Seasonal dynamics of phyllosphere epiphytic microbial communities of medicinal plants in farmland environment

Introduction

The phyllosphere of plants is inhabited by various microorganisms, which play a crucial role in plant physiological metabolism. Currently, there is limited research on the dynamic effects of species and seasons on plant phyllosphere microbial community diversity and microbial interactions.

Methods

In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to sequence the leaf surface parasitic microorganisms of five medicinal plants (Bupleurum chinense, Atractylodes lancea, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Astragalus membranaceus, and Lonicera japonica).

Results

The results showed that bacteria and fungi clustered into 3,898 and 1,572 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), respectively. Compared to host species, seasons had a more significant impact on the a diversity of bacteria and fungi. The heterogeneity of phyllosphere microbial communities was greater in winter compared to summer. Key species analysis at the OTU level and Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated significant preferences in microbial interactions under plant and seasonal backgrounds. The network connections between bacterial and fungal communities significantly increased during seasonal transitions compared to connections with plants.

Discussion

This study enhances our understanding of the composition and ecological roles of plant-associated microbial communities in small-scale agricultural environments. Additionally, it provides valuable insights for assessing the biodiversity of medicinal plants.

Strategies on biosynthesis and production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are a valuable source of essential medicines and herbal products for healthcare and disease therapy. Compared with chemical synthesis and extraction, the biosynthesis of natural products is a very promising alternative for the successful conservation of medicinal plants, and its rapid development will greatly facilitate the conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. Here, we summarize the advances in strategies and methods concerning the biosynthesis and production of natural products of medicinal plants. The strategies and methods mainly include genetic engineering, plant cell culture engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology based on multiple "OMICS" technologies, with paradigms for the biosynthesis of terpenoids and alkaloids. We also highlight the biosynthetic approaches and discuss progress in the production of some valuable natural products, exemplifying compounds such as vindoline (alkaloid), artemisinin and paclitaxel (terpenoids), to illustrate the power of biotechnology in medicinal plants.

The Zebrafish Model as a New Discovery Path for Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most frequent degenerative central nervous system disorders affecting older adults. Dopaminergic neuron failure in the substantia nigra is a pathological sign connected with the motor shortfall of PD. Due to their low teratogenic and adverse effect potential, medicinal herbs have emerged as a promising therapy option for preventing and curing PD and other neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanism through which natural compounds provide neuroprotection against PD remains unknown. While testing compounds in vertebrates such as mice is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, zebrafish (Danio rerio) may offer an appealing alternative because they are vertebrates and share many of the same characteristics as humans. Zebrafish are commonly used as animal models for studying many human diseases, and their molecular history and bioimaging properties are appropriate for the study of PD. However, a literature review indicated that only six plants, including Alpinia oxyhylla, Bacopa monnieri, Canavalia gladiate, Centella asiatica, Paeonia suffruticosa, and Stachytarpheta indica had been investigated as potential PD treatments using the zebrafish model. Only C. asiatica and B. monnieri were found to have potential anti-PD activity. In addition to reviewing the current state of research in this field, these plants' putative mechanisms of action against PD are explored, and accessible assays for investigation are made.

Review of Herbal Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Cancers in the East Africa Region from 2019 to 2023

BACKGROUND

In the East African region, herbal plants are essential in the treatment and control of cancer. Given the diverse ecological and cultural makeup of the regional states, it is likely that different ethnic groups will use the same or different plants for the same or different diseases. However, since 2019, this has not been compiled into a single study.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to compile and record the medicinal plants utilized in East Africa from April 2019 to June 2023 to treat various cancer types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study examined 13 original studies that included ethnobotanical research conducted in East Africa. They were retrieved from several internet databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Research for Life. The study retrieved databases on plant families and species, plant parts used, preparation methods and routes of administration, and the country where the ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted. Graphs were produced using the GraphPad Prism 8.125 program (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA). Tables and figures were used to present the data, which had been condensed into percentages and frequencies.

RESULTS

A total of 105 different plant species from 45 different plant families were identified, including Asteraceae (14), Euphorbiaceae (12), Musaceae (8), and Apocynaceae (7). Uganda registered the highest proportion (46% of the medicinal plants used). The most commonly mentioned medicinal plant species in cancer management was Prunus africana. Herbs (32%), trees and shrubs (28%), and leaves (45%) constituted the majority of herbal remedies. Most herbal remedies were prepared by boiling (decoction) and taken orally (57%).

CONCLUSION

East Africa is home to a wide variety of medicinal plant species that local populations and herbalists, or TMP, frequently use in the treatment of various types of cancer. The most frequently used families are Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae, with the majority of species being found in Uganda. The most frequently utilized plant species is Prunus africana. Studies on the effectiveness of Prunus africana against other malignancies besides prostate cancer are required.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and its management: In view of oxidative stress

In the past two decades, oxidative stress (OS) has drawn a lot of interest due to the revelation that individuals with many persistent disorders including diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), cardiovascular, and other disorders often have aberrant oxidation statuses. OS has a close interplay with PCOS features such as insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and chronic inflammation; there is a belief that OS might contribute to the development of PCOS. PCOS is currently recognized as not only one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders but also a significant contributor to female infertility, affecting a considerable proportion of women globally. Therefore, the understanding of the relationship between OS and PCOS is crucial to the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies for PCOS. Moreover, the mechanistic study of intracellular reactive oxygen species/ reactive nitrogen species formation and its possible interaction with women's reproductive health is required, which includes complex enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Apart from that, our current review includes possible regulation of the pathogenesis of OS. A change in lifestyle, including physical activity, various supplements that boost antioxidant levels, particularly vitamins, and the usage of medicinal herbs, is thought to be the best way to combat this occurrence of OS and improve the pathophysiologic conditions associated with PCOS.

Simple method for transformation and gene editing in medicinal plants

A sample delivery method, modified from cut-dip-budding, uses explants with robust shoot regeneration ability, enabling transformation and gene editing in medicinal plants, bypassing tissue culture and hairy root formation. This method has potential for applications across a wide range of plant species.

A Mechanistic Review on Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants and their Pharmacologically Active Molecules for Targeting Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) therapy with phytochemicals is an emerging field of study with therapeutic potential. Obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and abnormal lipid profiles are all components of metabolic syndrome, which is a major public health concern across the world. New research highlights the promise of phytochemicals found in foods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, as a sustainable and innovative method of treating this illness. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin-sensitizing qualities are just a few of the many positive impacts shown by bioactive substances. Collectively, they alleviate the hallmark symptoms of metabolic syndrome by modulating critical metabolic pathways, boosting insulin sensitivity, decreasing oxidative stress, and calming chronic low-grade inflammation. In addition, phytochemicals provide a multimodal strategy by targeting not only adipose tissue but also the liver, skeletal muscle, and vascular endothelium, all of which have a role in the pathogenesis of MetS. Increasing evidence suggests that these natural chemicals may be useful in controlling metabolic syndrome as a complementary treatment to standard medication or lifestyle changes. This review article emphasizes the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals, illuminating their varied modes of action and their ability to alleviate the interconnected causes of metabolic syndrome. Phytochemical-based interventions show promise as a novel and sustainable approach to combating the rising global burden of metabolic syndrome, with the ultimate goal of bettering public health and quality of life.

Effect of Natural Plant Products on Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Plants and their extracts like ginger, garlic, Curcuma, Salvia, and Ginkgo are best known for their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory responses. These plants have shown their anti-Alzheimer's properties in various in vivo and in vitro studies. Their diverse phytochemicals play a protective role against amyloid-beta-induced neurotoxicity and improve cognitive and learning impairments. These plants have a wide range of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, terpenoids, coumarins, and saponins. These chemicals scavenge the free radicals, lower the amyloid burden, improve memory dysfunction, and inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. Some of the clinical trials and animal-based studies suggested the protective role of these plants and their extract mentioned in the literature.

METHODS

The articles for this review were majorly searched from popular search engines, viz, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus.

