Search Results (720)

Essential oil-bearing plants are valued for their aromatic qualities and medicinal value. An example of such a plant is sage (Salvia officinalis L.), one of the most important aromatic herbal plants. Rich in essential oil (EO), sage herb is used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic production and as a spice. This study was conducted to determine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the morphological characteristics, yield, and EO production of sage under different irrigated conditions: 95 ± 5, 75 ± 5, 50 ± 5, and 25 ± 5% field capacity (FC). Maximum herb dry biomass yield and leaf dry biomass yield were obtained at the 95, 75% FC irrigation level, and the highest leaf EO (1.361%) was at 75% FC. The high yield of herb and leaf dry biomass, as well as the highest EO in herb and leaves, was observed with AMF. A group of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes dominated the EO. The main compounds were 1,8-cineole, α-thujone, β-thujone, camphor, E-caryophyllene, and viridiflorol. The chemical composition of EO has changed under irrigation. Under severe stress (25% FC) and moderate soil moisture (50% FC), the proportion of monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxidized sesquiterpenes was higher than at 75% and 95% FC. The proportion of camphor, α-thujone, and β-thujone was higher with AMF only under severe water stress. With increasing soil moisture, the proportion of α-thujone and β-thujone in EO decreased. A positive correlation was found between EO content and the number of leaves per plant. Our results indicate the prospects for practical application of AMF in combination with the irrigation of sage plants. Full article

Inflammatory diseases are a type of disease caused by multiple factors, which are characterized by local or systemic tissue inflammatory reactions, commonly including atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, non-alcoholic fatty liver, chronic kidney diseases, acute pancreatitis, and tumors. The prevalence of the above diseases is globally high and a growing threat to human health, as well as a huge healthcare burden. In recent years, Chinese herbal medicines have become an important reservoir for the discovery of new drugs and applications due to their unique molecular structures and potential biotherapeutic effects. Numerous studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of natural products in the prevention and treatment of different diseases. Scientific studies on the therapeutic potential of natural products have become a hot topic nowadays, especially regarding the active ingredients of herbs. Calycosin is a kind of isoflavonoid extracted from the root of Radix astragali, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the emerging roles, molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of calycosin in resolving inflammatory diseases. Full article

Mycotoxins commonly contaminate grains and traditional Chinese medicinal materials, posing serious health risks to humans and animals. To address this issue, a magnetic microporous organic network (MMON) was synthesized via an in situ growth method and Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling for the simultaneous adsorption of seven mycotoxins, followed by UPLC-MS/MS detection. The optimized MMON featured a high surface area, uniform micropores, and rapid magnetic separation within 5 s. Structural and compositional analyses confirmed its tailored architecture, while DFT calculations revealed a pore confinement effect, π–π stacking, and hydrophobic interactions as the primary adsorption mechanisms. A magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method using 8 mg of MMON achieved adsorption equilibrium within 10 s in 5 mL of a 4 mg/L mycotoxin standard solution. The material maintained over 95% efficiency across ten reuse cycles at a low cost. Under optimal conditions, an MSPE-UPLC-MS/MS method with a low detection limit (0.002–0.15 μg/L), wide linear range (0.01–100.0 μg/L), large enrichment factor (20.1–21.9), low adsorbent dosage, and short extraction time was developed. The determination of mycotoxins in complex grain-based foods and herbal products was also realized with recoveries of 81.32% to 116.10%. This work offers a rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput approach for mycotoxin detection, supporting quality control in food and herbal product safety. Full article

