Metabolic profiling and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Malpighia glabra L. leaves

Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae): Insights into Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities with Chemical Composition Analysis via UHPLC-MS/MS and GC/MS

Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) is a liana native to the Brazilian Cerrado biome, traditionally used in Ayahuasca preparations. Despite its cultural importance, research on its chemical composition and biological activities, which may have therapeutic potential, is limited. This study investigated the volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites of D. pubipetala leaves, their antioxidant capacity, and their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Volatile compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled to solid-phase microextraction (SPME), while non-volatile compounds were annotated using UHPLC-MS/MS-ESI-Q-TOF. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH assay, and antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata). GC-MS analysis revealed 25 predominant volatile compounds, including ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate, nonanoic acid, and 5-methylhexan-2-one, with documented antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. The crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed strong antioxidant capacity (EC50 9.83 µg/mL and 6.42 µg/mL, respectively), and antifungal effects were observed against Candida species. This study provides the first comprehensive investigation of the antioxidant capacity and antibacterial and antifungal activities of D. pubipetala, together with a detailed chemical profile of its volatile compounds.

Integrated chemical analysis, metabolic profiling, network pharmacology, molecular docking and toxicity prediction to reveal the active ingredients and their safety of raw and prepared rhubarbs in the treatment of gastric ulcers

BACKGROUND

Rhubarb, containing raw rhubarb (RR) and two processed products (steamed rhubarb, SR; carbonized rhubarb, CR), is commonly used in high-doses for the treatment of peptic ulcer, especially gastric ulcer (GU). However, their active ingredients, therapeutic targets, and potential mechanism remain unclear. Meanwhile, the safety of these active ingredients is also worth studying.

METHODS

An offline two-dimensional low-pressure liquid chromatography/high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry method was applied to identify the chemical constituents of RR, SR, and CR. Then, the plasma and urine samples of rats after oral administration of RR, SR, and CR were studied for metabolite profiling. Based on the analysis of ingredients in vivo, the key active constituents, core therapeutic targets and key signaling pathways of RR, SR, and CR against GU were screened via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally, the efficacy and safety of these key active ingredients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Totally, 183, 120 and 115 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized from RR, SR and CR, respectively. Meanwhile, 190, 182 and 180 components were identified after oral administration of RR, SR and CR. By network pharmacology and molecular docking, torachrysone, hydroxyemodin, 6-methylrhein, rhein and emodin anthrone might be the predominant effective constituents in RR, SR, and CR with AKT1 and EGFR being their key targets during the treatment of GU. Moreover, EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might play a crucial role in the therapeutic mechanism of GU. In silio ADMET predictions categorized 5 compounds as drugs with good oral bioavailability, but these components may induce liver injury.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results not only clarified the active substances and molecular mechanism for enhancing our understanding about the traditional efficacy, but also pay attention to the clinical safety issues of raw and prepared rhubarbs.

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) Anti-Inflammatory Activity-A Review

The manuscript provides an overview of recent scientific reports on the properties and range of health-promoting effects of acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) fruits and leaves. Acerola is a natural raw material that, in its unprocessed form, is known to be a rich source of vitamin C and polyphenolic compounds. For this reason, the consumption of acerola may provide a number of health-promoting benefits, particularly related to its strong anti-free radical effects. The review discusses anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of acerola fruit and leaves as well as its therapeutic effects on selected physiological processes in the human system. Their biochemical mechanisms are also explained. Recommendations for the consumption of acerola in the prevention of inflammatory and free radical diseases are presented. The part of the article devoted to anticancer effects of acerola describes the possibilities of using the edible parts of this raw material to obtain products and preparations of potential use in cancer prevention and therapy.