Search Results (137)

Geum aleppicum Jacq. (yellow avens), a species traditionally used in folk medicine, remains understudied in the ethnopharmacological aspects. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the phytochemical composition and biological activity of a hydroethanolic (50:50, v/v) extract from the aerial parts of G. aleppicum collected in Kazakhstan. Using the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), we identified 24 compounds, predominantly phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenoids. The major compound was ellagic acid (2.28 mg/g dry extract) as revealed by the reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector (RP-HPLC-DAD). The extract exhibited a high polyphenol content (131.45 mg GAE/g) and strong antioxidant activity in Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay (3.82 ± 0.07 mmol Fe²⁺/g and 106.61 ± 0.89 mg GAE/g, respectively). Antimicrobial assay of the extract revealed notable antifungal activity against Candida spp., especially against C. glabrata and C. tropicalis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of as low as 0.125 mg/mL, showing fungistatic effect. Although the extract inhibited the cytopathic effect induced by Human Herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) in VERO cells, it did not significantly reduce viral replication. Moreover, among human cancer cell lines studied, the extract exerted moderate and selective cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells (CC₅₀ = 75.51 µg/mL, SI = 9). These findings highlight G. aleppicum as a rich source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolics, supporting its potential for development of pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ethnopharmacological studies indicates that plant-based infusions are usually consumed by some people in advanced stages of diabetes, that is, when poor pancreatic dysfunction coexists with insulin resistance (IR). Current treatments aim to prevent β-cell deterioration by promoting improved insulin function and/or enhancing pancreatic function to avoid the development of hyperglycemia. Therefore, Croton guatemalensis (Cg) and Eryngium cymosum (Ec), two medicinal plants with potential insulin-sensitizing effects described in previous studies, were assessed on parameters related to IR and on the architecture of pancreatic islets in rats exposed to a syrup containing 8.8% glucose and 5.2% fructose in drinking water. Methods: After an 8-week exposure to syrup, plant extracts were orally administered for four weeks at traditional doses (Cg: 30 mg/kg body weight; Ec: 470 mg/kg body weight). Body weight, food intake, and drinking water consumption were monitored. At the end of the study, IR surrogate indices were calculated, metabolic assays were performed, and white adipose tissues, liver, gastrocnemius muscle, and pancreas were extracted in fasting and postprandial state for lipid quantification (liver), measurement of Akt phosphorylation status by western blot (liver and muscle), and determination of insulin content by immunohistochemistry (pancreatic islets). Results: Both species decreased hepatic lipid content without promoting significant changes in visceral adiposity. Although they did not improve surrogate markers of fasting IR, both ameliorated insulin function, glucose tolerance, and restored the glucose-stimulated insulin secretory response in metabolic tests. Cg restored the insulin signaling response in liver and muscle, whereas Ec only did so in muscle. Moreover, both appeared to enhance insulin pancreatic content or restore pancreatic islet population. Conclusions: Cg and Ec can reverse the IR phenotype in a tissue-specific manner and improve pancreatic function. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with cardiac arrhythmias being one of the main factors contributing to morbidity. Currently, several established antiarrhythmic medications with proven efficacy are available. However, frequent use of these medications causes adverse effects with medium- and long-term use. This necessitates the development of new medications, preferably of natural origin and with ethnopharmacological relevance. In this sense, Acmella oleracea presents itself as an alternative for the treatment of arrhythmia, considering studies suggesting its cardioprotective effect. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological and antiarrhythmic effects of a supercritical extract of Acmella oleracea (SEAO) in rats. The extract was obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction at 70 °C and 320 bar, with an extract yield of 9.72 ± 0.26% (db) and a spilanthol yield of 25.91%. The extract was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg in two experimental models: (1) assessment of cardiac electrophysiology and (2) epinephrine-induced arrhythmia. Electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters were measured and compared with controls treated with epinephrine and lidocaine. The SEAO group maintained sinus rhythm and preserved cardiac intervals, with a significant reduction in heart rate and R-R interval compared to the epinephrine group. These findings demonstrate that SEAO exerts dose-dependent antiarrhythmic effects comparable to those of lidocaine. The results corroborate the potential use of SEAO as a natural alternative for arrhythmia management, encouraging further pharmacological and clinical studies. Full article