Background: Cancer patients often use natural health products (NHPs) during chemotherapy without medical supervision. We have previously described the clinical cases of two patients taking capecitabine in combination with folate supplements who suffered from severe diarrhoea and hand-foot syndrome, emphasising that the combination of NHPs with chemotherapeutic agents such as fluoropyrimidines (FPs) can lead to life-threatening events. Although the potential harmful interaction between folate supplements and capecitabine is reported in the summary of product characteristics for this FP, it remains unclear, and evidence regarding interactions with other NHPs is even more limited. Objectives/Methods: This narrative review aimed to provide an update on the literature regarding the effects of combining NHPs and FPs, describing the results of randomised clinical trials and observational studies to provide a critical analysis of the factors influencing the clinical outcomes of cancer patients following this therapeutic approach. Results: Herbal supplements belonging to traditional Chinese medicine and other NHPs, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and probiotics, may reduce the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal, haematological, and skin toxicities related to FPs. In addition to potential safety benefits, NHPs may improve the efficacy of FP-based therapy. Folate supplements appear to improve efficacy outcomes, such as disease-free survival and overall survival, but have also been associated with serious FP-related adverse events. However, the results are mixed, partly because they are influenced by the patient’s genetic background. Conclusions: Overall, the available data are inconclusive and do not support the introduction of natural products as complementary therapy in cancer patients undergoing FP-based chemotherapy, highlighting the need for further investigation. Full article

Accurate species identification is essential for the quality control and standardization of herbal medicines. Agrimonia species, the authentic sources of Agrimoniae Herba, have long been used in traditional medicine, yet limited genomic resources have hindered the establishment of reliable molecular approaches for accurate species discrimination within this genus. Here, we report the newly assembled complete chloroplast genomes (155,156–155,302 bp) of four Agrimonia species, which exhibit the typical quadripartite structure and contain 112 unique genes. Comparative analysis revealed 684 variable sites, including 497 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 187 insertions/deletions (InDels), predominantly located in the single-copy regions. Based on these species-specific variations, we developed nine PCR-based molecular markers that distinguished the four species. The markers were validated using herbarium specimens and commercial herbal products, demonstrating reproducibility and practical applicability. Phylogenetic analysis supported the monophyly of the genus Agrimonia and resolved each species into distinct clusters within the subtribe Agrimoniinae. These results showed that chloroplast genome sequences of the genus Agrimonia can serve as effective super DNA barcodes for species identification. Our study provides fundamental genomic resources for Agrimonia and reliable molecular tools for species authentication, providing a basis for ensuring the authenticity and safety of Agrimoniae Herba. Full article

Coix seed, a traditional medicinal and edible crop, is susceptible to mycotoxin contamination posing potential health risks, yet systematic risk assessments for its dual dietary and medicinal pathways remain limited. Fifty batches were collected from five major production regions in China. UPLC-MS/MS was used to quantify eight mycotoxins in raw materials and decoctions. A Monte Carlo simulation model assessed long-term (20-year) health risks via both pathways, and acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels were derived using a combined margin of exposure (MOE) threshold of 10,000. Results indicated that mycotoxins were present in 94% of samples. Zearalenone (ZEN) was the most frequent, with an occurrence of 82% and concentrations of 52.16~1804.43 μg/kg. Dietary exposure indicated potential risks for ZEN (MOE = 259), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, MOE = 666), and AFB2 (MOE = 8040). Six mycotoxins transferred to decoctions at rates of 0.70~19.73%, with long-term medicinal use indicating potential ZEN-related risk (MOE = 4880). Multi-mycotoxin co-exposure assessment revealed elevated dietary risk (combined MOE = 181), whereas medicinal exposure within a standard 3-month treatment course remained within acceptable limits. Safety intake thresholds are proposed: ≤30 g/day for ≤130 days (dietary) and ≤30 g/day for ≤2000 days (medicinal). This study establishes a risk assessment framework applicable to herbal materials with both dietary and medicinal applications. Full article

Apocynum venetum honey, a characteristic Chinese herbal honey, is a key agricultural product in Xinjiang. To better understand its unique flavor and geographical authenticity, this study analyzed the volatile components of honey samples from three production regions via headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Overall, 160 volatile compounds were identified, with 34 exhibiting aroma activity values of >1. Notably, chemometric analysis revealed 24 key differential compounds, including phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 2-furanmethanol, 5-ethenyltetrahydro-α,α,5-trimethyl-, cis-, cedrol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, decanal, and nonanal, which significantly contributed to both geographical discrimination and unique flavor profiles. Cluster heatmap analysis demonstrated that these markers could be used to effectively differentiate the samples by origin. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of this honey as well as support for expanding honey resources for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Full article

