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• The study was commenced to collect and revise data pertaining to the biological impacts of Adansonia digitata. • Our attention was directed towards scholarly articles released from 2015 to January 2024, as documented in the Scopus database. • There is little research conducted on Adansonia digitata plant despite its popular medicinal importance, so we shed light on this plant. Adansonia digitata L. is a highly esteemed and versatile tree native to Africa. It offers numerous benefits in terms of providing medication, food, clothing and serving as a vital source of natural remedies. The increasing demand for natural remedies as opposed to synthetic ones has prompted the exploration of several alternative natural products. The study reviewed research articles published from 2015 to January 2024 and indexed in the Scopus database to provide an up-to-date report on the species' scientific significance. Searches for research papers have been conducted via Elsevier, Springer, Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis, PubMed, and Scopus using " A. digitata ," "chemical composition," "antioxidant," "antibacterial," "antidiabetic," "anticancer," and other pertinent terms. It has been scientifically demonstrated that this plant's fruits, leaves, bark, roots, and seeds all have medicinal potential. This research highlighted the significant potential of the A. digitata tree as a valuable reservoir of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which can be effectively harnessed for pharmacological purposes. Research undertaken in vitro and in vivo has provided evidence of this plant's helpful role in preventing and treating many ailments. The A. digitata tree exhibits significant potential as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent as well as an antidiabetic and hepatoprotective agent. A comprehensive evaluation of the compounds identified in the A. digitata tree will yield extremely interesting results. The mechanism of action and clinical assessment should further be determined to ascertain the plant traditional, in vitro, and in vivo animal-documented results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stipagrostis pungens is a traditional medicinal annual plant growing in Tunisia. It is quite a small plant suitable for Tunisia arid areas. This paper deals with the study of the chemical composition and the cooking of this raw material, in order to produce lignocellulosic fibres. The chemical composition of S. pungens has showed that it contains quite high amount of extractives, lignin (around 12%) and polysaccharides (71%). The α-cellulose amounts are acceptable (44%). Finally, the ash content was around 4.65%. With the insight of such data, we have undertaken the soda-anthraquinone cooking of S. pungens and produced lignocellulosic fibres. Different cooking temperatures (120 and 140°C) and times were tested. A yield of about 43% w/w was obtained and the produced pulps had a kappa number of around 11. Finally, the isolated fibres were used to produce laboratory handmade standard sheets. The structural and mechanical properties of the prepared samples were close to those of other common annual plants-based fibre-mats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A NADES mediated paper microzone via a smartphone camera methodology was developed. • Total Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were determined in medicinal plants. • The method was successfully validated against traditional assays. • Monitoring reactions in NADES media is a way to mimic biological conditions. • Our approach reduced 22 times the Penalty Points compared with traditional assays. Determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity are routine and essential tasks for plant and food characterization that have been carried out by traditional spectrophotometric approaches, which are time consuming and use large amounts of solvents. Herein we propose a portable system aligned with the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry for total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity determination in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent media. These green solvents have been proposed as a third cellular media, so monitoring metabolic reactions in NADES represents a revolutionary approach in the field of biomimetic. A NADES mediated paper microzone via a smartphone camera methodology was developed and applied to characterize extracts from medicinal plants. The method was successfully validated against traditional assays with correlations higher than 80%. In order to establish the greenness profile of the proposed methodologies, the "Green Certificate" was applied and compared with traditional techniques. The proposed approach reduced more than 22 times the Penalty Points with a Green Certificate of 99.525. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has increased over time. Medicinal plants, including Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) Nees, are recognized for their use to manage hyperglycemia. Nowadays, plenty of papers are published about A. paniculata as an antidiabetic; however, no bibliometric study about the topic exists. This study examines the existing papers about the preclinical trial of A. paniculata as an antidiabetic agent using bibliometric analysis focusing on countries, institutions, publishers, authors, documents, and keywords. Bibliographic information of relevant research and conference articles were obtained from the Scopus database. In total, 97 articles published between 1994 and 2021 were selected, covering 376 authors and 1270 keywords. Data were analyzed bibliometrically using Vosviewer 1.6.16. A total of 97 published papers occurred from 1994 to 2021 were selected. India, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and Agung Endro Nugroho (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia) were the most productive country, institution, publisher, and author, respectively. The analysis of the most influential papers, co-citation network of the most influential papers, bibliographical coupling network based on authors, and keyword co-occurrence network and overlay demonstrated that the abundance and variety of existing papers about preclinical trials of A. paniculata as an antidiabetic were from phytochemistry, pharmacology, and drug formulation. The findings of our analysis have implications for managerial and theoretical aspects on this topic, such as encouraging research collaborations by analyzing the contributions of countries, institutions, publishers, and authors and revealing research gaps (molecular mechanisms, toxicities and side effects, drug formulations, and clinical trials) to accept a phytomedicine as a therapeutic option. [Display omitted] • The abundance of preclinical trials of Andrographis paniculata as antidiabetic. • India, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and Agung Endro Nugroho were the most productive country, institution, publisher, and authors, respectively. • Research mapping is needed to determine the expansion of the research fields. • The related fields were phytochemistry, pharmacology, and drug formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the potential of flavonoid alkaloids, a unique class of compounds that contain both flavonoid and alkaloid structures, as emerging targets for drug discovery. These compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects, which are attributed to the combination of different flavonoid scaffolds and alkaloid groups. Flavonoid alkaloids have attracted researchers' attention due to their diverse structures and important bio-activities. Therefore, this review summarizes recent advances in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, synthesis pathways and biological activities of flavonoid alkaloids from natural sources. Finally, the potential prospects and challenges associated with this class of compounds in pharmacological research are discussed along with details of a mechanistic investigation and future clinical applications in this research field. This paper explores the potential of flavonoid alkaloids, a unique class of compounds that contain both flavonoid and alkaloid structures, as emerging targets for drug discovery. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Chinese herbal medicine has gained more and more recognition in disease prevention and control due to its low toxicity and comprehensive treatment. C. morifolium (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), as the medicine food homology plant with the bioactivity of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection and cardiovascular protection, has important therapeutic effects and health benefits for colds, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and various chronic diseases. By reviewing the historical development, classification and distribution of germplasm resources, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and modern application of C. morifolium , the paper provides a reliable basis for the further research and application of chrysanthemum as therapeutic agents and functional additives. The literature and information about C. morifolium published in the last ten years were collected from various platforms, including Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and China Knowledge Network. A comprehensive analysis confirmed that C. morifolium originated in China, and it went through the development process from food and tea to medicine for more than 3000 years. During this period, different cultivars emerged through several breeding techniques and were distributed throughout the world. Moreover, A variety of chemical components such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils, and terpenes in chrysanthemum have been proven they possess various pharmacology of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and prevention of chronic diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress responses and signaling pathways, which are the essential conditions to play a role in TCM, nutraceuticals and diet. This paper provides a comprehensive review of historical development, classification, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and modern application of C. morifolium. However, future studies should continue to focus on the bioactive compounds and the synergistic mechanism of the "multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway" of chrysanthemum, and it is necessary to develop more innovative products with therapeutic effects. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Medicinal plants can show allelopathic potential. • Plant extracts rich in phenols, flavonoids and tannins showed high allelopathic activities. • Annona dioica (Annonaceae), Stryphnodendron adstringens (Fabaceae) and Palicourea crocea (Rubiaceae) decelerated U. decumbens seed germination. • Alternative methods for controlling U. decumbens in areas of ecological restoration. Invasive grasses, those of the genus Urochloa act aggressively, thereby inhibiting the germination and growth of native species. We investigated the allelopathic potential and constituent content of different plant species to determine their effect on the germination of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster. Eighteen (18) species from the families Anacardiaceae (1), Annonaceae (6), Euphorbiaceae (1), Fabaceae (2), Myrtaceae (1), Rubiaceae (4), Sapindaceae (2), and Tropaeolaceae (1) were selected to obtain methanolic extracts at 1% (m/v). The total phenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, flavonols, and saponins were evaluated by colorimetric methods. To evaluate the allelopathic effect of methanolic extracts 25 seeds from U. decumbens were distributed in Petri dishes containing two sheets of germitest paper and 2 mL of extract, and they were maintained at 25 °C under white light. All methanolic extracts showed total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols, and condensed tannins; however, saponin was identified in A. coriacea, A. crassiflora, A. sylvatica, Psychotria carthagenensis, P. leiocarpa, and Tropaeolum majus. Annona dioica (Annonaceae), Stryphnodendron adstringens (Fabaceae), and Palicourea crocea (Rubiaceae) have allelopathic potential and showed decelerated U. decumbens seed germination and inhibited hypocotyl and radicle growth. These findings provide insights into alternative methods for controlling U. decumbens in areas of ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructus Choerospondiatis is the dried and mature fruit of Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill. It has been used for a long time in Tibetan and Mongolian medicine, first recorded in the ancient Tibetan medicine book "Medicine Diagnosis of the King of the Moon" in the early 8th century. Fructus Choerospondiatis shows multiple pharmacological activities, especially in treating cardiovascular diseases. This paper reviews the progress in research on the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, clinical studies, and quality control of Fructus Choerospondiatis. This review aims to summarize current research and provide a reference for further development and utilization of Fructus Choerospondiatis resources. The sources for this review include the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China (2020), theses, and peer-reviewed papers (in both English and Chinese). Theses and papers were downloaded from electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, Scholar, Springer, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure.The search terms used were " Choerospondias axillaris ", " C. axillaris ", " Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill", "Fructus choerospondiatis", "Guangzao", "Lapsi", and "Lupsi". Fructus Choerospondiatis contains polyphenols, organic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, polysaccharides, and other chemical components. These ingredients contribute to its diverse pharmacological activities such as antioxidant activity, protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-myocardial fibrosis, heart rhythm regulation, anti-tumor, liver protection, and immunity enhancement. It also affects the central nervous system, with the ability to repair damaged nerve cells. Fructus Choerospondiatis , with its various chemical compositions and pharmacological activities, is a promising medicinal resource. However, it remains under-researched, particularly in pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control. These areas require further exploration by