Search Results (2,089)

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. (yellow sweet clover) is a medicinally valuable Fabaceae species with recognized antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, yet the impact of cultivation system on its secondary metabolism remains poorly characterized for Central Asian populations. This study compared wild and in vitro-grown Melilotus officinalis from northern Kazakhstan (Astana city), examining phenolic composition, organic acids, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity as functions of cultivation system. Hydroethanolic extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-Orbitrap MS/MS and UFLC-PDA, while antioxidant activity was assessed by TBARS and ABTS assays and antimicrobial activity by broth microdilution against eight bacterial and two fungal strains. Thirteen phenolic compounds were tentatively identified, revealing higher total flavonoid content in in vitro plants, dominated by apigenin di-C-pentoside isomers and vicenin-3, whereas wild plants showed greater diversity of phenolic acids and flavonols, including kaempferol and quercetin glycosides. Despite lower total phenolics, wild extracts more effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation, while ABTS radical scavenging was comparable between sources, and antimicrobial effects were strain-specific. Oxalic acid was approximately three-fold higher in in vitro material, a biochemical feature relevant for downstream use. These findings indicate that cultivation system substantially shapes the secondary metabolite profile and bioactivity of this regionally important medicinal species. Full article

Plant tissue and cell culture techniques have proven to be a suitable tool for increasing fresh biomass and stimulating the plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis, offering important advantages compared to conventional plant propagation. Medicinal and aromatic plants represent species of interest due to their rich content in bioactive compounds, with various applications in different fields, including the food industry. The micropropagation technique, through the production of a large number of in vitro plants, can ensure, in a short time and with high efficiency, the adequate amount of fresh biomass to cover the need for the extraction of significant active principles for their use in the food industry as natural preservatives and antioxidants, as well as coloring and flavoring agents. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the strategic micropropagation methods applied to medicinal and aromatic plants, including sustainable approaches (e.g., organic nutrient supplementation of the culture medium), as well as their advantages and limitations. Moreover, this bibliographical study highlights the role of the in vitro multiplication technique in enhancing the accumulation of secondary metabolites such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, etc., supporting their use for a more sustainable future in food systems. Finally, the present analysis points towards emerging future directions for exploiting the micropropagation technique on a large scale as a valuable and promising tool to reach its full potential as a source of novel biomolecules. This comprehensive integration serves as a valuable reference for researchers and industry experts in both plant biotechnology and food science and technology. Full article

Repeated drought–rehydration episodes expose perennial fruit trees to alternating stress and recovery phases, while treatment-level averages can obscure genotype-specific response strategies. We evaluated seven biochemical markers in fourteen apple (Malusdomestica Borkh.) genotypes during two consecutive drought–rehydration cycles: proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenolics, total flavonoids, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Both drought cycles increased all measured markers, with the strongest overall response at the end of the second drought cycle (T6). Relative to the control, mean values at T6 increased by 272.4% for proline, 136.4% for MDA, 45.3% for total phenolics, 76.5% for total flavonoids, 109.1% for SOD, 89.0% for CAT, and 117.5% for POX. Genotype-specific log₂(Stress/Control) profiles at the first (T2) and second (T6) drought maxima revealed contrasting combinations of osmotic adjustment, oxidative damage, antioxidant-enzyme activity, and secondary-metabolite accumulation. B11 combined comparatively low MDA induction with strong antioxidant-enzyme responses, whereas HL1282 and HL1579 showed lower proline and MDA induction together with stronger phenolic, flavonoid, and selected enzyme responses. In contrast, ‘Idared’ showed strong proline and MDA induction. The first two principal components explained 75.1% of the total variance. Overall, the results identify distinct genotype-specific biochemical response strategies and show that coordinated marker profiles provide substantially more information than individual biomarkers or treatment averages alone. Full article