The rising use of medicinal plant food supplements in Europe reflects a growing consumer shift toward natural health solutions and sustainability-driven lifestyles. The study aims to synthesize current literature and regulatory frameworks to better understand the drivers behind medicinal plant food supplements use and the challenges within the botanical products market. Findings reveal that usage patterns are strongly influenced by age, gender, income, education level, and cultural traditions, with women, older adults, and health-conscious individuals leading consumption. Consumers increasingly demand products that are organic, traceable, and ethically sourced, aligning with broader sustainability goals. However, discrepancies in national regulations, transparency in labeling, and environmental concerns such as over-harvesting persist across the European Union (EU). The distinction between Food Supplements (FSs) and Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (THMPs) under current EU directives contributes to market fragmentation and consumer confusion. In conclusion, harmonizing regulatory standards, promoting responsible sourcing, and integrating traditional knowledge into sustainable production models are essential for ensuring safety, consumer trust, and long-term ecological viability in the medicinal plant food supplement sector. Full article

Flavonoids, a ubiquitous class of plant secondary metabolites, are increasingly pivotal as chemical markers for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines (HMs). Their broad distribution, biological activities, and detectability make them ideal for this role. This comprehensive review critically examines current trends and analytical perspectives regarding flavonoids in HM quality control. We first explore advanced quality control strategies that move beyond single-compound quantification, including chemical fingerprinting, metabolomics, network pharmacology, and the innovative concept of Q-markers. The review then provides an in-depth analysis of the analytical techniques central to flavonoid analysis, from the routine use of HPTLC and HPLC-UV to advanced hyphenated systems like UHPLC-QTOF-MS, highlighting their applications in authentication, standardization, and adulteration detection. Furthermore, we emphasize the growing importance of modern data analysis workflows, particularly the integration of chemometrics and molecular networking, for interpreting complex datasets and identifying robust, bioactivity-relevant markers. By synthesizing recent research (2017–2024), this work underscores a paradigm shift towards holistic, multi-marker approaches and data-driven methodologies. It concludes that the synergistic application of advanced analytical techniques with sophisticated data modeling is essential for the future of HM quality control, ensuring reliable and standardized herbal products for global consumers. Full article

Ocimum, commonly known as basil, is a group of aromatic plants extensively cultivated for their aromatic leaves, flavorful seeds, and essential oils, finding applications in food and herbal medicine. Drought stress is a crucial environmental factor that has a considerable impact on basil growth and the accumulation of bioactive compounds. This study aims to evaluate how drought stress affects biomass production and volatile oil accumulation in selected Ocimum species over two consecutive years in an open-field cultivation setting. Five distinct basil genotypes, O. basilicum L. ‘Ohře,’ O. basilicum L. ‘Genovese,’ O. × africanum Lour., O. americanum L., and O. sanctum L., were evaluated under two levels of water supply, with one group receiving irrigation as a control and the other exposed to non-irrigated conditions to induce drought stress. Consistent negative impacts of drought stress on biomass production were observed in both years. The reduction in fresh herb yield varied from 16.5 g plant⁻¹ (10.3%) for O. sanctum to 118 g plant⁻¹ (41.7%) for O. basilicum ‘Ohre.’ Across the study years, drought stress slightly increased the essential oil content of O. × africanum and O. basilicum ‘Genovese’ by 9.8% and 26%, respectively. The essential oil composition varied considerably among the different Ocimum species and cultivars. Cultivars Ohře and Genovese had linalool as a major component, exceeding 40%. O. americanum was rich in citral compounds—neral and geranial—accounting for 26–37%, which contribute to its strong lemon-like fragrance. The hybrid O. × africanum contained high proportions of 1,8-cineole (32–38%) and limonene (14–16%), while O. sanctum was characterized by its elevated levels of eugenol (36.4–50.3%) and β-caryophyllene (26.4–38.5%). The influence of water availability on essential oil content and composition was inconsistent across species. Similarly, variations were observed in total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AOC) depending on both species and growing year. Notably, the highest TPC (341.4 mg GAE g⁻¹ DM) and AOC (122.9 mg AAE g⁻¹ DM) were recorded for O. sanctum grown under drought stress during the first experimental year. In conclusion, it is recommended to irrigate the studied basil species at least twice a week under open-field conditions to minimize the negative effects of drought stress. Full article

