Nutricion hospitalariaAnna Paré Vidal, M ª José Alonso Osorio, Genoveva Osorio Fernández
Introduction: micronutrients fulfil essential functions as cofactors and regulators of the metabolic pathways involved in the response to stress. When present in appropriate quantities, they help to maintain neuroendocrine and immune homeostasis in situations of high physiological demand. Adaptogens can normalize biological functions and strengthen systems affected by stress, protecting the organism against psychological and environmental insults. Objectives: to evaluate the bidirectional relationship between micronutrients and stress, with emphasis on the role of adaptogens. Methods: we reviewed the literature and selected relevant studies, mainly randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results: there is a bidirectional association between stress and micronutrient status: stress affects nutritional status via multiple mechanisms, including increased demand, reduced intake and absorption, and changes in eating habits. This could lead to micronutrient deficiency, which, in turn, compromises the body's response to stress. Conclusions: stress can exhaust our supply of specific micronutrients, and even slight deficiencies can affect energy metabolism, leading to tiredness, mental and physical fatigue, and a reduced ability to adapt to stress. Adaptogens can strengthen resistance to stress and prevent stress from becoming chronic. Supplementation with B vitamins and magnesium, together with vegetable extracts such as rhodiola and melissa, has proven beneficial in reducing stress and improving mood and well-being, with additional effects on energy and fatigue.
Die NaturwissenschaftenAmna Bibi, Sheikh Zain Ul Abidin, Salman Majeed, Raees Khan, Iman Zaffar, Shehla Nawaz, Naimat Ullah, Khuzin Dinislam
In the present study, quantitative ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants utilized by the local communities for treating different human ailments in selected rural villages of Punjab, Pakistan has been documented. Semi-structured interviews and field surveys were employed to conduct field investigations from March 2024 to April 2025, with a total of 105 informants aged 18-70 years. The total number of plant species recorded and reported for the cure of 14 human ailments was 50 belonging to 25 families. Fabaceae was the dominant family with 6 species, among the documented families. The most abundant life form was herbs (26 species) and the most common part used was leaves (16 species). The highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC = 0.34) was found in Bombax ceiba, Cenchrus echinatus and Sonchus oleraceus. Spinacia oleracea had the highest Use Value (UV = 0.08) while the lowest UV was 0.03. Mentha canadensis recorded the highest Fidelity Level (FL = 93%) for the treatment of hyperacidity and diarrhea whereas Azadirachta indica recorded the lowest FL (69%) in the treatment of scabies and pimples. Three species recorded the highest FC (36) while three other species recorded the lowest FC (24). The results showed a high diversity of medicinal plants in the study area and significant traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. There were not enough up-to-date health care facilities in rural areas, so local residents heavily depended on the use of medicinal plants for basic health care. The study emphasized the need to maintain the knowledge of the indigenous people and conserve medicinal plants resources for sustainable use and future exploration in medicine.
International ophthalmologyGayatri Sawale, Mohd Riyaz Beg, Aakash Daple, Santosh Ghuge, Sadhana Sathaye
BACKGROUND: Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness globally. Current treatment options are limited to surgical intervention, highlighting the need for pharmacological alternatives. The primary objective of this study was to develop an ocular formulation containing the ethyl acetate fraction of Saraca asoca (EASA) flowers and to evaluate the anti-cataract activity using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. METHODS: The EASA extract was characterized and analyzed by chromatographic techniques for the presence of phytoconstituents and the extract was formulated into an eye drop at 5 mg/mL. A comprehensive preclinical study evaluated the safety and efficacy of an ophthalmic formulation. Studies included in vitro antioxidant assays, in vitro irritation potential, ex vivo goat lens cataract model, in vivo ocular safety, in vivo diabetes, and UV-induced cataract models, affecting physiological enzymes and lens opacity. RESULTS: Chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of gallic acid, apigenin, and quercetin as key biomarkers from the EASA extract. The eye drop formulation produced a HET-CAM score of 0.5 (non-irritant) and the rabbit test showed no eye irritation up to 24 h. No abnormality or toxicity was observed after 28 days of ocular instillation. EASA exhibited significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP assays and inhibited aldose reductase activity. Ex vivo studies of EASA demonstrated remarkable protection against lens opacification and in vivo treatment with EASA formulation preserved lens clarity compared to the negative control, while restoring endogenous antioxidants GSH, SOD and CAT to levels approaching those of normal controls. CONCLUSION: Developed EASA eye drop formulation is non-irritant, ocularly safe, and displays potent antioxidant and aldose reductase inhibitory effects. EASA formulation significantly prevented and mitigated diabetes and UV-induced cataracts in preclinical models, supporting its potential as a non-invasive therapeutic option for cataract and ocular health management.
