Search Results (264)

Euphorbia clavarioides Boiss. is traditionally used in wound healing and other medicinal applications. Its bioactive compounds and pharmacological potential remain underexplored. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of E. clavarioides Boiss. traditionally used in wound healing. Plant extracts were characterized using phytochemical screening, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated via DPPH and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays, anti-inflammatory effects through nitrite inhibition in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and anticancer potential using the MTT assay against DU-145, PC-3, SKU-T, and AGS cell lines. Phytochemical screening confirmed tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. FTIR spectra of aqueous extracts revealed peaks at 2990.66 cm⁻¹ (O–H), 1738.68 cm⁻¹ (C=O), 1217.22 cm⁻¹ (C–N), and 527.37 cm⁻¹ (C–Cl). LC-MS profiling identified diverse metabolites, including phenolics (pseudolaroside B, cinnamtannin A2, (−)-medicarpin, butyrolactol A) and terpenoids (zerumbone, sclareol isomer, diterpenoid-like compounds), underpinning the plant’s bioactivity. Methanol extracts exhibited the strongest DPPH scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 755.71 µg/mL), whereas aqueous and ethanol extracts demonstrated superior NO scavenging. Ethanol extracts showed maximal anti-inflammatory activity, while aqueous extracts induced pro-inflammatory effects. Cytotoxicity assays indicated negligible toxicity. In anticancer assays, ethanol and methanol extracts significantly inhibited the proliferation of all tested cell lines at 100 µg/mL, exceeding drug control, whereas aqueous extracts displayed lower activity. The bioactive compounds in E. clavarioides support its traditional wound-healing use and demonstrate mechanistic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, highlighting its potential as a source of multi-target natural therapeutics. Full article

Polygonatum kingianum (PK), a plant with established medicinal and nutritional applications, has shown potential neuroprotective activity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nevertheless, the effects of its major bioactive fractions remain unclear. This study examined the neuroprotective effects of PK polysaccharides (PKPs) and saponins (PKSs) using an AlCl₃-induced zebrafish model. Chemical analyses revealed that PKP was dominated by a low-molecular-weight fraction (1890 Da, 83.8%), whereas LC-MS analysis detected 13 tentatively identified steroidal saponins within PKS, including diosgenin. Furthermore, behavioral assessments demonstrated that both PKP and PKS improved locomotor and cognitive functions. PKP exhibited a stronger effect on the cholinergic system; its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity at 60 μg/mL was comparable to that of donepezil under the experimental conditions. Histopathological analysis indicated that PKP showed a stronger effect in reducing neuronal apoptosis, resulting in a 68% reduction in the number of apoptotic cells. Conversely, PKS displayed a greater effect on amyloid pathology, reducing amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation by 62%. These findings suggest that PKP and PKS showed different neuroprotective profiles in the zebrafish model. Specifically, PKP was more closely associated with cholinergic regulation and neuronal survival, whereas PKS showed a stronger effect on Aβ aggregation. This study provides experimental support for the potential use of PK-derived fractions as food-derived bioactive components for alleviating AD-related pathological changes. Full article

The role of medicinal plants in primary healthcare and livelihoods around the world is both ancient and well-documented. Agathosma betulina (P.J. Bergius) Pillans, commonly known as ‘buchu’, has long been utilised in traditional medicine as a household remedy for various ailments and is also valued for its essential oils in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed to profile and quantify the secondary metabolites in buchu using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight combined with mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) techniques, whereby plant material from three distinct locations in the Western Cape Province, Groot Winterhoek, Citrusdal, and Cederberg, was collected. A total of 32 maker compounds were identified from buchu leaves. The results revealed a significant location-dependent variation in the accumulation of multiple classes of phytochemicals, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, oligosaccharides, vitamins, and steroids. Citrusdal samples had the most bioactive compounds compared to the Cederberg and Groot Winterhoek. Citrusdal had the highest flavonoid levels, while Cederberg samples were the richest in phenolic acids and Groot Winterhoek was dominant in iridoid glycoside levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct clusters corresponding to the three different regions, confirming chemical differences. Elucidating the distribution of secondary metabolites in this species may provide new information for possible medicinal and pharmacological uses, such as the creation of novel and enhanced organic medications and food products. These results will aid in selecting a buchu chemotype with optimal attributes for the intended therapeutic application, helping to protect wild populations from over-exploitation through cultivation. Full article