Tripleurospermum disciforme (C.A.Mey.) Sch. Bip. is known as the “Plain Chamomile” of the Asteraceae family, the most prominent plant family and one that has been studied extensively due to its numerous genera and species. In traditional herbal medicine, T. disciforme has been used to treat digestive, neurological, and skin disorders. This study aimed to document ethnobotanical knowledge and assess the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants, specifically T. disciforme, across the provinces of Guilan, Alborz, and Qazvin in Iran, through ethnobotanical surveys. These surveys identified the most utilized plant families as Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Theaceae, with T. disciforme cited by 42% of participants, emphasizing its significance in local traditional medicine. Given its high relative frequency of citation and reported medicinal applications, T. disciforme extracts were subjected to UHPLC–timsTOF–MS analysis for further phytochemical profiling and a series of biological assays. Several phenolic compounds such as neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and p-hydroxyphenylethanol acetate were recurrently detected across extracts. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated potent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (IC₅₀ = 12.496 µg/mL) and exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus (MIC = 312 µg/mL). Additionally, the hexane extract revealed notable cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. To the best of our knowledge, to date, this is the first investigation of T. disciforme to integrate ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological approaches to medicinal plant research in these regions of Iran. Full article

Dyspepsia or indigestion is known to be a symptom of several gastrointestinal issues including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastric cancer. With the ever-increasing popularity of traditional herbal medicines, the research selected rosemary, or Salvia rosmarinus, due to its historical ethnopharmacological applications and ease of cultivation. Potential targets of molecules from S. rosmarinus are explored for the molecular pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia. Through a network pharmacology approach, it has been shown that there is a significant interaction between the disease and the plant’s compounds. The pathways involving the target genes of S. rosmarinus that are related to functional dyspepsia were revealed to be implicated in the development of certain diseases like gastric cancer and fibrosis which are both precursors to dyspepsia. Moreover, through molecular docking, the results of the pathway analyses were computationally validated indicating that the compound luteolin has the most significant interaction against dyspepsia-related genes. It effectively promotes apoptosis in cancer pathways, reducing the chances of gastric cancer carcinogenesis. To further validate these findings, molecular dynamics simulation was performed to compare the stability and binding behavior of the top-performing compound against the reference compound. The results of this study could be a possible basis in developing pharmaceuticals against gastrointestinal diseases, specifically, dyspepsia. Full article

Haloxylon articulatum is traditionally used for treating infections, digestive issues, and oxidative stress. Despite its ethnopharmacological relevance, its phytochemistry and biological activities, particularly in Iraq, are underexplored. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of H. articulatum extracts and evaluated their antioxidant and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities, supported by molecular docking and in silico ADMET analysis. Methanol/water and ethyl acetate extracts from roots and aerial parts were analyzed using LC-HRMS/MS. Antioxidant capacity was measured via DPPH assay, and anti-H. pylori activity was assessed using broth microdilution. Molecular docking targeted bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, and ADMET predictions were carried out with SwissADME and ADMETlab. Phytochemical profiling identified 32 compounds, including phenolamides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and triterpenoid glycosides. Root extracts exhibited stronger antioxidant and antibacterial effects than aerial parts. Ethyl acetate extracts were inactive. Phenolamides, N-caffeoyltyramine, and sinapoyltyramine, present in the extract, showed significant activity (MICs = 54 ± 0.92 and 74 ± 1.05 µg/mL). Docking supported their strong binding to the target enzyme. ADMET results indicated good oral bioavailability and low toxicity. This study is the first to report the anti-H. pylori activity of H. articulatum and to characterize its Iraqi chemotype through advanced metabolomics. The findings highlight the plant’s potential as a source of multifunctional phytochemicals with antioxidant and antibacterial applications, warranting further preclinical development and toxicological investigation. Full article