RESULTS

Medicinal plants improve cognitive and memory impairments by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and scavenging free oxygen species by activating superoxide dismutase, catalase, and GSH activity. The plant extracts reduce amyloid insult by inactivating the beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE). The inactivation of Caspase 3 and 9 reduces apoptosis. Furthermore, the stimulation of microglial cells and astrocyte reduce inflammation by lowering chemokines and interleukins.

DISCUSSION

The medicinal plants help to reduce AD pathogenesis by controlling different pathways and could be used as a therapeutic agent against the symptoms.

Pharmaceutical Terminology in Ancient and Medieval Time - andrachne, chrysocolla and Others

Ancient and medieval pharmacological and medical texts contain a substantial amount of plant and mineral names. In some cases, the identification is straightforward. But for the majority of the data, we are unable to identify these ingredients with high certainty. In this paper, we discuss a selection of plant and mineral names both from a humanities and sciences point of view. In one case, the scientists were even able to examine a plant in situ. The conclusion of our paper is that a close collaboration between sciences and humanities is essential to avoid mistakes in the identification of materia medica.

Medicinal Plants in Treating Hepatitis B Among Communities of Central Region of Ethiopia

Purpose

In Ethiopia, most people rely heavily on traditional therapeutic plants that have been used for years. The practice of traditional medicines use to treat hepatitis is currently gaining popularity due to the limited availability and affordability of modern drugs. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the traditional medicinal plants use to treat viral hepatitis among communities of Central region of Ethiopia.

Methods

Data was collected from November 2018 to December 2021 in Central Ethiopia. An open-ended semi-structured interview was used among purposively selected herbalists, traditional medicine entrepreneurs, village heads, and patients visiting traditional healers for hepatitis treatments. A 5 mL blood sample was collected from patients who visited a traditional healers' clinic for hepatitis treatment and tested for HBsAg and HCV-antibody by using ELISA. Among HBsAg-positives, further nucleic acid test for HBV-DNA load was assessed to measure the effects of prescribed medicinal plants.

Results

Herbalists cited 24 plants that were used for hepatitis treatment; of which Rumex nepalensis, Vangueria apiculata, and Solanum incanum were the most frequently cited plants. Remedies were commonly prepared by crushing or powdering, mixing them with water, and taken orally. Forty-two individuals were diagnosed and treated as hepatitis patients by herbalists, of which eight of them were HBsAg-positive but no positives for anti-HCV ELISA. At the third and sixth months of viral load assessment among HBsAg-positive, serum HBV-DNA suppression was observed in three individuals treated with different combinations of frequently cited plants.

Conclusion

In this study, traditional healers used various plants to treat hepatitis. HBV-DNA suppressive activity was detected in three NAT-positive individuals who were treated by using a mixture of these frequently cited and highest preference-ranked plants. This suggests that these plants have antiviral properties and serve as a basis for more pharmacological research in the quest for new antiviral agents.

Analysis of Three Species of Cassipourea Traditionally Used for Hypermelanosis in Selected Provinces in South Africa

There is a growing demand and use of herbal cosmetics for skin purposes due to their perceived safety when applied to the skin. Three Cassipourea species commonly known as "ummemezi" are used interchangeably by women in rural areas of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces to treat hypermelanosis as well as sun protection. We conducted a phytochemical comparison of three Cassipourea species; Cassipourea flanaganii (Schinz) Alston, Cassipourea gummiflua Tul. verticillata (N.E.Br.) J. Lewis and Cassipourea malosana (Baker) Alston by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis in negative mode. The results obtained from the LC-MS/MS yielded a total number of twenty-four compounds of different chemical classes, including fatty acids, steroids, di- and tri-terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and eighteen among them were tentatively identified. The LC-MS /MS analysis showed that the three studied Cassipourea extracts contain compounds that have anti-tyrosinase activity and consequently. The presence of these compounds, either in synergy or individually, can be attributed to the anti-tyrosinase effect. Although the traditional names of the species are used interchangeably, they are different, however, they possess similar skin-lightening properties. Despite the recent popularity of modern cosmetic products, plants continue to play an important role in the local cosmetics industry in South Africa's Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal community provinces.

The Antioxidant Properties of Salvia verbenaca Extract Contribute to Its Intestinal Antiinflammatory Effects in Experimental Colitis in Rats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammation with unpredictable symptom fluctuations. While there is no effective cure for IBD, various treatments aim to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential benefits of certain natural plants and herbs in the management of IBD. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of a well-characterized extract of Salvia verbenaca (S. verbenaca) in an experimental model of colitis in rats. Interestingly, the daily administration of S. verbenaca (10 and 25 mg/kg) effectively alleviated colitis symptoms, as evidenced by reduced weight/length ratio and colonic damage. Moreover, it reduced oxidative stress markers (MPO and GSH), decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (Il-6, Il-12a, Il-1β, Il-23, Icam-1, Mcp-1, Cinc-1), and preserved the integrity of the intestinal barrier (Villin, Muc-2, Muc-3). These effects suggest S. verbenaca extract could represent a potential complementary candidate to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Its beneficial actions can be related to its antioxidant properties as well as the downregulation of the immune response, which can result in the improvement in the intestine epithelial barrier.

Phytochemical characterization, isolation, antioxidant and cytogenotoxic activity of leaves of Heliotropium elongatum (Lehm) I.M. Johnst

Heliotropium elongatum is used to treat inflammation, cough, and flu. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile and determine the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant and cytogenotoxic activity of the ethanolic extract (EE), and fractions of H. elongatum leaves. In the phytochemical profile analysis, organic acids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, steroids/triterpenes, and depsides/depsidones were detected in the EE and/or fractions (hexanic/FH, chloroformic/FC, ethyl acetate/FAE, and hydromethanolic/FHM). The highest TPC and highest antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) was detected in FHM. In FH, 16 compounds were identified by GC-MS, and ursolic acid was isolated by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. HPLC-DAD from EE, FAE, and FHM demonstrated characteristic wavelengths for flavonoids, flavonols, flavones, and anthraquinones. ESI-IT/MSn analysis of EE, FC, FAE, and FHM revealed alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. In Allium cepa assay there was no significant cytotoxic effect initiated by EE (62.5 to 1,000 µg/ml), FHM (1,000 µg/ml), and FAE (62.5 µg/ml). Genotoxicity was evidenced only with EE at 500 and 1,000 µg/ml, and FHM (62.5 to 1,000 µg/ml) as evidenced by presence of micronuclei (MN) and nuclear buds (NB). Our results identified compounds of medicinal interest with antioxidant activity; however observed cytogenotoxic changes indicated the need for caution when using these compounds for therapeutic purposes.

Macro- and trace elements in plants from Mauritania and risk assessment

This study aimed to determine the content of elemental levels of eight plants species originating from Mauritania and used as medicinal plant and to assess their risk for human health. The range of elemental content in the studied plant parts of these plant species were 0.51-16.1 mg/g for Ca, 2.63-6.49 mg/g for Mg, 11.2-201 μg/g for Al, 6.5-28.2 μg/g for Zn, 5.6-453 μg/g for Fe, 1.1-6.4 μg/g for Ni, 11.0-302 μg/g for Mn and 0.7-9.0 μg/g for Cu. The Cr, Pb, Cd and Co levels were below the limits of detection in all samples. The estimated weekly intake (EWI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) were calculated. Except for Al the THQ values were below 1, so it could be concluded that these plant species have low probability of causing non-cancer health problems for the consumer.

Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) and Natural Remedies for Treatment of the Common Cold and Flu

Traditional Iranian medicine is usually used for both prevention and relief of cold and flu symptoms in China, Iran, and many other Asian countries all over the world. There are 4 kinds of influenza viruses. Unlike type B, which may cause seasonal epidemics, type A viruses can cause pandemics, and influenza C may lead to mild human infection with little public health effects. A literature review was done by using multiple databases such as ISI Web of knowledge, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The most notable antiviral medicinal plants for flu and cold are honeysuckle flowers, thyme leaf, green chiretta, andrographis, peppermint oil and leaf and calendula. The most important expectorant medicinal plants for cold and flu are snake root, tulsi, licorice root, slippery elm, clove, and sage leaf. Recommended immunostimulant medicinal plants for cold and flu are eucalyptus, Echinacea root, ginseng, garlic, slippery elm, marshmallow, Usnea lichen, Isatis root, ginger root, and myrrh resin. Iranian traditional medicine, which is one of the oldest schools of traditional medicine, is one of the main concepts of disease and health, and it can be considered as an important complementary and alternative medicine, as in some cases, modern medicine has many side effects, low efficiency, and high costs. Medicinal plants and herbs, which are included in many traditional systems, have significant and promising bioactive components in organic life.

