the androgen receptor protein, forming three stable hydrogen bonds. In vitro experiments established disease models including dexamethasone-induced C2C12 myotubes for sarcopenia, dexamethasone-treated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts for osteoporosis, and two 3T3-L1 adipocyte models for obesity: a classic adipogenic differentiation model for direct fat accumulation inhibition and LPS-stimulated adipocytes for obesity-related inflammation. Cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, while gene and protein expression were measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The results revealed androgen receptor downregulation as a shared molecular signature across all three disease models. Quercetin dose-dependently restored androgen receptor expression. These findings suggest that quercetin from Achyranthis Radix may coordinately regulate sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and obesity by modulating androgen receptor protein expression, providing preliminary molecular evidence supporting clinical applications and further drug development.
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Continuous viral mutation and adaptation have led to the emergence of novel variants with enhanced transmissibility and greater immune escape capabilities. Stingless bee honey, also known as Kelulut honey, possesses various medicinal properties attributed to its wide range of bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, studies on the antiviral properties of Kelulut honey against SARS-CoV-2 remain scarce. This study aimed to screen the potential antiviral activity of Kelulut honey against SARS-CoV-2 using a cytopathic effect-based assay. Kelulut honey produced by Heterotrigona itama species, collected in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, was evaluated for its ability to reduce SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effects in Vero E6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and Omicron variants. Kelulut honey reduced the cytopathic effect induced by the wild-type strain at 1- and 4-h pretreatment settings, with Emax values of 56.7 ± 9.96
Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, Bignoniaceae, is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of conditions such as vitiligo and asthma, because of its ability to reduce free radicals and its potential photoprotective properties. Ultraviolet B radiation can cause severe sunburn and induce the generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to cellular and DNA damage. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the photoprotective capacity of different extracts and fractions from P. venusta flowers. The methodologies employed included antioxidant assays, cell viability assays in UVB-irradiated L929 fibroblasts, determination of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, reactive oxygen species generation, and lipid peroxidation. The results demonstrated that the extracts and fractions from P. venusta flowers exhibited antioxidant activity, particularly the ethyl acetate: n-butanol (6:1, w/w) fraction (F61), which showed superior activity across different assays (2.36 ± 0.058 and 3.44 ± 0.017 mmol TEAC/g for ABTS and FRAP, respectively, and IC₅₀ values of 6.57 ± 0.11 and 0.13 ± .008 µg/ml for DPPH and XOD). High-performance liquid chromatography enabled the separation of the major compounds, acteoside and β-hydroxy-acteoside, in both extracts and fractions, with contents of 50.2, 34.68, 28.44, 8.12, and 13.34
Hair loss affects a large population and is influenced by several factors, notably androgens. Although approved medicines are effective, they are associated with numerous adverse effects. The alternative therapies, particularly natural products, have been extensively investigated. Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl, Acanthaceae (sea holly) is a plant used for nourishing hair root in traditional herbal remedies. Nevertheless, evidence-based efficacy reports remain limited. Therefore, the study objective was to investigate the anti-hair loss potential of plant extract. The plant leaves were extracted, standardized phenolic acids, and evaluated anti-hair loss effects, including protective effect against hydrogen peroxide, human follicle dermal papilla cell proliferation effect, influence on type I 5α-reductase, and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression, in cell culture assays. Hair tonic containing extract was formulated and tested for skin irritation and anti-hair loss efficacy in an open-label, non-comparative clinical trial. Sea holly extract was a dark green semi-solid with an extractive yield of 9.18 ± 0.36
Citronella volatile oil, obtained from the fresh or partially dried aerial parts of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor, Poaceae, by steam distillation, is widely used across multiple sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, food production, and household applications. The quality and safety of volatile oils are vital for public health, with established standards outlined in pharmacopoeias to ensure their proper use and regulation. This study evaluated the quality of 13 C. winterianus volatile oil samples from pharmacies and non-pharmacy sources to determine their compliance with European Pharmacopoeia standards. Analytical techniques such as high-performance thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used in all samples to provide comprehensive information about their phytochemical composition. Additionally, resinified volatile oil test, optical rotation, relative density, and refractive index as well as macroscopic quality assessments including color and odor were employed to check the quality of all samples. None of the samples conformed to all tests, with pharmacy products demonstrating a compliance rate of 69