Gliricidia sepium (G. sepium) is a Fabaceae tree native to Mexico and Central America with ethnobotanical relevance in tropical regions. Traditionally, different parts have been used to treat skin disorders, wounds, fever, infections, inflammation, and pain-related conditions. This narrative review summarizes evidence on the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, biological activities, antinociceptive potential, and safety of G. sepium, with an emphasis on inflammation and pain. The literature search used G. sepium as the search term combined with keywords related to ethnobotanical uses, traditional medicine, phytochemistry, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activity, toxicity, and safety. Boolean operators, truncation, and searching were applied without publication year restrictions. Articles published in English and Spanish were considered, while superficial or irrelevant mentions were excluded. The literature indicates that G. sepium contains diverse constituents, including volatile aromatic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acid derivatives, triterpenoids, and saponins. In vitro and preclinical in vivo studies suggest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, gastroprotective, and tissue-protective effects. However, evidence of antinociceptive activity remains lacking, and pain-related relevance is mainly inferred from mechanisms involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. Thus, G. sepium represents a potential source of bioactive metabolites, although its therapeutic potential requires validation through standardized preparations, validated models, mechanistic studies, and toxicological assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the secondary metabolites of the aqueous fraction of a methanolic extract of Salvia brandegeei root and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties. Methods: Fifteen reference compounds were evaluated by HPLC-UV, of which nine were tentatively identified in the aqueous fraction of the methanolic extract of Salvia brandegeei root. The antimicrobial effect of Salvia brandegeei 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/mL and the vehicle (saline solution) against four ATCC bacterial and three fungal ATCC strains was analyzed. The DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods were used to evaluate antioxidant action. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory action, the topical application of TPA to the ear of mice was used, while to evaluate the antinociceptive effect, formalin and acetic acid models were used. In these animal models, Salvia brandegeei 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/kg and the vehicle (saline solution) were administered orally. In addition, the antinociceptive mechanisms of action of Salvia brandegeei were evaluated with L-NAME (5 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Results: A total of 9 secondary metabolites were tentatively identified in the aqueous fraction of a methanolic root extract of Salvia brandegeei. Salvia brandegeei inhibited the growth of all ATCC species against which it was tested and showed an antioxidant effect through all three methods used. Salvia brandegeei produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in both animal models. Conclusions: This study presents the first evidence of preliminary biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects, of an aqueous fraction of a methanolic root extract of Salvia brandegeei. Full article

The Potiguar Basin, in Rio Grande do Norte (Northeastern Brazil), has an extensive coastline with a rich diversity of marine sponges that remain poorly explored for their biotechnological potential. In this study, three sponge species—Suberites aurantiacus, Mycale (Zygomycale) angulosa, and Halichondrida—were collected, and a preliminary extraction was then performed to remove the most hydrophobic fraction with n-hexane. The remaining sediment was re-extracted with chloroform and methanol (1:1), and the resulting extracts (ESUB, EMYC, and EHALI, respectively) were analyzed. Chemical characterization using Gas–Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed distinct profiles for each genus, with the presence of alcohols, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and lipids, mainly sterols. ESUB presented 17 identified compounds, EMYC had 15 identified and EHALI showed 15 identified. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated in vitro using DPPH radical scavenging, copper ion chelation, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The EC₅₀ values (mg/mL) for DPPH were 0.05 (ESUB), 0.14 (EMYC), and 0.06 (EHALI), while for copper chelation they were 0.03, 0.034, and 0.026, respectively. Preliminary toxicological assays indicated low toxicity, with IC₅₀ values above 9.6 mg/mL in human erythrocytes and Tenebrio molitor larvae, demonstrating a favorable safety profile for potential therapeutic applications. The study presents a preliminary screening of underexplored species in an equally underexplored region and supports further studies on their bioactive potential. Full article