researchers in the future. [Display omitted] • This is the first review systemically summarized Choerospondiatis Fructus (CF). • The cardiovascular effect of CF was reviewed, which accords to its traditional use. • The structure-activity relationship of chemical constituents in CF was summarized. • The clinical uses of major prescriptions containing CF were summarized. • The possible quality control components of CF were summarized for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The traditional properties of Lavandula dentata was reported. • Biological activities of Lavandula dentata were reviewed with earlier papers from different databases. • Chemical constituents (mostly terpenoids and phenolic compounds) of Lavandula dentata were reported. • This review will be a scientific baseline for further studies regarding Lavandula dentata. Lavandula dentata L. is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, frequently used in traditional medicine to treat various pathologies such as diabetes, inflammation, microbial infections, and other disordors. The present work aims to explore this medicinal plant by highlighting its ethno-medicinal uses, its phytochemical characteristics, as well as its pharmacological and industrial properties on a global scale. Thus, in this review, the highlighted properties are reported to explore possible therapeutic pathways of L. dentata. As reported, this medicinal species is rich in different phytochemicals belonging to several chemical families, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Indeed, L. dentata chemical compounds are characterized by several promising biological and pharmacological properties. These bioactivities include antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory effects, etc. In fact, and even at low concentrations, L. dentata essential oils (EOs) and organic extracts specifically inhibit enzymes, membrane or intracellular receptors, proteins or signaling pathways involved in the genesis of these pathologies. The findings of this work revealed that the pharmacological activities of L. dentata confirm the importance, the diversified use, and the effectiveness of this plant in the traditional remedies of many diseases. Nevertheless, pharmacokinetic validation and toxicological examinations are required to detect any possible toxicity for future clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Characterization of the planting and harvesting planning problem and its modelling for medicinal plants. • Conceptual framework to characterize the crop planting and harvesting planning problem. • Model to plan planting and harvest of crops with variable molecules concentration and minimum time between harvests. • Model validation through the application to a natural food supplement supply chain case study. • Economic unfairness among farmers eliminated while respecting supply chain costs and concentration of plant molecules. The planting and harvesting of medicinal plants have characteristics that differentiate them from other crop types and complicate their planning. For example, drug processors do not require large quantities of product to be harvested but have a high concentration of active molecules. There is no evidence for any optimization tool to support the planting and harvesting of such plants. Given this sector's importance and its impact on populations' health, it is necessary to develop solutions to increase the sustainability of their supply chains. This paper aims to bridge this gap by proposing a conceptual framework to characterize a crop planting and harvesting planning problem, and a multi-objective optimization model for the planning of planting, harvesting, post-harvesting, distribution and storage of medicinal plants with variable concentrations of molecules and minimum time between harvests. The model optimizes three objectives aligned with sustainability: supply chain costs, concentration of molecules in plants, farmers' perceived economic unfairness. It is validated by its application to a case study of medicinal plants in the Basilicata region (Italy). The ε-constraint method is used to obtain 11 non dominated solutions showing the possibility of eliminating farmers' perception of economic unfairness by maintaining similar values for supply chain costs and concentrations of active molecules when planning the production of medicinal plants. Finally, the TOPSIS method is applied to select the best plan to be implemented into the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major polyphenols in Rosmarinus officinalis L. primarily consist of phenolic acids, phenolic diterpenes, and flavonoids, all of which have pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have found that rosemary polyphenols have the potential to decrease the severity of intestinal inflammation. The beneficial effects of rosemary polyphenols were associated with anti-inflammatory properties, including improved gut barrier (increased mucus secretion and tight junction), increased antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting inflammatory pathways and cytokines (downregulation of NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasomes, STAT3 and activation of Nrf2), and modulating gut microbiota community (increased core probiotics and SCFA-producing bacteria, and decreased potential pathogens) and metabolism (changes in SCFA and bile acid metabolites). This paper provides a better understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary polyphenols and suggests that rosemary polyphenols might be employed as strong anti-inflammatory agents to prevent intestinal inflammation and lower the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and related diseases. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus, a widespread chronic illness, affects millions worldwide, and its incidence is increasing alarmingly, especially in developing nations. Current pharmacological treatments can be costly and have undesirable side effects. To address this, medicinal plants with antidiabetic effects, particularly targeting α-glucosidase for controlling hyperglycaemia in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hold promise for drug development with reduced toxicity and adverse reactions. This review aims to succinctly collect information about medicinal plant extracts that exhibit antidiabetic potential through α-glucosidase inhibition using acarbose as a standard reference in Southeast Asia. The characteristics of this inhibition are based on in vitro studies. Relevant information on medicinal plants in Southeast Asia, along with α-glucosidase inhibition studies using acarbose as a positive control, was gathered from various scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. About 49 papers were found from specific counties in Southeast Asia demonstrated notable α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of their medicinal plants, with several plant extracts showcasing activity comparable to or surpassing that of acarbose. Notably, 19 active constituents were identified for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. The findings underscore the antidiabetic potential of the tested medicinal plant extracts, indicating their promise as alternative treatments for T2DM. This review can aid in the development of potent therapeutic medicines with increased effectiveness and safety for the treatment of T2DM. [Display omitted] • Articles reporting on the antidiabetic potential of Southeast Asian-originated medicinal plants were reviewed. • Seventeen plants exerted strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC 50 value lower than 30 μg/mL, 50 ppm, or 10 μM). • Identified bioactive compounds (lupeol, α-mangostin, piceatannol, vitexin etc.) with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. • Southeast Asian medicinal plants could be a potential source for future antidiabetic drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), characterized by prostate enlargement due to cell proliferation, is a common urinary disorder in men over 50, manifesting as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Currently, several therapeutic options are accessible for treating BPH, including medication therapy, surgery and watchful waiting. Conventional drugs such as finasteride and dutasteride are used as 5α-reductase inhibitors for the treatment of BPH. However long-term use of these drugs is restricted due to their unpleasant side effects. Despite the range of available medical therapies, the effective treatment against BPH is still inadequate. Certain therapeutic plants and their phytochemicals have the aforementioned goals and work by regulating this enzyme. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight to advancements in diagnosis of BPH, modern treatment methods and the significance of ethnobotanically relevant medicinal plants as alternative therapeutics for managing BPH. A thorough and systematic literature search was performed using electronic databases and search engines such as PubMed, Web of Science, NCBI and SciFinder till October 2023. Specific keywords such as "benign prostatic hyperplasia", "medicinal plants", "phytochemicals", "pharmacology", "synergy", "ethnobotany", "5-alpha reductase", "alpha blocker" and "toxicology". By include these keywords, a thorough investigation of pertinent papers was assured, and important data about the many facets of BPH could be retrieved. After conducting the above investigation, 104 herbal remedies were found to inhibit Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibition, alpha-blockers, or 5α -reductase inhibition effects which are supported by in vitro , in vivo and clinical trial studies evidence. Of these, 89 plants have ethnobotanical significance as alpha-blockers, alpha-reductase inhibition, or PDE-5 inhibition, and the other fifteen plants were chosen based on their ability to reduce BPH risk factors. Several phytocompounds, including, rutaecarpine, vaccarin, rutin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, quercetin, dicaffeoylquinic acid, rutaevin, and phytosterol-F have been reported to be useful for the management of BPH. The use of combination therapy offers a strong approach to treating long-term conditions compare to single plant extract drugs. Furthermore, several botanical combinations such as lycopene and curcumin, pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil, combinations of extracts from Funtumia africana (Benth.) Stapf and Abutilon mauritianum (Jacq.) Medik., and Hypselodelphys poggeana (K.Schum.) Milne-Redh. and Spermacoce radiata (DC.) Sieber ex Hiern are also supported through in vitro and in vivo studies for managing BPH through recuperation in patients with chronic long-term illnesses, as measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score. The review proposes and endorses careful utilization of conventional medications that may be investigated further to discover possible PDE-5, 5 alpha-reductase, an alpha-blocker inhibitor for managing BPH. Even though most conventional formulations, such as 5 alpha-reductase, are readily available, systemic assessment of the effectiveness and mechanism of action of the herbal constituents is still necessary to identify novel chemical moieties that can be further developed for maximum efficacy. However, there exist abundant botanicals and medicinal plants across several regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, which can be further studied and developed for utilization as a potential phytotherapeutic for the management of BPH. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a Chinese herb known as licorice, is frequently incorporated in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations, due to its significant medicinal value and sweet taste. Despite licorice's merits, no systematic scientometric study has yet been conducted to analyze licorice research trends over the past 25 years. We conducted this study with the aim to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview of research advances in the application of licorice as a TCM ingredient and to offer valuable insights to guide future endeavors in this research field. We selected licorice-related research papers published between 1997 and 2021 from the Web of Science Core Collection then conducted a scientometric analysis using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software tools. A total of 4883 licorice-related publications, including 4511 research papers, 372 review papers, and their cited references, were included in the analysis. Most of these articles were authored by researchers in China (36.8%), including major contributors Wang Ying, Ye Min, and Zhang Yu. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology (impact factor = 5.4) hosted the greatest number of papers (145 articles). Keyword cluster analysis revealed three keyword categories indicating that current licorice research is focused on licorice quality control and identification of licorice active ingredients and associated pharmacological mechanisms. This study provides a comprehensive overview of licorice-related research trends over the past 25 years as based on quantitative and qualitative analyses of published licorice-related articles. The results of this multi-level analysis of licorice research related to TCM formulations, chemical compositions, and pharmacological effects should provide valuable reference data and insights to guide future research endeavors in this field. [Display omitted] • The study uses a scientometric approach to explore the literature on Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice). • VOSviewer and CiteSpace are used to analyze 25 years of research on licorice. • This study identifies the knowledge domain and emerging trends in licorice. • These findings will facilitate the development of the licorice field and assist researchers in conducting in-depth studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant secondary metabolites are important raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, and their biosynthetic processes are subject to diverse and precise regulation by miRNA. The identification of miRNA molecules in medicinal plants and exploration of their mechanisms not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms of plant growth, development and resistance to stress, but also provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the pharmacological effects of authentic medicinal materials and constructing bioreactors for the synthesis of medicinal secondary metabolite components. This paper summarizes the research reports on the discovery of miRNA in medicinal plants and their regulatory mechanisms on the synthesis of secondary metabolites by searching the relevant literature in public databases. It summarizes the currently discovered miRNA and their functions in medicinal plants, and summarizes the molecular mechanisms regulating the synthesis and degradation of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, it provides a prospect for the research and development of medicinal plant miRNA. The compiled information contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the research progress on miRNA in medicinal plants and provides a reference for the industrial development of related secondary metabolite biosynthesis. [Display omitted] • miRNAs identified to regulate plant metabolite synthesis. • Paper reviews miRNA roles in medicinal plants. • Mechanisms of metabolite control discussed. • Aids miRNA research and industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper reviews the antidiabetic potentials of Aloe species. • Aloe vera is the most common species with antidiabetic properties. • Different methods were used to determine their potentials. • Further study is needed to isolate antidiabetic agents from the genus. Of all medicinal plants used to treat ailments, the genus Aloe represents one of the commonest. They manage various pathological conditions, including inflammation, infection, cancer and diabetes mellitus. There are specific reports on the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic potential of different species of Aloe. Still, there is a shortage of comprehensive reports which present all Aloe species with antidiabetic properties. This study aims to integrate available information on all Aloe spp. with antidiabetic potentials. Scientific databases such as PubMed, EBSCOhost, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were utilized to search and collect literature for this review. This review revealed that the most common Aloe sp. with antidiabetic potentials is A. vera. It also showed that few studies were carried out in vitro while most were performed in vivo. We can conclude that Aloe spp. is a potent source of antidiabetic agents. Further studies should be conducted to isolate the antidiabetic compounds from the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance :The genus L. has high medicinal value and has traditional been used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, as well as diabetes, edema, colds, arthritis, asthma, and traumatic injuries. Aim of the review : This work addresses the missing information by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the traditional uses, chemical components, and pharmacological applications of the more reported species of the genus L. The origin of the genus, its toxicology, and the use of classical therapies in modern medicine were also discussed. It provides references for historical evidence, resource development, and medical research on the genus. ology : Data about the genus L. were gathered via Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Connected Papers, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), electronic ancient books and local chronicles. The WFO Plant List (wfoplantlist.org) and Flora of China (www.iplant.cn) confirmed L.'s Latin name, and the species information. The program ChemBioDraw Ultra 14.0 was used to create the molecular structures of the compounds that were displayed in the text. Currently, at least 740 constituents have been isolated and identified from L. These include 9 groups of chemicals, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. They have been shown to have over 20 biological properties in vivo and in vitro , such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Based on pharmacological investigations, chemical components, and traditional folk applications, L. is considered a medicinal plant having a variety of pharmacological actions. However, although the pharmacological activity of the L. genus has been preliminary demonstrated, most have only been assessed using simple in vitro cell lines or animal disease models. In order to fully elucidate the pharmacological activity and mechanisms of L., future studies should be conducted in a more comprehensive clinical manner. [Display omitted] • A textual study of the origin of Litsea and the main species (L. cubeba) was carried out. • Summarizes the traditional uses of Litsea in different countries. • 740 chemical constituents of the genus Litsea were summarised. • Over 20 pharmacological applications of the genus Litsea are summarised. • The genus Litsea's classical prescriptions play an important role in modern pharmacology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been incorporated into various traditional medicine systems worldwide to reduce disease risk, treat illnesses, and provide medicinal remedies. Today, the pharmaceutical industry uses the most active plant compounds in drug synthesis. Possible high levels of naturally occurring radionuclides in medicinal plants have raised public concern about the consequent radiological impact on the consumption of medicinal plants and herbs. This paper reports the first study of soil-to-plant mobilities of natural radionuclides in native medicinal plants in Malaysia. Representative samples of soils and organically grown traditional medicinal plants from western Malaysia were collected and studied using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. Average activity concentrations for 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K in the soils are respectively 57, 84, and 520 Bq/kg, and the respective values in the medicinal plants are 10, 4, and 498 Bq/kg. The respective transfer factors (TFs) for the medicinal leaves are 0.18, 0.05, and 1.18. The TFs of 40K were higher than others due to higher uptake and its essentiality in plant growth. These findings indicate that plant growth habits greatly influenced the radionuclides' uptake. The radioactivities in soils and their corresponding mobilities are in accordance with literature data. To discard any radiological hazards to human health, the estimated threshold consumption rate is found to be approximately 46 kg/y. Annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk for adult members of the public due to the consumption of medicinal plants are found to be negligible. It is suggested that the use of traditional medicinal plants may provide a risk-free and safe means of maintaining public health. • Baseline data on radioactivity is reported for native traditional herbal plants. • Plant growth habits and soil properties greatly influenced activity levels and TFs. • Local geology and oil palm plantations influenced the 226Ra and 228Ra activities in soils. • Creeper herbs and trees are the greatest contributors to plant radioactivity and risk. • The current intake made the investigated medicinal plants safe for adult Malaysians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is a lack of studies addressing metabolic response to water stress in tree and shrub medicinal species. • The main factor shaping the production of phenolic compounds are the water supplied to plants and the time of stress exposure. • Among the different quantification methods, HPLC and colorimetric tests are the most used to quantify the phenolic compounds analyzed. Secondary metabolites play an important role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and in their recovering process to stress conditions. Among the different types of stress, the scarcity of water resources is considered a negative factor because it is responsible for productivity losses of several crops. However, plants grown under drought conditions generally produce higher concentrations of active substances that protect them against free radicals and reactive oxygen species and prevent damage to the photosynthetic process. In addition to plant protection, secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, have great applicability in human health, acting as a healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agent. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic review on the influence of water stress on the production of phenolic compounds in plants of medicinal interest. For this, a search was performed in three international databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) using keywords related to water stress and phenolic compounds. A total of 343 publications were obtained, which after the screening and eligibility process comprised 34 articles published between 1994 and 2019, showing that the widely accepted idea that there is a general increase in phenolic compounds in response to water scarcity is misguided. In opposition to this idea, this complex system differs for each plant species. In addition, due the large number of papers that have been conducted in greenhouses, further studies concerning tree species under different ecophysiological conditions are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sambucus williamsii Hance, belonging to the Sambucus L. family (Viburnaceae), possesses medicinal properties in its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. It is recognized for its ability to facilitate bone reunion, enhance blood circulation, remove stasis, and dispel wind and dampness. This traditional Chinese medicine holds significant potential for development and practical use. Hence, this paper offers an in-depth review of S. williamsii , covering traditional uses, processing guidelines, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics, aiming to serve as a reference for its further development and utilization. Information for this study was gathered from various books, bibliographic databases, and literature sources such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Baidu Scholar, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang Data. Phytochemical investigations have identified approximately 238 compounds within the root bark, stem branches, leaves, and fruits of S. williamsii. These compounds encompass flavonoids, sugars, glycosides, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, phenols, phenolic glycosides, and other chemical constituents, with phenylpropanoids being the most prevalent. S. williamsii exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, particularly in promoting osteogenesis and fracture healing. This comprehensive review delves into the traditional uses, processing guidelines, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of S. williamsii. It provides valuable insights into this plant, which will prove beneficial for future research involving S. williamsii. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lavender holds significant importance as a medicinal and aromatic plant cultivated worldwide for industrial purposes, with its essential oil being a sought-after ingredient in a wide range of products. It is cultivated for commercial uses of flowers (fresh, dried, or ground) and essential oils. The present paper provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of novel hydrodistillation methods of essential oils from lavender. First, it briefly addresses botanical attributes, geographical distribution, chemical composition, and uses of lavender. Then, plant material pretreatment and extraction methods are discussed. It prioritizes the advancements in ultrasound- and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation, emphasizing benefits, limitations, and synergies. Physicochemical properties are detailed, shedding light on composition and therapeutic potential. The review considers the techno-economic, environmental, social, and human health issues of lavender essential oil production, assessing sustainability. Lastly, it offers a forward-looking perspective, identifying areas for future research and technological enhancements. This comprehensive review is a valuable resource for researchers, industry experts, and lavender enthusiasts, advancing the field of lavender essential oil extraction. • Lavender plant material pretreatment and extraction methods are discussed. • Advancements in ultrasound-microwave-assisted hydrodistillation are prioritized. • LEO's composition, physicochemical, and biological properties are discussed. • Techno-economic, environmental, and social aspects of LEO extraction are addressed. • Future research and technological enhancements areas are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glehnia littoralis Fr. Schmidtex Miq. is a well-known perennial herb that is used in traditional medicine in China, Japan and Korea. G. littoralis has the effects of treating the lungs with heat, nourishing yin and blood, and acting as an expectorant. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions containing G. littoralis have various clinical applications, such as clearing heat, relieving coughs, treating hepatic fibrosis, resolving phlegm, and treating esophagitis. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and productive review of G. littoralis , mainly including traditional application, ethnopharmacology, chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and quality control. Literature search was conducted through the Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, and WanFang DATA by using the keywords " Glehnia littoralis ", "Radix Glehniae", "Bei Shashen", "Clinical application", "Chemical composition", "Quality control" and "pharmacological action". In addition, information was collected from relevant ancient books, reviews, and documents (1980–2022). G. littoralis is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with great clinical value and rich resources. More than 186 components, including coumarins, lignans, polyacetylenes, organic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, have been isolated and identified from G. littoralis. The pharmacological activities of more than half of these chemicals are yet unknown. Polyacetylenes and coumarins are the most important bioactive compounds responsible for pharmacological activities, such as antiproliferative, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitussive, immune regulation and analgesic. In this study, the progress in chemical analysis of G. littoralis , including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (MS), and HPLC–MS, were summarized. In this paper reviewed the previous literature regarding ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, pharmacological, and quality evaluation of the processing of G. littoralis was reviewed, providing potential reference information for future investigation and clinical applications. However, research on the relationship between chemical constituents and traditional uses of G. littoralis is lacking, and the comprehensive pharmacological effects and mechanisms of G. littoralis require further detailed exploration. In addition, an efficient method for chemical profiling is still unavailable to obtain potent bioactive markers for quality control. Perfect quality standards, which are also the basis for further drug development of G. littoralis , are urgently needed to ensure its quality and clinical application. [Display omitted] • Glehnia littoralis is a widely utilized in Asian countries as herbal medicines. • This review updates the phytochemistry and pharmacological of G. littoralis. • Few systematic review of G. littoralis is available in the preceding literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vine tea is a popular folk tea that has been consumed in China for more than 1200 years. It is often used in ethnic medicine by ethnic groups in southwest China with at least 35 aliases in 10 provinces. In coastal areas, vine tea is mostly used to treat heatstroke, aphtha, aphonia, toothache, etc. In contrast, in the southwest inland regions, vine tea is mostly used to clear away heat and toxic materials, antiphlogosis and relieving sore-throat, lowering blood pressure and lipid levels, and alleviating fatigue. Three main species have been used as the source of vine tea, Nekemias grossedentata , Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla. Among them, the leaves of Nekemias grossedentata were considered as new food resource in complicance with regulations, according to the Food Safety Standards published by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the National Health and Family Planning Commission in China. At present, the comprehensively summary of Materia Medica on the history and source of vine tea is currently unavailable. The current article summed up the Materia Medica, species origin and pharmacological effects of all 3 major species used in vine tea to fill the knowledge gaps. We also aim to provide a reference for future research on historical textual, resource development and medicinal utilization of vine tea. Adhering to the literature screening methodology outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this review encompasses 148 scholarly research papers from three database, paper ancient books, local chronicles and folklore through field investigations. We then comprehensively summarized and discussed research progresses in scientific and application studies of vine tea. The historical records indicated that vine tea could have been used as early as Southern and Northern Dynasties (AC 420–589). Nekemias grossedentata , Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla , were used to considered as vine tea in the ethnic medicine. The main phytochemicals found in three plants are flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids, among which dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the most important and most studied active substance. The key words " Ampelopsis grossedentata " (Synonym of Nekemias grossedentata) and "dihydromyricetin/DHM" showed the highest frequency over the last 27 year based on the research trend analysis. And the ethnopharmacology studies drawn the main activities of vine tea are antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and anti-atherosclerosis activities. This review systematically summarized and discussed vine tea from the following five aspects, history, genetic relationship, phytochemistry, research trend and ethnopharmacology. Vine tea has a long historical usage in Chinese ethnic medicine. Its outstanding therapeutic efficacies have attracted extensive attention in other places in the world at present. Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla are quite similar to Nekemias grossedentata in terms of many aspects. However, the current research has a narrow focus on mainly Nekemias grossedentata and DHM. We propose that future studies could be carried out to determine the synergistic effect of multi-components and multi-targets of vine tea including all 3 species to provide valuable knowledge. [Display omitted] • Vine tea, renowned in China, exhibits an array of pharmacological effects. • Dihydromyricetin (DHM), abundant in vine tea, is a key focus of scientific research. • N. cantonensis, N. megalophylla , and N. grossedentata are identified as vine tea sources. • Promising results in DHM clinical trials warrant further robust investigations. • Future research opportunities lie in the exploration of other bioactive components in vine tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a deciduous tree which contains various chemical ingredients. The main objective was to document the active chemical ingredients of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. and their metabolic profiles in vivo, with a view to providing an experimental and theoretical basis for clarifying the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological activity of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. against rheumatoid arthritis. Eight main active constituents of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. bark (pinoresinol glucopyranoside, aucubin, geniposidic acid, geniposide, genipin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and betulinic acid) were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This paper additionally identified and characterized prototype metabolites via ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with the Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) and literature comparisons. Ultra pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was subsequently employed to quantify these components in blood over time and evaluate their pharmacokinetic characteristics. The anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of genipin, pinoresinol glucopyranoside and their combinations were assessed using in vitro cellular assays. We identified and characterized a total of 53 ingredients from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. bark and plasma samples, among which 20 were confirmed as prototype metabolites. Meanwhile, this paper derived and analyzed the metabolic cleavage pathway of 8 index ingredients. Six of these compounds displayed rapid entry into blood, with high plasma exposure and fast elimination rates. Data from the in vitro cellular assay showed that aucubin, pinoresinol glucopyranoside, genipin, and combinations of these compounds effectively inhibit MH7A cell proliferation, reduce NO release, and decrease inflammatory factor levels. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycyrrhiza , one of the most widely used Chinese herbal medicines, is a perennial plant with good medicinal value. Polysaccharides as one of the main bioactive components of Glycyrrhiza , mainly composed of arabinose, glucose, galactose, rhamnose, mannose, xylose, and galacturonic acid in different proportions and types of glycosidic bonds. Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides (GP) have many biological activities, such as anti-oxidation, immune regulation, anti-tumor, apoptosis, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and regulation of intestinal flora. In this paper, relevant articles on the isolations, structural characterizations, and biological activities of GP published in the last 15 years (2006–2020) were referred to for a systematic review of the species. A total of 947 articles were searched from the database including NCBI, Science Direct, Web of Science, and How Net, and 109 of them were cited on the summarization of the past scientific researches of the polysaccharides of Glycyrrhiza genus. We hope that this work may provide new insights for further study and development of Glycyrrhiza. • The extraction and purification methods of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides were analyzed. • Different kinds of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides extract showed different physicochemical and structural characteristics. • Three kinds of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides have rich pharmacological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Medicinal plants information and their usage in therapeutic purposes. • Thin layer drying of leaves in solar drying is reviewed. • Exergy analysis of the overall solar drying process is presented. • Use of thermal energy storage in solar drying is reviewed and presented. • Economic analysis for solar drying of herbs are assessed. Health consciousness has been increasing gradually in the entire world during the last three decades. Naturally and artificially produced medicines are consumed by the people for curing short and long-term diseases. Many natural medicines and some of the artificial medicines are produced using medicinal herbs and plants. Direct and indirect usage of medicinal herbs require a special conditioning and drying. The moisture present in the herbs and other parts of medicinal plants need to be reduced or removed without affecting their quality for medicinal use. Drying offers improved shelf life, reduced density, and low transportation cost. In recent years, the application of solar dryers for drying medicinal herbs has been explored. In this paper, initially different solar drying methods and dryers, and the factors affecting the performance of them are reviewed and presented. Finally, the articles pertaining to the mathematical analysis of thin layer drying, exergy analysis, simulation works, thermal energy storage studies, economic evaluation of dryers are also reviewed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 1800, Amsterdam was a global trade hub for materia medica of Dutch, European and exotic origin. Contemporary knowledge on medicinal plants in academic circles has been well documented in local pharmacopoeia, illustrated herbals and catalogues of botanic gardens. Until the end of the ancient regime, physicians, surgeons and apothecaries were trained how to use plants in their specific guild or Collegium Medicum. Little is known, however, on how the plant collectors and merchants that provided the pharmaceutical substances to apothecaries learnt to recognise the variety of medicinal products. To analyse the content, origin, purpose and scientific importance of an anonymous, undated, hand-written Dutch manuscript on materia medica , entitled Corpora ex Regno Vegetabili/Animali (Bodies of the Plant/Animal kingdom) kept by the Artis Library of the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We digitised the entire manuscript and dated the paper by means of its watermark. We identified the plant and animal species using the historic Dutch and Latin names, the illustrations and historic literature. We compared the plant properties and uses to contemporary literature to check whether the information in the manuscript was original or copied from another source. The paper was produced between 1759 and 1816 in Zaandam, the Netherlands. The manuscript contains 19 substances of animal origin, one mineral and 273 plants and plant-derived products, which belong to ca. 260 species. While most plants are native or cultivated in the Netherlands, 111 plant entries (105 spp.) represent exotic products, imported from as far as Madagascar and Australia. A total of 134 illustrations were cut out from a 1549 Dutch edition of the New Herbal by Leonhard Fuchs (1543), but only 69% correspond to the correct species. The manuscript contains detailed descriptions on growth locations, field characteristics, flowering season, provenance and quality of the medicinal products, including methods to detect forgery. The author mostly described humoral properties of the plants rather than listing medicinal recipes. We did not find evidence that he copied his texts from other sources, but the Dutch and Latin names correspond largely with the Amsterdam pharmacopoeia from 1795. The author's extensive knowledge on trade names, quality and origin of materia medica and his refrain from using literature suggests he could have been a merchant, an intermediary between herb cultivators, overseas traders and apothecaries. This manuscript offers a unique insight in the global trade in medicinal products and the circulation of knowledge in non-academic circles around 1800. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's unique flora and extensive use of African traditional medicines has created a unique research opportunity on medicinal plants for local and international scientists. In this paper, submitted to a special issue of South African Journal of Botany (SAJB) dedicated to "sub-Saharan Ethnobotany", we aim to explore the research landscape on medicinal plant research as published in SAJB. A bibliometric assessment (1982–2017) showed that medicinal plant research represents 24% of the published volume in SAJB and that contributions on this topic are increasing exponentially. Although most papers are broad-based invitro screening studies, the range of topics covered is impressive. Antimicrobial (41%) and anti-oxidant (21%) studies dominate the research space with fewer studies focusing on diseases highly relevant to the African continent, e.g. malaria (3%) and tuberculosis (2%). Although the SAJB has contributed greatly to disseminating knowledge on important species (e.g. Aspalathus and Cyclopia) several taxa of potential economic relevance remain poorly investigated (e.g. Adansonia , Bulbine etc.). The citation footprint and authorship networks which have been established attest the pivotal role the SAJB has played to build research capacity and create awareness in this important field of research. • Medicinal plant papers contributed 24% of papers published in SAJB (1982–2017). • The 629 papers considered attracted 6313 citations. • In vitro studies represented 89% of experimental papers. • Highest number of published papers were antimicrobial (41%) and anti-oxidant (21%). • Few studies focused on relevant diseases like tuberculosis (2%) and malaria (3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants from the Thymelaeaceae family are widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions, with approximately 113 species used as Traditional Herbals. There are numerous applications for them, such as treating leukemia, AIDS, and liver cancer. It should be noted that around 20% of these plants have shown harmful side effects when used in clinical applications, including solid irritations to the skin and mucous membranes, carcinogenic effects, organ damage, vomiting, and diarrhea. This paper aims to review the toxic side effects, toxic compounds, toxic mechanisms, and detoxification methods of Traditional Herbals in Thymelaeaceae, guiding their safe clinical uses. This review employed the keywords "Thymelaeaceae," 48 different "genus," 966 "species," and the combination of "toxicity" to identify the medicinal value and toxicity of plants from Thymelaeaceae in scientific databases (Pubmed, SciFinder Scholar, Elsevier, Web of Science, and CNKI). Information relevant to the toxicity of Traditional Herbals from Thymelaeaceae up to June 2023 has been summarized. The plant names have been checked with "World Flora Online" (www.worldfloraonline.org). 