The research deals with the development of organic fruit production in Montenegro in the period from 2016 to 2024. A focus is given to berries, where certain trends have been identified among certified organic producers, related to changes in certified cultivated areas, as well as structural changes in organic fruit plantations. The focus has further shifted to analyses of organic fruit production, and its importance for sustainable rural development. The analyses applied quantitative, empirical and descriptive approaches, using secondary statistical data obtained from the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT). The research covered the entire population of these producers and the area on which production was carried out during the period of the last decade. Descriptive statistical methods were used. Comparative analysis was used to calculate percentage changes, and in addition, we also used index analysis, and finally created a graphical presentation of trends. An increase in the number of certified organic producers was recorded for the period indicated as the study period. The number increased from 280 (2016) to 532 (2024), an expansion of 31

This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of dichloromethanic, methanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of seventeen different selected Balkan medicinal herbs with ethnopharmacological interest, with the goal of identifying the most bioactive candidates for further investigation of their therapeutic efficacy in human diseases. A total of fifty-four extracts were initially screened; due to the high sample number, only the most active samples were advanced to subsequent assays in order to identify bioactive candidates with potential therapeutic efficacy in human diseases. The methanolic extract of Cotinus coggygria showed the highest radical scavenging activity (DPPH: 96.4% inhibition), the hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum empetrifolium exhibited the most potent iron chelation (IC50: 5.0 μg/mL) and the methanolic extract of Sedum sediforme presented the best anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro assays (LOX IC50: 39.4 μg/mL, COX-1 inhibition: 93.1% and COX-2 inhibition: 94.0%). Furthermore, significant inhibition of tyrosinase and collagenase was observed for the methanolic extract of Cistus creticus (94.2% tyrosinase inhibition, 86.8% collagenase inhibition) and the methanolic extract of Cotinus coggygria (83.1% tyrosinase inhibition, 96.1% collagenase inhibition). In vivo, five promising plant extracts were selected and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in female C57BL/6 mice. The study aimed to assess the in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of these extracts under acute inflammatory conditions. The methanolic extract of Cotinus coggygria proved the most active, significantly reducing paw edema by 34% compared to the non-treated control, indicating a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and supporting its potential as a source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic relevance. The results of this study indicate that several selected herbal extracts exhibit notable pharmacological activities. Given their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and inhibitory properties against enzymes related to skin function, these extracts warrant further in vivo and (pre)clinical investigation for potential use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products targeting skin disorders associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Leiotulus aureus is an endemic umbellifer of the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey. It belongs to the rather complex tribe Tordylieae, whose genera are carpologically characterised in detail. However, information on the structure of its vegetative plant parts remains limited. Previous chemical research implies the presence of specialised structures related to the production of secondary metabolites. The aim of this study is the localisation of these anatomical features. The plant material was collected in Montenegro. The anatomy was studied using both paraffin sections and native sections stained with standard reagents for histochemical analysis, while fruit secretory products were characterised using Raman spectroscopy. Secretory structures were observed in all the plant parts of this monocarpic biennial or short-lived species, forming a network extending from the roots through the stem to the leaves, f lowers and fruits. In the root, they are located exclusively in the cortical parenchyma, while in aboveground vegetative organs, they are found in the cortical parenchyma, in the ribs, aligned with vascular bundles. The fruits contain well-developed dorsal lateral and commissural vittae, while the dorsal median vittae and ducts associated with the vascular bundles are filiform and hardly recognisable. The presence of phenolic compound, flavonoids, fatty acids, and octyl-esters confirmed by histochemical staining, epifluorescence, Raman spectroscopy implies potential phytopharmaceutical properties and warrants further investigations of secondary metabolite pathways.

