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The study was conducted to determine the effects of foliar selenium spraying on the yield and quality characteristics of fenugreek in different plant growth stages. The experiment was established according to the split-split block experimental design. In the study, the main plots, sub-plots, and sub-sub plots consist of different plant growth stages (seedling, flowering, and seed formation periods), cultivars (Gürarslan, Çiftçi, and Berkem), and selenium doses (Control, 25, 50 and 75 g ha−1), respectively. Applying selenium at different plant growth stages was a statistically significant effect on the number of pods and protein content in the first year and on the number of branches in the second year. According to different plant growth stages, the highest results for the number of pods per plant, protein content and number of branches per plant were obtained during the flowering period. Applied selenium doses were ineffective on all investigated plant parameters except for plant height and number of seeds per pod in the first year. The highest results in the plant height and the number of seeds per pod were obtained from 75 g ha−1 selenium application and the control parcels, respectively. Biological yield and protein content were significant among cultivars only in the second year. The highest results in terms of biological yield and protein content were obtained in Gürarslan and Çiftçi cultivars. This study revealed that more studies are needed to determine the effects of selenium applications on medicinal and aromatic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven compounds, named β-sitosterol (1), daucosterol (2), (+)-pinoresinol-β-D-glucoside (3), (−)-syringaresinol 4-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)- β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (5), 2-(3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1, 3-pepper ring-5-aldehyde (6) and spinosin (7) were isolated from the rhizome of Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser. 3, 4, 6 and 7 were isolated from this medicinal plant for the first time. Structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and extensive spectroscopic analysis, as well as by comparison with literature data. The anti-inflammatory activity and related mechanisms of the seven compounds showed that compounds 1–7 all increased the levels of GSH-PX and SOD and decreased the levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Compound 4 showed the best effect of anti-inflammatory and Beclin-1 inhibition. These results suggest that compound 4 has stronger anti-inflammatory effect and provide preliminary evidence that the mechanism of action of compound 4 in attenuating LPS-induced inflammatory damage may be related to the inhibition of Beclin-1-dependent autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants contain many bioactive compounds that are often hosted in medicinally active extracts generated from their various parts. The quest for reliable products from medicinal plants escalated in recent years as an answer to emerging health complications and the much-needed sufficient scientific backing that is dependent on proper preparation and characterisation principles of active extracts. This study described the Soxhlet and the maceration methods that are used to process extracts from the inert materials of medicinal plants using appropriate biocompatible solvents, the phytochemical screening assays, and TLC, UV spectrometry, FT-IR, and GC-MS techniques used in phytochemical studies. These techniques are crucial in studies that are meant to explore the active components of medicinal plants and their relative pharmacological effects. This information can be used as a guide when formulating effective yet less toxic plant-derived drugs and provide opportunities to upgrade while reducing further complexity in phytochemical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum; Lamiaceae) is the source of the powerful hallucinogen salvinorin A (SalA). This neoclerodane diterpenoid is an agonist of the human Κ-opioid receptor with potential medical applications in the treatment of chronic pain, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Only two steps of the approximately twelve step biosynthetic sequence leading to SalA have been resolved to date. Results: To facilitate pathway elucidation in this ethnomedicinal plant species, here we report a chromosome level genome assembly. A high-quality genome sequence was assembled with an N50 value of 41.4 Mb and a BUSCO completeness score of 98.4%. The diploid (2n = 22) genome of ~ 541 Mb is comparable in size and ploidy to most other members of this genus. Two diterpene biosynthetic gene clusters were identified and are highly enriched in previously unidentified cytochrome P450s as well as crotonolide G synthase, which forms the dihydrofuran ring early in the SalA pathway. Coding sequences for other enzyme classes with likely involvement in downstream steps of the SalA pathway (BAHD acyl transferases, alcohol dehydrogenases, and O-methyl transferases) were scattered throughout the genome with no clear indication of clustering. Differential gene expression analysis suggests that most of these genes are not inducible by methyl jasmonate treatment. Conclusions: This genome sequence and associated gene annotation are among the highest resolution in Salvia, a genus well known for the medicinal properties of its members. Here we have identified the cohort of genes responsible for the remaining steps in the SalA pathway. This genome sequence and associated candidate genes will facilitate the elucidation of SalA biosynthesis and enable an exploration of its full clinical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to document and analyze information related to significant ethnomedicinal plants in rural communities of Northeastern Madhya Pradesh, India. Data collection involved the use of open-ended and semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on ethnomedicinal plant usage, including specific plants, applications, and traditional healing practices. Quantitative indices such as Relative frequency of citation (RFC), Use value (UV), Family use value (FUV), Informant consensus factor (ICF), and Jaccard's coefficient of similarity (JCS) were employed to quantify and analyze the gathered information. A total of 201 medicinal plants, belonging to 170 genera and 76 families, were recorded for treating various diseases, with trees (43%), herbs (33%), and climbers (13%) being predominantly used. Plants such as Hedychium coronarium and Cordia macleodii exhibited high RFC and high UV, particularly for treating eye and blood pressure problems. Vanda tessellata showed a high informant consensus factor for treating ear-related problems. Positive correlations were found between RFC and UV (0.631) and RFC and FUV (0.159). The study highlights the prevalence of traditional healing practices using medicinal plants in the area. Documentation of ethnomedicinal species and their therapeutic applications could stimulate further exploration into phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, potentially leading to the development of novel pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanolic extract of Indigofera dosua leaves was subjected to GC-MS analysis, its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Sixteen compounds were identified having resorcinol TMS derivatives, propanoic acid, dimethyl(ethenyl)silyl ester, 4-O-methylmannose, hexadecanoic acid, trimethylsilyl ester, 9,12,15-octadecatriene-1-ol, and phytol as major components. FRAP content was 40.24 ± 0.54AAE/g, and the IC50 values were 8.25 ± 0.04 µg mL−1 and 19.05 ± 0.15 µg mL−1 when employing DPPH and ABTS, respectively. Total phenolics (50.2 ± 0.48 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (5.33 ± 0.40 mg QE/g) were estimated. Antibacterial activity was observed, showing significant inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis with MIC values 12.5 and 25 mg mL−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to determine the plant species used against gout and gout-associated conditions (GACs) in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania. The survey that involved 21 Maasai traditional food system (TFS) and traditional medicine (TM) practitioners revealed that the study area had 101 plant species distributed in 84 genera and 42 families. About 79% of the species were used as medicine; some were used as food or for processing. The medicinal plants (MPs) managed 69 health conditions including gout, "Olgila" and GACs. The MPs had potential nutritional and antioxidant agents against diseases including metabolic diseases (MDs), like gout. The root parts of the plants (54% species) were exploited the most; most plants (94%) were sourced from the wild. Integrated conservation and promotion measures are needed to prevent loss of TFS and TM knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity, and antiulcer activity of Duranta erecta fruit extracts were determined in rodents. The antiulcer activity was tested utilizing a pylorus ligation. For the pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model, positive controls received ranitidine 10 mg kg−1. The negative controls were given ethanol (1 mL). The hydroethanolic fruit extracts of D. erecta demonstrated no mortality or notable behavioral effects up to 5000 mg kg−1. The crude ethanol fruit extract of D. erecta demonstrated antiulcer effects on pyloric ligation in rats at 500 and 1000 mg kg−1 doses. The values obtained at 1000 mg kg−1 dose are equivalent to those obtained with ranitidine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wounds or chronic injuries are associated with high medical costs so, develop healing-oriented drugs is a challenge for modern medicine. The identification of new therapeutic alternatives focuses on the use of natural products. