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The occurrence of several flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential properties in wood may have a viable application in the biocosmetic industry. This paper studies the technical viability of redirecting wood residues of the main commercialized Amazonian species, Dipteryx odorata (cumaru), Manilkara huberi (ironwood), Hymenaea courbaril (Brazilian cherry) and Handroanthus serratifolius (yellow ipe), to obtain natural dyes for facial biocosmetics development. For each dye sample, phytochemical profile of phenolic compounds and the total flavonoids content expressed in rutin and quercetin (ug mL–1) was determined. Wood residues extract yield was 6.5% for cumaru, 8.1% for ironwood, 16.3% for Brazilian cherry and 8.8% for yellow ipe. The physical-chemical properties were compliant with the official compendia. TLC-analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids (quercetin) and hydrolyzable tannins (gallic acid). Concentration of total flavonoids content expressed in rutin and quercetin varied between 0.106 to 7.5 and 0.1 to 3.12ug.mL–1, respectively, for all species. Facial biocosmetic formulations with organoleptic properties (appearance, color and odor) suitable for facial use could be obtained from ironwood, Brazilian cherry and yellow ipe dyes. Therefore, Amazon species wood residues reuse is an innovative and sustainable technological strategy to add value to bioproducts of Amazon biodiversity, contributing to the region's socio-economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds show promise in treating obesity and enhancing intestinal health. This systematic review addressed the following question: “What are the effects of polyphenols on intestinal health in preclinical studies with diet-induced obesity?”. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42021262445). Studies published until April 2024 were selected from Medline(PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect using terms related to polyphenols, obesity, and microbiota in rats and mice. Thirty papers meeting PICOS criteria were included. Bias risk was assessed with the SYRCLE tool, yielding scores between 4.5 and 7.0 out of 10. Findings indicated that 22 phenolic compounds improved gut microbiota diversity, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio, and modulated microbiota at various taxonomic levels. They also increased short-chain fatty acids, tight-junction expression, enhanced intestinal morphology, and reduced endotoxemia and inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest phenolic compounds may help treat obesity by modifying the microbiota and improving intestinal health. However, further research is needed to standardize data and facilitate meta-analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evidence coupled with awareness towards carcinogenic effects of synthetic textiles dyes to the wearer, exhausting fossil fuels, ecological balance distortion, and increased pollutants from the textile industry harming the environment, is on the rise. In this context, the paper provides a significant overview of ancient biomaterial engineering with herbal colorants to refute the modern ecological crisis. The medicinal properties of natural dyes have the potential to create functional textiles, cogently their ability to combat UV radiation and microorganisms are discussed in depth. Cohesively, the subtle and the vital role of plant phytochemicals is comprised. The overview would further propel the textile industry towards slow technology and slow fashion in a substantial way. Thus, it motivates us to view more in less for radical change. For the future, the review paper highlight's on multi-disciplinary research approach at global, institutional, and individual levels of research to meet the anticipated holistic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed at determining the quantity, nature and role of extracts during the sorption behavior of two Central African hardwood species: Nauclea diderrichii (Bilinga) and Erythrophleum suaveolens (Tali) at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70°C using relative humidities (RH) between 5.3% and 97%. For this purpose, extract contents and their nature were determined by solvent extraction and mass spectrometric analysis (MALDI-TOF/MS) respectively. The ABC model whose parameters were used to determine the monolayer moisture capacity (EMCm) also described type II sigmoidal sorption isotherms. The results showed that acetone extracts were the highest in Tali (7.88%) and Bilinga (6.92%). MALDI-TOF results found 10 new chemical components out of 24 in Tali (saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and stilbenes) while 16 were identified as saponins, acids and flavonoids in Bilinga. Acetone-soluble extracts had the most significant effect on the hygroscopic nature of wood. Extracted wood recorded higher equilibrium moisture contents (EMC), monolayer moisture capacities and lower sorption differences. For native wood, water-repellent polyphenols like alkaloids and stilbenes and newly identified components there in, rendered Tali less hygroscopic than Bilinga. The nature of extractives would be an effective alternative to explore the chemical compounds, which can best improve the hygroscopic response of wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) is an African legume that belongs to the family and subfamily of Fabaceae and Faboidea, respectively. It is becoming one of the most utilized legumes after being underutilized for many years in Africa. It is the third most significant legume after groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and cowpea (Vigna hypogea). Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a complete food because of its richness in nutritional properties such as crude fiber, iron, protein, carbohydrate, fat and minerals. Moreover, BGN possesses antioxidants properties as it contains phytochemicals, such as tannins, flavonoids and phytic acids which possess health benefits for humans such as preventing diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, these phytochemicals extend the shelf life of food products and have antimicrobial properties which can inhibit microbial growth. This paper highlights the current findings on BGN nutritional composition, health benefits, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Therefore, it is advisable for food industry to exploit BGN grain to its full potential to tackle challenges of food security and nutrition globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choice of drying methods significantly impacts the nutritive and non-nutritive compounds in fruits and vegetables. Phytochemicals such as total phenolics and total flavonoids are non-nutritive bioactive compounds and are found in plants which are of important value due to their antioxidant properties in minimizing the oxidation reaction. However, drying and storage conditions and duration significantly affect these important quality attributes. There is currently no review article on the impact of the drying and storage conditions on these quality attributes. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to investigate the impact of drying methods on these important phytochemicals and their antioxidant activity on dried products during the storage period. Different drying methods cause desirable and undesirable changes to dried products both physically and chemically. It is found that during the drying process at various temperature ranges from 40 to 80 °C, chemical changes occurs which affects the phenolic and the flavonoid content of dried products to increase or decrease. The increase in antioxidant activity after drying is also due to oxidized polyphenols and Maillard reaction products. This results to changes in the antioxidant potential of the dried food product and its impact on the shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles synthesis using biological methods is gaining importance over the physicochemical methods because of its nontoxic nature and less environmental burden. In this paper, we report the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from its precursor salt AgNO3, using Jatropha curcas seed cake extract, which will provide value addition to the byproduct of the biodiesel industry. Jatropha curcas seed oil is usually used as a source for biodiesel production as fatty acyl methyl esters (FAME). Jatropha curcas seed cake extract was screened for phytochemicals present in it which may help in reducing the precursor metal salt to nanoparticles as well as coat around the nanoparticles, thereby increasing their stability. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols and terpenoids in the extract. Biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM and FTIR. The Uv-visible spectroscopic analysis confirmed the production of silver nanoparticles at 400–460 nm, where the colour change in the solution from pale yellow to brown indicated the formation of silver nanoparticles. SEM image showed the size of the AgNPs ranged from 80 nm to 95 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed the capping of nanoparticles with organic residues like, proteins, amino acids, and polyphenols present in the extract, which led to increased stabilization of nanoparticles. Negative zeta values indicated the stability of nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs were tested for their antibacterial activity against both Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram negative (E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria with known antibiotic as a control. Biosynthesized AgNPs showed significantly high bacteriostatic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sitophilus oryzae is an important pest of stored rice and is usually controlled by the use of aluminum phosphide, which is dangerous to humans. Botanical insecticides deemed promising alternatives in controlling this pest. In this study, extracts of Peganum harmala seeds, Pterocarya fraxinifolia leaves, and Tanacetum parthenium flowers were evaluated against S. oryzae adults. Phytochemical analyses showed that steroid, terpenoid, tannin, alkaloid, and flavonoid are present in the extracts. Bioassays revealed repellency effects of all extracts, besides, P. harmala extract exerted significant mortality (93.33 ± 6.6%, LC50: 521.06 mg/ml) hence it may have applications in preventing infestation of stored rice by S. oryzae. Plant extracts studied in this research efficiently repel rice weevil. These plant extracts show significant toxicity against rice weevil. Alkaloid, steroid, terpenoid, tannin, and flavonoid are present in extracts of these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Dengue control may be done by targeting its vector. In this study, we used Artocarpus blancoi (Elm.) Merr. (Moraceae) leaves, an endemic hematophagous insect repellent as a larvicide and ovicide. Objective: We investigated the larvicidal and ovicidal activities of its soluble crude ethanol extract and the hexane, aqueous, and ethyl acetate fractions against Aedes aegypti. Materials and methods: Third to early fourth instar A. aegypti larvae were exposed to 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm of crude ethanol; to 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm of ethyl acetate; and to 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 ppm of hexane fractions of A. blancoi; 48 h LC50 and LC90 values were determined. For the ovicidal assay, an average of 25 eggs/paper strip was used; inhibition of egg hatchability was counted 72 h after exposure. Fractions were screened qualitatively for phytochemicals. Results: Ethyl acetate soluble fraction gave the lowest LC50 value (18.59 ppm) followed by the crude ethanol (411 ppm), hexane (685 ppm) and aqueous (20,158 ppm) fractions. Similarly, ethyl acetate soluble fraction appeared to be the most ovicidal (80 ppm). Larvicidal and ovicidal activities of the fractions were dose dependent. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed moderate presence of glycosides and sterols and trace amounts of triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Discussion and conclusions:A. blancoi is a potential larvicide and ovicide against A. aegypti, and future studies isolating the specific components responsible for such actions would be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid increase in cardiovascular diseases, health-conscious consumers are increasingly showing more interest in foods that provide health benefits beyond the provision of essential nutrients. Watermelon contains phytochemicals such as lycopene, vitamin C, β-carotene, and Total polyphenolic content that possess anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Dietary intake of these products with antioxidants properties is important in maintaining human health and well-being. These reduces incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and some coronary heart diseases, through inhibiting formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The presence of these phytochemicals enhances its potential use as a functional ingredient in food application. This paper aims to characterize the phytochemicals found in watermelon, and emphasis is directed toward the role of natural antioxidants in reducing the risk of chronic diseases to discourage the use of synthetic antioxidants. Moreover, another focus is on seeking the recognition of watermelon as a potential snack and to support its traditional consumption. Abbreviations: WJC: Watermelon juice concentrate; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; CVD: Cardiovascular diseases; BHA: Butylated hydroxyanisole; BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene; WHO: World Health Organization; SVCT: Sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters; LDL: Low-density lipoprotein; HDL: High-density lipoprotein; HPPPEF: High-pressure processing and pulse electric field; TS: thermosonication [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this paper was to link the phytochemical and metabolic research treating quinolinic acid induced oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: Quinolinic acid, a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism, plays a role in the oxidative stress associated with many neurological disorders and is used to simulate disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Results: In these models, phytochemicals have been shown to reduce striatal lesion size, reduce inflammation and prevent lipid peroxidation caused by quinolinic acid. Conclusion: These results suggest that phenolic compounds, a class of phytochemicals, including flavonoids and diarylheptanoids, should be further studied to develop new treatments for oxidative stress related neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical screening of dried leaves and fruits ofJuniperus phoeniceagrowing in Egypt revealed the presence of essential oil, carbohydrates, sterols and/or triterpenes, and flavonoids. The carbohydrates of the edible part, fruits, were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography while the carbohydrates in the leaves were investigated by paper chromatography. Pharmacological studies were done starting with the determination of median lethal doses (LD50) for total and successive extracts of leaves and fruits of the plant. Antiviral activity of total extracts against HAV-27 and HSV-1 were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The same chemical reaction may be different in terms of its position of the equilibrium (i.e., thermodynamics) and its kinetics when studied in different foods. The diversity in the chemical composition of food and in its structural organization at macro-, meso-, and microscopic levels, that is, the food matrix, is responsible for this difference. In this viewpoint paper, the multiple, and interconnected ways the food matrix can affect chemical reactivity are summarized. Moreover, mechanistic and empirical approaches to explain and predict the effect of food matrix on chemical reactivity are described. Mechanistic models aim to quantify the effect of food matrix based on a detailed understanding of the chemical and physical phenomena occurring in food. Their applicability is limited at the moment to very simple food systems. Empirical modeling based on machine learning combined with data-mining techniques may represent an alternative, useful option to predict the effect of the food matrix on chemical reactivity and to identify chemical and physical properties to be further tested. In such a way the mechanistic understanding of the effect of the food matrix on chemical reactions can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, several publications revealed the presence of potentially active volatile substances in the roots of yarrow species. Though their specific function is not clear, they are supposed to have an important role in plant-environment interactions. In the present paper, chemical composition of hydrodistilled essential oil (EO), headspace (HS) volatiles and dichloromethane extracts (DE) of the roots of 10 different Achillea collina Becker accessions were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS and compared. Volatility and solubility of active ingredients and the sensitivity of extraction methods resulted in different chemical compositions. Only a few of the main constituents (alismol, (E)-β-farnesene, β-sesquiphellandrene and neryl esters) were found in each extract type. In the EOs, the main compound was component with RI 1874 tentatively identified as heptadecen-7-one (28.9-43.0%). Albene (20.8-52.1%) and β-pinene (8.3-47.1%) were the most represented constituents among HS volatiles. The main and universal constituents of DEs were component with RI 1874 tentatively identified as heptadecen-7-one, linoleic acid, 2,4,6-decatrienoic acid piperideide, sterols (RI 3280, 3338 and 3360) and a triterpene (RI 3456) which together amounted 34.4-61.7% of the extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is the first biological response of the immune system to infection, injury or irritation. Evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect is mediated through the regulation of various inflammatory cytokines, such as nitric oxide, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor alpha-α, interferon gamma-γ as well as noncytokine mediator, prostaglandin E2. Fruits, vegetables, and food legumes contain high levels of phytochemicals that show anti-inflammatory effect, but their mechanisms of actions have not been completely identified. The aim of this paper was to summarize the recent investigations and findings regarding in vitro and animal model studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of fruits, vegetables, and food legumes. Specific cytokines released for specific type of physiological event might shed some light on the specific use of each source of phytochemicals that can benefit to counter the inflammatory response. As natural modulators of proinflammatory gene expressions, phytochemical from fruits, vegetables, and food legumes could be incorporated into novel bioactive anti-inflammatory formulations of various nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Finally, these phytochemicals are discussed as the natural promotion strategy for the improvement of human health status. The phenolics and triterpenoids in fruits and vegetables showed higher anti-inflammatory activity than other compounds. In food legumes, lectins and peptides had anti-inflammatory activity in most cases. However, there are lack of human study data on the anti-inflammatory activity of phytochemicals from fruits, vegetables, and food legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combinations of two or more phytochemicals bring about changes in the ultimate biological effects and/or the bioavailability of each component. A number of mixtures of pure bioactive compounds or phytochemical-containing plant extracts provide synergy with regard to antioxidant status, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer and chemoprevention of several oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in vitro. The biological activities of food phytochemicals depend upon their bioaccessibility and bioavailability which can be affected by the presence of other food components including other bioactive constituents. The interactions between phytochemicals during intestinal absorption could result in changes in the bioavailability of the compounds, which in turn affects the intensity of their bioactivities. This paper provides an overview of combined biological effects of phytochemical mixtures derived from fruits and vegetables with a focus on anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. The bioavailability impairment or enhancement caused by the co-consumption of dietary phytochemicals is also discussed. Finally, research gaps for future studies on phytochemical interactions are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are growing interests in the health benefits associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially for the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular, or other chronic diseases. Epidemiological studies and clinical trials suggest that these health benefits are strongly associated with phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables. Ursolic acid is a naturally synthesized pentacyclic triterpenoid, widely distributed in different fruits and vegetables. Current research suggested that ursolic acid and its derivatives exhibited anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and induction of apoptosis in several human cancer cells. In particular, ursolic acid inhibited breast cancer proliferation by inducing cell G1/G2 arrest and regulating the expression of key proteins in signal transduction pathways. In addition, ursolic acid induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells through intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Ursolic acid was also determined to scavenge free radicals and have potent anti-inflammation activity. The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature on anticancer activity of ursolic acid and focus on its mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Litsea coreanaH. Lév. (Lauraceae) is used as an ethnic herb or beverage in China. Substantial studies indicate that it contains a variety of compounds and shows diverse bioactivities with no toxicity. Objective:This review analyzes and summarizes the ethnopharmacological applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities and molecular mechanisms ofL. coreana. Methods:Related literature (from 1998 to 2016) was obtained and compiled via searching databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI and PubMed. Keywords (Litsea coreana, hawk tea, eagle tea and laoying cha) were used to select the articles. Results:Studies indicate thatL. coreanacontains characteristic polysaccharides, polyphenols, essential oils, and numerious flavonoids, which exhibit remarkable bioactivities, such as hepatoprotection, hyperglycaemia, anti-inflammation, antioxidation and antibacterial, through multiple molecular mechanisms. Conclusion:This paper provides a systematic review on the phytochemicals and pharmacological activities ofL. coreanawhich should be useful for further study and application of this medicinal herb. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study aimed at phytochemical profiling and evaluating the bioactive potentials of aqueous bark extracts of a mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis by in vitro and in silico techniques. The quantitative phytochemical study exhibited total phenol and total flavonoid content as 16.6 mg GAE/g and 82 mg QE/g respectively. The GC-MS study indicated presence of five major compounds viz. 2,6-dimethoxy phenol; 4-[(1E)-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)- 2-methoxy phenol; 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl acetate; vitamin-E; stigmasterol. The in silico molecular docking of compounds 2,6-dimethoxy phenol; 2,5-dimethoxy benzene methanol acetate and stigmasterol indicated strong binding interactions, validating the antiradical, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. The extract exhibited DPPH, ABTS, α-glucosidase and protein denaturation inhibition activities with IC50 values of 112.78, 76.34, 257.4, 99.86 μg/mL respectively suggesting the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of the plant. The antiglycation study exhibited inhibition of fructosamine and congo red with 50.63% and 64.39% at 200 μg/mL concentration. The biofilm inhibitory concentration required to reduce biofilm coverage by 50% values for the extract was 625 μg/mL. The results provide a basis for new pharmacological avenues and further research of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new natural products reported in 2020 in peer-reviewed articles in journals with good reputations were reviewed and analyzed. The advances made by Asian research groups in the field of natural products chemistry in 2020 were summarized. Compounds with unique structural features and/or promising bioactivities originating from Asian natural sources were discussed based on their structural classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have studied the chemical composition of the volatile fraction from six wild Tunisian populations ofMarrubium vulgareL. growing wild in four bioclimatic zones were assessed by GC-FID and GC/MS analysis. Volatiles were individually tested against a large panel of microorganisms. In total, 37 compounds were identified with a predominance of diterpenes and alcanes. The main compounds were marrubiin (9-34 %), doctriacontane (13-25 %), and squalene (6-47 %). The variance analysis showed that amounts of the identified compounds varied significantly across the populations. Antibacterial activity of the volatiles was tested against three Gram-positive, three Gram-negative bacteria, and one pathogenic yeast. The volatiles exhibited interesting antibacterial activity. The inhibition zones and MIC values for bacterial strains, which were sensitive to the volatiles ofM. vulgare, were in the range of 7–15 mm and 300-850 μg/mL, respectively. Greater interest and increased knowledge of the variation of the volatile composition ofM. vulgaremay be of significant value in the quest for new antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla or flavescens) is a green leafy vegetable whose bioactive compounds have been studied due to its effects on health. We systematically reviewed the nutritional profile and bioactive composition of Swiss chard and reported their concentrations. Four main databases were searched for studies analyzing the chemical composition of Swiss chard. Screening, selection of articles, and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. Twenty-eight articles of 1102 records identified by bibliographic search met our inclusion criteria for final analysis. We found a total of 192 chemical compounds categorized into 23 groups. The cicla variety was the most studied, and nutrients and phytochemicals were reported mainly on leaves. Betalains with 20% of the reported data, fats (16%), flavonoids (11%), non-flavonoid phenolics (11%), terpenes and derivatives (8%), carbohydrates (7%), and minerals (6%) were among the most reported categories. Swiss chard leaves have the highest content of fiber, sodium, magnesium, flavonoids, and vitamin C, while stems are high in potassium. Swiss chard should be considered a source of nutrients and phytochemicals, and further research is needed on identifying and quantifying other bioactive compounds and understanding their impact on health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract from the aerial parts ofViburnum betulifoliumBatal. afforded four new tetrahydrofuran lignans, betulifolium A-D (1,2,4, and5), together with two known compounds vibsanol-9′-al (3) and sarcomeginal (6). This paper deals with the isolation and structure elucidation of the new compounds on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR analyses and HR-ESI-MS data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper focuses the phytochemical composition of bay leaves essential oils obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and by the hydrodistillation (HD) for comparison. Essential oils had similar qualitative but different quantitative composition. For HD and SFME, the main constituents on the oils differed respectively in 1,8-cineole (26.4–30.9)%, sabinene (9–9.6)%, alpha-terpinyl acetate (9.5–7.8)%, linalool (4.9–9.5)%, alpha-terpineol (3.3–7.6)%, alpha-pinene (9.2–4.6)%, methyl eugenol (5–6.2)% and eugenol (1.2–3.6)%. The HD essential oil and SFME volatile extract inhibited nitric oxide production by stimulated mice peritoneal neutrophils (IC50: 6.65 and 13.75) mg/mL and dose dependently scavenged superoxide anion (IC50: 0.048 and 0.058) mg/mL. Inversely, these volatile extracts enhanced myeloperoxidase release (EC50: 0.72 and 0.29) mg/mL. Moreover, the potentiating effect of laurel extracts on exocytosis granules could collaborate in trapping and killing of extracellular pathogens by neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Satureja(Lamiaceae) species are used as flavoring compounds in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because of its sweetness and simple cultivation characteristics. They have traditionally been used as muscle pain relievers, tonic, and carminative agents to treat stomach and intestinal disorders such as cramps, nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea, due to