Background, the genus Curcuma (Family: Zingiberaceae), which comprises 180 accepted species, as per the Plants of the World Online (POWO) database, is well known for its extensive usage in traditional medicine. Several species of the genus offer a wide spectrum of biological/ pharmacological activities, yet a significant number remain unexplored. Objective, This review aims to assess the global research landscape of the genus Curcuma through a concise bibliometric (performance) analysis, to identify species-specific evidence for highlighting the underexplored species, to map the clinical trial landscape of the genus Curcuma and suggest future directions for the Curcuma research associated with biomedical fields. Methods, a concise bibliometric analysis was conducted utilising R software (Bibliometrix, an R package with a web-based interface, Biblioshiny) on Scopus-indexed publications from 2014 to 2024. The information regarding the accepted Curcuma species, their biogeographical insights and their synonyms was retrieved from the database ‘Plants of the World Online’ (POWO). Furthermore, an extensive literature review was carried out using databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar to determine the taxonomic, nutritional, as well as pharmacological attributes of the genus Curcuma. At the same time, the evidence and data regarding the reported compounds and/or biological/pharmacological activities of each species were extracted from peer-reviewed literature sources. Apart from these, clinical trial data related to Curcuma were retrieved from the ClinicalTrials.gov database for subsequent analysis. Results, the bibliometric analysis revealed an increasing trend in Curcuma-based medicinal studies, high global research, and increased citations. Furthermore, species-wise literature search implied that ~62% of the genus is yet to be explored in terms of chemical characterisation and biological/pharmacological evaluation, which indicates a significant research gap. Also, the clinical trial landscape of the genus revealed a globally active yet predominantly early-to-mid-stage, academically driven research domain with significant gaps, which needs to be addressed for full-scale clinical translation as well as therapeutic integration. Conclusion, although the pharmacological importance of selected Curcuma species is well established, a large portion of the genus remains underexplored in terms of chemical characterisation (including phytochemical profiling) and biological/pharmacological evaluation. Integrating traditional ethnobotanical knowledge with modern technologies can reveal the complete therapeutic potential of the genus.

Cancer remains a major global health challenge. Natural compounds, such as curcumin, resveratrol, genistein, thymoquinone, and paclitaxel, show chemopreventive activity by modulating signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and p53. These agents also promote apoptosis, autophagy, and DNA repair. However, their clinical use is restricted by poor solubility, instability, and low bioavailability. Nanotechnology offers solutions by improving stability, enhancing pharmacokinetics, and enabling targeted delivery. Liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and albumin-bound systems amplify the anticancer effects of natural compounds. Preclinical studies confirm improved efficacy, while early clinical trials reveal both promise and barriers. The key translational challenges include immune clearance, large-scale reproducibility, and regulatory approval. This review highlights the synergy between nanotechnology and natural compounds in cancer chemoprevention and outlines opportunities for future research.

Introduction: Cancer remains a major global health challenge, accounting for nearly one in six deaths worldwide, with treatment often limited by drug resistance, tumour heterogeneity, and therapy-related side effects. Natural plant-derived compounds have gained attention as potential therapeutic leads owing to their structural diversity and multi-targeted mechanisms. Acteoside (Verbascoside), a phenylethanoid glycoside obtained from medicinal plants, exhibits diverse biological and promising anticancer effects. However, information on acteoside remains scattered across phytochemical, pharmacological, and experimental studies. This review integrates current evidence to provide a comprehensive overview of acteoside in cancer research. Methods: Literature retrieval for this study was conducted using the Scopus database due to its extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals, robust metadata indexing, and suitability for ethnopharmacological, bibliometric, and pharmacognostic analyses. The study included four analytical components, viz., cataloguing plant sources of acteoside to establish a pharmacognostic repository, bibliometric analysis of acteoside-related cancer research (1990-2024) to identify trends, mapping of cancer types investigated in acteoside studies, and predictive acteoside-disease target mapping using network pharmacology to evaluate oncological relevance. Results: The former two analyses highlight the broad botanical distribution of acteoside and increasing interest in its anticancer potential. Cancer-type mapping showed investigations across multiple malignancies. Predictive acteoside-disease target mapping revealed that cancer exhibited the highest number of connections with acteoside-associated targets. Discussion: These findings reinforce the growing relevance of acteoside in cancer research. Conclusion: Overall, this integrative overview provides a foundation for future experimental and translational research on acteoside as a promising natural anticancer lead.