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the healing potential and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of extracts and the main compounds derived from Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand leaves. The antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts was analyzed. Cell viability, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of plant extracts and compounds were also assessed. Release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and TGF-β by ELISA, and protein expression was determined by Western Blot. The cell migration and cell proliferation of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts and p-coumaric acid, quercetin and caffeic acid compounds were also evaluated. The aqueous extract exhibited antibacterial activity and, after determining the safety concentrations in three assays, we showed that this extract induced p38-α MAPK phosphorylation and the same extract and the p-coumaric acid decreased COX-2 and caspase-3, -8 expression, as well as reduced the TNF-α release and stimulated the IL-10 in RAW 264.7 cells. In L929 cells, the extract and p-coumaric acid induced TGF-β release, besides increasing the process of cell migration and proliferation. These results suggested that the healing properties of Myrciaria plinioides aqueous extract can be associated to the presence of phenolic compounds, especially p-coumaric acid, and/or glycosylated metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Zulus engage in complementary and alternative medicine through a traditional healing system known as izangoma. • The first review of the antidiabetic medicinal plants commonly used by the Zulus of Kwazulu-Natal province of South Africa. • The list includes local and botanical names, the parts commonly used, isolated bioactive principles and their reported mechanisms of action. • 38 plants covering 20 families were identified with Asteraceae accounting for 34.2% and the leaves was the most used plant part (50 %). • 29 have been scientifically validated while nine lack scientific verification. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Its conventional management involves diet modification, exercise, and majorly the use of synthetic drugs, which may be ineffective, have adverse effects, and of relatively expensive costs. To mitigate the downsides of the available treatments, alternative therapies from medicinal plants are commonly sought by different ethnic groups including the Zulus. This paper appraised the antidiabetic plants used by the Zulus, their local and botanical names, the parts commonly used, isolated bioactive principles and their reported mechanisms of action. 38 plants covering 20 families were identified with Asteraceae accounting for 31.57 % and the leaves was the most used plant part (50 %). Out of the 38 plants identified, 28 have been scientifically validated using in vitro/in vivo models but identifying the plant with the most potent hypoglycemic activity remains challenging due to variations in biological activities. Important antidiabetic agents such as quercetin, squalene, kaempferol, isomukaadial acetate, phytol, sitosterol, apigenin, catechin and their derivates have been isolated and characterized from the verified plants though, more scientific exploration is required to develop these principles into valuable antidiabetic medications with establish mechanism of action. Scientists therefore needs to beam their searchlight and dedicate resources to the rich botanicals of the Zulu land with the view to providing indigenous solutions that can be incorporated into modern medicine for diabetes management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since ancient times, people have used medicinal plants to treat various diseases. Nerium oleander is a toxic plant due to the presence of various cardiac glycosides. Oleander, at a dose of 50 mg kg-1 inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase pump in mice. Despite being toxic, it is used in traditional medicine. Almost all of the parts of oleander plant contain various phytochemicals such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, sterols, triterpenes, alkaloids, and different types of cardenolides. Oleander extract has neuroprotective, sedative, and anticonvulsant properties, especially against ischemic stroke. Cardenolides like nerizoside, neritaloside, odoroside-H, and neridiginoside offer advantages when used as CNS depressants. CNS depressant action of oleander is primarily due to a rise in GABA levels. At low to moderate dose, it shows depressant activity but in high doses, body became motionless inducing tremors and lethargy. Oleanderʼs dual role of toxic and therapeutic activity raises concerns about its application. Yet due to presence of vast constituents, it can be used for modern medicine. Cardenolides showing antidepressant activity on mice. [Display omitted] • Nerium oleander is considered to be a poisonous plant. • But it contains various phytochemicals, including antioxidants, anticancer agents, CNS depressants, and anticonvulsants. • This review aims to identify the therapeutic benefits of the plant and its toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two hundred and thirty-nine plant species were identified to be used traditionally to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). • The compositae is the most well represented family. • High blood pressure was the most frequently mentioned symptom associated with cardiovascular treatment. • Validation studies to confirm the therapeutic properties of these plants against CVDs have been neglected. • The plant species studied the most was Tulbaghia violacea. Multiple plant species are used in traditional southern African medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases. Traditional southern African therapies used to treat cardiovascular diseases were identified and recorded following an extensive review of ethnobotanical books, reviews, and other scientific literature. This was followed by a critical analysis of the validation studies, while highlighting gaps for further investigation. A total of 235 plant species were identified and are itemised herein. Notably, only 45 of these plant species (∼19 %) have been tested in vivo or screened in vitro for any bio-activities relevant to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The remaining 190 species are yet to be tested in any cardiovascular disease biomarker assay. Additionally, the plant species that have been evaluated for cardiovascular disease-relevant activities have generally only been tested in a single bio-assay model (most frequently ACE inhibition assays). This study highlights the need for further in vitro and in vivo assays in this neglected field of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation underpins many severe diseases, often requiring anti-inflammatory drugs that can have adverse effects. Medicinal herbs offer an alternative but suffer from poor solubility, limiting their efficacy. Nanotechnology, particularly zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), presents a promising solution to enhance the therapeutic potential of herbal compounds. This review examines the nature and benefits of ZnO NPs in drug delivery systems compared to other nanomaterials. It highlights the advantages of biogenic synthesis of ZnO NPs, detailing the eco-friendly formation mechanisms and common characterization methods. The anti-inflammatory effects of biosynthesized ZnO NPs over the last five years are comprehensively reviewed, with insights into their mechanisms of action. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic profiles of ZnO NPs are explored to understand their biokinetics post-drug release. In conclusion, biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs enhance the bioavailability of medicinal plant compounds, offering a compelling alternative for treating inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Acanthaceae family and used for the treatment of many diseases. This study is focused on determining the critical limit for the cultivation of A. paniculata in sodic soil. A pot experiment was conducted with different exchangeable sodium percentages (ESPs) to determine the critical limit for the cultivation of A. paniculata in sodic soil. The critical limit, 16 ESP, was found for A. paniculata grown in sodic soil. Overall, increasing trends in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Mo and a decreasing trend in Ni and Se were observed in all part of the plant due to increasing sodicity levels. The determination of the critical limit for the cultivation of A. paniculata in sodic soil is an important aspect of this paper. The nutrients and heavy metal profiling with the extreme levels of sodicity will be useful to study the nutrient utilization pattern for the nutrient management strategy of A. paniculata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of HL301, a standardized combination product of 7 medicinal plants, in radiation pneumonitis in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer undergoing curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The target accrual was 87 and a total of 63 patients were enrolled due to poor accrual rate. We randomly assigned the 63 patients to receive a placebo (arm A), or 1200 mg HL301 (arm B), or 1800 mg HL301 (arm C). Patients received weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin concurrently with intensity-modulated radiation therapy at 60 to 66 Gy in conventional fractionation. Durvalumab was administered as a maintenance treatment according to standard clinical practice. HL301 was administered orally, daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was incidence of grade ≥2 radiation pneumonitis at 24 weeks postchemoradiotherapy. The baseline characteristics of the patients were well balanced. The drug was tolerable with a compliance rate of 86.6%, 86.2%, and 88.8% in arms A, B, and C, respectively (P =.874). None of the patients experienced severe drug-related adverse events. No significant difference in the rate of adverse events were observed between the treatment arms. The incidence of grade ≥2 radiation pneumonitis at 24 weeks postchemoradiotherapy was 37.5% (95% CI, 18.5%-61.4%), 55.6% (95% CI, 33.7%-75.4%), and 52.4% (95% CI, 32.4%-71.7%) in arms A, B, and C, respectively (P =.535). This is the first exploratory clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of HL301 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Safety and feasibility of HL301 were established but no signals of efficacy in reducing radiation pneumonitis was observed in this dose level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new canthinone glycoside (1), together with six known compounds (2–7) including three lignans (2–4), two coumarins (5–6) and one phenol (7) was isolated from the root barks of Ailanthus altissima. The structure of new compound 1 was established by the interpretation of UV, IR, MS and NMR data, while its absolute configuration was determined by acid hydrolysis and GIAO NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analysis. The inhibitory effects of all compounds on Nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Results showed that compounds 2 and 5 displayed NO production inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 30.1 and 15.3 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical investigation on the 80% EtOH extract of the leaves of Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. resulted into the isolation of three undescribed iridoid glycosides, 10-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-(4R,6R)-3,4-dihydro-3α-methylthiopaederoside (1), 10-O-trans-feruloyl-(4S,6R)-3,4-dihydro-2′-O-3α-paederoside (2), and 10-O-trans-caffeoyl-paederosidic acid ethyl ester (3). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral methods such as 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were tested in vitro for cytotoxic activity against five endocrine tumor cell lines. As a result, compound 1 exhibited some cytotoxicities against all the tested tumor cell lines with IC50 value less than 20.0 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of ring distorted analogue of Nootkatone including 6 CTD (Complex to Diversity) compounds and 9 SAR (Structure Activity Relationship) compounds were synthesized utilizing the carbonyl group as a starting reaction point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter is a major foodborne and zoonotic pathogen, causing severe human infections and imposing a substantial economic burden on global public health. The ongoing spread and emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains across various fields exacerbate therapeutic challenges, raising the incidence of diseases and fatalities. Medicinal plants, renowned for their abundance in secondary metabolites, exhibit proven efficacy in inhibiting various foodborne and zoonotic pathogens, presenting sustainable alternatives to ensure food safety. This review aims to synthesize recent insights from peer-reviewed journals on the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species, elucidate the in vitro antibacterial activity of medicinal plant compounds against Campylobacter by delineating underlying mechanisms, and explore the application of these compounds in controlling Campylobacter in food. Additionally, we discuss recent advancements and future prospects of employing medicinal plant compounds in food products to mitigate foodborne pathogens, particularly Campylobacter. In conclusion, we argue that medicinal plant compounds can be used as effective and sustainable sources for developing new antimicrobial alternatives to counteract the dissemination of MDR Campylobacter strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total mineral content was studied in medicinal plants from roadside and railside biotopes of the Voronezh region. Pharmacopoeial plant raw materials of 10 species were evaluated: roots of Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg and Arctium lappa L.; herb of Polygonum aviculare L., Artemisia absinthium L., Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib., and Achillea millefolium L.; leaves of Urtica dioica L. and Plantago major L.; and flowers of Tanacetum vulgare L. and Tilia cordata Mill. Plant raw materials were collected near roads and railways of various types in the periods specified in regulatory documents. The total ash content in plant material was used to determine the minimum allowable distances from various roads and railways for collecting plant material. The minimum allowable distance from heavy-traffic motorways was recommended to be 210 m in the forest zone, 240 m in the forest-steppe zone, and 380 m in the steppe zone. A distance of at least 80 m was recommended for secondary low-speed roads and railways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. (Lamiaceae) is a naturalised medicinal plant in Brazil known as 'cordão-de-frade', being used in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of conditions such as infections and inflammations. L. nepetifolia leaf and flower essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation, and their compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. The leaf essential oil major constituents were germacrene D (31.5%), and β-caryophyllene (19.2%), while in flower essential oil the main constituents were β-elemene (31.2%), and germacrene D (12.1%). The essential oils were investigated against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi using the microdilution method, exhibiting MIC50 values of 3.93–250 µg mL−1. Both oils showed excellent antifungal properties, which is a very important finding since most fungi have shown increased resistance to known antifungal agents. According to these results, the essential oils of L. nepetifolia are promising sources of new antimicrobial agents, especially for yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This two-part article analyses and discusses the legal requirements of, as well as the opportunities and risks associated with the SPC Manufacturing and Stockpiling Waiver as introduced by EU Regulation 2019/933. The introduction of the SPC Manufacturing/Stockpiling Waiver on 1 July 2019 opened up opportunities for generics and biosimilars companies established in the EU to manufacture and stockpile medicinal products before expiry of the respective SPC, either for export to third countries or for timely Day-1 market entry in the EU. But unlike, for example, the bolar exemption, application of the SPC Waiver is dependent upon compliance with specific notification, due diligence and labelling obligations. Although introduced more than 4 years ago, there is still considerable legal uncertainty surrounding the application of the SPC Waiver, something recent court decisions in Germany and The Netherlands have exacerbated rather than clarified. The first part of the present article, published in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice , 2024, Vol.(...), issue (...) analysed and discussed the policy background of the Regulation and examined the SPC Waiver with particular focus on the territorial and temporal scope. This second part scrutinizes the material scope and core components of the waiver, with a particular focus on privileged acts and the conditions under which the waiver is applicable. It distinguishes between primary and closely related privileged acts, and dissects various elements, such as the timing, location, and purpose of these privileged acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Xylopia aethiopica (XAE), commonly known as African pepper or Ethiopian pepper, is a plant native to West Africa and known for its aromatic and medicinal properties. It was used to investigate the antioxidative, antihepatotoxic, and antinephrotoxic potentials of XAE in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Wister albino rats. Methods The proximate, and vitamin composition, oxidative stress indicators, and indices of kidney and hepatic functions were performed by standard methods. Results The proximate composition of the XAE leaf showed varied concentrations of Mg, Ca, Na, Zn, Se, and Cl, as well as vitamins A, E, B3, D, C, K, B2, and Bi. The activities of catalase glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde levels, K, Na, Cl − , urea, uric acid, and creatinine in the kidney were increased in testosterone propionate (Tp)-induced BPH compared with the control groups. Total protein levels significantly decreased in Tp-induced BPH compared with XAE-treated groups increased on XAE treatment. The aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly different in Tp-induced BPH, XAE, and normal controls. Conclusion The study revealed that XAE can be used in the management of oxidative stress and hepatorenal damage in BPH condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental hurdles, in the form of climatic crises, have taken a toll on prevalence of medicinal plants, which served as the foundation for traditional medicine from time immemorial. Drying preserves medicinal plants, and analyzing drying kinetics enhances resource efficiency, including energy and time utilization. This study is the first to examine the drying kinetics of insulin plant leaves. In this study, insulin plant leaves were dried at different temperatures ("40 °C," "50 °C," and "60 °C") to determine optimal drying temperature and assess its mass transfer characteristics. Higher temperatures led to shorter drying times: 530 min at 40 °C, 290 min at 50 °C, and 155 min at 60 °C. Both mathematical models and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to model drying characteristics, with the logarithmic model showing superior predictive performance among the mathematical models. ANN with the "Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm" and "TANSIGMOID transfer function" gave the best model with better prediction. Comparative analysis confirmed that ANN exhibited superior predictive capabilities. Effective moisture diffusivity followed an upward trend with temperature and 60 °C revealed a diffusivity of 2.4352 × 10−7 m2/s. Activation energy, at 42.124 kJ/mol, underscored utilization of a moderate level of energy to enhance moisture diffusivity within the sample. Color and microstructural analysis also revealed that 60 °C had better color attributes and agglomerative