ABSTRACTSince ancient times numerous, aromatic and medicinal herbs have been commonly used for the production of various herbal beverages. The effect of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) and saline wormwood (Artemisia santonicum) on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the volatile compounds and the sensory properties of the Serbian traditional plum brandy (“slivovitz”) was investigated. Simultaneously, similar commercial alcoholic beverages obtained from the local market have been researched for comparison. Eighty‐nine volatile compounds were detected by GC–MS analysis in tested herbal spirits. More than 30% of detected volatile compounds belong to esters, whereas fatty acid esters contributed to the flavour with pleasant fruity and floral notes. The addition of A. santonicum improved the complexity of volatile profiles, with the main contribution of ketones. On the other hand, the phenylethyl alcohol, typical for its pleasant odour, was exclusively detected in samples enriched by yellow gentian. Saline wormwood contains compounds of a higher influence on lightness compared to the gentian root, whose compounds have increased the red colour intensity of the alcoholic product. The volatile compounds of yellow gentian and saline wormwood enriched the sensory properties of alcohol spirits, both contributing to the fruity aroma, with differences in spicy and herbal aroma, respectively. Extractible compounds of the studied herbs increased the complexity of the volatile profile, which significantly improved the aroma of herbal spirits. Selected herbs, already known for their traditional ethnomedicinal uses in the Balkans, could be considered as valuable material for production of functional beverages of attractive sensory traits.

In this study, carotenoids from four different paprika genotypes were analyzed at various maturation stages, as well as in Ajvar, a traditional Balkan product made from fully matured roasted paprika fruits. For this purpose, the HPTLC analytical method was used, and five dominant carotenoids were analyzed: β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, capsanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. Additionally, total carotenoids were analyzed spectrophotometrically, antioxidant capacity was determined, and their bioavailability was assayed using in vitro digestion. Finally, Raman spectroscopy, a non-destructive analytical method, was used to estimate the total carotenoid content. The results showed that the amount of all investigated carotenoids is the highest in the final maturity stage (0.38 g/100 g DM to 1.55 g/100 g DM). On the other hand, the lowest concentration of all investigated carotenoids was detected at the first stage of maturation, ranging from 0.01 g/100 g DM to 0.25 g/100 g DM. However, the analysis of carotenoid content in Ajvar showed a tendency for a decrease in concentration compared to their quantity in fresh fruits, although this was also dependent on the genotype (1.9–66.98% according to HPTLC results and 16.14–82.36% according to spectrophotometry). Antioxidant tests indicated an increase in antioxidant capacity with the ripening of paprika fruits, confirming the role of carotenoids as compounds capable of neutralizing harmful oxygen species (DPPH ranged from 0.21 to 1.50 µmol/g TEAC, CUPRAC ranged from 0.185 to 0.297 mg AsA/g DM, FRP ranged from 9.33 to 25.66 mg AsA/g DM). Quantification of total carotenoids by Raman spectroscopy showed that results were highly correlated with those obtained by HPTLC and the spectrophotometric method, highlighting the potential of Raman spectroscopy for carotenoid quantification. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the traditional product Ajvar represents an important source of carotenoids, which are preserved after heat treatment with high biological activity relative to the final ripening stage of the paprika. Furthermore, the bioavailability of carotenoids from Ajvar is significantly higher compared to the results from fresh paprika analysis.

EthnoHERBS represents a pioneering multidisciplinary initiative that integrates traditional herbal knowledge with advanced natural product chemistry to promote biodiversity conservation and foster innovative cosmeceutical solutions. The project systematically documents centuries-old ethnobotanical practices across South-Eastern Europe, leading to the identification of a diverse array of medicinal and aromatic plants traditionally used to treat skin disorders. Employing environmentally friendly extraction techniques alongside cutting-edge analytical tools—including UHPLC-HRMS, CPC, and NMR spectroscopy—over 500 bioactive compounds have been characterized, with 30 novel secondary metabolites isolated and structurally elucidated. Advanced in silico methodologies, such as docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM-GBSA rescoring, were implemented to evaluate the interaction profiles of these compounds with key skin disorder-related enzymes, including elastase, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, and xanthine oxidase. Complementary in vitro and in vivo assays confirmed the potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties of the selected extracts. Furthermore, the project underscores sustainable practices by establishing organic cultivation protocols and pilot-scale production processes, ensuring the eco-friendly exploitation of natural resources. By fostering extensive collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners under the Horizon 2020 framework, EthnoHERBS not only advances scientific research and innovative product development but also serves as a model for preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity.