28 toxic Traditional Herbals from 13 genera within the Thymelaeaceae family were categorized. Toxicities were summarized at the cellular, animal, and clinical levels. The toxic substances are primarily concentrated in the Daphne L. and Wikstroemia Endl. genera, with terpenes being the main toxic components. The toxicity mechanism is primarily associated with the mitochondrial pathways. Detoxification and enhanced efficacy can be achieved through processing methods such as vinegar-processing and sweat-soaking. Medicinal plants in the Thymelaeaceae exhibit significant pharmacological activities, such as anti-HIV and anti-tumor effects, indicating a broad potential for application. However, their clinical uses are hindered by their inherent toxicity. Researching the toxic components and mechanisms of these Traditional Herbals and exploring more effective detoxification methods can contribute to unveiling the latent value of these medicinal plants from Thymelaeaceae. [Display omitted] • Summarize the toxicity of Traditional Herbals from Thymelaeaceae for the first time. • 28 herbals from Thymelaeaceae are toxic at cellular, animal, and clinical levels. • Terpenes and flavonoids are the main toxic components. • The toxicity mechanism is primarily associated with the mitochondrial pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria continues to be a serious global public health problem in subtropical and tropical countries of the world. The main drugs used in the treatment of human malaria, quinine and artemisinin, are isolates of medicinal plants, making the use of plants a widespread practice in countries where malaria is endemic. Over the years, due to the increased resistance of the parasite to chloroquine and artemisinin in certain regions, new strategies for combating malaria have been employed, including research with medicinal plants. This review focuses on the scientific production regarding medicinal plants from Brazil whose antimalarial activity was evaluated during the period from 2011 to 2022. For this review, four electronic databases were selected for research: Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scielo and Periódicos CAPES. Searches were made for full texts published in the form of scientific articles written in Portuguese or English and in a digital format. In addition, prospects for new treatments as well as future research that encourages the search for natural products and antimalarial derivatives are also presented. A total of 61 publications were encountered, which cited 36 botanical families and 92 species using different Plasmodium strains in in vitro and in vivo assays. The botanical families with the most expressive number of species found were Rubiaceae, Apocynaceae, Fabaceae and Asteraceae (14, 14, 9 and 6 species, respectively), and the most frequently cited species were of the genera Psychotria L. (8) and Aspidosperma Mart. (12), which belong to the families Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae. Altogether, 75 compounds were identified or isolated from 28 different species, 31 of which are alkaloids. In addition, the extracts of the analyzed species, including the isolated compounds, showed a significant reduction of parasitemia in P. falciparum and P. berghei , especially in the clones W2 CQ-R (in vitro) and ANKA (in vivo), respectively. The Brazilian regions with the highest number of species analyzed were those of the north, especially the states of Pará and Amazonas, and the southeast, especially the state of Minas Gerais. Although many plant species with antimalarial potential have been identified in Brazil, studies of new antimalarial molecules are slow and have not evolved to the production of a phytotherapeutic medicine. Given this, investigations of plants of traditional use and biotechnological approaches are necessary for the discovery of natural antimalarial products that contribute to the treatment of the disease in the country and in other endemic regions. [Display omitted] • Malaria continues to be a serious global public health problem. • Malaria is endemic in the Amazon and, in Brazil, 99.9% of notifications of cases and deaths from malaria occur in this region. • A total of 61 papers on Brazilian plants with antimalarial activity were published from 2011 to 2022. • 75 compounds were identified or isolated from 23 different species, 31 of which are alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Continuous cropping obstacle restricts medicinal plant development. • Continuous cropping obstacle reduces medicinal plants' quality and yield. • Plant-soil-microbe interactions are the core of continuous cropping systems. • Allelopathy plays a role in plant growth mediated by rhizosphere microorganisms. Continuous cropping obstacle (CCO) is a prevalent issue in agricultural development, particularly concerning medicinal plants. Medicinal plants can be used in part or in whole for medicinal purposes or as raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Approximately 70 % of medicinal plants rely on tubers to exert their therapeutic effects. CCO occurs within the rhizosphere of these plants and exhibits intricate plant-soil-microbe interactions. Root exudates release autotoxins that impact soil and microorganisms, leading to alterations in soil physical and chemical properties as well as microbial community structure. Consequently, there is an imbalance in soil nutrients and enzyme activity while beneficial microorganisms decrease, and pathogenic microorganisms increase. Soil and microbe factors react to plants, thereby affecting the quality and yield of medicinal plants. Currently, researchers are investigating the mechanisms underlying CCO in medicinal plants while developing strategies to effectively address this problem. This paper comprehensively analyzes existing literature to elucidate the interaction system among continuous cropping practices involving plants, soil, and microorganisms within the rhizosphere; it also integrates potential solutions for mitigating the impacts on both the pharmaceutical industry and the ecological environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connarus semidecandrus Jack (Family: connaraceae) is a medicinal plant known for its wide distribution throughout Southeast Asia. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it has been traditionally used for treating fever, skin irritation, and colic. Numerous individuals suffer from skin issues, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation, due to environmental factors. Although many drugs are available to treat skin problems, chemical drugs have many shortcomings and side effects. Therefore, natural products are attractive potential medicines for alleviating skin troubles. We recently showed that Connarus semidecandrus Jack ethanol extract (Cs-EE) has anti-alopecia potential. This paper aims to explore the potential skin-protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of Connarus semidecandrus Jack in UVB-induced human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Before utilization, Cs-EE was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and was preserved at a temperature of −20 °C. The phytochemical constituents of Cs-EE were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Sequentially, HaCaT cells were exposed to varying concentrations of Cs-EE prior to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Evaluations of cellular responses in HaCaT cells, including assessments of cell viability, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, and gene and protein expressions, were carried out. To explore the specific signaling pathway involved, we conducted a luciferase assay in addition to validating these pathways using Western blot analysis. Nitric oxide (NO) and intracellular reactive oxygen species were decreased. Melanin production through the activation of melanocytes by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) was also inhibited by Cs-EE. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of key factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 exhibited a remarkable decrease. In addition, the phosphorylation of TAK1 within the signaling cascade exhibited a decline, and the activities of the transcription factor AP-1 were decreased according to a luciferase reporter assay. Taken together, these findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-apoptotic effects of Cs-EE indicate the compound's potential usefulness as a natural component in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. [Display omitted] • Connarus semidecandrus Jack ethanol extract (Cs-EE) shows radical scavenging activity. • Cs-EE reduces UVB-induced cell death and apoptosis. • Cs-EE reduces the expression of genes involved in UVB-induced inflammatory response and wrinkle formation. • Cs-EE downregulates α-MSH-induced melanogenic responses of melanocyte. • Cs-EE inhibits AP-1 activity via suppression of TAK1/MKK3/6/p38 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and it has led to approximately 10 million fatalities in 2020. Medicinal plants are still widely used and accepted form of treatment for most diseases including cancer in Ghana. This review presented Cryptolepis nigrescens (Wennberg) L. Joubert. and Bruyns., Prosopsis africana (Guill. and Perr.) Taub. and Pterygota macrocarpa K. Schum. as medicinal plants that are traditionally used to treat tumour growth, amongst other diseases, in the Ashanti region of Ghana. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review on the botanical description, ecological distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition and ethnopharmacological relevance of C. nigrescens , P. africana and P. macrocarpa. The review covers works published between 1962 and 2023 from various countries. Published books, thesis, scientific and medical articles on C. nigrescens , P. africana and P. macrocarpa were collected from the following databases: 'Scopus', 'Science Direct', 'Medline', 'PubMed', 'Research Gate' 'Google Scholar, and 'Springer link' using the keywords. Phytochemical analysis of C. nigrescens , P. africana and P. macrocarpa revealed the presence of some prominent bioactive compounds such as convallatoxin, 7,3,4-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavanone and dioxane, respectively. Plant extracts and isolated compounds of these medicinal plants exhibited a wide range of ethnopharmacological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, cytotoxic, antimalarial, antipyretic, haematinic, hepato-protective, aphrodisiac and antihypertensive properties. The present review on C. nigrescens , P. africana and P. macrocarpa provided a credible summary of the ethnopharmacological research conducted on these medicinal plants till date. The data also highligted the potential therapeutic profiles of these plants in Ghana that could serve as foundation for future studies. Additionally, the information significantly supported the traditional and commercial use of these plants among the people. [Display omitted] • A summarized up-to-date review of research activities on some common medicinal plants in Ghana. • Botanical description and traditional uses of Cryptolepis nigrescens, Prosopsis africana and Pterygota macrocarpa were presented. • Phytochemicals and ethnopharmacological activities of C. nigrescens , P. africana and P. macrocarpa were discussed. • Prominent bioactive compounds obtained from C. nigrescens , P. africana and P. macrocarpa were highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen (Romanet du Caillaud) Stapf is a plant of the genus Coix in the Gramineae family. Coix seed is cultivated in various regions throughout China. In recent years, with the research on the medicinal value of Coix seed, it has received more and more widespread attention from people. Numerous pharmacological effects of Coix seed have been demonstrated through modern pharmacological studies, such as hypoglycemia, improving liver function, anti-tumor, regulating intestinal microbiota, improving spleen function, and anti-inflammatory effects. This article is a literature review. In recent years, despite the extensive research on Coix seed, there has yet to be a comprehensive review of its traditional usage, medicinal resources, chemical components, and pharmacological effects is still lacking. To fill this gap, the paper provides an overview of the latest research progress on Coix seed, aiming to offer guidance and references for its further development and comprehensive utilization. To gather information on the traditional usage, phytochemical ingredients, and pharmacological properties of Coix seed, we conducted a literature search using both Chinese and English languages in five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Springer. This article is a literature review. The chemical constituents of Coix seed include various fatty acids, esters, polysaccharides, sterols, alkaloids, triterpenes, tocopherols, lactams, lignans, phenols, flavonoids and other constituents. Modern pharmacological research has indeed shown that Coix seed has many pharmacological effects and is a natural anti-tumor drug. In addition to its anti-tumor effect, it also has pharmacological effects such as hypoglycemia, improving liver function, regulating intestinal microbiota, improving spleen function, and anti-inflammatory effects. This article provides a brief overview of the traditional uses, biotechnological applications, chemical components, and pharmacological effects of Coix seed. It highlights the importance of establishing quality standards, discovering new active ingredients, and exploring pharmacological mechanisms in Coix seed research. The article also emphasizes the significance of clinical trials, toxicology studies, pharmacokinetics data, and multidisciplinary collaboration for further advancements in this field. Overall, it aims to enhance understanding of Coix seed and its potential in pharmaceutical development and wellness products. Research progress on traditional and medicinal use, the chemical