structures. Drying leaves at 60 °C expedited the drying process, enhanced mass transfer, and improved color characteristics. These results provided vital insights for utilizing dried insulin plant leaves in various nutraceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytocoenotic conditions of growth and anthropogenic management of natural phytocoenoses have a significant impact on the population characteristics and stocks/reserves of medicinal plant raw material. The article presents the results of the peculiarities of the response of spatial, dimensional, ontogenetic and vitality structures of populations of the official species - Hypericum perforatum L., and establishes a dependence that allows predicting the reserves of medicinal plant material Hyperci herba by the height of individuals. With the aim of forecasting the dynamics of the resource potential of this species, geobotanical descriptions were conducted, and classical population methods were applied: morphometric, ontogenetic and vitality analyses, as well as a number of statistical methods (correlation, factorial, dispersion, and regression analyses). It was established that the population density of H. perforatum averaged from 3 to 12, but sometimes reached 20 to 30 individuals/m2, with the maximum observed under conditions of random mowing. The minimum indicators of the vegetative sphere: height of generative individuals (h, cm), aboveground phytomass (W, g), photosynthetic effort (LWR, %) were noted in populations used as hayfields, pastures, and in agrophytocenosis. The maximum indicators were in populations that were generally or almost unaffected by anthropogenic influences. Research on the dynamics of the main morphological parameters showed that while the maximum and minimum parameters of vegetative structures differed by approximately 2.1 times, generative parameters differed by 4.6 times. Statistically significant differences were observed among H. perforatum populations in terms of the number, mass of generative organs, and the reproductive effort of plants. A statistically significant correlation was found between plant height (h, cm) and the productivity of aboveground dry phytomass, which forms the herbal raw materials (HRM, g). It is described by the Equation: HRM = 0.167h – 3.28. In hayfield-pasture areas and in agrophytocenosis, up to 60–75% of individuals were of small size and low vitality, their contribution to the production of medicinal plant raw material was insignificant. Overall, the conducted research showed that Hypericum perforatum L. exhibited significant phytocenotic diversity, which depended on a complex of ecologo-cenotic factors and types of anthropogenic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aristolochic acids are a class of naturally occurring compounds in Aristolochiaceae that have similar structural skeletons and chemical properties. Exposure to aristolochic acids is a risk factor for severe kidney disease and urinary system cancer. However, the carcinogenicity of aristolochic acids to the liver, which is the main site of aristolochic acid metabolism, is unclear. Although the characteristic fingerprint of aristolochic acid-induced mutations has been detected in the liver and aristolochic acids are known to be hepatotoxic, whether aristolochic acids can directly cause liver cancer is yet to be verified. This review summarizes the findings of long-term carcinogenicity studies of aristolochic acids in experimental animals. We propose that spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the carcinogenicity of these phytochemicals could explain why direct evidence of aristolochic acids causing liver cancer has never been found in adult individuals. We also summarized the reported approaches to mitigate aristolochic acid-induced hepatotoxicity to better address the associated global safety issue and provide directions and recommendations for future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Qin-Yu-Qing-Chang decoction (QYQC), an herbal formula from China, is extensively employed to manage ulcerative colitis (UC) and exhibits potential benefits for colonic function. Nevertheless, the fundamental molecular mechanisms of QYQC remain largely uncharted. Methods: The primary constituents of QYQC were determined utilizing UHPLC-MS/MS analysis and the effectiveness of QYQC was assessed in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Evaluations of colon inflammatory responses and mucosal barrier function were thoroughly assessed. RNA sequencing, molecular docking, colonic energy metabolism, and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis were applied to uncover the complex mechanisms of QYQC in treating UC. Detect the signal transduction of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Furthermore, a PPAR-γ antagonist was strategically utilized to confirm the functional targets that QYQC exerts. Results: Utilizing UHPLC-MS/MS, the principal constituents of the nine traditional Chinese medicinal herbs comprising QYQC were systematically identified. QYQC treatment substantially ameliorated colitis in mice, as evidenced by the improvement in symptoms and the reduction in colonic pathological injuries. Besides, QYQC treatment mitigated the inflammatory response and improved mucosal barrier function. Furthermore, QYQC enhanced the mitochondria citrate cycle (TCA cycle) by triggering PPAR-γ signaling and increasing the proportion of PPAR-γ entering the nucleus. This prevented the unconstrained expansion of facultative anaerobes, particularly pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli, family Enterobacteriaceae) and thus improved colitis. Results of molecular docking indicated that the representative chemical components of QYQC including Baicalin, Paeoniflorin, Mollugin, and Imperatorin bound well with PPAR-γ. The impact of QYQC on colitis was diminished in the presence of a PPAR-γ antagonist. Conclusions: In summary, QYQC ameliorates UC by activating PPAR-γ signaling and increasing the proportion of PPAR-γ entering the nucleus, which enhances the energy metabolism of intestinal epithelial cells and thereby preventing the uncontrolled proliferation of facultative anaerobes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paliyar tribe of Kadamalaikundu, Theni District of Tamil Nadu, India, has been deeply associated with forestry and ethnomedicinal practices for ages. The study aimed to identify the important medicinal plant species used by this tribe for ethnomedicinal purposes in the local vicinity. Eighty-nine informants were interviewed using the 'specimen display' and forest walk method, semi-structured open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and personal observations. The people from the region reported ninety-three plant species having medicinal properties. The Solanaceae family was recorded as the most dominant plant family, reporting seven different species of medicinal plants, followed by six species of the Acanthaceae family. In the study, Coccinia grandis had the highest use value (2.5), followed by Withania somnifera (2). In contrast, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Gossypium hirsutum, and Ocimum tenuiflorum with use value (1) and the ICF (Informant Consensus Factor) of value 1 accounted for 15 diseases out of forty-one categorized ailments. This study confirmed that the Paliyar tribe was dependent on a large number of medicinal plants for their primary healthcare and veterinary well-being, which require immediate conservation owing to their population fragmentation and the reluctance of the younger generation to adopt ethnomedicinal practices as occupation, which could lead to the loss of traditional knowledge as well. The study also documented the various important medicinal plant uses that could pave the way to the new pharmacological dimensions for modern wellness programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have constituted a fundamental aspect of human health and wellness for millennia. The objective of this study was to document medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in the Tehuledere District. The data were collected using semistructured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations with local informants. Preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and informant consensus factor were used for data analysis. A total of 63 medicinal plant species belonging to 59 genera and 41 families were documented. The predominant families identified were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae, each containing 6 and 5 species, respectively. Of the recorded medicinal plants, 53 (80.95%) species were used for human ailments, whereas 12 (19.05%) species were used for animal health issues. Among the recorded medicinal plant species, shrubs constitute the highest number with 35% species. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves, accounting for 59% of remedies targeting human ailments. The administration of herbal treatments was primarily oral, aimed at addressing various diseases. The most significant threat to these medicinal plants was attributed to agricultural expansion, followed by the collection of firewood. The aim of documenting the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases was to capture traditional practices, with species such as Eucalyptus globulus, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, and Lepidium sativum serving as the foundational basis for future pharmacological studies. It is imperative to prioritize the conservation of Laggera tomentosa and Urtica simensis to safeguard biodiversity and the cultural traditions associated with these endangered species. Engaging local communities in the management and conservation of plant resources, along with the preservation of their traditional knowledge, presents a cost‐effective and sustainable solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sikkim in North East India, has a rich ethnomedicinal practice and a large proportion of the local people rely on medicinal plants for the management of diabetes. Anti-hyperglycaemic effect of ten medicinal plants traditionally used by the local population in Sikkim to treat diabetes was evaluated using two in vitro methods - glucose uptake in yeast cells and α-amylase inhibition assay. Most of these medicinal plants demonstrated anti-hyperglycaemic effect, amongst which the leaves of Catharanthus roseus and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis displayed considerably greater activity than the other plant extracts. Both C. roseus and N. arbor-tristis showed greatest increase in glucose uptake at 25 mM glucose concentration (80.20% ± 3.01 and 78.83% ± 2.66 respectively), and maximum α-amylase inhibition of 72.29% ± 0.58 (IC50 = 154.30 μg/ml) and 69.98% ± 1.16 (IC 50 = 150.48 μg/ml) respectively at 250 μg/ml concentration of the extracts. The values were comparable to the standard drugs. Ethnomedicinal practices largely rely on observations, experience and regional beliefs. Support from scientific assessment studies will not only encourage traditional practices in the region, but also contribute in the development of alternative drugs of natural origin for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an herbaceous plant that contains a phytochemical which is bright yellow and is known as curcumin. Turmeric, a member of Zingiberaceae family, has extensive application worldwide due to its beneficial medicinal attributes and is extensively used as a medicinal plant. Most people use turmeric as a spice, and it is a chief source of polyphenol curcumin. Curcuma longa has therapeutic properties, and since the initial extraction of curcumin from this plant, it has gained prodigious consideration from scientists in the medical field. The biological properties of curcumin, also known as 1,7‐bis (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, or diferuloylmethane, include anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant, anti‐cancer, anti‐asthmatic, anti‐arthritic, neuroprotective, anti‐diabetic, anti‐obesity, wound‐healing, hepatoprotective, skin curative, reproductive role, etc. This work has reviewed many clinical trials and their findings about these activities. The focus of this review manuscript is concentrated on the presently existing clinical and animal studies, which exposed the possible anti‐retroviral activities of curcumin and its by‐products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Liver diseases represent a significant global health challenge, with primary causes including excessive alcohol consumption, infections, chemotherapy, and autoimmune disorders. Medicinal plants, due to their natural bioactive compounds, hold promise for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against liver ailments. This study aimed to document the use of herbal remedies in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases and correlate these uses with scientific evidence through a bibliometric analysis. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in remote communities of northeastern Morocco from October 2020 to January 2022. A total of 189 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on local medicinal plants used for liver ailments. The data were analyzed using four ethnobotanical quantitative indices: use value (UV), familial use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the scientific support for the ethnopharmacological uses documented. Results: The survey identified 45 plant species from 26 different families used in the treatment of liver diseases. The most frequently utilized species were Cuminum cyminum L. (UV = 0.1065), Allium sativum L. (UV = 0.1015), Salvia officinalis L. (UV = 0.0761), Asparagus officinalis L. (UV = 0.0558), and Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (UV = 0.0457). The Apiaceae family showed the highest familial use value (FUV = 0.1066), followed by Alliaceae (FUV = 0.1015). Liver congestion had the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 0.83), followed by hepatic colic (ICF = 0.80). Bibliometric analysis revealed that 61% of the plants identified had documented pharmacological effects related to liver health. Discussion: The study demonstrates that traditional knowledge in northeastern Morocco encompasses a rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat liver diseases. The high ICF values indicate a strong consensus among informants on the efficacy of these remedies. The correlation between ethnopharmacological use and scientific validation for a significant portion of these plants suggests their potential as reliable therapeutic agents for liver conditions. However, further scientific investigations are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings. This research contributes valuable information for future studies on the therapeutic potential of these plants. Conclusion: This ethnobotanical survey provides a comprehensive database of medicinal plants used in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases. The findings highlight the potential of these plants in developing novel treatments for hepatic conditions, although further research is essential to substantiate their therapeutic claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivation in Pakistan faces challenges, with black scurf disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn being a significant concern. Conventional methods like chemical fungicides partially control it, but an effective solution is lacking. This study explores the potential of biofertilizers and soil amendments from Asteraceae weed biomass to manage the disease. Two potato varieties, Karoda and Sante, were chosen, and two biofertilizers, Fertibio and Feng Shou, were tested alone or with Xanthium strumarium biomass. Disease pressure was highest in the positive control, with significant reduction by chemical fungicide. X. strumarium biomass also decreased disease incidence significantly. Fertibio showed better efficacy than Feng Shou. Physiological and biochemical attributes of plants improved with biofertilizer and biomass application. Tuber weight, photosynthetic pigments, total protein content, and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POX, and PPO) were positively correlated. Combined application of Fertibio and S. marianum biomass effectively managed black scurf disease. These eco-friendly alternatives could enhance disease management and yield. Future research should explore their cost-effectiveness, commercialization, and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant medicinal plants used to treat numerous illnesses is Swertia chirayita. The present study demonstrated the compositional analysis of the Swertia chirayita (S. chirayita) plant using an emerging and non-destructive laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Sr, Cr, and Na were verified as necessary elements by the optical emission investigations, while Al, Ti, Si, Ba, Mn, and Li were non-essential. Using the Boltzmann plot technique with stark broadening parameters, plasma temperature and electron number density were calculated in the range of (10,000–12,000) K ±1000 K and (1.5–1.8) × 1017 cm-3, respectively. Finally, compositional analysis was carried out using calibration-free (CF-LIBS) analysis and results were compared with ICP-MS. It was observed that the concentration of Ca and Fe is higher than other detected elements. All the toxic elements are found to be within the safe limit. So, this medicinal plant can be used to cure a variety of diseases that arise due to the deficiency of these elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Based on participatory research tools and analysis with a gender focus, we aim to identify the knowledge associated with native plants of the Atlantic Forest in one Quilombola community whose territory is juxtaposed with a protected area, in South Brazil. Methods: Through the perception of the residents of the Quilombola community of São Roque, we classified the availability, harvesting intensity, abundance, and importance of fourteen plants native to the Atlantic Forest found in their territory. These fourteen plants were selected after initial interviews with a free listing of plants done with all adults (44 people), followed by plant collection and identification. A participatory workshop was built with the community to collect data through three activities: four-cell tool, environment matrix, and importance matrix. To identify the gender nuances in the knowledge within this community, all activities were separated into two groups based on the gender of the 22 participants (9 women and 13 men) and the researchers. Results: The species Pau-pra-tudo (Picrasma crenata), Quina (Coutarea hexandra), and Cipó-milome (Aristolochia triangularis) were similarly classified as important by both groups, which indicates the cultural and environmental relevance associated with them regardless of gender. The perceptions of other species were expressed differently between the groups, showing the variance of the ecological knowledge and the relationship between the sociocultural contexts of gender and the knowledge manifested. The final part of the workshop was a lecture given by two community experts about herbal medicines based on forest species found in the territory. Conclusions: Based on the multiple forms of results recorded in the workshop, we discuss the demand for inclusion of the traditional community in land management plans of environmental agencies, highlighting how individual characteristics, such as gender, can fill gaps in data about local biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current prostate cancer treatments are associated with life-threatening side effects, prompting the search for effective and safer alternatives. Aspilia pluriseta Schweinf. ex Engl. has previously shown anticancer activity in lung and liver cancer cell lines. This study investigated its potential for prostate cancer. Methods: A crude extract of A. pluriseta root was prepared using dichloromethane/methanol (1:1 v/v) and partitioned into hexane, ethyl acetate, and water fractions. The MTT assay was used to assess the antiproliferative activity of the fractions. The active fractions were tested at 