their considerable phytochemical characteristics. Objective: This review evaluates some information published since 1989 onSaturejagenus from a systematic perspective in terms of its pharmacological and phytochemical characteristics. Materials and methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to March 2014. “Satureja” was used as a research term without narrowing or limiting research elements. After obtaining all reports from database (a total number is about 637), the papers were carefully analyzed in order to find data related to the topic of this review. Results: In this review, 453 reports were used which were published between 1989 and 2014. The study was compiled into two sections (Pharmacology and Phytochemistry). In the pharmacology section, more than 50 different activities were studied. In the second section, in addition to other compounds and inorganic substances, volatiles, phenolic acids, and flavonoids were discussed. Discussion and conclusion: According to our contemporary information,Saturejaspecies have been evaluated for their wide range of biological activities. However, a small part of these studies have been carried out on the active principles. Therefore, in the future, more studies should be carried out to identify responsible phytochemicals for the various activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The new natural products reported in 2019 in peer-reviewed articles in journals with good reputations were reviewed and analyzed. The advances made by Asian research groups in the field of natural products chemistry in 2019 were summarized. Compounds with unique structural features and/or promising bioactivities originating from Asian natural sources were discussed based on their structural classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meliaceaeare medicinal plants widely distributed throughout the world and has been used since ancient time. Popular indications of the several species of this family include treatment of wounds, headache, pains, emmenagogue, asthma, bruises, colic, conjunctivitis, dysmenorrhoea, fever, gout, as antidote against toxins, to remedy chronic intestinal obstructions and purulent sores. Phytochemical investigations ofMeliaceaespecies have revealed that many components are highly bioactive. There are many reports on the mentioned folk and traditional effects. The present paper reviews the antiviral and immunomodulatory properties of various species ofMeliaceae, which have been examined on the basis ofin vitroorin vivoresults. Various effects of these plants could be due to the presence of a broad range of secondary active metabolites such as limonoids, terpenoids (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes) and sterols which have been frequently reported fromMeliaceaespecies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Brassicavegetables are consumed mostly after processing, which is expected to give beneficial effects on the vegetable properties, such as improved palatability and bioavailability of nutrients, or shelf life extension. But processing also results to various changes in the content of health promoting phytochemicals like glucosinolates. This paper reviews the effects of processing on the glucosinolates content by using a mechanism approach underlying processing method employed. Cultural differences between Eastern and Western preparation practices and their possible effect on glucosinolate retention are highlighted. Boiling and blanching considerably reduce the glucosinolate content mainly due to mechanisms of cell lysis, diffusion, and leaching, and partly due to thermal and enzymatic degradation. Steaming, microwave processing, and stir frying either retain or slightly reduce the glucosinolates content due to low degrees of leaching; moreover, these methods seem to enhance extractability of glucosinolates from the plant tissue. Fermentation reduces the glucosinolate content considerably, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet studied in detail. Studying the changes of glucosinolates during processing by a mechanistic approach is shown to be valuable to understand the impact of processing and to optimize processing conditions for health benefits of these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The legume Arachis hypogaea, commonly known as peanut or groundnut, is a very important food crop throughout the tropics and subtropics. Peanut is one of the most widely used legumes due to its nutrition and taste, and it occupies a rank of major oilseed crop in the world. It has been recognized as a functional food due to its role in a health promoting effect. Peanut oil contains a well-balanced fatty acid and antioxidant profile that provide protection against harmful substances especially free radicals. This paper gives an overview of scientific literature available on phytochemical and functional properties of peanut oil. Owing to its unique organoleptic properties associated with its cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, peanut oil has found, recently, its place on the highly competitive international edible oil market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still ongoing and currently the most striking epidemic disease. With the rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants, new antivirals are urgently needed to avert a more serious crisis. Inhibitors from traditional medicines or natural plants have shown promising results to fight COVID-19 with different mechanisms of action. To provide comprehensive and promising approaches to the medical community in the fight against this epidemic by reviewing potential plant-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Structural databases such as TCMSP (), TCM Database @ Taiwan (), BATMAN-TCM () and TCMID (), as well as PubMed, Sci Finder, Research Gate, Science Direct, CNKI, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles on TCMs and natural products against SARS-CoV-2. Seven traditional Chinese medicines formulas have unique advantages in regulating the immune system for treating COVID-19. The plant-derived natural compounds as anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors were identified based on 5 SARS-CoV-2 key proteins, namely, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), 3 C-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), spike (S) protein, and nucleocapsid (N) protein. A variety of natural products, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, and alkaloids, were identified, which could be used as potential SASR-Cov-2 inhibitors. These shed new light on the efficient discovery of SASR-Cov-2 inhibitors from natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based natural products have served as sources of remedies against pathogenic microorganisms. Although the biological activities of Viscum (Santalaceae) species are widely recognized, there is no scientific evidence for Viscum tuberculatum A. Rich. in Ethiopia. To investigate the antimicrobial, acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory properties and phytochemical constituents of an aqueous extract of V. tuberculatum from Ethiopia. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous leaf extract of V. tuberculatum was tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of this extract were determined using the broth macrodilution method. The acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were investigated using standard procedures on female and male white albino mice, aged 8 and 10 weeks, respectively. The phytochemical constituents of V. tuberculatum were determined using LC–MS QTOF. The MIC and MBC values against S. aureus were found to be 6.25 and 100 mg/mL. The LD50 value was more than 2000 mg/kg body weight of the mouse. The 400 mg/kg dose exerts 87% inhibition after 5 h of carrageenan injection. Twenty-five different metabolites, mainly flavonoids, phenolic acids and alkaloids, were identified. These findings demonstrate the potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous extract of V. tuberculatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming the medicinal potential of Croton blanchetianus leaves, the spray-drier extract (SDE) and the effervescent pre-formulation (EGCb) were evaluated for their acute oral toxicity, gastroprotective and antifungal effects. The phytochemical profile by high-performance liquid chromatography, total flavonoid content and total polyphenol content were performed. For the development of the effervescent pre-formulation (EGCb), the wet granulation technique was used, and its characterization and phytochemical profile were performed. Swiss mice were used for toxicity evaluation and gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced ulcers. Antifungal activity was done against Candida spp. strains, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The animals showed no toxic effects when the 2000 mg/kg dose of SDE was orally administered. The SDE promoted the gastroprotective effect in all doses, as well, as the effervescent pre-formulation at 200 mg/kg. The antifungal activity achieved MIC and MFC of 1000 μg/mL for SDE and EGCb, against C. albicans and C. glabrata, and a MIC of 500 μg/mL and MFC of 1000 μg/mL of SDE and 500 μg/mL of EGCb for the C. auris strain. Given the above, this study showed that the secondary metabolites present in the leaves of C. blanchetianus, confirmed its therapeutic potential, promoting the search for new knowledge and options for future pharmaceutical formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new terpenoids including 2 labdane diterpenoids (1 and 2), 2 ent-kaurane diterpenoids (3 and 4), and a new oleanane triterpenoid (5), along with 13 known compounds (6–18), were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of 70% acetone extract of the rhizomes of Isodonadenantha. Their structures were elucidated based on the analyses of spectroscopic data and comparison of their physicochemical properties. The structure of 1 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities of the samples were measured by MTT method and the filter paper disk agar diffusion method. But none of them showed significant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacochemistry and integrated pharmacokinetics of six alkaloids (groenlandicine, berberine, palmatine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, and columbamine) after oral administration of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) decoction were investigated in this paper. The method of plasma pharmacochemistry was applied to predict the potential bioactive components in HLJDT decoction. Based on the accurate molecular weight, 10 components including 2 flavonoids (baicalin and wogonoside), 1 iridoid glycoside (geniposide), and 7 alkaloids (above-mentioned 6 alkaloids and coptisine) were structurally identified. Then, integrated pharmacokinetics of the alkaloids in Sprague–Dawley rats after oral administration of HLJDT decoction was investigated by HPLC method. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the alkaloids were different although their chemical structures were similar. This study developed a method to predict the potential bioactive components in HLJDT decoction and research the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the potential bioactive components. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables may play an important role in deceasing chronic disease risk. Grapes, one of the most popular and widely cultivated and consumed fruits in the world, are rich in phytochemicals. Epidemiological evidence has linked the consumption of grapes with reduced risk of chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer and cardiovascular disease. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that grapes have strong antioxidant activity, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and suppressing platelet aggregation, while also lowering cholesterol. Grapes contain a variety of phytochemicals, like phenolic acids, stilbenes, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, all of which are strong antioxidants. The phytochemical composition of grapes, however, varies greatly among different varieties. While extensive research exists, a literature review of the health benefits of grapes and their phytochemicals has not been compiled to summarize this work. The aim of this paper is to critically review the most recent literature regarding the concentrations, biological activities, and mechanisms of grape phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acerola is a cherry-like tropical fruit that is very popular in Central America, the Caribbean countries (especially in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti), and Brazil. This fruit, which has a red color at complete maturity, is valued mostly for its vitamin C content. Recent research showed that in addition to vitamin C, acerola fruit may be a good source of phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, nonanthocyanin phenolic compounds, and dietary carotenoids. Because these compounds are known as bioactive due to their strong antioxidant capacity, acerola fruit is attracting the attention of food researchers and the exotic fruit market. One of the problems faced by acerola growers and processors is that acerola fruit is highly perishable at complete maturity, resulting in serious quality losses during and after harvest. Therefore, the harvest and the postharvest handling are very important to obtain fruits with acceptable quality. The first part of this review is a complete analysis of the available information on the production and the postharvest handling of acerola fruit. In the second part of this paper, information regarding the chemistry, nutrition, and potential biological activity of acerola fruit is reviewed and put into perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Bombacaceae is a small family of the order Malvales and contains about 28 genera and 200 species. Members of this family are not only showy ornamentals but they possess significant economical and commercial reputation as well. In addition, various plant parts of several species are widely used as foods and traditional medicines in many parts of the world. Objective: Chemical analyses of Bombacaceae species have recently yielded a number of important phytocompounds belonging to different classes. Hence, this work represents a comprehensive appraisal of the phytochemical studies conducted on Bombacaceae plants. Materials and methods: Searches were conducted using electronic databases (e.g., Medline, Pubmed, Academic Journals, and Springer Link); general web searches were also undertaken using Google applying some related search terms "e.g., Bombacaceae, phytochemical studies of Bombacaeae plants, and chemical investigation of Bombacaeae", journals and scientific