The mycelium of Phallus rubrovolvatus contains abundant metabolites with broad application prospects in functional foods and pharmaceuticals. However, how carbon and nitrogen substrate availability regulate the accumulation dynamics of mycelial metabolites remains under-explored. In this study, the supply levels of carbon (glucose) and nitrogen (peptone) were optimized to select high-biomass mycelia. Integrating nutritional activity assays with metabolomics and redundancy analysis, the regulatory mechanisms governing carbon–nitrogen metabolic flux were deciphered. The results demonstrated that mycelial nutritional content and antioxidant capacity exhibited a progressive upward trend under three distinct modes: carbon-driven, nitrogen-driven, and carbon–nitrogen synergistic-driven regimes. In the optimal carbon–nitrogen synergistic-driven group, the contents of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, flavonoids, total phenolics, and soluble proteins increased by 72.06%, 160.80%, 52.47%, 113.69%, and 8.21%, respectively, compared with the control group. Meanwhile, the scavenging rates of superoxide anion, hydroxyl, ABTS, and DPPH free radicals increased by 14.12%, 24.09%, 14.77%, and 66.47%, respectively, compared with the control group. Differentially accumulated metabolites were significantly enriched in amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Carbon and nitrogen substrates reshaped intracellular metabolic flux, cooperatively regulating nutrient synthesis and intracellular redox equilibrium. This work reveals a cascade-linking relationship in which nutrient supply triggers metabolic remodeling, regulates oxidative balance, and drives pathway response. It provides theoretical support for the precision fermentation and industrial upgrade of P. rubrovolvatus, while offering a valuable reference paradigm for the high-value exploitation of other rare edible and medicinal fungi. Full article

Medicinal plants in the Acanthaceae family have long been used in Thai traditional medicine. In this study, ethanolic extracts of four plant species, Andrographis paniculata, Thunbergia laurifolia, Acanthus ebracteatus, and Rhinacanthus nasutus, were prepared and their phytochemical and pharmacological properties were evaluated. Total phenolic and flavonoid content assays were used to investigate phytochemical content and phytochemical profiles were characterized with LC-MS, while antioxidant activities were assessed via colorimetric methods. The extracts were also tested for antibacterial activity against several skin pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cutibacterium acnes, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. Cytotoxic effects on the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell were assessed using the MTT assay. The extracts were further evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in an LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell. Inflammatory gene expression was assessed by quantifying the mRNA levels of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-κB genes using RT-qPCR. The results revealed that among the four species, T. laurifolia extract showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid levels, consistent with the greatest antioxidant activity. Moreover, LC-MS profiling annotated a range of secondary metabolites in the extracts. The inhibition zones were observed for all plant extracts when tested against the skin pathogenic bacteria except C. acnes, and A. paniculata did not inhibit P. aeruginosa, indicating the antibacterial activity of the extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values differed across the extracts and bacterial strains. T. laurifolia exhibited the most potent activity against various bacterial pathogens, while A. paniculata was most effective against C. acnes at 0.98 mg/mL. In addition, all plant extracts reduced nitric oxide production and downregulated the expression of inflammatory genes. Among all plant species, A. paniculata showed the most potent activity with the highest NO inhibition of 65.68% at 60 µg/mL. Therefore, these findings support the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory potential of A. paniculata, T. laurifolia, A. ebracteatus and R. nasutus, which are traditionally used in folk medicine. Full article

Polyphenols are a complex class of plant secondary metabolites that exert numerous beneficial effects on human health. The content of individual polyphenolic compounds varies considerably among plant species. Over the past few decades, polyphenols have attracted increasing interest because of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They have also demonstrated beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cardiovascular and nervous system disorders, as well as different types of neoplasms. Because polyphenols have been shown to regulate plasma lipid levels and exhibit neuroprotective potential, they have gained attention as possible therapeutic and prophylactic agents for stroke, a neurological condition with a strong cardiovascular component. Quercetin is one of the most extensively studied plant-derived compounds in this context. A growing body of preclinical evidence suggests that it may contribute to stroke prevention and significantly support post-stroke recovery. This review compiles findings from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical trials and presents the current state of knowledge regarding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms through which quercetin protects against cerebral ischemia. Full article