[Research progress on anti-inflammatory effects of plant-derived cannabinoid type 2 receptor modulators]

Excessive and persistent inflammatory responses are a potential pathological condition that can lead to diseases of various systems, including nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and endocrine systems. Cannabinoid type 2 receptor(CB2R) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family and is widely distributed in immune cells, peripheral tissues, and the central nervous system. It plays a role in inflammatory responses under various pathological conditions. The down-regulation of CB2R activity is an important marker of inflammation and and CB2R modulators have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study explored the relationship between CB2R and inflammatory responses, delved into its regulatory mechanisms in inflammatory diseases, and summarized the research progress on CB2R modulators from plants other than cannabis, including plant extracts and monomeric compounds, in exerting anti-inflammatory effects. The aim is to provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Assessment of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Opuntia ficus indica L. Cladodes extract

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the methanolic extract of Opuntia ficus indica L. in small animal (rats and mice model). The current treatment for febrile conditions often involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can have adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal ulcers. Therefore, there is a growing need to explore natural alternatives with fewer side effects. The study utilized various experimental models to assess the effects of the extract. The results demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of the extract, as evidenced by a reduction in pain induced by acetic acid and hot plate tests. Additionally, the extract exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, as indicated by a decrease in carrageenan-induced paw edema and dextran-induced inflammation. To gain insights into the chemical composition of the extract, HPLC analysis was conducted. The analysis successfully identified and quantified 20 compounds, including luteolin, galangin, catechin, thymol, methylated quercetin, quercetin, rutin, acacetin, hesperidin, apigenin, kaempferol, pinocembrin, chrysin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, m-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid.The findings suggest that Opuntia ficus indica L. extract holds promise as an effective and reasonably priced natural remedy for pain and inflammation in rats and mice model. The comprehensive chemical composition analysis provided valuable insights into the presence of various bioactive compounds, which may contribute to the observed therapeutic effects. Further research and exploration of the extract's mechanisms of action are warranted to fully understand its potential in small animal healthcare.

Maternal-fetal safety evaluation of an aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris leaves in rats

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the maternal, embryotoxic, and teratogenic effects of the aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris (AECS), a species listed in the Unique Health System of Brazil, and widely used for treating several conditions, such as diarrhea, wounds, pain, and ulcers.

METHODS

Pregnant rats were daily treated orally with 0, 175, 350, or 700 mg/kg/body weight of AECS, from gestational day (GD) 6 to 15 (organogenesis period). On GD 20, the pregnant rats were euthanized, and the litters submitted to an assessment of fetal development.

RESULTS

No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the dams during the treatment. In the embryo-fetal development study, a significant increase in the basal zone height of the placenta was observed in the intermediate dose group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the relative anogenital distance measurement of female fetuses in the lowest and intermediate dose groups. Although no visceral abnormalities were observed in the treated-fetuses, skeletal anomalies evidenced by changes in the ossification of the sternum and the presence of supernumerary ribs were found in the intermediate and high dose groups.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the treatment with AECS during organogenesis at this dose level had detrimental effects on the normal development of fetuses.

First Report of Sclerotinia Rot Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Artemisia capillaris in China

Artemisia capillaris (Asteraceae) is an annual herb found in ˃10 provinces in China. It is cultivated on ˃670 ha, with annual production around 2,500 tons. Its shoot is used in traditional Chinese medicine (Liu et al. 2021). From April to May 2023, Sclerotinia rot symptoms were seen at the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (40.04°N, 116.28°E), Beijing, China. Disease incidence was up to 10% in the field through investigation of 300 plants. Initial symptoms were irregular tan-brown lesions (0.5 to 5.0 mm) that expended to circumferential necrosis on the roots and basal stem, aerial mycelia and sclerotia were developed on them. The leaves and stem tips were withered and droopy in severe cases. Twelve symptomatic primary roots of 12 plants from two sites were cut into 5 × 5 mm pieces, surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30 s and 5% NaClO for 60 s, rinsed with distilled water for three times, dried with sterile filter paper, put on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 2 days. Two Sclerotinia-like isolates were obtained using the hyphaltip method. White aerial mycelia were sparse and appressed for isolate YC1-3 and dense for isolate YC1-7. After incubated at 25°C in the dark for 15 days, 10 to 25 sclerotia were developed near the colony margin. Sclerotia of isolate YC1-3 were 1.0 to 3.9 × 1.2 to 4.5 (mean 1.8 × 2.2) mm (n = 60), ovoid or arc-shaped. Sclerotia of isolate YC1-7 were 1.5 to 3.4 × 2.7 to 9.2 (mean 2.3 × 4.3) mm (n = 60), ovoid, dumbbell shaped or curved. The isolates were identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum based on morphology (Maas 1998). To further identify the pathogens, molecular identification was performed with isolates YC1-3 and YC1-7. DNA of the two isolates were extracted by the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Polymerase chain reaction was performed with primers ITS1/ITS4 for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (Choi et al. 2020; White et al. 1990) and primers G3PDHfor/G3PDHrev for the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) gene (Garfinkel. 2021). BLAST search analysis revealed that the ITS sequence (GenBank OR229758 and OR229762) was ≥99% similar to S. sclerotiorum (MN099281, MZ379265, KX781301, etc.), and the G3PDH sequence (OR778388 and OR761975) was too (MZ493894, JQ036048, OQ790148, etc.). Phylogenetic trees were computed with ITS and G3PDH sequences using the Maximum Likelihood in MEGA 11. Nine two-month-old seedlings of A. capillaris were used to test pathogenicity. The epidermis layer of each primary root was slightly wounded (2 × 2 mm, 1 mm deep) using a sterile dissecting blade. Three plants were inoculated with mycelial plugs (5 mm in diameter) of YC1-3 and YC1-7 that cultured on PDA for 7 days. Control plants were inoculated with sterile PDA plugs. All seedlings were then incubated at 25oC and 90% relative humidity. After isolate YC1-7 inoculation 3 days and isolate YC1-3 inoculation 5 days, inoculated roots had symptoms like those in the field, controls had no symptoms. S. sclerotiorum was consistently re-isolated from diseased roots, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum have been reported threatens several important economical crops (Marin and Peres 2020; Guan et al. 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum causes Sclerotinia rot on A. capillaris. To avoid of significant economic losses, it is urgent to establish an effective disease-management strategy.

Functions of Representative Terpenoids and Their Biosynthesis Mechanisms in Medicinal Plants

Terpenoids are the broadest and richest group of chemicals obtained from plants. These plant-derived terpenoids have been extensively utilized in various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals. Several specific terpenoids have been identified and isolated from medicinal plants, emphasizing the diversity of biosynthesis and specific functionality of terpenoids. With advances in the technology of sequencing, the genomes of certain important medicinal plants have been assembled. This has improved our knowledge of the biosynthesis and regulatory molecular functions of terpenoids with medicinal functions. In this review, we introduce several notable medicinal plants that produce distinct terpenoids (e.g., Cannabis sativa, Artemisia annua, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ginkgo biloba, and Taxus media). We summarize the specialized roles of these terpenoids in plant-environment interactions as well as their significance in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Additionally, we highlight recent findings in the fields of molecular regulation mechanisms involved in these distinct terpenoids biosynthesis, and propose future opportunities in terpenoid research, including biology seeding, and genetic engineering in medicinal plants.