INTRODUCTION:Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive renal complication that significantly contributes to end-stage renal disease. Hyperglycaemia contributes to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). The interaction between AGEs and their receptor (RAGE) plays a key role in the progression of DN. RAGE activation increases oxidative stress and promotes inflammation, thereby evoking cellular and molecular damage. Together, these events result in kidney injury and varying degrees of proteinuria. This study aims to evaluate the drug-like properties of potential natural compounds derived from Curcuma caesia and their potential effectiveness against DN. METHODS:This study investigates the antioxidant properties of Curcuma caesia (CC) rhizome extracts, alongside in silico methodologies including molecular docking, QSAR, and ADMET analysis to identify potential metabolites. RESULTS:In this study, we examined the potential of phytochemicals identified from the rhizome extracts of Curcuma caesia (CC) that may mimic AGEs and inhibit RAGE activation. We assessed whether these phytochemicals could prevent ROS accumulation and inflammation, thereby providing renoprotection in a diabetic milieu. Using molecular docking and ADMET analysis, we identified two compounds, Lappaol A and Piperaduncin B, in the methanolic extract of CC, which demonstrated a stronger affinity for interacting with RAGE than the AGE compound MODIC and the RAGE inhibitor Azeliragon. DISCUSSION:Since the interaction between AGEs and RAGE contributes to major pathological events in the development of DN, inhibiting this interaction could be a valuable therapeutic strategy against DN and other AGE-mediated pathologies such as retinopathy and neuropathy. Virtual screening of the identified compounds revealed that Lappaol A and Piperaduncin B effectively bind to RAGE and may interrupt RAGE activation, thereby potentially slowing the progression of DN. CONCLUSION:These natural compounds exhibited promising drug-like characteristics against the target protein RAGE and may serve as lead compounds for the development of RAGE inhibitors. The study recommends further in vitro and in vivo investigations to assess the therapeutic potential of these identified compounds in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

INTRODUCTION:Genistein is an isoflavone primarily extracted from soybeans and the Dyer's broom (Genista tinctora L.). It has been extensively studied using various extraction methods and characterized via NMR for structural elucidation. Its pharmacological potential, mediated through interactions with multiple receptors and signalling pathways, has been validated through numerous preclinical studies globally. METHODS:To analyze the pharmaceutical profile of genistein using PASS software, we correlated it with existing literature, and evaluated its efficacy against various diseases. The study aims to explore the broad-spectrum potential of genistein as a lead compound against the various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), neurodegenerative and viral diseases. RESULTS:It is a broad-spectrum drug that is effective against - cancer, heart associated diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and viral diseases. It is a potential anticancer drug that modulates apoptosis, cell cycle, metastasis, and regulates the cancer signalling pathways. Based on the compilation of reports from the literature reviews, it is effective against breast cancer (23%), neuroblastoma (12.77%), prostate and lung cancer (10.64%). Secondly, it has cardio protectant properties and supports cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function and lowering cholesterol. It is reported to be effective against cardiac dysfunction (38.46%), atherosclerosis (26.92%), and cardiotoxicity (15.39%). Thirdly, it offers various neuroprotective benefits in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's (69.84%) and Parkinson's (19.05%). Lastly, it was also reported to be effective against HSV (23.08%), HIV (23.08%) and HPV (15.39%) viral infections. DISCUSSION:Genistein exhibits a wide range of therapeutic properties, including anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antiviral effects. It has shown notable efficacy in treating cancers such as breast, prostate, and lung, as well as neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Additionally, its benefits in improving cardiovascular health and combating viral infections further support its potential as a multifunctional therapeutic agent. Although genistein has a broad pharmacological spectrum, its clinical relevance is hampered by a suboptimal pharmacokinetic profile, such as poor bioavailability, rapid systemic clearance, extensive first-pass metabolism, and low aqueous solubility, which limit its therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS:This systematic review highlights genistein's pharmacological profile, demonstrating its efficacy against various diseases and its potential as a lead candidate for drug development in oncology, cardiovascular health, and neurodegenerative therapies. Thus, underscoring its potential, Genistein can be considered a versatile therapeutic agent.