Ellenberg indicator values (EIV) are widely used in vegetation ecology, but the values for many species in Southeastern Europe are not available due to incomplete knowledge of their ecology: it is therefore of paramount importance to estimate missing values in existing databases. The entire EIV set for a single species can be missing or a single EIV can be missing for species for which other indicator values are available. Our aim here is to provide a simple method to impute missing values for species who have missing data in a single or multiple EIV. For this purpose, we adopt a multiple imputation procedure and compare a number of imputation methods on the basis of two datasets: i) “indices”, the set of 9 Ellenberg indicators taken from literature, available for 10,824 species and ii) “vegetation”, a set describing the physical and climatic characteristics (Light, Temperature, Continentality, Soil moisture, Nitrogen, Soil pH, Hemeroby index, Humidity, Organic_matter) of 29,935 relevés from Southeastern Europe where at least one tree species is present. The imputation methods we considered are: k-Nearest Neighbour, multiple linear regression (with or without collinearity correction), Reprediction Algorithm, Weighted Averaging (WA) and Weighted Averaging Partial Least Squares (WAPLS) regression. The different methods of imputation were compared by looking at the output produced and its deviation from the “true” observed values for a set of species with known EIVs. We have considered a set of species with known EIVs and proceeded to multiple imputation using the methods above; as a measure of performance we adopted the mean squared error (MSE) estimate, and expert judgement of ecological consistency. Models based on Regression and k-Nearest Neighbour seem to outperform the others. On the contrary, Reprediction algorithm in its different forms: produced less satisfactory results.Imputation of missing values is generally based on expert knowledge or on some variant of weighted averaging (also known as Hill’s method). Here we show that other methods may be more effective and should be appropriately considered by vegetation scientists, since those may allow the application of EIVs in other biogeographic regions.

Phytoestrogens are compounds occurring in different plant species and in different plant parts, mainly leaves and flowers. These components exhibit an estrogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Chemically, they refer to the classes of isoflavones, flavanones, coumestrans and resorcylic acid lactones. Phytoestrogens are known for health beneficial effects in the prevention of breast cancer, post-menopausal syndrome, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. However, the potency of most of these compounds is relatively low compared to human estrogens (e.g. the 17-estradiol). Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) is used for centuries as an essential raw material in beer brewing providing bitterness and flavor to beer. In the past few years, the plant has gained increasing attention as a source of prenylflavonoids, a subclass of polyphenols. These are present in the lupulin glands, found in the female hop cones. In this group, the prenylchalcones (mainly xanthohumol) and prenylflavanones, especially the 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) are among the most attractive due to their specific bioactive effects. The newly discovered 8-PN is thought to be the most potent phytoestrogen currently known. However, the preliminary studies on estrogenic potency of hop and its 8-PN showed contradictory results. Some studies revealed a strong estrogenic activity, while others found no or low estrogenic activity, possibly due to the varieties of extracts and the nature of performed used assays. Recent data indicate the possible bacterial production of 8-PN from spent hops, as well as the needs for encapsulation of 8-PN for its improved bioactivity and target delivery. Our paper aims at highlighting the current interests in hops prenylflavanones, the main challenges in isolation, quantification and encapsulation, as well as the future of application in different plant-based supplements and dietary products.

Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria on the intensity of nodulation during nine phenophases (R1-R7) in relation to the isoflavone content in soybean seeds. Nine domestic soybean varieties were sown in three replicates, with Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculated and non-inoculated seeds. The different morphological characteristics of nodules, the number and mass of nodules were studied during plants’ ontogenesis. The content of individual isoflavones in the sowing seed material was determined using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The most abundant isoflavone was acetylgenistin in the variety Galeb (2741.4 μg/g), and the highest content of all isoflavones was recorded in the variety Gorštak (8117.7 μg/g). The variety Sava of the inoculated treatment exhibited the highest average values of the nodule mass (21.1 mg) and the highest number of nodules (23.3) in the phenophase, in which 10% of pods reached full length (R4). The average values of mass and number of nodules were calculated for the entire vegetation period, being higher in the inoculated treatment. There was no positive correlation between the content of isoflavones in seeds and the number and mass of nodules. The impact of quantity of isoflavone on nodulation intensity in soybeans was not significant,, which could be related to already saturated soil with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Searching for rural, intact areas out of cities during the COVID-19 crisis, tourists brought renewed interest in consuming traditional food based on wild edible herbs/natural products. Increased interest in local herbal potentials could be a driving force in modelling rural destinations to enrich food tourism offers and provide a new experience. This study aimed to assess the relevance of ethnobotany and traditional knowledge on wild herbs utilization with a focus on increased demand for natural products as a basis for future food tourism offer creation in rural areas. By applying free-listed observations and semi-structured ethnobotanical interview approach data were obtained (n = 169) and quantitatively analyzed using indices of Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV) and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC). The final results were visualized using the Venn diagram and DIVA-GIS. The results indicate subtle transformation in food tourism demands and new trends in nutrition based on 34 species divided into 7 functional groups along the geographic gradient. Traditional food systems through reviving ethnobotanical knowledge and practices should be a matter of future food tourism management.