A Review of the Occurrence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Potential Treatments through Medicinal Plants from an Indian Perspective

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints and causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. There are different types of arthritis, and it can affect people of all ages, even infants and the elderly. Recent studies have found that individuals with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are more likely to experience arthritis symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, over 21% of people worldwide suffer from musculoskeletal problems. Roughly 42.19 million individuals in India, constituting around 0.31% of the populace, have been documented as having Rheumatic Artheritis (RA). Compared to other common diseases like diabetes, cancer, and AIDS, arthritis is more prevalent in the general population. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for arthritis, and treatment plans usually involve non-pharmacological methods, surgeries, and medications that target specific symptoms. Plant-based remedies have also been shown to be effective in managing inflammation and related complications. In addition to therapies, maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and weight management are essential for managing arthritis. This review discusses the causes, prevalence, diagnostic methods, current and prospective future treatments, and potential medicinal plants that may act as anti-inflammatory or anti-rheumatic agents. However, more research is necessary to identify the underlying mechanisms and active molecules that could improve arthritis treatment.

Assessing the Potential for Genome-Assisted Breeding in Red Perilla Using Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis and Genomic Prediction

Red perilla is an important medicinal plant used in Kampo medicine. The development of elite varieties of this species is urgently required. Medicinal compounds are generally considered target traits in medicinal plant breeding; however, selection based on compound phenotypes (i.e., conventional selection) is expensive and time consuming. Here, we propose genomic selection (GS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS), which use marker information for selection, as suitable selection methods for medicinal plants, and we evaluate the effectiveness of these methods in perilla breeding. Three breeding populations generated from crosses between one red and three green perilla genotypes were used to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the production of major medicinal compounds using quantitative trait locus analysis and evaluating the accuracy of genomic prediction (GP). We found that GP had a sufficiently high accuracy for all traits, confirming that GS is an effective method for perilla breeding. Moreover, the three populations showed varying degrees of segregation, suggesting that using these populations in breeding may simultaneously enhance multiple target traits. This study contributes to research on the genetic mechanisms of the major medicinal compounds of red perilla, as well as the breeding efficiency of this medicinal plant.

Satureja bachtiarica Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Overcoming drug resistance and specifically targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical challenges in improving cancer therapy. Nowadays, the use of novel and native medicinal plants can provide new sources for further investigations for this purpose. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of S. bachtiarica, an endemic plant with diverse medicinal applications, in suppressing and targeting cancer and cancer stem cells in glioblastoma and breast cancer. The effect of S. bachtiarica on viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic potential of MDAMB-231 and U87-MG cells was assessed in both two- and three-dimensional cell culture models. Additionally, we evaluated its effects on the self-renewal capacity of mammospheres. The experimental outcomes indicated that S. bachtiarica decreased the viability and growth rate of cells and spheroids by inducing apoptosis and inhibited colony formation, migration, and invasion of cells and spheroids. Additionally, colony and sphere-forming ability, as well as the expression of genes associated with EMT and stemness were reduced in mammospheres treated with S. bachtiarica. In conclusion, this study provided valuable insights into the anti-cancer effects of S. bachtiarica, particularly in relation to breast CSCs. Therefore, S. bachtiarica may be a potential adjuvant for the treatment of cancer.

Pharmacological and Clinical Studies of Medicinal Plants That Inhibit Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). DPP-IV plays a significant role in regulating blood glucose levels by modulating the activity of GLP-1. In the context of diabetes, DPP-IV inhibitors effectively block the activity of DPP-IV, hence mitigating the degradation of GLP-1. This, in turn, leads to an extension of GLP-1's duration of action, prolongs gastric emptying, enhances insulin sensitivity, and ultimately results in the reduction of blood glucose levels. Nonetheless, reported adverse events of DPP-IV inhibitors on T2DM patients make it essential to understand the activity and mechanism of these drugs, particularly viewed from the perspective of finding the effective and safe add-on medicinal plants, to be implemented in clinical practice. This review is intended to bring forth a thorough overview of plants that work by reducing DPP-IV activity, from computational technique, enzymatic study, animal experiments, and studies in humans. The articles were searched on PubMed using "Plants", "DPP-IV", "DPP-IV inhibitor", "GLP-1", "Type 2 diabetes", "diabetes", "in silico", "in vitro", "in vivo", "studies in human", "clinical study" as the query words, and filtered for ten years of publication period. Eighteen plants showed inhibition against DPP-IV as proven by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies; however, only ten plants were reported for efficacy in clinical studies. Several plant-based DPP-IV inhibitors, eg, Allium sativum, Morus Alba, Curcuma longa, Pterocarpus marsupium, and Taraxacum officinale, have established their functional role in inhibiting DPP-IV and have proven their effectiveness through studies in humans earning them a prominent place in therapeutic discovery.

Occurrence of Luteolin in the Greek Flora, Isolation of Luteolin and Its Action for the Treatment of Periodontal Diseases

Higher plants possess the ability to synthesize a great number of compounds with many different functions, known as secondary metabolites. Polyphenols, a class of flavonoids, are secondary metabolites that play a crucial role in plant adaptation to both biotic and abiotic environments, including UV radiation, high light intensity, low/high temperatures, and attacks from pathogens, among others. One of the compounds that has received great attention over the last few years is luteolin. The objective of the current paper is to review the extraction and detection methods of luteolin in plants of the Greek flora, as well as their luteolin content. Furthermore, plant species, crop management and environmental factors can affect luteolin content and/or its derivatives. Luteolin exhibits various biological activities, such as cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial ones. As a result, luteolin has been employed as a bioactive molecule in numerous applications within the food industry and the biomedical field. Among the different available options for managing periodontitis, dental care products containing herbal compounds have been in the spotlight owing to the beneficial pharmacological properties of the bioactive ingredients. In this context, luteolin's anti-inflammatory activity has been harnessed to combat periodontal disease and promote the restoration of damaged bone tissue.

TRAIL-Sensitizing Effects of Flavonoids in Cancer

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) represents a promising anticancer agent, as it selectively induces apoptosis in transformed cells without altering the cellular machinery of healthy cells. Unfortunately, the presence of TRAIL resistance mechanisms in a variety of cancer types represents a major hurdle, thus limiting the use of TRAIL as a single agent. Accumulating studies have shown that TRAIL-mediated apoptosis can be facilitated in resistant tumors by combined treatment with antitumor agents, ranging from synthetic molecules to natural products. Among the latter, flavonoids, the most prevalent polyphenols in plants, have shown remarkable competence in improving TRAIL-driven apoptosis in resistant cell lines as well as tumor-bearing mice with minimal side effects. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms, such as the upregulation of death receptor (DR)4 and DR5 and downregulation of key anti-apoptotic proteins [e.g., cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), survivin], underlying the TRAIL-sensitizing properties of different classes of flavonoids (e.g., flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, chalcones, prenylflavonoids). Finally, we discuss limitations, mainly related to bioavailability issues, and future perspectives regarding the clinical use of flavonoids as adjuvant agents in TRAIL-based therapies.

Effects of Chloride and Sulfate Salts on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Ballota hirsuta Benth. and Myrtus communis L

Soil salinity is a well-known abiotic factor affecting the germination and seedling growth of various plant species. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of different chloride salts (NaCl, KCl and MgCl2) and sulfate salts (Na2SO4, K2SO4 and MgSO4) on the seed germination and early seedling growth of two important ethnomedicinal shrubs of North Africa and the Mediterranean basin (Ballota hirsuta and Myrtus communis). Seeds of these species were subjected to five salinity levels (0-100 mM) and incubated at 20 °C under a light regime (12 h photoperiod). Both species demonstrated their highest germination percentage under control conditions (i.e., without salinity). However, as salinity levels increased, the germination percentages for both species decreased, regardless of the type of salt used. Cations appeared to be more determinative than the anions in regulating the seed germination of both species. M. communis seeds displayed greater sensitivity to sodium (Na+) salts, especially when accompanied with chloride (Cl-) anions. At the higher salt concentrations (75 and 100 mM), Na+ salts had a more pronounced inhibitory effect on M. communis seedling growth compared to potassium (K+) and magnesium (Mg2+) salts. Conversely, Mg2+ salts were more detrimental to seedling growth in B. hirsuta. Based on our results, it can be concluded that both of these species are able to tolerate a moderate level of salinity. Overall, B. hirsuta may be a promising choice for rehabilitating the soils dominated by chloride salts, while M. communis could be utilized for restoring sulfate-dominated soils.