In response to safety concerns associated with certain sunscreen ingredients, natural alternatives for ultraviolet absorption have gained increasing interest. This study evaluated the chemical composition and photoprotective and antiphotomutagenic potential of an ethanolic extract of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC., Asteraceae, using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomodel. ESI–QToF–LC–MS analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids, including apigenin, caffeoylquinic acids, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and chlorogenic acid. In the yeast model, the extract protected S. cerevisiae yno1 cells against cytotoxic damage under high solar-simulated light exposure, indicating antioxidant-mediated photoprotection. Moreover, treated cells showed reduced solar-simulated light-induced photomutagenicity, evidenced by a lower frequency of CanR mutants, demonstrating protection against oxidative mutagenic lesions. These findings highlight B. dracunculifolia extract as a promising natural photoprotective ingredient with dual antioxidant and UV-absorbing properties, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic UV filters in sunscreen formulations.
Viticulture has traditionally flourished in temperate zones, but Brazil’s vast territory enables fine wine production in diverse climates. Ribeirão Preto, in São Paulo state, has a tropical climate with hot, rainy summers and dry winters. A local winery cultivates Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Syrah’ using the double pruning technique, shifting grape production to the dry winter season. This mitigates summer rain impacts, improves grape development, and enhances wine quality. Grapes’ chemical composition, shaped by climate, soil, and viticultural practices, directly influences wine quality. In tropical regions, determining the optimal harvest time is crucial. Metabolomics provides insights into grape metabolic status and quality. This study used untargeted LC-MS to analyze 370 leaf and 187 grape extract samples collected over 2 years, correlating metabolic profiles with climate data via multivariate analysis. Distinct metabolic patterns were identified by sampling month, revealing climate-related impacts on grape metabolism. The main metabolic markers included anthocyanins, amino acids, and polyphenols, compounds associated with grape maturation, stress responses, and wine quality. Notably, rotundone, a sesquiterpene characteristic of ‘Syrah’ and associated with its peppery aroma, was detected for the first time under double pruning conditions in this tropical viticultural system. Together, these findings highlight the potential of untargeted metabolomics to characterize climate-driven metabolic variation and aroma-related markers in tropical viticulture.
This work aimed to chemically characterize volatile oils from Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., Lamiaceae, Monarda fistulosa L., Lamiaceae, and Cuminum cyminum L., Apiaceae, as well as patchoulol, and evaluate their antibacterial potential against five bacterial strains and the combined effect of the volatile oil of P. cablin or patchoulol with antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The composition of the oils was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, while the structural identification of the major component isolated from oil of P. cablin was confirmed through nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The antibacterial effect was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration parameters, and the interactions with β-lactams drugs were determined by checkerboard assay. Analyses identified patchoulol (37.05
This study provides a comparative evaluation of the chemical composition and biological activity of waste sage (Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) extracts obtained using three extraction techniques: maceration, heat-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction, combined with three ethanol concentrations (30, 50, and 70
Depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder. Its pathogenesis arises from a complex interplay of interconnected biological systems. This interplay extends well beyond the classical monoamine deficiency framework. This review focuses on four key pathways: monoamine depletion by oxidative degradation and transporter hyperactivity, neuroinflammation from glial crosstalk to STING-GPX4 ferroptosis, gut dysbiosis disrupting barrier integrity and short-chain fatty acids, and impaired neuroplasticity due to brain-derived neurotrophic factor silencing and tropomyosin receptor kinase B disruption. We then map each pathway to bioactive compounds from medicinal-edible plants—flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and polysaccharides. These agents exert multi-target, multi-pathway effects: restoring serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine; suppressing nuclear factor kappa B/NOD-like receptor protein 3 and microglial activation; activating brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin to repair plasticity; correcting glucocorticoid receptor to balance hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; and remodeling gut microbiota to produce beneficial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptophan). We also critically assess translational bottlenecks—poor oral bioavailability, single-compound studies lacking formula synergy, insufficient pharmacokinetic-target data, and few rigorous trials. By integrating neurobiology with pharmacognosy, this review provides a framework for developing evidence-based functional foods and adjunctive therapies.