Vaccinium uliginosum (bog bilberry) is widely consumed in North America and Asia but has been historically avoided in many parts of Europe due to its alleged poisonous effects. We aimed to address this discrepancy in a systematic way with a combined phytochemical and ethnopharmacological approach, using UHPLC and UHPSFC for the chemical analysis, model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans and human liver cells GFP-Huh-7 for the bioactivity and toxicity testing, as well as fermentation experiments. Phytochemical analysis revealed minimal differences in the metabolite pattern between European and North American samples, with no evidence of toxic alkaloids or harmful secondary metabolites. Extracts exhibited no strongly toxic effects in the tested concentrations, neither in vitro (cell viability) nor in vivo (C. elegans). Berries infected by Monilinia megalospora showed altered flavonoid and anthocyanin contents but no increased toxicity. Notably, bog bilberries demonstrated a fermentation potential superior to Vaccinium myrtillus, resulting in an alcohol content of 4.8–5.8% ABV in unsweetened juices, thus potentially explaining historical accounts of inebriation. In conclusion, direct toxicity derived from these fruits is unlikely, but the alcohol content due to fruit fermentation is a plausible explanation for the folklore names (“drunk, inebriating berry”). However, additional factors such as human error, individual intolerance, or endophytic activity need to be considered. Full article

Influenza A virus pandemics pose a persistent global health threat, and emerging antiviral resistance underscores the critical importance of developing novel broad-spectrum therapeutic agents. Building on licorice’s (Glycyrrhiza spp.) historical use in traditional Chinese medicine for respiratory infections—as documented in the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Influenza—and its demonstrated anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, we identified licoflavone B as a potent anti-influenza agent, bridging ethnopharmacological knowledge with mechanistic validation. In this study, we identified licoflavone B, a natural flavonoid derived from licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.), as a potent inhibitor of diverse influenza viruses, including multiple influenza A subtypes and type B virus. Mechanistic studies revealed that licoflavone B selectively targets the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), effectively suppressing viral replication. The compound exhibits a favorable selectivity index (SI = 14.9–29.9), indicating a promising therapeutic window. Molecular docking simulations identified potential binding interactions between licoflavone B and regions of the RdRp complex, which were further validated by dose-dependent inhibition of viral nucleoprotein (NP) and polymerase subunit PB2 expression in Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, licoflavone B maintained broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple influenza strains, including H1N1 (A/Puerto Rico/8/34), H3N2 (A/Darwin/9/2021), and a clinical influenza B isolate (B/Beijing/ZYY-B18/2018). These findings position licoflavone B as a promising lead compound for developing next-generation, broad-spectrum antiviral therapies against influenza and potentially other viruses. Full article

Strongyloidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, a nematode with a complex life cycle that facilitates long-term persistence within the host. The infection affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions and poses a particular challenge in immunocompromised individuals. Although conventional treatments, such as ivermectin and albendazole, are generally effective, emerging concerns regarding drug resistance and adverse effects have prompted the search for alternative therapeutic options. In this context, natural products—including plant extracts, bioactive phytochemicals, and nanoparticle-based formulations derived from natural sources—are emerging as promising anti-Strongyloides potential. This review summarizes recent studies on natural products with anthelmintic activity against strongyloidiasis, with emphasis on their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and future perspectives. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using terms related to Strongyloides, plant species, extracts, and bioactive compounds with nematocidal activity. Eligible studies included those reporting the activity of plants, plant extracts, and their purified metabolites against Strongyloides spp. Data were compiled into a comprehensive table including year of publication, author, plant species, active principle, application conditions, and target nematode species. The pharmacological treatment of this parasite varies according to its life cycle stage. Various biomolecules, phytoactive compounds, and novel plant-based formulations have demonstrated promising activity and may be considered both for treatment and for inclusion in control programs for strongyloidiasis. This review highlights medicinal plants and phytochemicals with ethnopharmacological background and experimentally validated activity against Strongyloides spp., integrating evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and experimental models, as well as clinical trials. Full article

This study aims to systematically investigate the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of Albizia julibrissin Durazz (A. julibrissin), a plant well-regarded in ethnopharmacology. While previous analyses cover A. julibrissin, this work provides an updated analysis of recent research, driven by its medicinal potential and the rising interest in its therapeutic uses. Known for its significant medicinal potential, A. julibrissin contains a wide range of bioactive compounds, including triterpenoid julibrosides, flavonoids, and lignans. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies across various cell lines and animal models have demonstrated its notable pharmacological attributes, such as antitumor, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic effects. To capture recent advancements, a comprehensive search was conducted and scientific literature was indexed, followed by a comparative pharmacological analysis. This review compiles recent research developments from 2004 to 2024, highlighting the potential role of A. julibrissin in therapeutic applications for human diseases. Full article