Background: Momordica balsamina L. is widely used in traditional medicine for the management of diabetes in South Africa and globally. This study evaluated the in vitro antidiabetic and cytotoxic effects of M. balsamina leaf extracts and identified bioactive compounds potentially responsible for its activity. Methods: Leaves were sequentially extracted using solvents of increasing polarity. Phytochemical composition was determined using standard colorimetric assays, while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed for compound identification. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using dot blot, DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferric reducing power assays. Antidiabetic potential was assessed using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase inhibitory assays, with acarbose as the reference drug. Cytotoxicity was determined by using the MTT assay on Vero and HEK-293 cell lines. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and steroids. GC–MS analysis identified compounds associated with antidiabetic activity, including vanillin, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, oleic acid, phytol, and hexadecenoic acid. All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity, with the ethyl acetate extract showing the strongest effect. Enzyme inhibition was concentration dependent. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts showed stronger α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.149 and 0.146 mg/mL) than acarbose (0.209 mg/mL). For α-glucosidase, acarbose showed the highest activity, while extracts displayed moderate inhibition. In β-glucosidase assays, both extracts were more active than acarbose. Both extracts were non-cytotoxic up to 500 µg/mL. Conclusions: These findings support the traditional use of M. balsamina and highlight its potential as a safe source of antidiabetic agents, warranting further investigation. Full article

The growing over-75 population has increased the demand for functional foods tailored to the nutritional needs of the elderly. Within the AURA project, an innovative oat okara sourdough was developed to produce bread with enhanced nutritional and functional properties. Breads were produced using oat okara sourdough, oat sourdough, and wheat sourdough for comparison. All samples were subjected to microbiological, physical-chemical, technological, and metabolomic analysis. In addition, bread digestibility was evaluated. The results showed that oat okara flour is an excellent fermentable substrate, yielding sourdoughs with high counts of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The breads made with oat okara and oats were softer and brownish due to the oat presence and higher relative yeast. Moreover, oat okara bread exhibited a lower proportion of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and a higher proportion of slowly digestible starch (SDS), suggesting potential benefits for post-prandial glycaemic control. Metabolomic profiling highlighted lipids, particularly steroidal glycosides (saponins) and fatty acyls, as discriminant metabolites in fermented samples, suggesting enhancement of bioactive compounds through sourdough fermentation. Overall, the use of oat okara in sourdough represents a sustainable approach to upcycle agro-industrial by-products while producing nutritionally valuable bakery products aligned with circular economy principles. Full article

For decades, the pharmacological identity of Panax ginseng has been primarily attributed to triterpenoid saponins known as ginsenosides. However, accumulating evidence indicates that ginseng also contains a structurally distinct lipid–protein complex, termed gintonin, enriched in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) species. Unlike ginsenosides, which predominantly exert modulatory effects on membrane dynamics and intracellular kinase pathways, gintonin directly activates LPA G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), thereby inducing rapid phospholipase C (PLC) activation and intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization. Biochemical analyses have identified major LPA species within the gintonin fraction, including C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1, stabilized within a proteinaceous matrix that may influence receptor engagement kinetics. Pharmacological studies demonstrate that gintonin preferentially activates LPA₁ and LPA₃ receptor subtypes, triggering downstream signaling cascades involving MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and Rho pathways. These receptor-mediated effects occur on a rapid temporal scale, distinguishing gintonin from the slower transcriptional and kinase-modulating actions of ginsenosides. In this review, we synthesize current evidence regarding the chemical architecture, receptor pharmacology, and signaling dynamics of gintonin and propose a dual signaling framework in which steroid-like saponins and lipid GPCR ligands represent complementary molecular axes within P. ginseng. Recognition of this layered signaling organization refines the molecular understanding of ginseng biology and highlights gintonin as a unique plant-derived GPCR ligand system. Full article