Hydroxycitric acid has long been investigated as a phytochemical with an array of beneficial effects on human health. Thus, hydroxycitric acid forms an important component of commercially available herbal formulations and nutraceuticals with tremendous market potential. The development of herbal dietary supplement requires reliable, accurate, and sensitive analytical procedures for detecting and quantitating hydroxycitric acid across diverse biological matrices. Most studies evaluating hydroxycitric acid supplements focus on pharmacokinetic and toxicological analysis. In this article, we discuss a wide range of sample processing and analytical techniques for qualitative and quantitative hydroxycitric acid measurement. The matrices considered include plant extracts, herbal formulations, food samples, target cells and tissues, clinical samples, body fluids, and microbial cultures. Unlike existing reviews that primarily focus on biological and pharmacological aspects of hydroxycitric acid, this review provides a matrix-oriented analytical framework facilitating method selection across diverse sample types. Some emerging analytical considerations in terms of stereospecific detection and stability-constraints are further highlighted, to add a critical perspective. Based on a detailed assessment of the existing methods, this article serves as a guiding compilation for selecting suitable separation and extraction methods for future studies on bioactive hydroxycitric acid and its applications.
Alveolar bone loss is a type of jaw bone defect and serves as a key determinant of the overall restorative outcome and long-term stability of various denture restorations including implant-supported dentures. It often occurs following tooth extraction or as a consequence of periodontitis. In clinical practice, there are no ideal therapeutic drugs for promoting alveolar bone formation, as most osteogenic agents tend to have side effects. Therefore, the development of novel therapies is essential. Drynaria roosii Nakaike, Polypodiaceae, is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Chinese folk medicine to promote osteogenesis. To search novel phytochemicals with osteogenic activity, compounds in D. roosii were explored, leading to the identification of drynachromoside A. Further studies revealed that drynachromoside A induced proliferation, promoted osteogenesis, and altered morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells, thereby improving the compatibility with titanium plates. These effects may be associated with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings may provide valuable insights for the development of novel bone formation therapies.
Hawrāmān (or Avromān) is a region in the west of Iran between Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces and northeast of Kurdistan Region in Iraq. This area is considered a national reserve with significant knowledge on the application of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases. However, there is little information about the plants used by local healers in Hawrāmān. The aim of the present study was to collect ethnobotanical data of the Hawrāmān region which lasted from 2022 to 2024. A total of 93 local healers were interviewed by an open-ended questionnaire. In the current study, 202 plant species from 67 families were reported to be used in the treatment of different diseases. Most medicinal plants belonged to the Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae families. A total of 5446 use reports were documented, covering 96 ailments that were classified into 16 health disorder categories. The most cited diseases with the highest use report were gastrointestinal, dermatological, and respiratory disorders. The most frequently cited plant species were Quercus brantii, Quercus infectoria, Artemisia haussknechtii, Thymus spp., Crataegus azarolus var. aronia, Citrullus lanatus, Tribulus terrestris, Cichorium intybus, Mentha spicata, Anthemis arvensis, Pistacia atlantica, and Solanum tuberosum. Based on this study, Kurdish ethnobotany represents a coherent and flexible knowledge system and documentation of such knowledge seems crucial. Performing clinical trials and safety studies to assess the efficacy and safety of the mentioned plants in the treatment of various diseases is highly recommended.