Artemisia annua L. is a medicinal plant characterized by a chemically diverse phytochemical profile and potential relevance for cosmetic and dermatological applications. This study investigated a hydroethanolic A. annua extract through phytochemical characterization, antioxidant evaluation, UV–Vis-based assessment of UV absorption, and exploratory molecular docking. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS supported the assignment and quantitative determination of artemisinin, chlorogenic acid, and isoquercitrin at 0.09, 0.11, and 0.21 mg/mL extract, respectively. GC–MS revealed a diverse composition comprising primary and secondary metabolites, while separate essential oil characterization identified Artemisia ketone as the predominant volatile constituent. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 16.82 ± 0.29 mg GAE/g DW and 1.46 ± 0.14 mg RE/g DW, respectively. Concentration-dependent antioxidant activity was observed in DPPH and ABTS assays, with IC₅₀ values of 0.77 ± 0.13 and 0.092 mg dry plant material equivalent/mL reaction mixture, respectively. UV–Vis analysis showed concentration-dependent increases in spectrophotometrically estimated SPF within the evaluated analytical range. At 1.25 mg/mL, the extract exhibited an SPF estimate of 7.20 ± 0.35, a UVA/UVB absorbance ratio of 2.58, and a critical wavelength of 379.3 nm, indicating that UV absorption extended substantially into the UVA region. Exploratory molecular docking yielded the most favorable AutoDock Vina scores for chlorogenic acid toward MMP-1 (−9.0 kcal/mol) and isoquercitrin toward human neutrophil elastase (−8.0 kcal/mol). Overall, A. annua represents a source of phytochemicals with experimentally demonstrated antioxidant activity and measurable UV-absorbing properties, supporting further investigation in appropriately formulated and validated topical systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ferula varia Trautv. is a promising medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family and a potential source of biologically active secondary metabolites. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and biological activities of F. varia root extract. Methods: The non-volatile compounds were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC–QTOF–ESI-MS/MS) method. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC), antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial potential of the extract were evaluated using spectrophotometric and microdilution assays. Results: HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis enabled the tentative identification of 25 metabolites in the F. varia root extract, predominantly sesquiterpene coumarins together with organic acids, phenolic acids, coumarins, sesquiterpene esters, and prenylated aromatic compounds. The extract contained 30.06 ± 3.00 mg GAE/g_extr of total phenolics and 1.42 ± 0.04 mg RuE/g_extr of total flavonoids. Antioxidant assays revealed Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values of 0.10 ± 0.00 mM, 110.31 ± 4.94 mg AsAE/g_extr, and 21.95 ± 0.00 mg TE/g_extr, respectively, while the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed weak radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ > 1 mg/mL). The extract also demonstrated stronger antimicrobial activity against yeasts than against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 2.5 to 5 mg/mL and 10–20 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: These findings indicate that F. varia roots are a promising source of bioactive compounds exhibiting antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Full article

Psidium cattleyanum (Cherry Guava, family Myrtaceae) is traditionally used for its medicinal and nutritional value; however, comparative chemical and bioactivity profiling of its leaf and fruit extracts remain limited. In this study, a sequential solvent extraction using hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol was employed to characterize the phytochemical composition. The combined extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Phytochemical screening, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging assay, and brine shrimp lethality bioassay were conducted. GC–MS analysis identified terpenoids enriched in leaf extracts, while fruit extracts exhibited relatively higher contribution of lipid-derived compounds. Phytochemical screening revealed a higher diversity of secondary metabolites in leaf extracts compared to fruits. The leaf extract exhibited significantly higher TPC (31.96 ± 0.05 mg GAE/g) and TFC (51.43 ± 0.22 mg CE/g) than the fruit extract (8.87 ± 0.11 mg GAE/g and 1.98 ± 0.07 mg CE/g, respectively), correlating with stronger antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 47.10 ± 0.06 ppm for leaves, 357.30 ± 0.64 ppm for fruits). Cytotoxicity assessment revealed mild to moderate bioactivity, with LC₅₀ values of 522.14 ± 17.00 µg/mL (leaf) and 402.60 ± 9.00 µg/mL (fruit). Overall, this study highlights Psidium cattleyanum extracts as sources of antioxidant-associated phytochemicals exhibiting preliminary biological activity and provides a basis for future phytochemical and bioactivity investigations. Full article