Therapeutics to Treat Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders: A Promising Perspective from Algerian Traditional Medicine

Ancient people sought out drugs in nature to prevent, cure, and treat their diseases, including mental illnesses. Plants were their primary source for meeting their healthcare needs. In Algeria, folk medicine remains a fundamental part of the local intangible knowledge. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive ethnomedicinal investigation and documentation of medicinal plants and the different plant formulations traditionally used in Algeria for the treatment of pain, psychiatric, and neurological disorders. It also intends to improve the current knowledge of Algerian folk medicine. Several scientific databases were used to accomplish this work. Based on this investigation, we identified 82 plant species belonging to 69 genera and spanning 38 distinct botanical families used as remedies to treat various psychological and neurological conditions. Their traditional uses and methods of preparation, along with their phytochemical composition, main bioactive constituents, and toxicity were noted. Therefore, this review provides a new resource of information on Algerian medicinal plants used in the treatment and management of neurological and psychological diseases, which can be useful not only for the documentation and conservation of traditional knowledge, but also for conducting future phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Deciphering the mechanisms, hormonal signaling, and potential applications of endophytic microbes to mediate stress tolerance in medicinal plants

The global healthcare market in the post-pandemic era emphasizes a constant pursuit of therapeutic, adaptogenic, and immune booster drugs. Medicinal plants are the only natural resource to meet this by supplying an array of bioactive secondary metabolites in an economic, greener and sustainable manner. Driven by the thrust in demand for natural immunity imparting nutraceutical and life-saving plant-derived drugs, the acreage for commercial cultivation of medicinal plants has dramatically increased in recent years. Limited resources of land and water, low productivity, poor soil fertility coupled with climate change, and biotic (bacteria, fungi, insects, viruses, nematodes) and abiotic (temperature, drought, salinity, waterlogging, and metal toxicity) stress necessitate medicinal plant productivity enhancement through sustainable strategies. Plants evolved intricate physiological (membrane integrity, organelle structural changes, osmotic adjustments, cell and tissue survival, reclamation, increased root-shoot ratio, antibiosis, hypersensitivity, etc.), biochemical (phytohormones synthesis, proline, protein levels, antioxidant enzymes accumulation, ion exclusion, generation of heat-shock proteins, synthesis of allelochemicals. etc.), and cellular (sensing of stress signals, signaling pathways, modulating expression of stress-responsive genes and proteins, etc.) mechanisms to combat stresses. Endophytes, colonizing in different plant tissues, synthesize novel bioactive compounds that medicinal plants can harness to mitigate environmental cues, thus making the agroecosystems self-sufficient toward green and sustainable approaches. Medicinal plants with a host set of metabolites and endophytes with another set of secondary metabolites interact in a highly complex manner involving adaptive mechanisms, including appropriate cellular responses triggered by stimuli received from the sensors situated on the cytoplasm and transmitting signals to the transcriptional machinery in the nucleus to withstand a stressful environment effectively. Signaling pathways serve as a crucial nexus for sensing stress and establishing plants' proper molecular and cellular responses. However, the underlying mechanisms and critical signaling pathways triggered by endophytic microbes are meager. This review comprehends the diversity of endophytes in medicinal plants and endophyte-mediated plant-microbe interactions for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in medicinal plants by understanding complex adaptive physiological mechanisms and signaling cascades involving defined molecular and cellular responses. Leveraging this knowledge, researchers can design specific microbial formulations that optimize plant health, increase nutrient uptake, boost crop yields, and support a resilient, sustainable agricultural system.

How Thymoquinone from Nigella sativa Accelerates Wound Healing through Multiple Mechanisms and Targets

Wound healing is a multifaceted process necessitating the collaboration of numerous elements to mend damaged tissue. Plant and animal-derived natural compounds have been utilized for wound treatment over the centuries, with many scientific investigations examining these compounds. Those with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties are particularly noteworthy, as they target various wound-healing stages to expedite recovery. Thymoquinone, derived from Nigella sativa (N. sativa)-a medicinal herb with a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese, and Greco-Arabic and Islamic medicine-has demonstrated a range of therapeutic properties. Thymoquinone exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities, positioning it as a potential remedy for skin pathologies. This review examines recent research on how thymoquinone accelerates wound healing and the mechanisms behind its effectiveness. We carried out a comprehensive review of literature and electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and MedlinePlus. Our aim was to gather relevant papers published between 2015 and August 2023. The main criteria for inclusion were that the articles had to be peer reviewed, original, written in English, and discuss the wound-healing parameters of thymoquinone in wound repair. Our review focused on the effects of thymoquinone on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing. We also examined the role of cytokines, signal transduction cascades, and clinical trials. We found sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of thymoquinone in promoting wound healing. However, there is no consensus on the most effective concentrations of these substances. It is therefore essential to determine the optimal treatment doses and the best route of administration. Further research is also needed to investigate potential side effects and the performance of thymoquinone in clinical trials.

Herbgenomics meets Papaveraceae: a promising -omics perspective on medicinal plant research

Herbal medicines were widely used in ancient and modern societies as remedies for human ailments. Notably, the Papaveraceae family includes well-known species, such as Papaver somniferum and Chelidonium majus, which possess medicinal properties due to their latex content. Latex-bearing plants are a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds, with applications ranging from narcotics to analgesics and relaxants. With the advent of high-throughput technologies and advancements in sequencing tools, an opportunity exists to bridge the knowledge gap between the genetic information of herbs and the regulatory networks underlying their medicinal activities. This emerging discipline, known as herbgenomics, combines genomic information with other -omics studies to unravel the genetic foundations, including essential gene functions and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Furthermore, exploring the genomes of various medicinal plants enables the utilization of modern genetic manipulation techniques, such as Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) or RNA interference. This technological revolution has facilitated systematic studies of model herbs, targeted breeding of medicinal plants, the establishment of gene banks and the adoption of synthetic biology approaches. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic research on species within the Papaveraceae family. Additionally, it briefly explores the potential applications and key opportunities offered by the -omics perspective in the pharmaceutical industry and the agrobiotechnology field.

Genome Assembly and Microsatellite Marker Development Using Illumina and PacBio Sequencing in the Carex pumila (Cyperaceae) from Korea

This study is the first to report the characterization of Carex pumila genomic information. Assembly of the genome generated a draft of C. pumila based on PacBio Sequel II and Illumina paired-end sequencing, which was assembled from 2941 contigs with an estimated genome size of 0.346 Gb. The estimate of repeats in the genome was 31.0%, and heterozygosity ranged from 0.426 to 0.441%. The integrity evaluation of the assembly revealed 1481 complete benchmarked universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) (91.76%), indicating the high quality of the draft assembly. A total of 23,402 protein-coding genes were successfully predicted and annotated in the protein database. UpsetR plots showed that 7481 orthogroups were shared by all species. The phylogenetic tree showed that C. pumila is a close but distant relative of Ananas comosus. C. pumila had greater contraction (3154) than expansion (392). Among the extended gene families, aquaporins have been found to be enriched. Primers for microsatellite markers determined 30 polymorphic markers out of 100. The average number of alleles amplified by these 30 polymorphic markers was 4 to 12, with an average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.660. In conclusion, our study provides a useful resource for comparative genomics, phylogeny, and future population studies of C. pumila.

Pterodon emarginatus Seed Preparations: Antiradical Activity, Chemical Characterization, and In Silico ADMET Parameters of β-caryophyllene and Farnesol

The study of medicinal plants and their active compounds is relevant to maintaining knowledge of traditional medicine and to the development of new drugs of natural origin with lower environmental impact. From the seeds of the Brazilian plant Pterodon emarginatus, six different preparations were obtained: essential oil (EO), ethanol extract (EthE) prepared using the traditional method, and four extracts using solvents at different polarities, such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol (HexE, ChlE, EtAE, and MetE). Chemical characterization was carried out with gas chromatography, allowing the identification of several terpenoids as characteristic components. The two sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene and farnesol were identified in all preparations of Pterodon emarginatus, and their amounts were also evaluated. Furthermore, the total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were assessed. Successively, the antiradical activity with DPPH and ORAC assays and the influence on cell proliferation by the MTT test on the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell line of the preparations and the two compounds were evaluated. Lastly, an in silico study of adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) showed that β-caryophyllene and farnesol could be suitable candidates for development as drugs. The set of data obtained highlights the potential medicinal use of Pterodon emarginatus seeds and supports further studies of both plant preparations and isolated compounds, β-caryophyllene and farnesol, for their potential use in disease with free radical involvement as age-related chronic disorders.