Secondary metabolites derived from medicinal plants represent a critical resource for drug discovery and play an indispensable role in the prevention and treatment of major human diseases. Spatial metabolomics has emerged as a transformative approach that overcomes the inherent limitations of traditional metabolomics, particularly tissue homogenisation, by enabling precise, in situ profiling of the spatial heterogeneity and dynamic accumulation of key bioactive compounds. When integrated with complementary technologies such as spatial multi-omics (SMO), single-cell analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted imaging, this paradigm provides a powerful framework for deciphering the spatiotemporal regulatory networks that govern secondary metabolite biosynthesis. This review systematically compares conventional and spatial metabolomics, synthesises recent advances in medicinal plant research, critically evaluates current technical challenges and optimisation strategies, and outlines future directions enabled by multi-omics integration and intelligent computational analytics. Collectively, these insights aim to establish a theoretical foundation for the in-depth investigation of medicinal plants and to support their translational application and industrial advancement.
Oxidative stress, described as an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant systems, has an important pathogenic role in many chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and neurodegeneration. This narrative review investigates the effect of common herbal medicines and functional foods in oxidative stress, based on available experimental and clinical data. Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Zingiber officinale, berries, and leafy vegetables, which contain bioactive molecules like polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through activation of Nrf2 and NF-κB signalling pathways. The important findings from this review suggest that curcumin and gingerol possess anticancer properties via the regulation of p53, MAPK, and ROS-JNK pathways, which induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, these bioactive compounds improve mitochondrial dysfunction and redox status in cardiovascular diseases. Bacosides and withanolides can be used for neuroprotection by preventing oxidative injury and protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. The antioxidant-rich herbs and functional foods may have promising roles in oxidative stress-related disorders as preventative and supportive treatment options; however, further research is needed to establish their efficacy and safety in patients.
Human cellXintong He, Juan Li, Jun Lu, Zhaomin Chen, Ya Wang, Kehui He, Xuegang Li, Hang Ma, Xiaoli Ye
Breast cancer remains a significant clinical challenge, with treatment failure and patient mortality primarily attributable to tumor metastasis. Daucosterol linoleate (DL) was previously isolated from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Using HPLC analysis of ten commercial dried sweet potato products from different regions of China, DL was detected in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.24 mg to 6.05 mg per 100 g, confirming its widespread presence in commercially processed sweet potato products. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that DL exhibited a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1452.28 ng/mL, an elimination half-life (t1/2) of 11.14 h, and a mean residence time (MRT) of 9.62 h, supporting its potential for oral administration. DL significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of MCF-7, 4T1, and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and reduced lung metastasis in vivo. Proteomic analysis identified SCD1 as a key molecule mediating the effects of DL. Mechanistically, DL downregulated SCD1 to inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by decreased expression of N-Cadherin, MMP2, Vimentin, and Snail, alongside increased E-Cadherin expression. Collectively, DL inhibits breast cancer metastasis by downregulating SCD1 and suppressing EMT, supporting its dual potential as a functional food ingredient and adjuvant therapeutic.
Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical SciencesPooja Govindaraj, N Sasikaladevi
BACKGROUND: Medicinal plants have been utilized for centuries for their beneficial properties and significant impact on traditional medical systems worldwide. Indian medicinal plants and their therapeutic properties have recently gained increased attention from the global healthcare community. Accurate identification and classification of medicinal plants ensure proper therapeutic applications. However, botanists manually identify these plants, which is subjective, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to develop an accurate and automated classification of these medicinal plants for diverse applications such as conservation initiatives, quality assurance, and the formulation of novel herbal treatments. METHODS: A Deep Fused Explainable Neural Architecture termed MedPlantNet is proposed for robust recognition of medicinal plant leaves. The deep discriminative features are extracted from the medicinal plant images using a fine-tuned Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN). A customized Support Vector Machine is developed to efficiently classify these extracted deep features. To enhance model interpretability, a meta-visualization framework incorporating Grad-CAM and Occlusion Sensitivity visualization is implemented to identify the regions of the image that contribute to the classification decisions. We utilized the Mendeley benchmark Medicinal plant leaf database with 30 classes to train and evaluate the model. RESULTS: To assess the effectiveness of the proposed model, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and AUC are calculated. The proposed system outperforms existing state-of-the-art (SOTA) algorithms for medicinal plant classification, achieving an optimal maximum validation accuracy of 99.87% and AUC of 1. To further validate the generalizability external validation was performed on Bangladeshi medicinal plant dataset and MedLeaves dataset where the proposed model MedPlantNet attained 99.27% and 99.80% validation accuracy respectively. CONCLUSION: MedPlantNet provides an automatic framework for medicinal plant identification based on deep feature extraction, classification and explainable visualization techniques. The results obtained indicate its potential utility in supporting biodiversity conservation, quality assurance and herbal medicine research.
Drug design, development and therapyReza Pertiwi, Gofarana Wilar, Sri Adi Sumiwi, Jutti Levita
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a significant global health concern associated with substantial morbidity. The primary etiologies include Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both of which impair gastric mucosal defense mechanisms. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and current management strategies of PUD, including emerging therapeutic developments. Advances in diagnostic modalities, such as endoscopy and imaging, have improved early detection and clinical outcomes. Current management focuses on H. pylori eradication, gastric acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and prevention of complications. Recent advances in peptic ulcer therapy include the introduction of potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), which provide rapid and potent acid suppression and may serve as an effective alternative to PPIs in selected patients. In cases of bleeding ulcers, endoscopic therapy combined with high-dose PPI administration remains the standard of care. Case reports from multiple countries demonstrate a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from mild dyspepsia to severe complications such as perforation and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Common risk factors include chronic NSAID use, smoking, anticoagulant therapy, and persistent H. pylori infection. Diagnosis is established through laboratory evaluation, imaging, and endoscopy, while treatment ranges from pharmacological therapy to emergency surgical intervention in severe cases. Most patients show favourable outcomes with timely management, although mortality may still occur in complicated conditions. Emerging challenges, particularly antibiotic resistance, have led to the adoption of tailored therapeutic strategies based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In addition, novel approaches, including phytotherapy, are being explored as potential adjuncts. An individualized and evidence-based approach is therefore essential to optimize clinical outcomes in patients with PUD.
The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacologyThi Ly Pham, Chi-Dat Lam, Viet Phong Nguyen
OBJECTIVES: Muntingia calabura L. has long been utilized in traditional therapies, with various plant parts (fruits, leaves, and stem bark) used to treat a range of conditions, including diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and respiratory diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on M. calabura, including its chemical constituents, biological activities, and emerging applications. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using several electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder, and ScienceDirect. The search strategy employed keywords such as "M. calabura", "M. calabura", "Jamaican cherry", "botanical characteristics", "distribution", "phytoconstituents", "biological activities", "toxicological profiles", and "green-synthesized nanoparticles". KEY FINDINGS: Based on the synthesis of available literature, a total of 98 flavonoids have been characterized, alongside 22 phenolic compounds, 25 terpenoids, 7 tocopherol derivatives, and other secondary metabolites, demonstrating the diversity of phytochemical constituents from M. calabura. Pharmacological investigations have revealed a wide range of bioactivities, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anticancer, wound-healing, respiratory-supportive, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory, renoprotective, metabolic, and antidepressant effects. Additionally, recent studies highlight its potential as a green bioconstituent for eco-friendly nanoparticle synthesis, extending its relevance to environmental technologies.