Satureja montana (SM) is acknowledged as a highly pharmacologically important species within the vast Lamiaceae family, indigenous to the Balkan area. Traditionally, this plant has been employed as a culinary spice, especially in Bulgarian gastronomy. Additionally, it is widely recognized that mental health is affected by the nature and quality of dietary consumption. Results: Ethnopharmacological research underscores the potential of SM in influencing various chronic ailments, including depression and anxiety. This plant is distinguished by a rich variety of secondary metabolites that display a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Particularly, two of its active phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid and carvacrol, reveal notable anxiolytic and antidepressive properties. This review aims to explore the capacity of SM to improve mental health through its plentiful phenolic components. Recent studies indicate their efficacy in addressing Alzheimer’s-type dementia. A notable correlation exists among depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, which includes dementia. Considering that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifaceted condition, it requires multi-targeted therapeutic strategies for both prevention and management. Conclusions: Satureja montana is recognized as potential candidate for both the prevention and management of various mental health disorders, including dementia. Full article

To date, various species of Erigeron genus have been used both in the ethnopharmacology of numerous nations across the world and in contemporary herbal practices. The objective of this study is to revise the phytochemical data on the essential oils (EOs) of various fleabanes species and to evaluate the variability of their biological activities. Up to June 2025, this review provides an updated overview of 105 literature sources (published during last 25 years) related to 14 Erigeron sp. (native, naturalized, or invasive) which have been investigated extensively and are of the greatest significance. It summarizes the compositional variability of the EOs and their pharmacological and toxic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiproliferative, skin regeneration, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, larvicidal, repellent, and allelopathic activity. The EOs of each Erigeron species were characterized, and a chemical structure of 43 major constituents is presented herein. The most characteristic and prevalent compounds were found to be limonene, δ-3-carene, matricaria ester, lachnophyllum ester, germacrene D, β-caryophyllene, β-farnesene, α-bergamotene, allo-aromadendrene, etc., in the EOs from the E. acris, E. annuus, E. bonariensis, E. canadensis, E. floribundus E. mucronatus, and E. speciosus plants. Major constituents, such as borneol, bornyl acetate, modhephen-8-β-ol, cis-arteannuic alcohol, β-caryophyllene, and τ-cadinol, were found in the oils of E. graveolens (Inula graveolens). A paucity of data concerning E. incanus EOs was revealed, with the prevalence of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy cinammic acid and thymol acetate noted in the oils. The EOs from E. multiradiatus and E. sublyratus were comprised mainly of matricaria and lachnophyllum esters. The available data on EOs of E. ramosus is limited, but the main constituents are known to be α-humulene, 1,8-cineole, eugenol, and globulol. The EOs containing appreciable amounts of matricaria and lachnophyllum esters exhibited strong anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, larvicidal, and repellent activities. Repellence is also related to borneol, bornyl acetate, caryophyllene derivatives, τ-cadinol, modhephen-8-β-ol, and cis-arteannuic alcohol. Cytotoxicity was determined due to the presence of limonene, δ-3-carene, α- and β-farnesene, (E)-β-ocimene, ledene oxide, sesquiphellandrene, and dendrolasin in the fleabanes EOs. Skin regeneration and antifungal properties were related to germacrene D; and anti-inflammatory effects were determined due to high amounts of limonene (E)-β-ocimene, lachnophyllum ester, and germacrene D. The antimicrobial properties of the oils were conditioned by appreciable quantities of limonene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, thymol acetae, β-eudesmol, 2,6,7,7α-tetrahydro-1,5-dimethyl-1H-indene-3-carboxaldehyde, caryophyllene and its oxide, allo-aromadendrene, α-humulene, farnesene, carvacrol, and eugenol. This review provides a foundation for further studies on volatile secondary metabolites to explore the potential sources of new biologically active compounds in Erigeron sp. Full article