components and pharmacological effect of Coix seed. [Display omitted] • This article introduces the research progress in the traditional usage and medicinal resources of Coix seed. • The chemical components of Coix seed include fatty acids and other compounds. • Coix seed has pharmacological effects such as lowering blood sugar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erigeron breviscapus is a common medicine of eight ethnic minorities, including Miao, Naxi, and Yi. As early as the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368–1644), Lanmao's Materia Medica of Southern Yunnan (AD 1436) recorded that the medicine is used for the treatment of "Zuo tan you huan." In modern pharmacological research, Erigeron breviscapus injection is the most commonly used preparation in the treatment of ischemic stroke caused by acute cerebral infarction, but its mechanism of action in the treatment of ischemic stroke is not well understood. In this study, a metabonomics study based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) was used in investigating the effect of a traditional Chinese medicine preparation Erigeron breviscapus injection on the rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and the affinity of its main components with the targets of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. This study used molecular docking technology to verify the effective binding ability of main effective components of Erigeron breviscapus injection to target proteins related to mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. This study developed a metabonomics method based on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-TOF MS) to evaluate the efficacy and study the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine preparation. With pattern recognition analysis (principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminate analysis) of urinary metabolites, a clear separation of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model group and healthy control group was achieved. Erigeron breviscapus injection can significantly reduce the area of cerebral infarction, improve tissue morphological lesion in rats, and can increase the number of Nissl bodies. It may be a promoting factor by inhibiting hippocampal nerve cell apoptosis and Bax protein expression and by exerting effects against ischemia reperfusion after the induction of apoptosis. Thus, it plays a role in brain protection. Moreover, it can considerably promote the recovery of neurological deficiency signs in advance. Meanwhile, Erigeron breviscapus decreased malondialdehyde content and T-NOS activity. Its curative effect from strong to weak order: low dose > high dose > medium dose. The representative components of Erigeron breviscapus have good affinity with the active sites of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins. Metabolomics found that the potential biomarkers regulated by breviscapine are kynurequinolinic acid, succinylornithine, and leucine proline. It is speculated that it may participate in TRP–kynurequinolinic acid and succinylornithine–urea cycle–NO metabolic pathways. This paper revealed the potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways regulated by Erigeron breviscapus. It was speculated that the mechanism is related to its inhibition of mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis. Erigeron breviscapus could restore the metabolic profiles of the model animals to normal animal levels. The mechanism may be related to the potential biomarkers of quinolinic acid, succinylornithine, and leucine proline and the metabolic pathways involved. However, the exact mechanism by which Erigeron breviscapus inhibits mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis remains to be further explored. [Display omitted] • The metabolic profile of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model rats regulated by Breviscapus injection were revealed. • A new method of metabolomics combined with pharmacodynamics to evaluate the effectiveness of ethnomedicine was explored. • Erigeron breviscapus has high research value. • Erigeron breviscapus is a common medicine of eight ethnic minorities, such as the Miao, Naxi and Yi nationalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinidia Lindl. belongs to the family Actinidiaceae. Plants of this genus are popularly known as kiwifruits and are traditionally used to treat a wide range of ailments associated with digestive disorders, rheumatism, kidney problems, cardiovascular system, cancers, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, and diabetes among others. This review discusses the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, and known pharmacological properties of Actinidia plants, to understand their connotations and provide the scientific basis for future studies. The data were obtained by surveying journal articles, books, and dissertations using various search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Web of Science. The online databases; World Flora Online, Plants of the World Online, International Plant Names Index, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility were used to confirm the distribution and validate scientific names of Actinidia plants. The isolated metabolites from these species were illustrated using ChemBio Draw ultra-version 14.0 software. Ten (10) species of Actinidia genus have been reported as significant sources of traditional medicines utilized to remedy diverse illnesses. Our findings revealed that a total of 873 secondary metabolites belonging to different classes such as terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alcohols, ketones, organic acids, esters, hydrocarbons, and steroids have been isolated from different species of Actinidia. These compounds were mainly related to the exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, anticinoceptive, anti-tumor, and anticancer activities. This study assessed the information related to the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological properties of Actinidia species, which indicate that they possess diverse bioactive metabolites with interesting bioactivities. Actinidia plants have great potential for applications in folklore medicines and pharmaceuticals due to their wide ethnomedicinal uses and biological activities. Traditional uses of several Actinidia species are supported by scientific evidences, qualifying them as possible modern remedies for various ailments. Nonetheless, the currently available data has several gaps in understanding the herbal utilization of most Actinidia species. Thus, further research into their toxicity, mechanisms of actions of the isolated bioactive metabolites, as well as scientific connotations between the traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological properties is required to unravel their efficacy in therapeutic potential for safe clinical application. [Display omitted] • This paper reviewed the botanical characterization, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, and pharmacological properties of Actinidia species. • It also established correlation between the isolated secondary metabolites, pharmacological effects, and ethnomedicinal uses. • The present study demonstrates the ethnopharmacological evidence that can aid in development of new drugs for future clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulaca oleracea L. (PO), popularly known as purslane, has been documented in ethnopharmacology in various countries and regions. Traditional application records indicated that PO might be used extensively to treat the common cold, dysentery, urinary tract infections, coughing, eye infections, skin problems, gynecological diseases, and pediatric illnesses. This paper includes a systematic review of the traditional usage, phytochemicals, pharmacological activity, and potential uses of PO to provide an overview of the research for further exploitation of PO resources. This article uses " Portulaca oleracea L." and "purslane" as the keywords and collects relevant information on PO from different databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, Science Direct, ACS, Wiley, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and ancient meteria medica. PO is a member of the Portulacaceae family and is grown worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that purslane has the effect of improving eyesight, eliminating evil qi, quenching thirst, purgation, diuresis, hemostasis, regulating qi, promoting hair growth, detoxifying, and avoiding epidemic qi. Recent phytochemical investigations have shown that PO is a rich source of flavonoids, homoisoflavonoids, alkaloids, organic acids, esters, lignans, terpenoids, catecholamines, sterols, and cerebrosides. The purslane extracts or compounds have exhibited numerous biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, renoprotective, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, metabolic, muscle relaxant, anti-asthmatic and anti-osteoporosis properties. The significant omega-3 fatty acids, vital amino acids, minerals, and vitamins found in purslane also provide nutritional benefits. Purslane as a food/feed additive in the food industry and animal husbandry has caused concern. Its global wide distribution and tolerance to abiotic stress characteristics make it in the future sustainable development of agriculture a certain position. Based on traditional usage, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activity, PO is a potential medicinal and edible plant with diverse pharmacological effects. Due to purslane's various advantages, it may have vast application potential in the food and pharmaceutical industries and animal husbandry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tangchong (ཐང་ཕྲོམ།), a term in the Tibetan language, encompasses a diverse group of plants belonging to different genera of the Solanaceae family. These plants have been utilized in traditional Tibetan medicine for centuries and are currently still employed to treat a variety of ailments, including acute and severe abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, epilepsy, ascariasis, lung abscess, and other diseases. The therapeutic properties of tangchong are attributed to the presence of tropane alkaloids (TAs), although recent research has also revealed their toxicity. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the traditional uses of tangchong, as well as the phytochemical and pharmacological studies conducted on this plant. The review aims to offer a critical update on the current state of knowledge of tangchong and to identify new opportunities for exploring its therapeutic potential. To gather information on tangchong, we conducted a thorough search of several scientific databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scifinder, Baidu Scholar, PubMed, and CNKI. This review summarizes the traditional usage of 11 plants, 168 chemical components, including alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, amides, coumarins, etc., describes the pharmacological activities of these medicinal plants and their mechanisms of action, provides an elaboration of toxicology, and provides new plant-derived drugs and herbal preparations from tangchong. Clarity regarding the source of the drug is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of clinical applications of Tibetan medicine. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of tangchong, including its traditional medicinal uses, chemical composition, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality control measures. Our analysis highlights the significant value of tangchong as an ethnomedicinal resource, with pharmacological activities primarily linked to its alkaloid content. Furthermore, this review serves as a valuable reference for future research on alkaloid-containing ethnomedicines. [Display omitted] • This review provides a systematic and comprehensive summary of the Tibetan medicine "Tangchong" for the first time. • This review will facilitate further research and development of the Tibetan medicine "Tangchong", and provide theoretical references for subsequent researchers. • This review will be helpful for the succession and development of Tibetan medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licorice can nourish Pi (spleen) and thereby strengthening the digestive system according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Licorice has been generally used in the compound prescription to treat intestinal inflammatory disease. Licochalcone A (Lico A) is one of the characteristic molecules from licorice. T-UCRs, which are transcribed from ultraconserved regions, are a new class of long noncoding RNAs related to the renewal of intestinal epithelial renewal. This study aimed to investigate the effect and the uc.173-related mechanism of Lico A on intestinal epithelial renewal. IE-6 and Caco-2 cells were used to evaluate the effect of Lico A on apoptosis, proliferation, and migration of IECs. The intestinal organoid was used to investigate ex vivo effect and mechanism of Lico A promoting intestinal organoid development. C57BL/6J mice (both normal and uc.173-deficient ones) were used to examine the in vivo effect of Lico A on the renewal of intestinal mucosa. The expression of three T-UCRs related to the intestinal mucosa renewal was altered in Lico A-treated IECs. Lico A promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of IECs through uc.173/miR-195 pathway. The development of intestinal organoids and the renewal of intestinal mucosa of mice subjected to the 48-h FAST were all promoted by the treatment of Lico A. Moreover, the growth arrest of uc.173-deficient intestinal organoids and the atrophy of intestinal mucosa in uc.173-deficient mice could be rescued by the Lico A administration. Results in this paper suggest that targeting T-UCRs may be the novel therapeutic approach for the promotion of epithelial regeneration, and through stimulating the regeneration of intestinal mucosa, Lico A may become a new therapeutic agent for the maintenance of intestinal epithelial integrity. Licochalcone A promotes intestinal epithelial renewal through uc.173. [Display omitted] • Licochalcone A from licorice affects the expression of three T-UCRs related to the regeneration of intestinal mucosa. • Licochalcone A promotes the development of intestinal organoids and in vivo renewal of intestinal mucosa. • Licochalcone A reverses uc. 173-induced delay in intestinal epithelial renewal both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smilax china L., an extensively used traditional Chinese medicine, is