theses. The bibliographies of papers relating to the review subject were also searched for further relevant references. Results: Chemical investigations were concentrated primarily on certain species leaving fertile fields for further phytopharmacological research. Conclusion: The reviewed findings present Bombacaceae species as an untapped reservoir of phytocompounds which may play a supportive role in the pharmaceutical field and will be of high chemotaxonomic value within this recently separated family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the literature concerning the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Mondia whitei, which is also known as Mondia whytei, African ginger or simply as mondia. Mondia is used in many parts of Africa as a traditional remedy to improve appetite and libido, as a galactagogue, as a fertility medication, and as an antidepressant. In African countries, where it is used medicinally, the most commonly cited use is as an aphrodisiac. The scientific studies reviewed in this report employed either in vivo rodent models or isolated organ techniques, and therefore the results cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. Nevertheless, these studies provide scientific evidence that support the traditional uses of mondia as an aphrodisiac and an antidepressant. Based on the safety data available in the literature, mondia is reasonably expected to be safe when prepared and used according to traditional practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have proposed the use of a Truck Appointment System (TAS) to alleviate traffic congestion at logistics sites. Unfortunately, the implementation of such a system was often optimised based on the interest of a single stakeholder. Meanwhile, long truck queues have been observed in many chemical plants. This study aims to evaluate the TAS performances to mitigate traffic congestion in chemical plants from the multi-stakeholder perspective. We proposed a joint-optimization model to accommodate various interests on the site. An improved fluid-flow approximation was developed to estimate the time-dependent performance of the system. The results suggest that the benefit of TAS is mostly enjoyed by the site manager through the reduction of site overtime, while the benefits for trucking companies are found to be marginal. Through numerical experiments, we show that the proposed joint-optimization model is effective in redistributing the benefits of TAS across the stakeholders, while keeping the total logistics costs to a minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Non-hormonal treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) is needed in women in whom there are medical or personal concerns on the use of hormone therapy. This paper reviews conventional and phytochemical therapies available for the relief of VMS, on their mechanisms of action, their efficacy and safety concerns. Methods Medline was searched through Pubmed on the names of the diverse therapies analyzed, up to June 2011. The Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register Database was searched for relevant trials that provided data on treatment of menopausal hot flushes. Results All non-estrogen treatments for VMS are less efficacious than estrogen treatment. Randomized trials with neuroendocrine agents show globally modest to moderate reduction of VMS and frequent bothersome adverse events. The variability of effects makes it possible to undergo treatment in search for individual response where estrogen treatment is contraindicated. The antidepressants that interact with cytochrome P450, inhibiting tamoxifen metabolism to endoxifen, interfere with tamoxofen therapy in breast cancer patients. Otherwise, botanical products containing isoflavones from soy bean or red clover have great variability in bioavailability, have a broader spectrum of action than estradiol, and have predominant estrogen receptor-b activity. The efficacy of phytoestrogens on VMS is similar to placebo. They should be avoided in women with breast cancer and, in particular, in women being treated with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors due to possible antagonism. Cimicifuga racemosa is not a phytoestrogen, has partial serotonin agonist action and has a modest effect on VMS. Conclusions There are safe non-hormonal conventional treatments for menopausal VMS, although they are less efficacious than estrogens. The indication of phytochemicals is for women who make this choice on personal beliefs; long-term studies of larger groups of patients are needed to assess safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidants from natural sources can be antidotes for free radical release during metabolic activities in humans. Basella spp., a commonly eaten vegetable in south-western Nigeria, may have the potential to supply antioxidants to the human diet. The study evaluated phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of species and landraces of Basella spp. The forms of Basella spp. contained phytochemicals and antioxidant properties in varied amount. Basella alba, round leaf, had the highest contents of phenol (0.22 ± 0.02%) and vitamins A and C, 21.96 ± 0.01% and 21.67 ± 0.90%, respectively. Basella rubra had the highest alkaloids and tannin contents, 7.68 ± 0.11 and 0.47 ± 0.17%, respectively. Basella cordifolia had the highest anthraquinone (12.50 ± 0.03%) content; the highest flavonoid (96.77 ± 0.03%) and saponin (0.63 ± 0.01%) contents were in B. alba round. B. alba round also had the highest DPPH (44.85 ± 2.11%). The Basella forms have the potential of use as natural antioxidants need by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the rich sources of lead compounds is the Angiosperms. Many of these lead compounds are useful medicines naturally, whereas others have been used as the basis for synthetic agents. These are potent and effective compounds, which have been obtained from plants, including anti-cancer (cytotoxic) agents, anti-malaria (anti-protozoal) agents, and anti-bacterial agents. Today, the number of plant families that have been extensively studied is relatively very few and the vast majorities have not been studied at all. The Annonaceae is the largest family in the order Magnoliales. It includes tropical trees, bushes, and climbers, which are often used as traditional remedies in Southeast Asia. Members of the Annonaceae have the particularity to elaborate a broad spectrum of natural products that have displayed anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-protozoal effects and have been used for the treatment of medical conditions, such as skin diseases, intestinal worms, inflammation of the eyes, HIV, and cancer. These special effects and the vast range of variation in potent compounds make the Annonaceae unique from other similar families in the Magnoliales and the Angiosperms in general. This paper attempts to summarize some important information and discusses a series of hypotheses about the effects of Annonaceae compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro metabolism of two novel phosphate prodrugs of glycyrrhetic acid (GA) was studied by the method of incubation in the rat liver microsome and the in vivo plasma pharmacokinetics after injecting intravenously (i.v.) into six rats was investigated, respectively. The prodrugs diminished gradually with time and most of the parent drugs were released in 30 min in vitro. In