Cancer remains a global health challenge, particularly esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, which have limited effective therapies and poor survival outcomes. Marine organisms, especially sea cucumbers, have historically been recognized in traditional medicine and represent an invaluable source of novel bioactive compounds. Saponins, the triterpenoid secondary metabolites abundant in sea cucumbers, are emerging as potential cytotoxic agents. In this study, we conducted a detailed comparative analysis of saponin profiles from eight geographically diverse sea cucumber species, identifying profound species-specific cytotoxic effects. Among these, saponins from Astichopus multifidus (Sluiter, 1910), Stichopodidae (sample-C) exhibited outstanding potency, significantly surpassing the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. We purified and structurally characterized a putative triterpenoid saponin from this species, with the structure tentatively assigned on the basis of LC–MS, FT-IR and 1H-NMR data, confirming its ability to induce apoptosis selectively in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via PARP-1 cleavage. These findings establish sea cucumber-derived saponins as promising cytotoxic candidates warranting further clinical investigation.
Phytochemical investigation of the twigs of Garcinia cowa Roxb. ex Choisy, Clusiaceae, collected in Vietnam, led to the isolation of five tetraoxygenated xanthones, including three new compounds, namely norrubraxanthone, garcinone G, and garcinone H, together with two known compounds, α-mangostin and rubraxanthone. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI–MS), and by comparison with literature data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All isolated compounds exhibited potent inhibitory effects, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.39 to 1.62 µM, which were significantly stronger than that of the positive control acarbose under the assay conditions employed (IC₅₀ 263.01 ± 10.92 µM). Among them, garcinone H and mangostin showed the most pronounced activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.43 ± 0.01 and 0.39 ± 0.01 µM, respectively.
Chronic kidney disease is an emerging health crisis with an increased mortality rate and is associated with severe cardiovascular complications. Hypertension, hyperglycemia, and glomerular injury are the prime determinants of this disease condition. The common etiopathological basis of this disease includes inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Despite advances in disease management, achieving a complete cure remains challenging. This review aims to identify plant-derived bioactive compounds with nephroprotective activity to explore their interactions with underexplored chronic kidney disease molecular targets. A comprehensive review of databases, including Scopus, Clarivate, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, was conducted to identify phytocompounds that were found to interact with emerging renal targets. These include sirtuins, matrix metalloproteinases, nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, klotho, and uromodulin. Moreover, network pharmacology tools, including DisGenet, Enrichr-KG, Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards, and Cytoscape, were used to map interactions between selected phytochemicals and targets. The review highlights the potential of phytocompounds to modulate key pathological processes involved in this disease progression and also emphasizes their value in advancing precision-based therapies as adjuvant treatment. Additionally, the absence of curative therapy reinforces the need to prioritize targeted precision treatment and regenerative strategies. Future research should emphasize advances in regenerative medicine, protein-based interventions, and gene-guided precision approaches to propel the evolution of restorative nephrology care.
Bixa orellana L., Bixaceae, is a plant native to tropical America, traditionally used in folk medicine. Its bioactive compounds exhibit therapeutic potential, particularly in terms of antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to conduct an integrative review to explore the current knowledge and technological applications of annatto-derived compounds in the health field, highlighting their antimicrobial potential, particularly in the context of wound healing and associated anti-inflammatory processes, as well as possible innovations based on these properties. An integrative review was conducted using the PICo framework. Searches were performed in eight scientific databases and three patent repositories using structured search strings with descriptors in Portuguese and English. Studies from the last 5 years and relevant patents were included. Eleven scientific articles and 17 patents were selected. The main compounds derived from annatto demonstrated antimicrobial activity against 25 microbial strains. Technological analysis revealed an increase in patent filings related to the therapeutic use of annatto, especially in Brazil, with an emphasis on polymeric films and nanofibers aimed at antimicrobial activity in a wound healing context. The findings highlight B. orellana as a promising source for developing innovative herbal medicines with significant antimicrobial potential. Nonetheless, methodological standardization and further clinical studies are necessary to validate experimental evidence.