Pajanelia longifolia (Willd.) K. Schum., a medicinal plant traditionally used in India, exhibits significant therapeutic potential and has long been employed in the treatment of various ailments. In this study, a target-based in silico strategy was applied to explore the interaction of metabolites from the bark of P. longifolia with two key proteins, EGFR and TGFβRI, identified through network pharmacology. These proteins are crucial regulators in the development and progression of various cancers. Alongside computational analysis, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and metabolite profiling were performed on P. longifolia bark extract with different types of solvents. The GC-MS analysis was conducted on the methanolic extract of the plant and GC-MS-identified metabolites, along with compounds previously documented in literature, were subjected to molecular docking analysis against the selected target proteins. Several metabolites demonstrated prominent MolDock scores than the standard reference inhibitors against targets. These phytocompounds, such as Lindleyin, Pheophorbide a, irinotecan, silandrin and rescinnamine emerging as the most promising docking results with respect to their positive control against targets. Rescinnamine appears to be the most suitable and potentially bioactive compound from the methanolic extract of this plant. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical evaluation further indicated that these bioactive molecules possess favorable drug-like properties, suggesting their potential as leads for novel therapeutic agents against cancer. The findings emphasize the importance of P. longifolia as a valuable source of anticancer metabolites. Future work should include molecular dynamics simulations to confirm binding stability, followed by in vitro and in vivo validation to assess biological efficacy and safety. These steps may ultimately support the development of plant-derived therapeutic agents for the management of various cancers.

Flavonoids form a structurally diverse group of polyphenolic compounds with high ethnopharmacological relevance, primarily attributed to their antimicrobial and anticancer activity mediated by modulation of oxidative stress, induction of apoptosis, and regulation of the cell cycle. Their translatability to the clinic is critically hindered by multifaceted toxicities involving nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and respiratory issues often traceable to conserved structural motifs. In response, we adopted an integrative dual-methodological approach that linked thorough data mining across PubMed, Google Scholar, and PubChem for pharmacokinetic parameters and SMILES-based structural information to computational toxicity prediction using ProTox 3.0 and ADMET AI in order to unravel mechanistic endpoints of toxicity.Chemical drawing utilities like ChemSketch and ChemDraw supported the structural evaluations, and cross-referring DrugBank and ClinicalTrials.gov gave validation for clinical relevance. This computational model was further validated using in vitro and in vivo model systems, guaranteeing a comprehensive evaluation of flavonoid toxicity and therapeutic potential. Although flavonoids show great antimicrobial and anticancer potential, the translational roadblock arises from discrepancies between predictive models of toxicity and empirical validation, requiring sophisticated structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and integrative approaches to bridge computational-experimental gaps and enhance clinical relevance. This research highlights the need for a dual investigative approach, blending in silico and experimental paradigms, to maximize the predictive validity and translational potential of flavonoid-derived therapeutics.

Nature provides innumerable answers to human problems, but our knowledge is restricted. The use of medicinal plants to treat health problems dates back to ancient times., It has evolved into contemporary techniques that combine traditional knowledge with modern medicine. Cancer, the biggest cause of mortality worldwide, remains difficult to treat properly. This study focusses on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)., The most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 85–90% of occurrences and associated with factors such as smoking and pollution. Pajanelia longifolia, an Indian traditional medicinal herb, has therapeutic potential and has historically been used to cure a variety of diseases. This study examines the phytochemical elements of P. longifolia bark using metabolite profiling. It evaluates its anti-NSCLC activity using computational methods. The key compounds were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and molecular docking was performed against protein B-Raf and EGFR, both linked to cancer proliferation. The findings emphasise the potential of P. longifolia as a source of bioactive chemicals for cancer therapy. They highlight the need for additional investigation into its medicinal potential, particularly in combination with proven medicines such as irinotecan.