Due to the rich ethnobotanical and growing evidence-based medicine records, the Alchemillae herba, i.e., the upper parts of the Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris L.), was used for the assessment of antimelanoma activity. The ethanolic extract of A. vulgaris strongly suppressed the viability of B16F1, B16F10, 518A2, and Fem-X cell lines. In contrast to the in vitro study, where the B16F1 cells were more sensitive to the treatment than the more aggressive counterpart B16F10, the results obtained in vivo using the corresponding syngeneic murine model were quite the opposite. The higher sensitivity of B16F10 tumors in vivo may be attributed to a more complex response to the extract compared to one triggered in vitro. In addition, the strong immunosuppressive microenvironment in the B16F1 model is impaired by the treatment, as evidenced by enhanced antigen-presenting potential of dendritic cells, influx and activity of CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes, decreased presence of T regulatory lymphocytes, and attenuation of anti-inflammatory cytokine production. All these effects are supported by the absence of systemic toxicity. A. vulgaris extract treatment results in a sustained and enhanced ability to reduce melanoma growth, followed by the restoration of innate and adopted antitumor immunity without affecting the overall physiology of the host.

In this study an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in western Serbia (Mt. Tara) with the aim of collecting and preserving the traditional botanical knowledge. A group of local inhabitants (56) was interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Jaccard Index (JI) were calculated. There are 78 wild plant species recorded. The reported plant species belong to 34 families, where the families Rosaceae (41.18%), Asteraceae (23.53%) and Lamiaceae (20.59%) were dominant. Out of 78 documented plants, 70 plants (89.74%) are used in folk medicine, 42 (53.85%) in human nutrition, 22 (28.20%) in animal nutrition, 14 (17.95%) plants are used for miscellaneous purposes, while two plants (2.56%) are used in ethnoveterinary medicine. The highest RFC was recorded for Vaccinium myrtillus (0.38), followed by Urtica dioica (0.34), and Hypericum perforatum (0.25) and Fragaria vesca (0.25). The most frequently used mode of preparation was as an infusion (70.51%), while the most used plant part was the leaf (56.41%) followed by the flower/inflorescences (37.18%) and aboveground parts (28.21%). The highest degree of similarity was determined with studies conducted in close proximity (Mt. Zlatibor, JI 33.04). Local recipes and new usage of some well-known traditional plants in Serbia and the Balkans were documented.

Ethnomedicinal records have long mentioned the historical usage of Alchemilla vulgaris L. in folk medicine, particularly for the treatment of gynecological issues. Building on this ethnomedicinal knowledge regarding female illnesses, the aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of ethanolic extract of A. vulgaris on mouse breast cancer cells (4T1) in vitro and in vivo, in addition to its effect on the immune compartment in the tumor microenvironment. Behind viability decrease of 4T1 cells induced by treatment with A. vulgaris extract was strong inhibition of cell proliferation accompanied by caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagic cell death. Observed changes in 4T1 cell culture after treatment were well orchestrated and led to a reduction in metastatic potential through weakened adhesion, invasion, migration, and colony-forming abilities in vitro. Enhanced intracellular production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species promoted by the treatment might interfere with all the observed effects. Apart from the direct effect on tumor cells, the A. vulgaris extract significantly reduced tumor growth in the solid orthotropic mammary carcinoma model through restitution of efficient local and systemic immune response reflected in enhanced antigen-presenting potential of dendritic cells (DCs) as well as the extent and activity of effector T cells.