The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacologyYake Jin, Xin Ke, Rong Gao, Xuan Lei, Xinru Yuan, Chanchan Qiao, Ting Li, Yunzhao Cuan, Ying Ling, Tiantian Song, Xi Duan, Xiao Song
OBJECTIVES: Serissa belongs to Rubiaceae plants, which has the effects of dispelling wind and relieving surface, clearing heat and draining dampness, relaxing the sinews, and quickening the collaterals. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-hepatitis B virus properties, inhibits bacterial growth and tyrosinase activity, and promotes coagulation and other pharmacological effects. It also has a good therapeutic effect on kidney diseases. In this paper, the botany, traditional use, processing specifications, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicology, clinical application, and quality control analysis of the genus Serissa were reviewed to provide some reference for the follow-up application of the genus Serissa. METHODS: Literature and related information were collected from online resources such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, and VIP database. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 141 compounds were collected, including volatile oil components, flavonoids, lignans, quinones, triterpenoids, and steroids. The most important pharmacological effect of Serissa is its anti-inflammatory action, which is commonly used in the treatment of diseases such as hepatitis and nephritis. CONCLUSION: In this paper, the botany, traditional use, processing specification, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicology, clinical application, quality control analysis, and other aspects of a comprehensive review proved that Serissa has great medicinal value.
Veterinary medicine and scienceGebremedhin Gebrezgabiher, Desalegn Meresa
BACKGROUND: Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) remains central to livestock health management in Afar region of Ethiopia. However, this Indigenous knowledge is increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and socio-cultural transformation. This study aimed to document medicinal plants used by pastoralists in the Megale district, Afar region, Ethiopia. METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field observations involving 13 key informants. Medicinal plant specimens were collected and identified, and their nomenclature was verified using Plants of the World Online following the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification system. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and relative importance (RI). RESULTS: Twenty-seven medicinal plant species belonging to 14 families were documented. Euphorbiaceae (35.71%) and Fabaceae (28.57%) were the most represented families. Leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part (54.55%), and crushing was the predominant preparation method (61.77%). Dermal and oral routes accounted for over 70% of administrations. Wound management involved the highest number of plant species (20%), whereas musculoskeletal disorders showed the highest informant consensus (ICF = 0.67). Balanites rotundifolia (RI = 0.88) and Calotropis procera (RI = 0.78) were the most culturally important species. CONCLUSION: Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants remain integral to livestock healthcare in Megale district. High cultural consensus highlights key species priorities for conservation and future pharmacological investigation. The concentration of knowledge among elderly informants underscores the urgency of documentation, conservation and integration into community-based veterinary services.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDDJulia Stolyar, Lucie Joerg, Jared Jagdeo
BACKGROUND: Hair plays a central role in personal identity, societal interactions, and cultural expression. As a result, hair growth, preservation, and loss are common dermatologic concerns for many patients across age groups and sexes. Recent data support the potential role of Moringa-derived formulations in the management of hair-related outcomes, due to their bioactive properties. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Lens.org was conducted on January 2, 2026, according to PRISMA guidelines, for studies evaluating Moringa species and Moringa-derived preparations for hair-related outcomes. RESULTS: Out of the 448 screened publications, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 4 in vivo animal studies and 1 case series. CONCLUSIONS: Moringa-derived formulations were associated with increased hair length and hair weight in animal models, as well as reduced hair shedding in human study participants. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish whether Moringa is a suitable candidate for the management of hair growth, hair preservation, and hair loss.  .
Drug design, development and therapyAdjeng Pratiwi Djatmiko, Anis Yohana Chaerunisaa, Miski Aghnia Khairinisa, Alfi Khatib, Muhaimin Muhaimin
The Anak Dalam tribe, popularly known as Suku Anak Dalam (SAD), is an indigenous community in the Jambi Province of Indonesia. The traditional knowledge within this group is deeply intertwined with forest resources, particularly regarding medicinal plants utilized for wound healing. Significantly, diabetic wounds are a severe complication of diabetes mellitus. These wounds are typically characterized by delayed healing processes, high susceptibility to infection, and an elevated risk of amputation. Accordingly, this review summarizes medicinal plants traditionally employed by the Anak Dalam community for various wound-related conditions. Beyond simple documentation, the study evaluates the potential relevance of these species as candidate sources for diabetic wound-healing research. In this study, a narrative literature review was conducted utilizing databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate, covering publications released between 2015 and 2025. Altogether, 40 medicinal plants were examined. Specifically, several species (ie, Anredera cordifolia, Centella asiatica, Psidium guajava, and Piper betle) demonstrated pharmacological activities directly relevant to wound-healing processes. The primary phytochemical constituents identified across these studies are flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Crucially, these compounds are reported to exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, these substances support vital biological processes associated with tissue repair, such as fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization. Most existing evidence, however, is derived from in vitro assays, animal models, or indirect pharmacological investigations. Therefore, the findings of this review should be viewed as a basis for generating potential candidates rather than as definitive proof of established clinical efficacy. This review highlights the necessity of integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with rigorous pharmacological validation. Ultimately, such integration is essential to support future research into evidence-based herbal approaches for the management of diabetic wounds.