Bakuchiol, a natural constituent and its pharmacological benefits

Background and aims

Natural compounds extracted from medicinal plants have recently gained attention in therapeutics as they are considered to have lower Toxicity and higher tolerability relative to chemically synthesized compounds. Bakuchiol from Psoralea corylifolia L. is one such compound; it is a type of meroterpene derived from the leaves and seeds of Psoralea corylifolia plants. Natural sources of bakuchiol have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries due to its preventive benefits against tumors and inflammation. It plays a strong potential role as an antioxidant with impressive abilities to remove Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). This review has focused on bakuchiol's extraction, therapeutic applications, and pharmacological benefits.

Methods

A search strategy has been followed to retrieve the relevant newly published literature on the pharmacological benefits of bakuchiol. After an extensive study of the retrieved articles and maintaining the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 110 articles were finally selected for this review.

Results

Strong support of primary research on the protective effects via antitumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities are delineated.

Conclusions

From ancient to modern life, medicinal plants have always been drawing the attention of human beings to alleviate ailments for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This review is a comprehensive approach to highlighting bona fide essential pharmacological benefits and mechanisms underlying their therapeutic applications.

Anti-quorum Sensing of Terminalia catappa and Murraya koenigii Against Streptococcus mutans

Introduction Dental biofilm constitutes micro-organisms existing in an intercellular matrix containing organic and inorganic materials derived from saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and bacterial products. Dental plaque biofilm inhibition by certain herbs and medicinal plants has been used as a treatment modality for the prevention of white spot lesions in orthodontic subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activity of Terminalia catappa and Murraya koenigiiagainst Streptococcus mutans. Materials and methods Samples of dental plaque were taken from patients receiving orthodontic care. The colonies of the S. mutans were isolated and biochemical characterization was done. Leaf extracts of Terminalia catappa and Murraya koenigii were used in the study. Methanolic extracts were subjected to evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth microdilution (two-fold) method and anti-biofilm activity using the crystal violet staining method. Results  The MIC of methanol leaf extracts of Murraya koenigii against S. mutans was noted at 0.62 mg/ml and Terminalia catappa at 1.25 mg/ml. At the lowest concentration of 0.03 mg and 0.01 mg methanol extract of Murraya koenigii had remarkably inhibited biofilm formation of 57.6% and 43.6% against S. mutans, respectively. Terminalia catappa leaf extracts did not show any anti-biofilm activity when the organisms were grown in the presence of S. mutans. Conclusion  Both Murraya koenigii and Terminalia catappa had antibacterial effects against S. mutans and Murray koenigii remarkably inhibited biofilm formation by S. mutans.

Natural products derived from medicinal plants and microbes might act as a game-changer in breast cancer: a comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent neoplasm among women. Genetic and environmental factors lead to BC development and on this basis, several preventive - screening and therapeutic interventions have been developed. Hormones, both in the form of endogenous hormonal signaling or hormonal contraceptives, play an important role in BC pathogenesis and progression. On top of these, breast microbiota includes both species with an immunomodulatory activity enhancing the host's response against cancer cells and species producing proinflammatory cytokines associated with BC development. Identification of novel multitargeted therapeutic agents with poly-pharmacological potential is a dire need to combat advanced and metastatic BC. A growing body of research has emphasized the potential of natural compounds derived from medicinal plants and microbial species as complementary BC treatment regimens, including dietary supplements and probiotics. In particular, extracts from plants such as Artemisia monosperma Delile, Origanum dayi Post, Urtica membranacea Poir. ex Savigny, Krameria lappacea (Dombey) Burdet & B.B. Simpson and metabolites extracted from microbes such as Deinococcus radiodurans and Streptomycetes strains as well as probiotics like Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus brevis MK05 have exhibited antitumor effects in the form of antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, increase in tumors' chemosensitivity, antioxidant activity and modulation of BC - associated molecular pathways. Further, bioactive compounds like 3,3'-diindolylmethane, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, rutin, resveratrol, lycopene, sulforaphane, silibinin, rosmarinic acid, and shikonin are of special interest for the researchers and clinicians because these natural agents have multimodal action and act via multiple ways in managing the BC and most of these agents are regularly available in our food and fruit diets. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that such products had major potential in enhancing the effectiveness of conventional antitumor agents and decreasing their side effects. We here provide a comprehensive review of the therapeutic effects and mechanistic underpinnings of medicinal plants and microbial metabolites in BC management. The future perspectives on the translation of these findings to the personalized treatment of BC are provided and discussed.

The effects of Quercetin supplementation on cardiometabolic outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Quercetin is a bioactive flavonoid, but the effect of it on cardiometabolic factors has remained uncertain and previous findings from meta-analyses have been controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the effects of Quercetin on cardiometabolic factors based on meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHOD

MEDLINE, SciVerse Scopus, and Clarivate Analytics Web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible publications. As part of the umbrella review, we summarized pooled estimates, 95% CIs, heterogeneity, and publication bias. A GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence.

RESULTS

Five meta-analyses including 18 eligible RCTs plus 5 RCTs that were not included in previous meta-analyses were found. The results indicated Quercetin does not affect diastolic blood pressure (DBP), lipid profile, inflammation, anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose (FBG), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). However, Quercetin supplementation could significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) (weighted mean difference (WMD): -1.9, 95% CI = -3.2 to -0.6, I2  = 88.3%) and insulin level (WMD: -1.07, 95% CI = -1.9 to -0.1, I2  = 75.0%). The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate.

CONCLUSION

Quercetin supplementation has reducing effects on SBP and insulin levels but not other cardiometabolic parameters. More high-quality trials with longer follow-up durations may be required to obtain a more robust conclusion.

Efficacy of clove and tulsi supplementation in drinking water in broiler immunity

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants or their products are popular substitutes for antibiotics or other synthetic growth promoters for their beneficial effects and cost-effectiveness. Clove (Cv) and tulsi (Ts) are rich in phytochemicals and are used to augment the growth performance of poultry.

OBJECTIVES

The current investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of Cv and Ts supplementation in drinking water on the morphologic and morphometric adaptations in the lymphoid organs.

METHODS

The experiment was conducted on 60 broiler chicks, divided into 4 homogenous groups (5 pens/group and 3 broilers/pen) named T0 (control), T1 (0.5% Cv and 2% Ts), T2 (1% Cv and 3% Ts) and T3 (1.5% Cv and 4% Ts). The treatments were administered from days 8 to 28. Lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius) were collected on days 14, 21 and 28 after sacrificing five broilers from each group.

RESULTS

The treatment groups had higher thymus and spleen weights on day 21, whereas the weights of the bursa of Fabricius were higher on days 14, 21 and 28. In the histomorphologic study, no noticeable difference in the histoarchitectures of the lymphoid organs was noticed. However, substantial differences in the cortico-medullary ratio and the number of follicles in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius, respectively, were found in the histomorphometric investigation.

CONCLUSION

The inclusion of Cv and Ts in drinking water augments the weight of lymphoid organs with histomorphometric adaptations that might improve the immune status in broilers.