Medicinal plants are used all over the world to prevent, cure, and manage many different diseases. The aim of this study was to provide knowledge on different medicinal plants that are native to Pike County, Eastern Kentucky, USA. The study involved two stages of activity. First, it involved a survey of some county locals to identify medicinal plants used for different medical purposes. The second part dealt with searching research databases like PubMed and Google Scholar to find out if any of those plants, identified in the survey, have any published scientific studies on them. The results of the survey identified 14 locally used medicinal plants (Asimina triloba, Callicarpa americana, Chimaphila umbellate, Cichorium intybus, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Monotropa uniflora, Paulownia tomentosa, Phytolacca americana, Portulaca oleracea, Sassafras albidum, Ampelopsis glandulosa, Ulmus rubra, Verbascum thapsus, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima) belonging to different families, plant types and used for a wide variety of purposes. Most plants belonged to the Ericaceae and Asteraceae families, were mostly herb type, while the most common plant part was berries, leaves and roots. The survey also showed that the local population use these plants for a variety of purposes, such as a food additive, insect repellant, antirheumatic, antiarthritic, coffee alternative, laxative, antitussive, analgesic, or anti-infective. Sometimes these plants and plant substances are used raw, made into tea, or even made into an edible jam product. For the second part of the study, all the plants were supported by multiple published studies. The most common pharmacological activity among the plants was antimicrobial, followed by anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Eastern Kentucky is well known for its scenic Appalachian Mountains, but the area holds potential for innovative herbal medicine as well. More interest and research are needed to further explore the treasure of medicinal plant use knowledge resting in this area. Additionally, more phytopharmacological and phytochemical studies are needed to investigate the scientific potential of traditionally used medicinal herbs from this region. Full article

Background: Accurately detecting the onset of saturated boiling in herbal medicine extraction processes is critical for improving production efficiency and reducing energy consumption. However, the traditional monitoring methods based on temperature suffer from time delays. To address the challenge, acoustic emission (AE) signals were used in this study owing to its sensitivity to bubble behavior. Methods: An AE signal acquisition system was constructed for herbal extraction monitoring. Characteristics of AE signals at different boiling stages were analyzed in pure water systems with and without herbs. The performance of AE-based and temperature-based recognition of boiling stages was compared. To enhance applicability in different herb extraction systems, multivariate statistical analysis was adopted to compress spectral–frequency information into Hotelling’s T² and SPE statistics. For real-time monitoring, a self-adaptive decision-making boiling judgment method (BoilStart) was proposed. To evaluate the robustness, the performance of BoilStart under different conditions was investigated, including extraction system mass and heating medium temperature. Furthermore, BoilStart was applied to a lab-scale extraction process of Dabuyin Wan, which is a practical formulation, to assess its performance in energy conservation and efficiency improvement. Results: AE signal in the 75–100 kHz frequency band could reflect the boiling states of herbal medicine extraction. It was more sensitive to the onset of saturated boiling than the temperature signal. Compared with SPE, Hotelling’s T² was identified as the optimal indicator with higher accuracy. BoilStart could adaptively monitor saturated boiling across diverse herbal systems. The absolute error of BoilStart’s boiling determination ranged from 1.5 min to 2.0 min. The increasing-temperature time was reduced by about 22–36%. For the extraction process of Dabuyin Wan, after adopting BoilStart, the increasing-temperature time was reduced by about 29%, and the corresponding energy consumption was lowered by about 26%. Conclusions: The first AE-based method for precise boiling state detection in herbal extraction was established. BoilStart’s model-free adaptability met industrial demands for multi-herb compatibility. This offered a practical solution to shorten ineffective heating phases and reduce energy consumption. Full article

Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) is a perennial herb native to Japan, traditionally consumed as a health-promoting food and herbal medicine. This study evaluated the antimicrobial, anti-halitosis, and anti-inflammatory effects of Ashitaba extract on canine periodontal disease (PD) caused by Porphyromonas gulae (P. gulae). In vitro, Ashitaba extract (0.006–0.1%) significantly inhibited P. gulae viability by up to 80% and reduced biofilm formation by approximately 10% at 0.1%. The extract also suppressed the production of volatile sulfur compounds—hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan—by over 80% and 40%, respectively, within 10 min. Furthermore, Ashitaba extract markedly decreased P. gulae-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) by up to 90% in murine, canine, and human macrophage and gingival cell lines. In vivo, daily oral application of 0.05% Ashitaba-extract gel for four weeks, with or without tooth brushing, significantly improved gingivitis scores (by 40–60%), reduced halitosis levels, and decreased P. gulae DNA detection and enzymatic activity in dogs with PD. These findings demonstrate that Ashitaba extract possesses potent bactericidal, anti-halitosis, and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its potential as a natural adjunctive therapy for the prevention and management of canine periodontal disease. Full article

Herbal medicinal products are increasingly used alongside conventional medicines, raising the risk of potential interactions such as pharmacodynamic drug–herb interactions (PD-DHIs) that can cause serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This review aims to present available pharmacological, clinical and pharmacoepidemiological literature regarding potential DHIs associated with serotonin syndrome or cardiac arrhythmias. Furthermore, it assesses the current evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) 2009 framework. Serotonin syndrome most often results from combining serotonergic herbs (e.g., St. John’s wort) with antidepressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as supported by repeated case reports and mechanistic plausibility (CEBM Level 3, Grade C). Other herbs such as black cohosh, ginseng, Syrian rue, turmeric, rhodiola, ashwagandha, and L-tryptophan/5-HTP have been linked to serotonin syndrome when used with SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), but evidence is limited (Levels 4–5, Grade D). For cardiac arrhythmias, PD-DHIs arise when herbs interact with drugs that alter cardiac electrophysiology—such as QT-prolonging agents, psychotropics, antiarrhythmics or digoxin—thereby amplifying arrhythmogenic risk. Ephedra with sympathomimetics is strongly associated with arrhythmias (Level 2–3, Grade B). Licorice may potentiate digoxin and QT-prolonging drugs via hypokalemia (Level 4, Grade C). Other related PD-DHIs include aconite with antiarrhythmics, bitter orange or caffeine with QT-prolonging psychotropics, yohimbine with cardiovascular agents, and aloe or senna with digoxin. Overall, the evidence for PD-DHIs varies from moderate to weak but large-scale pharmacoepidemiological data is scarce. Future approaches, including artificial intelligence with explainable machine learning and network pharmacology, may integrate mechanistic, clinical, and real-world data to improve early detection or prediction of PD-DHIs. However, several specific challenges must be addressed. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers in both clinical and community settings to increase their awareness of these interactions and ADRs to ensure the safe use of herbal remedies alongside conventional therapies. Full article

Our review systematically outlines the bioactivity and industrial applications of key functional compounds in roses, with a particular focus on their potential in food and pharmaceutical industries from technical, economic, and commercialization perspectives. We summarize the evidence supporting the efficacy of rose-derived polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils in areas including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective effects, which provide a scientific basis for their use in functional foods and preventive medicines. We further evaluated the commercial viability of processing rose by-products. Additionally, we analyze current and potential applications of rose bioactive compounds in natural food preservatives, functional dietary supplements, herbal medicines, and cosmetic products. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges and future directions for the industrial utilization of roses, including standardization, efficacy validation in humans, and scalable economic models, to facilitate the transition from experimental research to commercially sustainable applications. Full article