Achillea nobilis represents a species of considerable medicinal importance within the Asteraceae family, historically employed in Central Asia and various Eurasian territories for the management of inflammatory, microbial, and gastrointestinal ailments. Notwithstanding its extensive ethnopharmacological significance, the phytochemical profile and pharmacological attributes of its various anatomical components have not been comprehensively investigated. This research endeavor sought to delineate the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of ethanol extracts derived from both the aerial and root segments of A. nobilis. Qualitative phytochemical analysis and GC–MS characterization unveiled a diverse array of bioactive compounds, encompassing flavonoids, phenolic compounds, organic acids, lactones, alcohols, and heterocyclic derivatives. In particular, the aerial oil extract exhibited the presence of terpenoids, fatty acids and their esters, sterols, hydrocarbons, and minor organosilicon and cyclobutanone derivatives, with notable compounds such as linoleic acid (8.08%), 6-tetradecyne (14.99%), isopropyl linoleate (14.64%), and E,Z-1,3,12-nonadecatriene (22.25%). In vitro antimicrobial activity was assessed against eight clinically relevant microbial strains employing the broth microdilution technique. The aerial ethanol extract exhibited pronounced antimicrobial properties, particularly against MRSA and C. albicans, with MICs ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/mL, whereas the root ethanol extract displayed MICs of 1 to 3 mg/mL. Additionally, the aerial oil extract showed moderate inhibitory activity, with MIC values ranging from 1.5 to 3 mg/mL, demonstrating effectiveness particularly against C. albicans, C. neoformans, and MRSA. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of A. nobilis, particularly its aerial component, as a viable natural source of antimicrobial agents. Full article

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that has a significant impact on public health and is becoming more and more common worldwide. Although effective, conventional therapies are often limited by high cost, adverse effects, and issues with patient compliance. As a result, there is growing interest in complementary and alternative therapies. Medicinal plants have played an essential role in diabetes treatment, especially in regions such as Romania, where biodiversity is high and traditional knowledge is well preserved. The pathophysiology, risk factors, and worldwide burden of diabetes are examined in this review, with an emphasis on the traditional use of medicinal plants for glycemic control. A total of 47 plant species were identified based on ethnopharmacological records and recent biomedical research, including both native flora and widely cultivated species. The bioactive compounds identified, such as flavonoids, triterpenic saponins, polyphenols, and alkaloids, have hypoglycemic effects through diverse mechanisms, including β-cell regeneration, insulin-mimetic action, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, and oxidative stress reduction. A systematic literature search was conducted, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies relevant to antidiabetic activity. Among the species reviewed, Urtica dioica, Silybum marianum, and Momordica charantia exhibited the most promising antidiabetic activity based on both preclinical and clinical evidence. Despite promising preclinical results, clinical evidence remains limited, and variability in phytochemical content poses challenges to reproducibility. This review highlights the potential of Romanian medicinal flora as a source of adjunctive therapies in diabetes care and underscores the need for standardization and clinical validation. Full article

Background: Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are chronic venous disorders involving abnormalities in the venous system. Inflammation, an increase in proteolytic enzymes, and free radicals are important factors that play a role in the varicose vein pathology. Methods: In this study, the antioxidant properties and inhibitor activities of 17 plant extracts used to treat varicose veins in traditional medicine were evaluated against varicose veins-related enzymes (hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, lipooxygenase, prolylendopeptidase, and xanthine oxidase). The most effective compounds responsible for the activity of the Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum extract were isolated by open column chromatography techniques. The active compounds were determined to be naringenin, apigenin, and luteolin by spectroscopic methods. In the activity-guided isolation study, the xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibition method was used. Results: The fractions containing naringenin and apigenin (IC₅₀ = 0.269 ± 0.009 µg/mL) and apigenin and luteolin (IC₅₀ = 0.285 ± 0.019 µg/mL) compounds showed synergistic and strong effects against xanthine oxidase and were found to be as active as the positive control allopurinol (IC₅₀ = 0.250 ± 0.006 µg/mL). In the LC-MS/MS analysis of the Helichrysum plicatum extract, quinic acid (22.649 mg compound/g extract), chlorogenic acid (14.573 mg/g extract), isoquercitrin (14.371 mg/g extract), cosmosin (9.885 mg/g extract), and astragalin (11.506 mg/g extract) were detected as the major components. Naringenin, apigenin, and luteolin were detected at concentrations of 1.457, 2.518, and 1.368 mg/g in the extract, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, it is predicted that the combination of naringenin, apigenin, and luteolin has a promising use as a conservative treatment option for diseases associated with varicose veins due to their synergistic effects with each other. Full article