6.25–200 µg/ml on human prostate cancer DU-145 cells and non-cancerous Vero E6 cells. Qualitative phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were conducted to identify chemical compounds. Network pharmacology was employed to predict molecular targets and modes of action of the identified chemical compounds, with subsequent validation through molecular docking and real-time PCR. Results: Active extracts included crude dichloromethane/methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions, inhibiting DU-145 cell proliferation with IC50 values of 16.94, 20.06, and 24.14 µg/ml, respectively. Selectivity indices were determined to be 6.04 (crude), 3.62 (hexane), and 6.68 (ethyl acetate). Identified phytochemicals comprised phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and saponins. GC-MS analysis revealed seventy-nine (79) compounds, with seven (7) meeting ideal drug candidate parameters; their hub gene targets included MAPK3, MAPK1, IL6, TP53, ESR1, PTGS2, MMP9, MDM2, AR, and MAP2K1, implicating regulation of PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways as potential modes of action. Core compounds such as 1-heneicosanol, lanosterol, andrographolide, and retinoic acid exhibited strong binding activities, particularly lanosterol with MAPK21 (-9.7 kcal/mol), ESR1 (-8.9 kcal/mol), and MAPK3 (-8.8 kcal/mol). Treatment with A. pluriseta downregulated AR expression and upregulated p53, while also downregulating CDK1 and BCL-2 and upregulating caspase-3. Conclusions: A. pluriseta extracts inhibited DU-145 cell growth without causing cellular toxicity, suggesting great potential for development as an anti-prostate cancer agent. However, further in vitro and in vivo experiments are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scrophularia L., a genus of the Scrophulariaceae, is a group of important medicinal plants used for eliminating heat and detoxifying. East Asia has an abundance of potentially medicinal Scrophularia species, and it serves as a secondary diversity center of the genus. However, the genomic resources available for germplasm identification and pharmaceutical exploration of East Asian Scrophularia are insufficient, hindering its commercial and industrial development. Additionally, the interspecific relationships of most East Asian Scrophularia species remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we sequenced the leaves of 25 East Asian species of the genus Scrophularia, assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes, and subsequently performed comparative and phylogenetic analyses on these genomes. Results and discussion: The conserved plastome length of these 25 species ranged from 151,582 bp to 153,239 bp, containing a total of 132 coding genes, including 18 duplicated genes and 114 unique genes. Through genome alignment of these 25 species, 38-53 repeated sequences and 7 shared SSRs were identified, along with regions with high nucleotide polymorphism (Pi), which could potentially serve as molecular markers for species identification. The genome structure, gene content, and arrangement showed conservation, while variations were observed in the IR boundary regions and IGS. Phylogenetic inferences based on whole plastomes or on coding sequences (CDS) only yielded congruent results. We categorized the 25 East Asian Scrophularia species into six distinct clades and further explored their interspecies relationships using morphological characteristics, such as flower color, the relative position of stamens and corolla, and plant height. This could lay a genetic basis for future resource development of Scrophularia in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transient and stable gene transformation systems play a crucial role in elucidating gene functions and driving genetic improvement in plants. However, their application in medicinal woody plants has been hampered by inefficient procedures for isolating protoplasts and regenerating plants in vitro. Results: Embryogenic callus protoplast isolation and transient transformation system were successfully established. The highest yield of protoplasts was approximately 1.88 × 106 cells per gram with a viability of 90% under the combination of 1.5% cellulase and 0.2% macerozyme, with enzymatic digestion for 6 h in darkness followed by centrifugation at 400×g for 5 min. The transient transfection rate of protoplast reached 45.56% at a PEG 4000 concentration of 40%, a transfection time of 40 min, 16 h of dark incubation, a plasmid concentration of 1.5 ng μL−1, and 25 min heat shock at 45 °C. In addition, 15 Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated GUS-positive seedlings were obtained through the somatic embryogenetic pathway under the optimized conditions. Conclusion: This study successfully established both transient and stable genetic transformation systems, paving the way for future molecular biology research on A. senticosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coptis teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae), an endangered plant species of significant medicinal value, predominantly undergoes clonal propagation, potentially compromising the species' evolutionary potential and ultimately increase its risk of extinction. In this study, we successfully assembled two sets of haploid genomes (Hap1 and Hap2) for C. teeta, comprising nine homologous chromosome pairs, by employing Illumina and PacBio sequencing technologies. The genome annotation identified a total of 43,979 and 46,311 protein-coding genes in Hap1 and in Hap2, and most of them were functionally annotated. The high-quality reference genome will serve as an indispensable genomic resource for conservation and comprehensive exploitation of this endangered species. Between the two haploid genomes, numerous structural alterations were detected within the nine homologous chromosome pairs, potentially resulting in aberrant synapsis and irregular chromosomal segregation and thus contributing to the sustained preservation of clonal propagation in C. teeta. The findings offer new perspective for elucidating the genetic mechanism underlying the compromised sexual reproductive capacity of C. teeta, thereby facilitating its enhancement though molecular breeding and genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Herbal medicine has been used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments since ancient times. Numerous rural and urban communities in Ethiopia practice traditional medicine and transfer the knowledge verbally from generation to generation. Thus, this study was conducted to document the traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia. Methods: Three hundred seventy-four (374) informants from 11 kebeles (the smallest administrative units) were selected and participated in the data delivery. The ethnobotanical data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, field observation, market surveys, and focus group discussions, including voucher specimen collections. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), ranking, comparison, and quantitative ethnobotanical techniques such as informant consensus factor, fidelity level index, Jaccard's coefficient of similarity, and use value index. Results: A total of 170 plant species were recorded to treat 79 human and 29 livestock ailments. Fabaceae (with 20 species) and Asteraceae (with 18 species) were the most dominant medicinal plant families in the area. Most remedial plants were herbs (61 species, 35.88%), followed by shrubs (39 species, 22.94%). The majority (135 species, 79.41%) of medicinal plants were harvested from wild sources and mainly possessed multiple remedy parts (41.17%) that are usually prescribed in fresh form (60.13%). The most commonly reported human ailment was snake venom, while blackleg was mostly reported among livestock diseases. The herbal medicines were mostly administered orally (52.20%), followed by dermal (17.62%) application. Embelia schimperi Vatke, Glinus lotoides L., Haplosciadium abyssinicum Hochst., Mucuna melanocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich., and Phragmanthera macrosolen (Steud. ex A. Rich.) M.G.Gilbert had the highest fidelity level values (100%) against the corresponding ailments. Conclusion: The study area is rich in a diversity of potential medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Thus, appropriate conservation actions and careful utilization are essential to counteract the rise of anthropogenic threats and to ensure the continuity of plants with the related indigenous knowledge. Additionally, the medicinal plants should be validated through experimentation to integrate local knowledge with modern medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of tea polyphenols (TP) and medicinal plant mixtures (Astragalus membranaceus + Lonicera japonica, Rheum officinale Bail + Scutellaria baicalensis + Platycladus orientalis) combined with astaxanthin (AST), benzoic acid (BA), and yeast complex on the health status of Eriocheir sinensis. Method: A total of 630 crabs (male crabs: 41.51 ± 1.63 g; female crabs: 47.27 ± 0.79 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups with three replicates (male: female, 1:1). These crabs were fed as follows for 8 weeks: basal diet (M1), M2 (M1 + 100 mg/kg TP), M3 (M1 + 2.0 g/kg A. membranaceus + 20 g/kg L. japonica), M4 (M1 + 2.5 g/kg R. officinale Bail + 1.5 g/kg S. baicalensis + 1.0 g/kg P. orientalis), and M5, M6, M7 (M2, M3 and M4 with 600 mg/kg AST +1.0 g/kg BA + 20 mg/kg yeast complex added, respectively). Results and discussion: The results showed that the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysosome (LZM) in the hemolymph were significantly increased in M5, M6, and M7 (P < 0.05), and the highest phagocytosis index (PI) and LZM activity were observed in M7 of female crabs. Moreover, the antioxidant indicators superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) of hepatopancreas were also significantly improved in M5, M6, and M7 (P < 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents showed an opposite trend. Furthermore, a morphological examination also showed the improved histological structure of hepatopancreas in M7, especially as seen in the clear lumens, no vacuolation, and integrity of the basal membrane of the hepatopancreatic tubule. Taken together, these results suggested that 2.5 g/kg R. officinale Bail, 1.5 g/kg S. baicalensis, and 1.0 g/kg P. orientalis in combination with 600 mg/kg AST, 1.0 g/kg BA, and 20 mg/kg yeast complex could improve the non-specific immunity, antioxidant capacity, and hepatopancreatic health of E. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Pseudostellaria heterophylla, known for its significant bioactive ingredients, offers potential health benefits. Amounts of bioactive compounds of the tuberous root of cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla are sensitive to environmental conditions. We selected 22 sampling sites in Guizhou Province, China, a primary Pseudostellaria heterophylla planting area. We analyzed polysaccharides, water‐soluble extractives, total ash and inorganic elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Mg and Ca) in Radix Pseudostellariae, and pH, organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) and inorganic elements in the soil.Our study revealed a substantial presence of polysaccharides (85.00–181.00 mg g−1), water‐soluble extractives (47.52–57.63%) and total ash (1.87–3.39%) in Radix Pseudostellariae. Polysaccharides and total ash showed no sensitivity to soil pH. Radix Pseudostellariae collected from soil with pH > 7 exhibited slightly higher levels of water‐soluble extractives, Mg and Ca than that from soil with pH < 5. Conversely, soil with a pH less than 5 had higher OC, AN, AP and AK contents. Water‐soluble extractives in Radix Pseudostellariae were negatively correlated with soil pH but positively correlated with OC and AN.The results imply that the sequestration of soil nutrients over long‐term Pseudostellaria heterophylla cultivation could negatively impact the accumulation of some bioactive ingredients in Radix Pseudostellariae. This study has a profound implication for enhancing the quality of Radix Pseudostellariae of artificially cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have shown that Averrhoa carambola L. possesses therapeutic potential for diabetes and related complications. However, the specific beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of 2-dodecyl-6-meth-oxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) isolated from Averrhoa carambola L. on diabetic nephropathy (DN) require further investigation. Methods: 80 C57BL/6 J male mice were subjected to a 1-week adaptive feeding, followed by a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to construct an in vivo DN model. Additionally, human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) induced by high glucose (HG) were used as an in vitro DN model. The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and autophagy-related proteins in renal tubular cells were detected by Western Blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) staining. Transcriptome analysis revealed was conducted to elucidate the specific mechanism of by which DMDD mitigates DN by inhibiting ERS and autophagy. HK-2 cells were transfected with IRE1α overexpression lentivirus to reveal the role of IRE1α overexpression in HG-induced HK-2. Results: The experimental data showed that DMDD significantly reduced blood glucose levels and improved renal pathological alterations in DN mice. Additionally, DMDD inhibited the calcium (Ca2+) pathway, manifested by decreased autophagosome formation and downregulation of LC3II/I, Beclin-1, and ATG5 expression. Moreover, in HG-induced HK-2 cells, DMDD suppressed the overexpression of GRP78, CHOP, LC3II/I, Beclin1, and ATG5. Notably, IRE1α overexpression significantly increased autophagy incidence; however, DMDD treatment subsequently reduced the expression of LC3II/I, Beclin1, and ATG5. Conclusion: DMDD effectively inhibits excessive ERS and autophagy, thereby reducing renal cell apoptosis through the IRE1α pathway and Ca 2+ pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile medicinal plant known for its therapeutic properties, derived from its diverse array of secondary metabolites synthesized primarily in female flower organs. Breeding cannabis is challenging due to its dioecious nature, strict regulatory requirements, and the need for photoperiod control to trigger flowering, coupled with highly dispersible pollen that can easily contaminate nearby female flowers. This study aimed to develop a protocol for in vitro flowering in cannabis, investigate factors affecting in vitro flower production, and generate viable in vitro seeds, potentially offering a method for producing sterile cannabinoids or advancing breeding techniques. Results: We show that the life cycle of cannabis can be fully completed in tissue culture; plantlets readily produce inflorescences and viable seeds in vitro. Our findings highlight the superior performance of DKW medium with 2% sucrose in a filtered vessel and emphasize the need for low light intensity during flower induction to optimize production. The improved performance in filtered vessels suggests that plants conduct photosynthesis in vitro, highlighting the need for future investigations into the effects of forced ventilation to refine this system. All tested lines readily developed inflorescences upon induction, with a 100% occurrence rate, including male flowering. We revealed the non-dehiscent trait of in vitro anthers, which is advantageous as it allows for multiple crosses to be conducted in vitro without concerns about cross-contamination. Conclusion: The current work developed and optimized an effective protocol for in vitro flowering and seed production in cannabis, potentially providing a platform for sterile cannabinoid production and an efficient tool for breeding programs. This system allows for the full and consistent control of plant growth conditions year-round, potentially offering the reliable production of sterile molecules suitable for pharmacological use. As a breeding strategy, this method overcomes the complex challenges of breeding cannabis, such as the need for large facilities, by enabling the production of hundreds of lines in a small facility. By offering precise control over factors such as plant growth regulators, light intensity, photoperiod, and temperature, this system also serves as a valuable tool for studying flowering aspects in cannabis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Sto. Niño site in Benguet province, Philippines was once a mining area that has now been transformed into an agricultural land. In this area, there has been significant integration of the three indigenous people (IPs) Ibaloi, Kankanaeys and Kalanguyas with the Ilocano community. These IPs safeguard biodiversity and traditional knowledge, including medicinal plant use. However, the documentation of these plant species and their medicinal applications has not been systematic, with the resultant loss of knowledge across generations. This study aims to document the medicinal and ritual plants used by the indigenous communities at the site, in order to preserve and disseminate traditional medicinal knowledge that would otherwise be lost. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were collected in Sto. Niño, Brgy. Ambassador, Municipality of Tublay, Benguet, Philippines, and collected through semi-structured interviews, together with focus group discussions (FGD). A total of 100 residents (39 male and 61 female) were interviewed. Among them, 12 were key interviewees, including community elders and farmers, while the rest were selected through the convenience and snowball technique. Demographic information collected from the interviewees included age, gender, and occupation. Ethnobotanical information collected focused on medicinal plants, including the specific parts of plants used, methods of preparation, modes of treatment, and the types of ailments treated. Ethnobotanical quantitative indices of the relative frequency of citations (RFC) and informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated to evaluate the plant species that were utilized by the community. Results: A total of 28 medicinal plants from 20 different families and 6 ritual plants from 5 different families were documented. Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Lamiaceae (10.71%) family are the most mentioned medicinal plant species, followed by Myrtaceae and Euphorbiaceae (7.14%). The most widely used growth form were herbs (46.4%), while leaves (61.5%) were the most utilized plant part, and the preparation of a decoction (62.2%) was the most preferred method of processing and application. The medicinal plants were most commonly utilized for wound-healing, cough and colds, stomachache and kidney trouble, whereas ritual plants were largely used for healing, protection, and funeral ceremonies. Conclusion: This study marks the first report on the medicinal and ritual plants used by a group of indigenous communities in Sto. Niño, Brgy. Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet Province. The data collected show that plant species belonging to the Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Lamiaceae family were the most mentioned and should be further evaluated by pharmacological analysis to assess their wider use for medicinal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plants that contain brewing microorganisms are used in traditional fermentation starters, which are an essential part of local diet, nutrition, life, and health. Regionally, the plant species used and the microorganisms included in traditional fermentation starters are diverse, endowing local fermented drinks with different flavors and health benefits. However, related traditional knowledge has been scarcely documented or revealed. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in five towns of Nayong County in northwestern Guizhou, China. Snowball sampling, semi-structured interviews, free lists, and participatory observation were used to collect information on Jiuqu Plants (JPs) and jiuqu-making techniques. The PacBio platform was used to study the microbial community structure and diversity in the Chuanqing people's jiuqu. Results: In total, 225 informants were interviewed, including 116 who provided plants and technological processes for making Chinese baijiu jiuqu (CBJ) and 139 who provided information about making fermented glutinous rice jiuqu (FGRJ). This study found that older people have more abundant knowledge about CBJ plants. Poaceae was found to be the dominant family used in making CBJ and FGRJ (7 species each). Compared to individual plant parts, the whole plant is most commonly used in two kinds of jiuqu (19.5% in CBJ and 22.6% in FGRJ). The Chuanqing people's jiuqu is used to treat dietary stagnation and indigestion. The highest relative frequency of citation of the CBJ plant was Ficus tikoua Bureau, and the counterpart of the FGRJ plant was Buddleja macrostachya Benth. The dominant bacterial species in jiuqu were Gluconobacter japonicus (YQ1, YQ4) and Pediococcus pentosaceus (YQ2, YQ3), and the dominant fungal species was Rhizopus oryzae. Conclusion: For the first time, this study documents the unique traditional jiuqu knowledge and reveals the microbial mystery behind the FGRJ of the Chuanqing people. Therefore, this study encourages the use of online social media platforms in order to spread Jiuqu culture, the use of the new media wave in order to create multimedia databases, and also suggests that local communities should develop preservation intervention programs, in addition to nurturing the inheritors in order to prevent the disappearance of traditional Jiuqu knowledge. This research contributes to the conservation and demystification of the traditional jiuqu knowledge of the Chuanqing people and lays the foundation for further research on its microbiology, nutrition, and metabolomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on microbial ecology and its possible impact on agricultural production, owing to its eco-friendly nature and sustainable use. The current study employs metabolomics technologies and bioinformatics approaches to identify changes in the exometabolome of Streptomyces albidoflavus B24. This research aims to shed light on the mechanisms and metabolites responsible for the antifungal and growth promotion strategies, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture. Metabolomic analysis was conducted using Q Exactive UPLC-MS/MS. Our findings indicate that a total of 3,840 metabolites were identified, with 137 metabolites exhibiting significant differences divided into 61 up and 75 downregulated metabolites based on VIP >1, |FC| >1, and p < 0.01. The interaction of S. albidoflavus B24 monoculture with the co-culture demonstrated a stronger correlation coefficient. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrates that PCA1 accounted for 23.36%, while PCA2 accounted for 20.28% distinction. OPLS-DA score plots indicate significant separation among different groups representing (t1) 24% as the predicted component (to1) depicts 14% as the orthogonal component. According to the findings of this comprehensive study, crude extracts from S. albidoflavus demonstrated varying abilities to impede phytopathogen growth and enhance root and shoot length in tested plants. Through untargeted metabolomics, we discovered numerous potential molecules with antagonistic activity against fungal phytopathogens among the top 10 significant metabolites with the highest absolute log2FC values. These include Tetrangulol, 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, and Cyclohexane. Additionally, we identified plant growth-regulating metabolites such as N-Succinyl-L-glutamate, Nicotinic acid, L-Aspartate, and Indole-3-acetamide. The KEGG pathway analysis has highlighted these compounds as potential sources of antimicrobial properties The inhibitory effect of S. albidoflavus crude extracts on pathogen growth is primarily attributed to the presence of specific gene clusters responsible for producing cyclic peptides such as ansamycins, porphyrin, alkaloid derivatives, and neomycin. Overall, it is apparent that crude extracts from S. albidoflavus exhibited varying abilities to inhibit the growth of three phytopathogens and enhancement in both root and shoot length of tested plants. This research enhances our understanding of how secondary metabolites contribute to growth promotion and biocontrol, supporting ecosystem sustainability and resilience while boosting productivity in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has mobilized researchers in finding new remedies including repurposing of medicinal plant products focusing on direct-acting antiviral and host-directed therapies. In this study, we performed an in vitro investigation on the standardized Marantodes pumilum extract (SKF7®) focusing on anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammatory activities. Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of the SKF7® was evaluated in SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells and SARS-CoV-2-infected A549 cells by cytopathic effect-based assay and RT-qPCR, respectively. Target based assays were performed on the SKF7® against the S1-ACE2 interaction and 3CL protease activities. Anti-inflammatory activity of the SKF7® was evaluated by nitric oxide inhibitory and TLR2/TLR4 receptor blocker assays. Results: The SKF7® inhibited wild-type Wuhan (EC50 of 21.99 µg/mL) and omicron (EC50 of 16.29 µg/mL) SARS-CoV-2 infections in Vero-E6 cells. The SKF7® also inhibited the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection in A549 cells (EC50 value of 6.31 µg/mL). The SKF7® prominently inhibited 3CL protease activity. The SKF7® inhibited the LPS induced-TLR4 response with the EC50 of 16.19 µg/mL. Conclusions: In conclusion, our in vitro study highlighted anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammatory potentials of the SKF7®. Future pre-clinical in vivo studies focusing on antiviral and immunomodulatory potentials of the SKF7® in affecting the COVID-19 pathogenesis are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a significant global health crisis due to its resistance to conventional therapies and lack of specific molecular targets. This study explored the potential of Eriocephalus racemosus (E. racemosus) as an alternative treatment for TNBC. The cytotoxic properties and high-resolution respirometry mitochondrial activities of E. racemosus against the MDA-MB 231 TNBC cell line were evaluated. Methods: Hexane solvent and bioactive fraction extractions of E. racemosus were performed, while mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling was used to identify the phytochemical constituents of the extracts. The extracts were further tested against MDA-MB 231 TNBC cells to determine their cytotoxicity. The mode of cell death was determined using flow cytometry. The activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 were assessed using a multiplex activity assay kit. Glycolytic activity and High-resolution respirometry measurements of mitochondrial function in the MDA-MB 231 cell line were conducted using the Seahorse XFp and Oroboros O2K. Results: Metabolite profiling of E. racemosus plant crude extracts identified the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, and unknown compounds. The extracts demonstrated promising cytotoxic activities, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 12.84 µg/mL for the crude hexane extract and 15.49 µg/mL for the bioactive fraction. Further, the crude hexane and bioactive fraction extracts induced apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, like the reference drug cisplatin (17.44%, 17.26% and 20.25%, respectively) compared to untreated cells. Caspase 3 activities confirmed the induction of apoptosis in both cisplatin and the plant crude extracts, while caspase 8 and 9 activities confirmed the activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Increased levels of glycolytic activity were observed in the hexane crude extract. High-resolution respiratory measurements showed elevated mitochondrial activities in all mitochondrial states except for complex-IV activity. Conclusion: These findings support further exploration of E. racemosus as a potential therapeutic agent for TNBC, offering a promising avenue for the development of targeted treatments with minimal adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psidium guajava: is a tropical tree that is widely used in traditional medicine, especially for treating diarrhea. While P. guajava has been the subject of numerous reviews, none have specifically examined its ethnobotany, pharmacology, and phytochemistry in relation to its antidiarrheal activity. This review aims to summarize the evidence of effectiveness and safety of P. guajava in the treatment of diarrhea. Literature searches were conducted through Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect by using keywords "Psidium guajava" and "diarrhea" in October 2022. A total of 189 studies were included in this review. P. guajava is widely used in traditional medicine in 44 countries. Decoction and oral were the most represented method of preparation and administration, respectively, while leaves represented the most frequently cited part of the plant. Around 27 antidiarrheal or antibacterial compounds have been isolated and identified, including benzophenone glycosides, terpenes, polysaccharides, phenols, and flavonoids. This article presents ethnobotanical and pharmacological evidence for the efficacy of P. guajava leaves in the treatment of diarrhea and provides reference information for further investigation of this plant. However, despite the large number of publications on the topic, there are still some questions to answer: are quercetin and its glycosides the only ones to act as antidiarrheal agents? What is the mechanism of action of P. guajava antidiarrheal compounds? are the use of guava leaves safe in all types of populations including children, and at what dosage? To answer these questions, more complete phytochemical studies and systematic clinical trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]