Bacterial endophytes isolated from medicinal and wild plant species have recently gained significant attention for their medicinal properties, often closely linked to those of their plant hosts. This study identified two endophytic Bacillus isolates using 16S rRNA sequencing-based phylogeny. The impact of sublethal concentrations (0.5 mg/mL) of cadmium and hydrogen peroxide on metabolite production and bioactivity was also investigated. Phytochemical testing and antimicrobial and antioxidant assays revealed shifts in metabolite production under stress conditions. According to the phylogenetic analysis, Bacillus sp. NV35 and NV1 are respectively related to Bacillus cereus and B. mycoides. Phytochemical screening of methanolic crude extracts from both isolates tested positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. Notably, tannins were detected only after cadmium treatment, while steroids were present following exposure to both cadmium and H₂O₂. LC-MS fingerprinting confirmed the presence of several tannins and steroids in treated samples. The untreated crude extracts exhibited an IC₅₀ of ~3 mg/mL with the DPPH assay, which decreased to ~1.5 mg/mL after treatment with cadmium or H₂O₂, demonstrating enhanced antioxidant potential under stress conditions. Additionally, extracts from both treated and untreated bacteria displayed antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial pathogens, with MIC values ranging from 62.5 μg/mL to 125 μg/mL. LC-MS analysis identified various antimicrobial and antioxidant metabolites, including phenoxymethylpenicilloyl, maculosin, (S,R,S)-alpha-tocopherol, 3-indoleacrylate, procyanidin A2, cis-11-eicosenamide, 3-hydroxy-3-phenacyloxindole, and 9-octadecenamide. Full article

Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce is a well-known traditional medicinal plant, with rhizomes as the principal medicinal tissue and polysaccharides as its key bioactive components. To conduct a systematic investigation of the polysaccharide biosynthetic pathway and screen key genes involved in the polysaccharide biosynthesis of different growth years and growth stages in P. odoratum, this study performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on P. odoratum rhizomes of different growth years and growth stages. This study revealed that most saccharides, which serve as precursors for polysaccharide biosynthesis in P. odoratum rhizomes, exhibited higher levels in two-year-old P. odoratum than in three-year-old. Co-expression analysis revealed that PosacA3 showed a high positive correlation with sucrose, D-fructose, and D-glucose, while PoGT16 exhibited a high negative correlation with sucrose, D-fructose, and D-glucose. PoGT6 and PoGT32 displayed a positive correlation with D-glucose and sucrose, respectively, suggesting that these genes may be key regulators involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis in P. odoratum. Compared with two-year-old and three-year-old P. odoratum rhizomes harvested in July and September from Shaodong City, Hunan Province, China, when steroidal saponins and soluble sugars are required as medicinal components, two-year-old P. odoratum can be harvested in July or September. When alkaloids and amino acids and derivatives are the core extraction targets, both two-year-old and three-year-old P. odoratum are recommended to be harvested in September. This study furnishes a theoretical reference for the rational harvesting and utilization of P. odoratum, and lays a foundation for further elucidating its polysaccharide biosynthetic mechanism. Full article

The red resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen, known as Chinese dragon’s blood, is formed through metabolic reprogramming following trunk injury, during which the original steroidal saponins are depleted and transformed. To investigate the steroidal degradation intermediates in this process, a systematic phytochemical study was conducted on the resin from Yunnan Province, leading to the isolation of 14 steroidal constituents (2 new and 12 known). The two new compounds, dracaenogenins C (1) and D (2), were identified as rare 12(13→14)-abeo-spirostanol aglycones, with 2 representing an unusual C-14α-hydroxylated derivative. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were unambiguously determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Biogenetic analysis suggests that these unusual aglycones arise from the acid-catalyzed Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement of diosgenin-type saponins via C-18 angular methyl migration (C-10→C-13) and C-ring contraction, serving as rare catabolic intermediates trapped during the metabolic shift from saponin accumulation to polyphenol biosynthesis. Furthermore, cytotoxicity evaluation against HepG2 cells revealed that while the parent glycosylated saponins (e.g., dioscin and gracillin) exhibited significant toxicity, the rearranged aglycones (1, 2, and 3) and other degradation products were devoid of cytotoxicity, supporting a detoxification mechanism during resin formation. Full article