Plants and mental disorders: the case of Catalan linguistic area

Introduction: Mental disorders are among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Despite the disease burden they cause, including significant direct and indirect impacts on individual's health and major social and economic consequences in all countries of the world, it is still one of the most neglected areas of public health. In such a context, the medicinal plants traditionally used to pale these pathologies are presented as a promising tool for future drug development for the management of mental health disorders. The aim of the present study is to analyze the information about plant species used to treat mental disorders in the Catalan linguistic area (CLA) and compare these traditional uses with pharmacological literature in order to evaluate the most quoted taxa and their uses and to provide a basis for further research. Methods: Data have been recovered from the "Etnobotànica dels Països Catalans" webpage (https://etnobotanica.iec.cat/) and the meta-analytic work carried out in the present study covers 27 prospections performed in different territories between 1990 and 2019. Descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotany were carried out and some ethnobotanical indices were calculated. Results and Discussion: The number of use reports analysed to treat mental disorders in CLA is 2,544 spread over 183 taxa belonging to 64 families, being the most cited the Malvaceae (29.36% of use reports), Lamiaceae (16.71%), Caprifoliaceae (7.94%), Rutaceae (7.47%) and Papaveraceae (6.01%). The most used taxa to treat or alleviate the mental disorders have been Tilia platyphyllos Scop. (24.53%), Valeriana officinalis L. (7.47%), Salvia officinalis L. (5.07%), Sambucus nigra L. (4.28%), and Ruta chalepensis L. (3.89%). The flowers or inflorescences (47.68%), followed by aerial part (23.49%), have been the most used plant parts, and tisane the most commonly used pharmaceutical form (78.03%). The most reported use is as sedative with 40.92%, followed by anticephalalgic (21. 19%) and tranquilizer (20.01%). The informant consensus factor (FIC) was 0.93, and 3.72% was the ethnobotanicity index (EI) value. The information is coincidental with at least one of the comprehensive pharmacological literature sources checked for 73.68% of ethnobotanical uses.

Covalent Inhibitors from Saudi Medicinal Plants Target RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has caused a huge loss of human life, and the number of deaths is still continuing. Despite the lack of repurposed drugs and vaccines, the search for potential small molecules to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 is in demand. Hence, we relied on the drug-like characters of ten phytochemicals (compounds 1-10) that were previously isolated and purified by our research team from Saudi medicinal plants. We computationally evaluated the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) by compounds 1-10. Non-covalent (reversible) docking of compounds 1-10 with RdRp led to the formation of a hydrogen bond with template primer nucleotides (A and U) and key amino acid residues (ASP623, LYS545, ARG555, ASN691, SER682, and ARG553) in its active pocket. Covalent (irreversible) docking revealed that compounds 7, 8, and 9 exhibited their irreversible nature of binding with CYS813, a crucial amino acid in the palm domain of RdRP. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation analysis by RMSD, RMSF, and Rg parameters affirmed that RdRP complexes with compounds 7, 8, and 9 were stable and showed less deviation. Our data provide novel information on compounds 7, 8, and 9 that demonstrated their non-nucleoside and irreversible interaction capabilities to inhibit RdRp and shed new scaffolds as antivirals against SARS-CoV-2.

Amelioration of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Fragaria nubicola (Wild Strawberry) via Attenuation of Inflammatory Mediators in Sprague Dawley Rats

Background and Objectives: Fragaria nubicola has never been evaluated scientifically for its anti-arthritic potential despite its use in folkloric systems of medicine. The research was conducted to assess the potential of F. nubicola against rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: The current study provided scientific evidence by evaluating the effects of plants using an in vivo CFA-induced model of arthritic rats and subsequent microscopic histopathological evaluation of ankle joints along with the determination of paw edema using a digital water displacement plethysmometer. The study also gave insight by determining levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and biochemical and hematological parameters. GCMS analysis was also conducted for the identification of possible anti-inflammatory plant constituents. Results: The data showed that F. nubicola-treated groups attenuated the progression of arthritis and paw edema. Microscopic histopathological evaluation validated the anti-arthritic potential by showing amelioration of bone erosion, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and pannus formation. RT-PCR analysis displayed that treatment with F. nubicola down-regulated IL1β, IL6, TNFα, NF-κB, VEGF, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 levels. Moreover, ELISA exhibited a reduction in levels of PGE2 levels in treatment groups. The levels of RBCs, platelets, WBCs, and Hb content were found to be nearly similar to negative control in the treated group. Statistically, a non-significant difference was found when all groups were compared for urea, creatinine, ALT, and AST analysis, indicating the safety of plant extract and fractions at test doses. GCMS analysis of extract and fractions showed the existence of many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemicals. Conclusion: In conclusion, F. nubicola possessed anti-arthritic properties that might be attributed to the amelioration of MMPs and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

In Vitro Synergistic Inhibitory Effects of Plant Extract Combinations on Bacterial Growth of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common pathogens of healthcare-associated infections. Medicinal plants have long been used in the traditional treatment of diseases or syndromes worldwide. Combined use of plant extracts could improve the effectiveness of pharmacological action by obtaining synergism, acting on multiple targets simultaneously, reducing the doses of individual components, and minimizing side effects. We aimed to investigate the synergistic inhibitory effects of selected medicinal plants (Caesalpinia sappan L. (CS), Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (GU), Sanguisorba officinalis L. (SO), and Uncaria gambir Roxb. (UG)) on the bacterial growth of MRSA and its clinical isolates. SO and UG extracts generated the best synergistic interaction as adjudged by checkerboard synergy assays. MICs of the individual extracts decreased 4-fold from 250 to 62.5 μg/mL, respectively. The SO + UG combination was further evaluated for its effects on bacterial growth inhibition, minimum bactericidal/inhibitory concentration (MBC/MIC) ratio, and time-kill kinetics. The results indicate that the SO + UG combination synergistically inhibited the bacterial growth of MRSA strains with bactericidal effects. SO + UG combination also exhibited more potent effects against clinical isolates. In multistep resistance selection experiments, both standard and isolates of MRSA showed no resistance to the SO + UG combination even after repeated exposure over fourteen passages. Our data suggest that using plant extract combinations could be a potential strategy to treat MRSA infections.

Potential of medicinal plants as antimalarial agents: a review of work done at Kenya Medical Research Institute

Background: Medicinal plants have traditionally been used as remedies against malaria. The present review attempted to compile data on scientific research evidence on antimalarial medicinal plants screened at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Center for Traditional Medicine and Drug (CTMDR) Research from January 2003 to December 2021. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using a predefined protocol based on PRISMA. Search was performed in Google Scholar and PubMed. One hundred and eight journal articles were identified 37 of which published on antimalarial/antiplasmodial work. Thirty journal articles with at least one author from KEMRI-CTMDR and accessible in full were selected for analysis. Relevant data was captured in MS Excel format and descriptive statistics, percentages and tables used to summarize the findings. Results: Assessment of individual plant species was considered as an independent study resulting in 1170 antiplasmodial/antimalarial tests done from 197 plant species. One hundred and fifty plant species were screened in vitro, one in vivo and 46 were both in vivo and in vitro. Three hundred and forty-four of tests reported good activity (IC50 < 10 μg/mL or parasite suppression rate of ≥50%), 414 moderate activity (IC50 values of 10-49 μg/mL or parasite suppression rate of 30%-49%) and 412 were reports of inactivity (IC50 ˃ 50 μg/mL or parasite suppression rate of <30%). Fuerstia africana and Ludwigia erecta were reported to have the highest activities, with IC50 < 1 μg/mL against Plasmodium falciparum D6 strain and chemosuppression in mice at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg, was reported as 61.9% and 65.3% respectively. Fifty five antimalarial/antiplasmodial active compounds isolated from eight plant species were reported with resinone (39) having the best activity (IC50 < 1 μg/mL). Conclusion: Though 344 of tests reported promising antimalarial activity, it was noted that there was limited evaluation of these plants in animal models, with only 9.0% (105/1170) studies and no clinical trials. This highlights an important research gap emphasizing the need for drug development studies that aim to progress study findings from preclinical to clinical studies. There is still need for extensive research on promising plant species aimed at developing new plant based antimalarial drugs.