this paper, the in vivo plasma concentration data were analyzed by compartmental modeling. Both the prodrugs and the corresponding released parent drugs could be described by a two-compartment model, which existed for 48 h in rats. The t1/2 increases remarkably after i.v. administration to rats when compared with injecting the parent drugs directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cranberries are healthy fruit that contribute color, flavor, nutritional value, and functionality. They are one of only three fruits native to America. Over the past decade, public interest for the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been rising with reports of their potential health benefits linked to the numerous phytochemicals present in the fruit—the anthocyanins, the flavonols, the flavan-3-ols, the proanthocyanidins, and the phenolic acid derivatives. The presence of these phytochemicals appears to be responsible for the cranberry property of preventing many diseases and infections, including cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and infections involving the urinary tract, dental health, and Helicobacter pylori-induced stomach ulcers and cancers. Recent years have seen important breakthroughs in our understanding of the mechanisms through which these compounds exert their beneficial biological effects, yet these remain to be scientifically substantiated. In this paper these characteristics, as well as the antioxidant, radical scavenging, antibacterial, antimutagen, and anticarcinogen properties of cranberry major bioactive compounds are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A whole grain consists of the intact, ground, cracked, or flaked caryopsis, whose principal anatomical components—the starchy endosperm, germ, and bran—are present in the same relative proportions as they exist in the intact caryopsis. Whole grain food products can be intact, consisting of the original composition of bran, germ, and endosperm, throughout the entire lifetime of the product, or reconstituted, in which one or more of the original components of a whole grain is recombined to the relative proportion naturally occurring in the grain kernel. Increased consumption of whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of major chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and some cancers. Whole grain foods offer a wide range of phytochemicals with health benefits that are only recently becoming recognized. The unique phytochemicals in whole grains are proposed to be responsible for the health benefits of whole grain consumption. In this paper, whole grain phytochemicals and the health benefits associated with their consumption are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of the genus Phyllanthus are known for their medicinal values and many are explored phytochemically. Some of them produce phthalates which usually have antimicrobial properties. This paper deals with the phytochemical investigation on Phyllanthus muellerianus. As a result, five compounds, bis(2-ethyloctyl)phthalate (1), bis(2-ethylicosyl)phthalate (2), 3-friedelanone (3), β-sitosterol (4), and methyl gallate (5), have been isolated and characterized. Metabolites 1 and 2 are new compounds, while 3-5 have been isolated for the first time from this source. Structures of all the isolates were established on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and in comparison with the reported data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas antisolvent precipitation (GAP) using dense carbon dioxide (CO2) is a novel technique for the purification or enrichment of phytochemicals by selective crystallisation. It involves dissolution of sub-critical CO2 into an organic solution of the extract for selectively reducing the solubility of the solid solutes of interest by anti-solvent effect. The recovery and enrichment of three bioactive phytochemicals, such as β-carotene, α-hydroxycitric acid, and licochalcone-A have been investigated in this paper. Initially, organic solvent (Soxhlet) extraction or supercritical CO2 extraction has been carried out for the recovery of β-carotene from mango leaves, α-hydroxycitric acid from kokum, and licochalcone-A from licorice. Subsequently, purification has been performed by the GAP process using CO2 in the pressure range of 40 to 70 bar at 298 K, followed by filtration at the same pressure and temperature, and removal of the residual solvent from the product by flushing it with CO2. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the phytochemicals before and after the GAP process confirms significant enrichment of the active ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a study performed to develop a rapid and straightforward chromatographic method for the identification and quantification of trans-resveratrol in commercial trans-resveratrol containing dietary supplements. The method employs an Alltech Platinum EPS 100 A C-18 column operated under isocratic elution mode with a 70:30 (v/v) water-acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase, at flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1. Peak detection is performed at 306 nm with limit of detection (LOD) of 0.27 µ g mL-1 and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.95 µ g mL-1 and linear calibration graph within the concentration range of 2.63 to 10.53 µ g mL-1. Other data related to the successful method validation include representative linear regression equation and correlation coefficient of the calibration graph for quantification of trans-resveratrol, as well as the results of replicate analysis of real samples and of a recovery study, carried out to evaluate precision and accuracy, respectively. The method is successfully applied to study the stability of trans-resveratrol in methanol solution under various storage conditions and to analyse commercial preparations of trans-resveratrol containing dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbal medicine industry is presently adopting modern scientific tools to substantiate the guarantee of efficacy that, in the past, rested only on anecdotal evidence derived from traditional knowledge systems. This is particularly true for the processes of identification of herbal raw materials adopting modern tools for phytochemical fingerprinting. The successful adaptation of available technologies and practices depends on an understanding of the phytochemical complexity and variability innate in biological material. It challenges the "mainstream medicinal mindset" that "tend(s) to reject … therapies for which mechanisms of action do not fit within Newtonian, biochemical orientation" (Dumoff, 2003). The herbal medicinal industry is independently evolving its own rigid quality assurance and control systems using Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines, but it faces unique difficulties. These include lack of Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP), lack of transparency in the raw material supply chain so as to preclude the use of unsafe practices, problems in the authentication of herbal raw materials, and a general lack of understanding of the need to reduce phytochemical variability in these materials. This paper explores these difficulties and outlines strategies to overcome them, but these strategies will require coordinated international government regulations to be fully effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]