Medicinal plants have long been used in traditional medicine to treat and prevent many diseases. The genus Dipteryx, Fabaceae, comprises 14 species in South and Central America, standing out for its diversity of compounds, such as coumarins, flavonoids, and terpenoids. This study aims to investigate the chemical constituents of Dipteryx lacunifera Ducke from Piauí State, Brazil, and to evaluate its cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and anticholinesterase activities. Five compounds were isolated from the hexane fraction derived from the ethanolic extract of the leaves: one steroid, β-sitosterol, two triterpenoids, lupeol and betulin and two sesquiterpenes, spathulenol, and (1aR*,2'R*,4aR*,7S*,7aS*,7bR*)-1,1,7-trimethyldecahydrospiro[cyclopropa[e]azulene-4,2'-oxiran]-7-ol. By GC–MS, 19 additional compounds were identified, such as hydrocarbons, steroids, diterpenes, and fatty acids. β-Sitosterol exhibited cytotoxic effects against BF-F10 and PC3 tumor cell lines. Regarding anticholinesterase activity, the hexane fraction demonstrated inhibition only at the highest concentration, while antimicrobial activity revealed efficacy against Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. We report, for the first time, a rare sesquiterpene isolated from D. lacunifera leaves, highlighting its therapeutic potential and contributing to the scientific understanding of Piauí Cerrado biodiversity.
Propolis is a natural product widely used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations, whose quality and bioactivity are closely related to botanical origin and processing conditions. Current quality control protocols are primarily based on physicochemical parameters, which provide limited information on botanical traceability and processing efficiency. This study applied palynological analysis to evaluate fifteen commercial propolis solutions marketed in northeastern Brazil, including brown, green, and red propolis, in order to characterize pollen residues and assess their relevance for pharmacognostic quality evaluation. Pollen grains were detected in most samples, and 75 pollen types belonging to 19 botanical families were identified, with predominance of Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, and Rubiaceae. Brown propolis formulations exhibited higher pollen richness and greater heterogeneity, whereas green propolis samples showed lower diversity and higher relative frequencies of a few pollen types. Marked variation in pollen abundance was observed among samples, including high pollen frequencies in products described as filtered extracts, suggesting differences in processing efficiency. Palynological analysis, therefore, provides complementary pharmacognostic information for assessing botanical origin, processing consistency, and quality control of commercial propolis products.
Bioactive agents from natural sources, particularly plant secondary metabolites are an important class of biologically active compounds; however, they exhibit low water solubility, chemical instability, and variable bioavailability. Consequently, pharmaceutical nanoformulations have been extensively employed to enhance the stability, solubility, and performance of these phytochemicals. While nanocarriers effectively address delivery challenges, they introduce significant analytical difficulties, complicating quality control and quantification. Direct quantitation of encapsulated herbal bioactives in intact nanoformulations is not feasible, as the analytes are masked by the nano-carrier matrix and undergo matrix interference during chromatographic analysis. It is therefore a prerequisite to perform analytical extraction to release the bioactive, allowing for the accurate determination of critical quality attributes, such as total drug content and entrapment efficiency. Nonetheless, high-affinity carrier–bioactive interactions, co-extraction of excipients, and phytochemical instability, while disrupting the matrix, often result in analytical bias due to partial recovery. This narrative review focuses on advanced recovery strategies for the analytical extraction of herbal bioactives from pharmaceutical nanomaterials, with particular emphasis on extraction and sample-preparation steps before chromatographic quantification. Based on the classification, recovery approaches include solvent-based, physical disruption-assisted, chemical, pH-responsive, and enzymatic methods. The review emphasizes that recovery behavior depends on the formulation, which significantly impacts analytical stability and chromatographic compatibility. It underscores the necessity for validation-oriented recovery frameworks to ensure efficient quality control and regulatory assessment.