Assessing the suitability and dynamics of three medicinal Sambucus species in China under current and future climate scenarios

Climate change exerts profound influences on the ecological environments on a global scale, leading to habitat destruction and altering distribution patterns for numerous plant species. Traditional Chinese medicinal plants, such as those belonging to the Sambucus genus, have been extensively utilized for several centuries to treat fractures, rheumatism, and inflammation. However, our understanding of their geographic distribution and climatic adaptation within China still needs to be improved. In this study, we screened the optimal predictive model (random forest model) to predict the potential suitable distribution of three Sambucus species (Sambucus adnata, Sambucus javanica, and Sambucus williamsii) across China under both current and future climate scenarios. Moreover, we identified key climate factors that influence their potential distributions. Our findings revealed that S. adnata and S. javanica are predominantly shaped by temperature seasonality and mean diurnal range, respectively, whereas S. williamsii is significantly affected by the precipitation of the wettest month. Currently, S. williamsii is primarily distributed in north and central south China (covering 9.57 × 105 km2), S. javanica is prevalent in the south and east regions (covering 6.41×105 km2), and S. adnata predominantly thrives in the southwest China (covering 1.99×105 km2). Under future climate change scenarios, it is anticipated that S. adnata may migrate to higher latitudes while S. javanica may shift to lower latitudes. However, potentially suitable areas for S. williamsii may contract under certain scenarios for the years 2050 and 2090, with an expansion trend under the SSP585 scenario for the year 2090. Our study emphasizes the importance of climatic variables in influencing the potential geographic distribution of Sambucus species. These findings provide valuable theoretical insights for the preservation, cultivation, and utilization of Sambucus medicinal plant resources in the context of ongoing climate change.

Plants of the Rubiaceae Family with Effect on Metabolic Syndrome: Constituents, Pharmacology, and Molecular Targets

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) predisposes individuals to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disorders caused by systemic inflammation, intestinal dysbiosis, and diminished antioxidant ability, leading to oxidative stress and compromised insulin sensitivity across vital organs. NCDs present a global health challenge characterized by lengthy and costly pharmacological treatments. Complementary and alternative medicine using herbal therapies has gained popularity. Approximately 350,000 plant species are considered medicinal, with 80% of the world's population opting for traditional remedies; however, only 21,000 plants are scientifically confirmed by the WHO. The Rubiaceae family is promissory for preventing and treating MetS and associated NCDs due to its rich content of metabolites renowned for their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory properties. These compounds influence transcription factors and mitigate chronic low-grade inflammation, liver lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, making them a cost-effective non-pharmacological approach for MetS prevention and treatment. This review aims to collect and update data that validate the traditional uses of the Rubiaceae family for treating MetS and associated NCDs from experimental models and human subjects, highlighting the mechanisms through which their extracts and metabolites modulate glucose and lipid metabolism at the molecular, biochemical, and physiological levels.

Effect of Industrial Pollution in Puchuncaví Valley on the Medicinal Properties of Senecio fistulosus Poepp. ex Les (Asteraceae): Content of Phytoconstituents and Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

Senecio fistulosus, an endemic plant in Chile, is highly regarded for its medicinal properties and is popular in alternative medicine. It thrives even in polluted areas, like Puchuncaví Valley, Chile. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the impact of industrial pollution in Puchuncaví Valley, Chile, on the phytoconstituent content, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, of S. fistulosus. Phenols, flavonoids, and anthraquinones content were measured, alongside the assessment of antioxidant activities. Additionally, a GC-MS analysis was conducted to profile the phytoconstituents, while the cytotoxic potential was evaluated in HT-29 and MCF-7 and cell line non-tumorigenic MCF-10. The Wild sample exhibited a greater concentration of phytoconstituents (0 to 169.48 mg·L-1) compared to the Commercial control (0 to 95.38 mg·L-1), directly correlating with its antioxidant activity. While the Wild species showed cytotoxic activity, the Commercial control demonstrated cytotoxic effects on MCF-10 and MCF-7. Noteworthy compounds identified were hexadecanoic acid (12.76 to 19.57% relative area) and (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (18.36% relative area), with anticancer properties. In conclusion, the abiotic stress experienced by S. fistulosus led to higher phytoconstituent content and improved antioxidant activity when contrasted with the Commercial control. The Commercial species showed increased cytotoxic activity against both tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cell lines.

Climate Change Dependence in Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Medicinal Plants in Crete, Greece

Over 80% of the global population addresses their primary healthcare needs using traditional medicine based on medicinal plants. Consequently, there's a rising demand for these plants for both household and industrial use at local, regional, national, and international levels. However, wild harvesting has negatively impacted natural ecosystems. Cultivating medicinal species has been proposed as a conservation strategy to alleviate this pressure. Yet, in this age of global climate change concerns, smallholder farmers' views on the benefits of such cultivation clash with the uncertainties of climate change impacts, amplifying their anxieties. In this context, the climate change dependence of ex situ cultivation of ten wild medicinal taxa with significant ethnopharmacological interest in Crete, Greece, were studied, projecting their potential habitat suitability under various future climate scenarios. The results demonstrated species-specific effects. Based on the potential cultivation area gains and losses, these effects can be categorized into three groups. We also outlined the spatial patterns of these gains and losses, offering valuable insights for regional management strategies benefiting individual practitioners.

In Silico Screening of Some Active Phytochemicals to Identify Promising Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2 Targets

BACKGROUND

There are very few small-molecule drug candidates developed against SARS-CoV-2 that have been revealed since the epidemic began in November 2019. The typical medicinal chemistry discovery approach requires more than a decade of the year of painstaking research and development and a significant financial guarantee, which is not feasible in the challenge of the current epidemic.

OBJECTIVE

This current study proposes to find and identify the most effective and promising phytomolecules against SARS-CoV-2 in six essential proteins (3CL protease, Main protease, Papain- Like protease, N-protein RNA binding domain, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and Spike receptor binding domain target through in silico screening of 63 phytomolecules from six different Ayurveda medicinal plants.

METHODS

The phytomolecules and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were taken from public domain databases such as PubChem and RCSB Protein Data Bank. For in silico screening, the molecular interactions, binding energy, and ADMET properties were investigated.

RESULTS

The structure-based molecular docking reveals some molecules' greater affinity towards the target than the co-crystal ligand. Our results show that tannic acid, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, zeaxanthin, and carbolactone are phytomolecules capable of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 target proteins in the least energy conformations. Tannic acid had the least binding energy of -8.8 kcal/mol, which is better than the binding energy of its corresponding co-crystal ligand (-7.5 kcal/mol) against 3 CL protease. Also, it has shown the least binding energy of -9.9 kcal/mol with a more significant number of conventional hydrogen bond interactions against the RdRp target. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside showed binding energy values of -8.8 and -7.6 kcal/mol against Main protease and Papain-like protease, respectively. Zeaxanthin was the top candidate in the N protein RBD with a binding score of - 8.4 kcal/mol, which is slightly better when compared to a co-crystal ligand (-8.2 kcal/mol). In the spike, carbolactone was the suitable candidate with the binding energy of -7.2 kcal/mol and formed a conventional hydrogen bond and two hydrophobic interactions. The best binding affinity-scored phytomolecules were selected for the MD simulations studies.

CONCLUSION

The present in silico screening study suggested that active phytomolecules from medicinal plants could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 targets. The elite docked compounds with drug-like properties have a harmless ADMET profile, which may help to develop promising COVID-19 inhibitors.

Medicinal plant molecules against hepatitis C virus: Current status and future prospect

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a global malady, causes acute and chronic hepatitis leading to permanent liver damage, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. Modern anti-HCV therapies are efficient, but mostly inaccessible for residents of underdeveloped regions. To innovate more effective treatments at affordable cost, medicinal plant-based products need to be explored. The aim of this article is to review plant constituents in the light of putative anti-HCV mechanisms of action, and discuss existing problems, challenges, and future directions for their potential application in therapeutic settings. One hundred sixty literatures were collected by using appropriate search strings via scientific search engines: Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Bibliography was prepared using Mendeley desktop software. We found a substantial number of plants that were reported to inhibit different stages of HCV life cycle. Traditional medicinal plants such as Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. and Thonn., Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk., and Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile exhibited strong anti-HCV activities. Again, several phytochemicals such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate, honokilol, punicalagin, and quercetin have shown broad-spectrum anti-HCV effect. We have presented promising phytochemicals like silymarin, curcumin, glycyrrhizin, and camptothecin for nanoparticle-based hepatocyte-targeted drug delivery. Nevertheless, only a few animal studies have been performed to validate the anti-HCV effect of these plant products. Again, insufficient clinical evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of herbal medications remain a problem. Selected plants products could be developed as novel therapeutics for HCV patients only after scrupulous evaluation of their safety and efficacy in a clinical set-up.