The cosmetic and personal care industry is increasingly shifting toward plant-derived ingredients that combine multifunctional biological activity with favorable safety and sustainability profiles. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek), a leguminous plant traditionally used in food and medicine, has recently attracted growing attention as a potential cosmetic and cosmeceutical ingredient. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of current knowledge on fenugreek in the context of skin and hair care applications. First, the phytochemical profile of fenugreek relevant to cosmetics is examined, with emphasis on polyphenols and flavonoids, steroidal saponins, alkaloids (notably trigonelline), and mucilage-rich galactomannans. The biological activities of these constituents are then discussed in relation to key cutaneous and scalp mechanisms, including antioxidant defense, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, anti-glycation and dermal matrix protection, skin hydration and barrier support, as well as hair growth promotion and scalp health. Particular attention is given to recent in vitro, ex vivo, and emerging clinical evidence supporting anti-aging, moisturizing, and hair-care claims. Current formulation strategies and green extraction technologies enabling the incorporation of fenugreek-derived ingredients into topical products are reviewed, alongside considerations of safety, toxicity, and regulatory status under EU cosmetic legislation. Finally, existing research gaps are identified, highlighting the need for standardized extracts, robust clinical validation, and advanced omics-based approaches. This review highlights fenugreek’s strong potential as a versatile plant-based ingredient in cosmetics, despite remaining understudied in topical applications. Full article

Paris polyphylla (Chonglou), a medicinal herb documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and a key component of formulas such as Yunnan Baiyao, is a rare and endangered plant prized for its bioactive steroidal saponins, notably polyphyllin I (PPI) and II (PPII). However, its pharmacological potential is hampered by inefficient extraction and unreliable compound identification. Herein, we developed a sustainable and efficient extraction strategy using ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents (DES), optimized via an L₉(3⁴) orthogonal experimental design. Extraction efficiencies across the seven Paris species ranged from 2.04% to 16.51%, achieved by systematically optimizing key parameters such as the choline chloride-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:1.8), material-to-liquid ratio (1:20 g mL⁻¹), and extraction time (100 min). By ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis, PPI and PPII were quantified using specific retention times and characteristic fragment ions, revealing content ranges of 3.282–21.452 mg g⁻¹ and 4.201–17.975 mg g⁻¹, respectively. This methodology provides a robust platform for quality control and standardization of Paris-derived medicines, while paving the way for sustainable utilization and in-depth study of its steroidal saponins. Full article

Inflammation is the body’s natural immune response to invasion by foreign pathogens and is closely linked to many diseases. Chronic inflammation, if not properly controlled, can pose serious health risks and even threaten life. Currently, the main anti-inflammatory drugs are classified into steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but both have significant side effects that limit their clinical applications. α-Hederin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin, is derived from various plants, including Pulsatilla chinensis, Hedera helix, and Nigella sativa. It has been reported that α-hederin can be used to treat both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, it has poor water solubility and low bioavailability. This study shows that α-hederin can directly self-assemble into a hydrogel through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, called He-Gel. The mechanical properties of He-Gel were further characterized using rheological and microrheological methods. Its self-assembly mechanism was comprehensively elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic analyses and computational chemistry. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that He-Gel exhibits lower cytotoxicity and more excellent anti-inflammatory activity compared to free α-hederin. In conclusion, this research provides a solution for the further development of α-hederin. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on polymers as drug carriers, this preparation method is both green and economical. More importantly, it highlights that direct self-assembly of natural small molecules represents a promising strategy for anti-inflammatory therapy. Full article