The Canadian journal of urologyArif Kol, Hüseyin Günizi, Özlem Ceren Günizi
OBJECTIVE: Sambucus nigra (SN) has been found to exhibit strong antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects. In our study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Sambucus nigra extracts (SNe) in interstitial cystitis, a condition in which inflammation plays a significant role in its pathophysiology. METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino adult female rats were used in this study. All rats were housed at an average room temperature of 23°C, with a 12-h light/dark cycle, and had ad libitum access to food. The rats were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 10): Control (sham) group, Group 2 (n = 10): Interstitial cystitis group, and Group 3 (n = 10): Treatment group. Rats in Group 3 were administered oral Sambucus nigra extract at a dose of 0.040 g/kg every other day for a total of 8 weeks. Bladder tissues were examined both histologically and immunohistochemically, with a focus on mast cells and the presence of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). RESULTS: The findings of chronic inflammation were striking in the bladder sections of the interstitial cystitis group. In the treatment group, regenerating transitional epithelium, a compact appearance in the lamina propria, and a decrease in inflammatory cells and mast cells were observed. While significant improvements were noted in IL-8, TNF-α, and mast cell counts, there was a reduction in IL-6 and VEGF levels, although this reduction was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Sambucus nigra, significantly reduces TNF-α, Mast cell, VEGF, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in interstitial cystitis (IC) bladder tissue. It provides recovery in damaged bladder epithelium, smooth muscle, and basal membrane. SN attracts attention as an important agent due to its effects in the treatment of IC.
BACKGROUND: Delirium and sleep disturbances are common among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CCU), often leading to increased mortality and prolonged hospitalization. Non-pharmacological interventions such as massage and aromatherapy may offer supportive benefits in managing these complications. METHODS: This parallel randomized clinical trial included 198 CCU patients diagnosed with AMI. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups: Group A received head and facial massage with lavender essential oil; Group B received massage with unscented sweet almond oil; Group C served as the control group with no massage. The intervention was administered twice daily for 20 min over two consecutive days. Delirium severity was assessed using the Neelon and Champagne Confusion Scale (NEECHAM), and sleep quality was evaluated using the St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ). RESULTS: Both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in sleep quantity and quality compared to the control group. Additionally, delirium severity was lower in the massage groups. These effects were sustained over time, suggesting the potential of head and facial massage-with or without aromatherapy-as a beneficial complementary therapy in cardiac care. CONCLUSION: Head and facial massage, whether combined with lavender aromatherapy or not, appears to be a safe, cost-effective, and practical method for improving sleep and managing delirium in CCU patients. Incorporating such complementary approaches into routine nursing care may enhance patient outcomes, reduce reliance on medication, and shorten hospital stays.
Die NaturwissenschaftenSalman Majeed, Muhammad Zafar, Sayyara Ibadullayeva, Nahaa M Alotaibi, Sheikh Zain Ul Abidin, Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Sumreen Dawood, Khuzin Dinislam, Adnan Amin
In the desert areas with indigenous communities, they have a rich array of traditional knowledge regarding the usage of medicinal plants and this has become a major form of their primary health care practices. This broad ethnobotanical strategy in the desert ecosystems and the exploration revealed indigenous knowledge, sustainable resource use, and community well-being can be enhanced through the adoption of the traditions of healing. The data collection of the medicinal plants were conducted from Thal desert using semi-structured interviews, guided field interviews, direct observation, focus group discussions, and surveys, between spring and monsoon 2022.The analysis was done in terms of qualitative as well as quantitative indices; Use value (UV), Relative Frequency of citation (RFC) and Cultural Value Index (CVI). An extensive survey documented about 111 plant species of 26 families, of which Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae, were mostly represented, which were typical practices found in Thal desert. Among others, it is worth noting that Tribulus terrestris, Tecomella undulata, and Tamarix aphylla were the most commonly used plants. The most used part of plants was leaves and herbal preparation of traditional remedies mainly the raw, powder and paste application form. In the quantitative analysis, Ziziphus nummularia was found to have the highest RFC value (0.52), while Iphione grantioides had the least RFC value (0.05),The survey uses quantitative ethnobotanical measures, such as the UV, RFC and CVI importance indices to measure and record the indigenous knowledge in a systematic manner in the context of primary health care. Folk tradition in the primary health care practices with an ethnomedical approach to the Thal desert is not only an improved way of improving the well-being of the community, but also an indication of a need to use resources in a sustainable manner.