known as Baqia in China. It has been used to treat various inflammatory disorders, particularly pelvic inflammation. The present paper aims to provide an up-to-date review at the advancements of the investigations on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological effect and actual and potential applications of S. china. Besides, the possible tendency and perspective for future research of this plant are discussed, as well. This article uses " Smilax china L." " S. china " as the keyword and collects relevant information on Smilax china L. plants through electronic searches (Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Web of Science), relevant books, and classic literature about Chinese herb. 134 chemical constituents, among which steroid saponins and flavonoids are the predominant groups, have been isolated and identified from S. china. S. china with its active compounds is possessed of wide-reaching biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, detoxify nicotine, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, anti-hyperuricaemia, anti-hypertension, promoting skin wound and barrier repair and anti-bacterial activity. Besides, S. china is also applied to other fields, such as food industry and detection technology. Based on the review of the existing phytochemical studies on Smilax china L., the structural characterization of Smilax china L. extract can continue to be the focus of future research. Pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated some of the traditional uses of Smilax china L. extract, while other traditional uses still need to be confirmed by research. [Display omitted] • S.china is a common natural medicinal plant with multiple therapeutic effects. • The phytochemical components of S.china have various biological activities. • S.china has effects on other fields, especially food industry, detection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epimedium koreanum Nakai (E. koreanum), a member of the genus Epimedium in the family Berberidaceae, is a well-known and well-liked traditional herb used as a "kidney tonic". For thousands of years, it has been utilized for renal yang deficiency, impotence, spermatorrhea, impotence, weakness of tendons and bones, rheumatic paralysis and discomfort, numbness, and constriction. The paper aims to comprehensively in-depth, and methodically review the most recent research on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of E. koreanum. Scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, ScienceDirect, Baidu Scholar, and CNKI and medicine books in China were searched for relevant information on E. koreanum. In traditional uses, E. koreanum is frequently used to treat various diseases like erectile dysfunction, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, etc. To date, more than 379 compounds have been discovered from various parts of E. koreanum , including flavonoids, lignans, organic acids, terpenoids, hydrocarbons, dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, alkaloids, and others. Research has revealed that the compounds and crude extracts have a wide range of pharmacological effects on the reproductive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, as well as anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and antiviral properties. Besides, the crude extracts show potential hepatotoxicity. Based on recent domestic and international research investigations, E. koreanum contains a wealth of chemical components with pronounced pharmacological activities. Its traditional uses are numerous, and the majority of these traditional uses have been supported by contemporary pharmacological investigations. Crude extracts, on the other hand, can result in hepatotoxicity. Therefore, additional in vivo and in vitro experimental research on the pharmacology and toxicology of E. koreanum are required in the future to assess its safety and efficacy. This will give a firmer scientific foundation for its safe application and the development of new drugs in the future. [Display omitted] • More than 379 chemical constituents of E. koreanum are first reviewed. • Flavonoids are the predominant bioactive constituents of E. koreanum. • Traditional uses, pharmacology, and toxicity of E. koreanum are comprehensively discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The local inhabitants of Pirot County in Eastern Serbia were interviewed about plant's application in veterinary ethnopharmacology. • It was noticed 46 veterinary plants and 206 use reports. • It was found 22 plants not mentioned and 9 plants with different use in neighboring regions. • A good starting point for new phytopharmacological studies. This paper provides essential information on medicinal plant uses in the veterinary ethnopharmacology of Pirot County in Eastern Serbia, known as a relatively isolated, multiethnic, and a traditional agricultural area. The aim of the study was to collect, analyze, and evaluate the medicinal plants' ethnoveterinary knowledge in a Pirot County (2761 km2, total 92,479 inhabitants, of which 34,672 in the rural area). The local inhabitants of the rural area were interviewed by a semi-structured questionnaire to determine how many of them are familiar with the plants' application in veterinary ethnopharmacology. Interviews were conducted in four municipalities of the Pirot County, where the samples of the local rural population included 631 respondents (mean age 50; 45.59% women, 53.41% men) at 144 sites, of which 148 respondents from 92 villages reported the use of plants in veterinary medicine. The data are presented in a tabular manner and include scientific and local names, the part used, pharmaceutical form, therapeutic indication, and mode of administration, followed with several reports. Furthermore, most frequently reported taxa are systemized for each therapeutic group municipality - wise with calculated informant consensus factor. A comparison with previously published data collected from surrounding territories on the Balkan Peninsula was performed by considering the Jaccard index. The survey revealed 192 plants used by the local population for various health indications, of which 46 species were reported for use in veterinary medicine. Plants reported for the treatment of health issues in livestock (206 reports) were distributed in 30 families out of which the main ones being Asteraceae (8 species), Lamiaceae (4 species), Rosaceae (4 species) and the most abundant were Asteraceae (43 reports), Hypericaceae (28 reports), Polygonaceae (26 reports) and Ranunculaceae (23 reports). The most frequently used plants in veterinary ethnopharmacology were Cichorium intybus, Hypericum perforatum, and Rumex patientia. Aerial plant parts were exploited more frequently than underground parts. The mode of administration was primarily oral in the water extract form. The primary reported therapeutic groups were diarrhea (98 reports), wounds (27 reports), dermatological diseases (scabies and pediculosis) (14 reports), and elevated temperature (10 reports). The use of 22 plant species was not reported in other ethnoveterinary surveys in the Balkan Peninsula. Knowledge of plants for veterinary use is still constrained among the population of the rural parts of Pirot County. The study identified plant species used by the local population to deal with health issues in domestic animals. The presented findings of this study can be a good starting point for new phytopharmacological investigations in the veterinary domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium is a kind of medicine food homology plant. Dendrobium has long been used to strengthen "Yin" and tonify five viscera. This paper presents a systematic review of the folk usage, chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Dendrobium , aiming to provide a reference for subsequent in-depth understanding and better exploitation of health food, medicine, and natural products. Available information about the genus Dendrobium was collected via Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, APA-Psy Articles, Google Scholar, Connected Papers, Springer Search, and KNCI. The keywords for this article are Dendrobium , traditional use, chemical diversity and pharmacological activity. Use the "Dictionary of Chinese Ethnic Medicine " to provide 23 kinds of Dendrobium with medicinal value, the Latin name of Dendrobium is verified by the Flora of China (www.iplant.cn), and its species distribution and related information are collected. There are 78 species of Dendrobium in China, 14 of which are endemic to China. At present, 450 compounds including sesquiterpenoids, lignans compounds, phenolic compounds, phenanthrene compounds, bibenzyls, polysaccharides and flavonoids have been isolated and identified from at least 50 species of Dendrobium. Among them, bibenzyls and polysaccharides are the main active components, phenolics and lignans are widely distributed, sesquiterpenes are the most common chemical constituents in genus Dendrobium plants. The most popular research objects are Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium huoshanense. Based on traditional folk uses, chemical composition and pharmacological studies, Dendrobium is considered a promising medicinal and edible plant with multiple pharmacological activities. In addition, a large number of clinical applications and further studies on single chemical components based on the diversity of chemical structures should be conducted, which will lay the foundation for the scientific utilization of genus Dendrobium. [Display omitted] • The traditional usage of dendrobium by 17 Chinese ethnic groups is summarized. • 450 chemical compounds and their chemical structural formulae were collated. • 14 pharmacological activities of Dendrobium were summarized and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonati Rhizoma (PR), which contains rich national cultural connotations, is a traditional Chinese medicine with homology of medicine and food. It has been used for a long time as a tonic in China's multi-ethnic medical system, and is also used to treat diseases such as premature graying hair, deficiency of blood and essence, diabetes, hypertension, etc. Meanwhile, PR is often used as food in China, India, South Korea and other Asian countries, which can satisfy hunger and provide many health benefits. This paper systematically reviewed the ethnopharmacology, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and related applications research of PR, and provided a reference for the comprehensive applications of PR, including basic research, product development and clinical applications. This paper also refined the national application characteristics of PR, such as rich plant resources, special chemical components and anti-hidden hungry, which laid a foundation for its high value and high connotation development in the future. The literature information was collected systematically from the electronic scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Geen Medical, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, as well as other literature sources, such as classic books of herbal medicine. A comprehensive analysis of the above literature confirmed that PR has been used in the ethnic medicine system of Asian countries such as China for thousands of years. In this paper, 12 species including official species that can be used as PR are summarized, which provide rich plant resources for PR. The chemical components in PR are divided into nutritional components and active components. The former not only contains non-starch polysaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides, which account for about 50% in PR and are recognized as high-quality diet in the world, but also contains inorganic elements and mineral elements. And a total of 199 kinds active ingredients, including saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc., were sorted out by us. The above ingredients make PR have a special property of anti-hidden hunger. Studies have shown that PR has a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as immune regulation, blood glucose regulation, lipid-lowering, antioxidant, anti-tumor, antibacterial, etc. It has been widely used in medicine, food, cosmetics, gardens and other fields. PR, as a classic medicinal material of the same origin, is widely used in the traditional ethnic medicine system. It contains abundant potential plant resources, chemical components and pharmacological activities. This paper also suggests that PR with high application value in food industry, has the potential to become a high-quality coarse grain. Exploring the way of grain and industrialization of PR is beneficial to fully develop the economic value of PR. [Display omitted] • PR is a potential high-quality crop and food that can fight hidden hunger. • The material base and pharmacological mechanism of PR need to be further studied. • Challenges for PR industry are mainly uncontrolled quality and declining wild resources. • Promoting the development of PR for industrialization is conducive to play its value fully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. belong to the genus Vitex , and Vitex rotundifolia L. f. evolved from Vitex trifolia L. Both are essential ethnic medicinal plants with a long history, commonly used to treat headaches, fever, diarrhea, hair loss, wound recovery, and other diseases. The research status of Vitex trifolia L. and its relative species Vitex rotundifolia L. f. were reviewed from the aspects of traditional medicinal use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities, to provide a reference for the further development and utilization of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. In this paper, a comprehensive search of published literature was conducted through various books and online databases to obtain relevant information on Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. The search terms "(Vitex rotundifolia) OR (Vitex trifolia) OR (Fructus viticis)" were entered in PubMed, Web of Science, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Baidu Scholar, respectively. In addition to setting the year threshold of "2018–2022" on Baidu Scholar, other databases searched all fields and found 889, 283, 1263, 1023, and 147 articles, respectively. Among them, review, repetition, overlapping data, and other reasons were excluded, and finally, a total of 164 articles were included in the review study. A total of 369 compounds have been identified, including 159 terpenoids, 51 flavonoids, 83 phenylpropanoids, and 76 other compounds. Pharmacological studies have shown that Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and estrogen-like activity. Modern clinical use for treating cold headaches, diarrhea dysentery, irregular menstruation, and other diseases. As traditional medicinal plants, Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. have wealthy chemical constituents and extensive pharmacological activities and are widely used in clinical practice from traditional to modern times. However, the research on the pharmacological activities of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. is not in-depth, and the potential active components still need to be explored. [Display omitted] • Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. belong to the genus Vitex , and the single leaf Vitex rotundifolia L. f. evolved from Vitex trifolia L. Both are essential ethnic medicinal plants used worldwide to treat various diseases, such as headache, fever, diarrhea, hair loss, and wound recovery. • From the traditional point of view, the ethnic medicine of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. was collected. • In this paper, the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. were listed. • It provides a theoretical basis for further utilization and research of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are broadly cultivated in the Mediterranean but their environmental footprint is not very well studied. In this paper, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was applied to determine the energy balance, carbon and water footprints (CF and WF, respectively) in 50 farms, organic and conventional, where four MAP species were cultivated; spearmint (Mentha spicata), oregano (Oreganum vulgare), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and Damask rose (Rosa damascena). The lowest value for energy intensity (EI) was observed for organic spearmint (0.18 MJ/kg fresh weight; f.w.) while the highest for conventional Damask rose (5.80 MJ/kg f.w.). Statistically significant differences were observed in EI between organic and conventional farms for spearmint and Damask rose while no differences were found for oregano and rosemary. The lowest CF was observed for organic rosemary (0.051 kg CO 2 -eq/kg f.w.) while the highest for conventional Damask rose (0.463 kg CO 2 -eq/kg f.w.). Statistical differences in the CF between organic and conventional farms for the four species followed the same pattern as for EI. Conventional spearmint had the lowest WF (61.5 L of water/kg f.w.) and organic Damask rose the highest (1522 L of water/kg f.w.). Statistical differences between the two management systems were observed only for Damask rose. The 50 farms were grouped according to the values of three indicators (EI, CF and WF) using cluster analysis. Four clusters were identified with 68% of the farms (34) belonging to the low footprint cluster which contained organic and conventional spearmint, oregano and rosemary farms. The other three clusters contained the (16) Damask rose farms, where the inputs were higher in comparison to the other three species and the highest footprint clusters contained conventional rose farms. Our work suggests that MAPs are viable candidates for the implementation of sustainable agriculture in the Mediterranean. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl. (also known as Guggulu) is one of the oldest and most prominent herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. Commiphora mukul plants have traditionally been used to treat inflammation, diabetes, rheumatism, arthritis, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. It has long been used in China, India, Greece, and other countries. Commiphora mukul is an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the United States and Western countries. Commiphora mukul has excellent medicinal and commercial value and deserves further investigation. This paper systematically reviews the historical records, application rules, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, clinical research, and adverse reactions of C. mukul and provides a reference for its comprehensive application in basic research, new drug development, and clinical treatment. Literature were collected from databases such as PubMed, CNKI, Web of Science, TBRC, and other sources such as ancient books on traditional medicine, classic books on herbal medicine, and modern monographs. In this study, the application history and modern pharmacological research on C. mukul in the medicine of all ethnic groups were comprehensively and systematically reviewed. According to the vast literature, the varieties, morphological characteristics, distribution, and description of C. mukul used in Unani medicine, Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, Mongolian medicine, and Uygur medicine are highly consistent. Commiphora mukul is mainly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, obesity, hemorrhoids, urinary system diseases, skin diseases, inflammation, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, tumors, and other diseases. The core medicinal material combination in different ethnic medical preparations was C. mukul - Terminalia chebula Retz. (101 times), C. mukul -Moschus (55 times), C. mukul - Aucklandia lappa (Decne.) Decne. (52 times), and C. mukul - Acorus calamus L (27 times). Phytochemical studies confirmed that 150 components with different structures had been isolated and identified. Z-and E-guggulsterone are the main isomers in C. mukul. C. mukul has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, bone resorption, nervous system protection, myocardial protection, antibacterial, and other pharmacological properties. Clinical studies have only identified the role of C. mukul in treating hemorrhoids and lowering blood lipids. As an essential traditional medicine, C. mukul is widely used in the national traditional medicine system, and rich in chemical constituents and exhibit pharmacological activities. This study found that current research on C. mukul mainly focuses on its chemical composition and pharmacological properties. However, scientific research on the quality control of medicinal materials, identification of original plants, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology are relatively weak, and research in this area needs to be strengthened. [Display omitted] • The application of Commiphora mukul in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine has a history of more than 2000 years. • The varieties of Commiphora mukul were roughly clarified based on five traditional medical texts. • The isomer Z and E-guggulsterones of Commiphora mukul have certain anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects. • Commiphora mukul has main therapeutic diseases such as treating cancer, diabetes and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia anomala S. Moore (family: Asteraceae) is a traditional herb that has been used for medicinal purposes in China for more than 1300 years. In traditional and local medicine, A. anomala is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic, dysmenorrhea, enteritis, hepatitis, hematuria and burn injury, and it is also considered as a natural botanical supplement in some areas, a traditional herb with both medicinal and edible properties. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of A. anomala , covering its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, and quality control, and to summarize the current research status in order to better understand the application value of A. anomala as a traditional herbal medicine and provide references for its further development and utilization. The relevant information on A. anomala was collected by searching a range of literature and electronic databases using " Artemisia anomala " as the key search term. These sources included both ancient and modern books, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, as well as various online databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar. At present, 125 compounds have been isolated from A. anomala , including terpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, volatile oils and other compounds. Modern studies have confirmed that these active components have significant pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, hepatoprotective, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-oxidation. In modern clinic, A. anomala is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, traumatic bleeding, hepatitis, soft tissue contusion, burn and scald. Long-term traditional medicinal history and a large number of modern in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that A. anomala has a wide range of biological activities, which can provide rich resources for the discovery of promising drug candidates and the development of new plant supplements. However, the research on the active components and molecular mechanism of A. anomala is insufficient, and more mechanism-based pharmacological evaluation and clinical research should be carried out to provide a more powerful scientific basis for its traditional use. In addition, the index components and determination standards of A. anomala should be established as soon as possible, so as to establish a systematic and effective quality control system. [Display omitted] • Artemisia anomala S. Moore is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with both medicinal and edible properties, which has a long history of application in ethnic pharmacology. • Artemisia anomala S. Moore is widely used in clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, traumatic bleeding, hepatitis, soft tissue contusion, burn and scald. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qilong capsule (QLC) is a compound traditional Chinese medicine commonly used to treat ischemic stroke (IS). QLC is made of eight kinds of medicinal materials. It has two kinds of monarch medicine and six kinds of minister medicine. However, the pharmacodynamic mechanism of QLC is still unknown. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the pharmacology mechanism of QLC against ischemic stroke through coagulation, inflammation and apoptosis. We used an existing zebrafish model to explore the protective mechanism of QLC on IS. We treated normally-developing zebrafish larvae with QLC and ponatinib 2 days post fertilization (dpf), and used the area of cerebral vascular thrombosis, red blood cell staining intensity, and brain cell apoptosis to quantitate QLC efficacy against IS. Evaluation of brain inflammation in zebrafish by observing macrophage aggregation and migration. In addition, we also explored the effect of QLC on zebrafish angiogenesis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect changes in the expression of genes involved in coagulation, inflammation, vascular endothelium, and apoptosis. We found that QLC reduced the area affected by ponatinib-induced cerebral vascular embolism, erythrocyte staining intensity, and the number of apoptotic brain cells. For inflammation, QLC can improve the aggregation and migration of macrophages. QLC can significantly promote the formation of blood vessels in zebrafish. qPCR showed that QLC inhibited the expression of genes related to coagulation, inflammation, and apoptosis. Qilong capsule had a significant protective efficacy in ponatinib-induced IS. [Display omitted] • We employ a zebrafish ischemic stroke model that allows rapid drug screening. • Qilong capsule protects against ischemic stroke by regulating coagulation, inflammation and apoptosis. • Qilong capsule can promote the growth of blood vessels in zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Aconitum has been used as local and traditional medicines in many asian regions for the treatment of various diseases such as collapse, syncope, painful joints, oedema, bronchial asthma et al. Higenamine, a plant-based alkaloid, was initially isolated from Aconitum and identified as the active cardiotonic component of Aconitum . It has been tested as a candidate of pharmacologic stress agent in the detection of coronary artery diseases (CADs) and now researchers have just accomplished the phase III clinical studies successfully in China. Besides, a large number of studies have revealed the various pharmacological properties and potentially multi-spectral medical applications of higenamine. However, to date, no comprehensive review on higenamine has been published. Aim of the review This present paper aims to compile a comprehensive update regarding the biochemistry, pharmacokinetic features, pharmacological activities, clinical and potential clinical uses and toxicities on higenamine with the ultimate objective of providing a guide for future research on this drug. Materials and methods The selection of relevant data was made through a search using the keyword “higenamine” in “Web of science”, “Pubmed”, and “China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI)”. Information was also acquired from local classic herbal literature, government reports and conference papers. Results In addition to Aconitum , higenamine also exists in many other plants including Tinospora crispa , Nandina domestica T HUNBERG , Gnetum Parvifolium C.Y. Cheng, sarum Heterotropoides , Nelumbo nucifera , N.nucifera . The pharmacokinetic studies conducted in animals and humans showed that higenamine conformed to a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Studies over the last four decades on higenamine have revealed its various pharmacological properties such as positive inotropic and chronotropic effect, activating slow channel effect, vascular and tracheal relaxation effect, anti-thrombotic, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effect, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. This phytochemical constituent has shown its potential therapeutic effects for diseases like heart failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), shock, arthritis, asthma, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries and erectile dysfunction. Conclusions Extensive basic and clinical studies on higenamine showed valuable therapeutic effects on different disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of higenamine have not been established. Therefore, the safety, tolerability and efficacy of higenamine are as yet, not fully understood. Additionally, some of the studies were small sample-sized and unreliable. To sum up, there is a need for deeper investigation in the mechanisms of higenamine action, as well as well-designed preclinical and clinical trials studies to test the safety and clinical value of the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]