Endophytic fungi colonize the inner parts of the plant tissues asymptomatically. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that endophytes directly generate bioactive compounds, improving their host plants’ fitness. There has been a notable trend towards eco-friendly products in healthcare, medicine, and many other significant explorations of endophytic fungi, which have been discovered to generate diverse secondary metabolites with various biological properties, which has been a particular area of interest in this transformation. These fungi are an abundant source of secondary metabolites with functional properties, such as steroids, phenols, phenolic acids, quinines, phenolic, indole derivatives, amines, iso-coumarin derivatives, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, diterpenes, lignans, terpenoids, peptides, chlorinated metabolites, and aliphatic compounds. New antibiotics, antimycotics, immunosuppressants, anticancer chemicals, and other bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse biological activity are now known to come from an endophytic fungus. Bioactive secondary metabolites produced by endophytic fungal organisms have been found to have unexpected medicinal promise. Additionally, it adds to the pharmaceutical and probiotic health products we regularly use to balance out diets that can improve health conditions. It also can enhance health conditions. The focus of the current study and emphasis is placed on endophytic fungi’s significance in acquiring contemporary bioactive compounds that exhibit a variety of biological traits, including the potential to be antiparasitic, anti-pathogenic, antibacterial, antitumor, antioxidant, immunoregulatory, neuroprotective, and cytotoxic to cancer cells. Endophytes are an endless source of pharmacologically significant substances. Considerable attention is dedicated to studies that seek to elucidate the mechanism through which these metabolites exert health benefits.

Fungi are considered as one of the most important group of organisms due to their immense application in biotechnology and industry. In addition to this, fungi can also be grown at large scale and which remain viable. Most of the economically valuable compounds isolated from fungi are the secondary metabolites, as primary metabolites are rapidly exploited since they are directly involved for their growth to occur, which includes nucleic acid, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. On the other hand, secondary metabolites are formed during the stationary phase, once rapid initial growth phase has declined. The incredible role played by fungi starts from textile industry to food and beverages. In between these two extremes, they can be utilized in the production of preservatives, fungal enzymes, cosmetics, biofertilizers, medicines, etc. Some of the extraction methods (isolation and purification) of pharmacologically valuable compounds from fungi are also discussed. Apart from its principal role, that is, being utilized as antibiotics, we will focus on various extremes that fungi are highly beneficial as pharmaceuticals like anticancer agents, antidiabetic agents, antiviral agents, immunosuppressive agents, and many more. Most of the compounds derived from fungi like penicillin, cephalosporin, griseofulvin, cyclosporine, etc. which are reported to have medicinal properties are described with their sources, structures, effectiveness against particular diseases and the mechanism by which they act. Only very few of the total estimated fungal biodiversity has been studied for bioactive compounds and from these many natural products and the natural product derived drugs have been discovered, still further research in this area is required to combat new challenges for multidrug-resistant pathogens. This chapter specifically deals with the life-saving potentiality, that is, fungi as pharmaceuticals.

Metabolomics is a data-driven approach with predictive power that assesses all measurable metabolites without any pre-conception or pre-selection, and is considered as an extension of functional genomics. It looks into the occurrence and change of concentrations of small molecular weight chemical compounds (metabolites or metabolomes) in organisms, organs, tissues, cells and ultimately cell compartments in the context of environmental changes, disease or other boundary conditions, by utilizing appropriate spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques and by observing at once not only a few but all compounds visible to the particular technique used. As metabolomics, including plant metabolomics, often involves the analysis of a large amount of data, nowadays, the process is aided by various mathematical modelling and computational tools. This chapter presents a holistic view of how mathematical modelling and computation impact plant metabolomics research.