Antarctic ecosystems host psychrophilic and psychrotolerant fungi whose set of adaptations represents a biotechnologically valuable and underexploited genetic resource. This review synthesizes the current literature on the bioactive secondary metabolites and cold-active enzymes produced by Antarctic fungi, together with their biomedical, cosmetic, and industrial applications, and examines the regulatory and ethical framework governing their exploitation under the Antarctic Treaty System. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective compounds—together with cold-active lipases, proteases, and amylases—were identified as the main classes of biotechnologically relevant molecules, with the Cadophora genus and the lipase B of Moesziomyces antarcticus (Candida antarctica) (CALB) highlighted as paradigmatic cases. Evidence considered shows that, despite promising bioactivities and at least one globally commercialized product (CALB/Novozym^®), most findings remain confined to the academic level, revealing an early-stage translational field. The CALB case further exposes an unresolved regulatory gap: minimal, non-destructive sampling can generate substantial commercial value without any derived benefit for either the country of the researchers involved in the isolation, Antarctica, or the international community. These findings underscore the need for a specific legal instrument within the Antarctic Treaty System establishing rational bioprospection guidelines and mechanisms for equitable benefit-sharing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Propolis is a resinous natural product rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, recognized in ethnopharmacology for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to identify the most bioactive Saudi propolis extract using a bioassay-guided strategy and investigate its chemical profile and mechanistic anti-inflammatory potential. Methods: Four propolis extracts (P1–P4) collected from different regions of Saudi Arabia were evaluated for their antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS) and anti-inflammatory (COX-1 and COX-2) activities. The most active extract was profiled using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Results: Among all samples, P3 demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 25.84 ± 0.96 µg/mL (DPPH) and 32.30 ± 1.20 µg/mL (ABTS), comparable to ascorbic acid (27.45 ± 1.42 and 21.22 ± 0.79, respectively). P3 also exhibited potent and selective COX-2 inhibition with an IC₅₀ of 6.19 ± 0.21 µg/mL (relative to celecoxib, IC₅₀ 0.681 ± 0.02 as positive control). LC–MS analysis identified 26 secondary metabolites. Computational studies ranked kaempferol as forming the most conformationally stable COX-2 complex among the ligands examined, including the reference inhibitor, on the basis of molecular dynamics descriptors of pose persistence and conformational confinement. Conclusions: Saudi propolis P3 is a potent source of bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant and selective COX-2 inhibitory activity. These findings highlight its anti-inflammatory potential and suggest its value as a natural lead for developing safer therapeutics targeting inflammation-related chronic diseases. Full article

This review highlights the significant capacity of microalgae to produce a wide range of phenolic compounds and other secondary metabolites. It discusses the major abiotic stress factors affecting microalgal cells and their influence on secondary metabolite production and accumulation. Microalgae synthesize numerous bioactive compounds that contribute to their biological significance, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. These biological properties make microalgae promising resources for various applications in pharmaceuticals, functional foods, biofertilizers, biopolymers, and other industrial sectors. Moreover, several abiotic stressors—such as salinity, light intensity, chemical exposure, and heavy metals—have been reported to stimulate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in microalgae. These stress conditions are often associated with increased production of protective compounds that help mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress within algal cells. This review also summarizes the impact of abiotic stress on key classes of secondary metabolites, particularly phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and flavonoids, whose concentrations tend to increase under stress conditions. Understanding the relationship between oxidative stress and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in microalgae may provide valuable insights for optimizing their biotechnological and industrial applications. Full article