Ulcerative colitis represents a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with limited therapeutic options due to inadequate efficacy and adverse effects of current treatments. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Beaucarnea recurvata leaf extract (BRLE) against ulcerative colitis using integrated computational and experimental approaches to address the need for safer, multi-targeted interventions. Phytochemical profiling was performed using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Network pharmacology and molecular docking predicted therapeutic targets and mechanisms. In vivo validation employed an acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis rat model with BRLE treatment at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses, evaluating clinical parameters, histopathology, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, and protein expression. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS revealed diverse bioactive compounds including steroidal saponins, triterpenes, and flavonoids. Network pharmacology identified 24 hub targets, and molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities (−6.5 to −9.1 kcal/mol) between BRLE compounds and inflammatory proteins including EGFR, SRC, STAT3, and AKT1. BRLE at 200 mg/kg significantly improved disease activity, restored glutathione levels, reduced malondialdehyde, normalized IL-10 and TNF-α levels, downregulated EGFR, SRC, STAT3, and AKT1 expression, and enhanced mucosal healing with reduced inflammatory infiltration. BRLE demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-protection effects through multi-target mechanisms, representing a promising therapeutic intervention for ulcerative colitis treatment. Further studies in chronic models, pharmacokinetic assessments, and clinical trials are needed to support its translation into therapeutic use. Full article

Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (Yi Beimu) is a culturally significant Beimu drug in Northwest China, officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and traditionally used to clear heat, moisten the lung, resolve phlegm, and relieve cough and wheeze. This narrative, critical review synthesizes current evidence on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics/toxicology, and conservation of F. pallidiflora to support sustainable, evidence-based development. Literature was retrieved from major English and Chinese databases and screened for studies that unambiguously involved Yi Beimu or its key constituents. Ethnomedicinal records consistently support antitussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic use in Xinjiang and the Ili River Valley. Chemically, F. pallidiflora is rich in cevanine-type steroidal alkaloids (e.g., imperialine, peimine, yibeinones), steroidal saponins (pallidiflosides), polysaccharides, and minor phenolics. Preclinical data show that alkaloids relax airway smooth muscle, suppress inflammatory mediators, and contribute to antitussive and anti-asthmatic effects, while polysaccharides and total alkaloid extracts exhibit antioxidant and cytoprotective activity in cell and animal models of airway injury. Additional studies report cytotoxic saponins and seed-derived antimicrobial peptides. Pharmacokinetic work highlights low to moderate and variable oral bioavailability, shaped by P-glycoprotein efflux and CYP-mediated metabolism, and reveals potential hERG channel inhibition for peimine as a cardiac safety concern. Overharvesting and habitat loss have reduced wild resources, underscoring the need for conservation, cultivation, and marker-guided quality control. Overall, Yi Beimu shows credible ethnopharmacological rationale and promising multi-target pharmacology for respiratory disorders, but translation will require bioactivity-guided isolation coupled with PK–PD-guided in vivo studies, rigorous safety evaluation, and conservation-aware cultivation to move from traditional remedy toward validated therapeutic resource. Full article

Euryops floribundus has traditionally been recognized for its therapeutic benefits, although its pharmacological potential has not been fully explored. This study investigated the leaves of E. floribundus for volatile compounds, in vitro anticancer potential, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical composition using standard methods. Terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, and steroids were identified using qualitative screening. FTIR analysis verified that the functional groups corresponded to bioactive substances. Methanol, ethanol, and aqueous extracts showed dose-dependent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Nitric oxide scavenging activity ranged from 7.2% to 22.5% at 2500 μg/mL. GC-MS profiling of essential oils revealed monoterpenes as the primary constituents (60%), with sabinene (27.86%) and terpinen-4-ol (13.63%) as major chemicals. Significant antiproliferative effects were shown by ethanol and methanol extracts against DU-145, PC-3, and SK-UT-1 cancer cell lines with cell viability inhibition ranging from 82.6% to 85.6%, and IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.7 ± 0.02 to 2.7 ± 0.03 µg/mL. These findings support the potential therapeutic uses of E. floribundus leaves and necessitate additional bioassay-guided research since they indicate that the leaves are rich in bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant and anticancer activities. Full article