Ammi visnaga is a very popular medicinal plant well known for its biological properties afforded by its dense chemical composition highly dependent on environmental factors. The present study was designed to examine the antioxidant potencies using four complementary assays (Total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), dihydroxycinnamic acid derivative content (HCA), and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC)) as well as the phenolic profile of different parts of Moroccan Ammi visnaga. The obtained results showed that the flower extract registered the highest amount of TPC (49,71 ± 0,12 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity TAC (62.07 ± 2.98 mg AAE/g). Concerning the phenolic profile, the most abundant individual phenolic compounds found in high amounts are chlorogenic acid (56.03

Background Mandrake ( Mandragora spp.) is one of the most famous medicinal plant in western cultures since Biblical times and throughout written history. In many cultures, mandrake is related to magic and witchcraft, which is said to have a psychosomatic effect (especially when mandrake contains narcotic compounds) in addition to the pharmacological influence, as occurs with other narcotic magical plants. Due to its unique properties and related myths, it is not surprising that this plant has many names in many languages. Methods This paper presents an attempt to reconstruct the historical, ethnobotanical, and folkloristic roots of 292 vernacular names of Mandragora spp. in forty-one languages. We used the plant’s morphological data, philology, myths and legends, medicinal properties and uses, as well as historical evidence and folkloric data, to explain meaning, origin, migration, and history of the plant’s names. Results The names were classified into the following main categories: Derivatives of mandragora (19 languages), alraun (7) and of yabroukh (5). The salient groups of the plant’s vernacular names are related to: Anthropomorphism (33 names in 13 languages); Similarity to other plants (28/9); Supernatural agents (28/9); Narcotic effects (21/8); Leaves, fruits, and seeds (21/8); Aphrodisiac properties (17/10); Use of a dog (15/9); Gallows (14/5); Black magic, sorcery, witchcraft (13/8), and Medicinal use (11/7). Conclusions This frequency distribution of the mandrake’s vernacular names reflects its widespread reputation as related to the doctrine of signatures, beliefs in its supernatural, natural, and mythic powers, and to a lesser extent, its uses in magic and medicine. A spatiotemporal analysis of the mandrake’s names supports the old idea that the pulling ceremonies for this plant originated in the Near East and that various other myths related to this plant may have originated in different places and periods.

Honey is a sweet syrup mixture substance produced by honey bees. Contradictory results have been reported on the influence of organic and conventional beekeeping on the properties of honey. The aim of this research was to determine the potential difference between organically and conventionally produced honey of the same botanical origin (linden, acacia, chestnut, meadow). It was shown that the electrical conductivity (0.16–0.98 mS/cm), optical rotation (−1.00 − (−2.60) [α]D20), pH values (3.30–4.95), free acidity (4.0–9.0 mmol/kg), total content of phenolic (76.5–145.9 μg GAE/g dry weight (d.w.)) and flavonoids (48.7–307.0 μg QE/g d.w.), antioxidant potential, phenolic profile, mineral composition, color (−8.62–126.57 mmPfund) and sensory characteristics, although statistically significant differences were found, were not significantly improved better in the organic samples. All organic honey samples were richer in hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (60.5–112.1 μg CGAE/g d.w.) compared to conventional honey (56.7–91.1 μg CGAE/g d.w.) of the corresponding botanical origin. The results show that organic beekeeping does not lead to the production of honey with significantly better physicochemical, nutritional and sensory properties compared to conventionally produced honey.

In many cases, conventional therapeutics are not able to cure diseases in a proper and safe manner. Conversely, plants and their derivatives have been successfully used for the treatment of numerous diseases and disorders for centuries and have proven themselves as efficient, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, faster, and less toxic. However, their use is sometimes connected to some issues, mainly due to inefficient systemic delivery and bioavailability, which prevent to translate their promising in vitro and in vivo effects into clinical use. During the past decade, nanotechnology has made big progress in developing different nanocarriers for drug delivery formulations. In the case of phytopharmaceuticals their encapsulation in nanoparticles can help in improving drug solubility, physical and chemical stability, pharmacological activity, reducing its toxicity and side effects, and providing targeted and sustained delivery which all leads to better bioavailability. The current review highlights the main problems connected to the delivery of phytopharmaceuticals, the main properties of different types of plant drugs, and gives a critical review of properties and limitations connected to the application of numerous lipid, polymer, and inorganic nanoparticles as phytodrug carriers. It also provides information about up-to-date investigated combinations of phytopharmaceuticals and nanocarriers.