International journal of molecular sciencesMarta Wojtyś, Ewa Beata Górska, Ewa Osińska, Wojciech Stępień, Dariusz Gozdowski, Barbara Gworek, Angela Cunha, Isabel Natalia Sierra Garcia, Marek Kondras, Ed…
Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites, yet their long-term effects on the rhizosphere (RS) microbial communities remain poorly understood, particularly with respect to microbial selection and functional potential. This study evaluated the number of selected groups of microorganisms culturable in vitro in the RS and bulk soil (BS) within 10-year monocultures of 11 medicinal plant species, and as a targeted case study, we performed shotgun metagenomic profiling for Allium ursinum. The abundance of microorganisms differed markedly among plant species, indicating species-specific RS selection. Azotobacter spp. showed the strongest variation: they were not detected in the RS of Allium ursinum, Thymus vulgaris, and Carum carvi, whereas higher counts were observed under Artemisia dracunculus (135.1 × 102 CFU g-1 DM), Melissa officinalis (67.1 × 102 CFU g-1 DM) and Calendula officinalis (38.8× 102 CFU g-1 DM). Azotobacter spp. may serve as a sensitive candidate indicator of RS imbalance. Metagenomic analysis of the A. ursinum-associated soil revealed fine-scale taxonomic restructuring, while major functional categories remained broadly similar between the RS and BS. The novelty of this study lies in the development of the Integrated Microbiological Health Soil Index (IMHSI) and the proposal of a Nitrogen Enrichment Index (NEI) as exploratory composite metrics that integrate selected functional microbial groups.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)Shengying Lin, Roy Wai-Lun Tang, Ran Duan, Ka Wing Leung, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Stilbene-type compounds are vital plant secondary metabolites that are classified under polyphenols and generally exhibit significant biological activities, as well as potential health benefits. These compounds, prevalent in food sources and medicinal plants, are recognized for their complex structures and their roles in plant defense mechanisms against environmental stressors. Despite their beneficial properties, the natural stilbenes face limitations related to their bioavailability and solubility, highlighting the need for chemical modifications to enhance their therapeutic efficacy. Studies have focused on structural modifications of the stilbene scaffold, including the introduction of carbon-based fragments, aiming to improve the compounds' stability, selectivity, and overall biological activities. The development of stilbene analogues through chemical modifications not only expands the library of valuable stilbene-type compounds but also holds promise for new therapeutic applications in combating chronic diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge on the sources, biological activities, and chemical modifications of stilbene compounds, emphasizing their potential in healthcare and nutrition.
NutrientsGrace Jing, Clara M Keane, Clare M Reynolds
Background: Menopause is a biological process characterised by the cessation of menstruation and substantial changes in ovarian hormone production. As many women seek non-hormonal alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, interest in herbal supplements has increased. However, the evidence for their effectiveness remains inconsistent due to the diversity of available supplements. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether oral herbal supplements improve menopausal symptoms in women. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase and PsycINFO was conducted in October 2025 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing non-soy oral herbal supplements for menopausal symptoms. The primary outcomes examined included neurological symptoms, sleep quality, and vasomotor symptoms. The secondary outcomes were overall quality of life and reported adverse effects. Results: Thirty RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 28 reported improvements in menopausal symptoms, particularly reductions in the severity and frequency of vasomotor symptoms. Nineteen distinct herbal interventions were identified. The two RCTs using black cohosh and dong quai found no measurable effects. Two studies demonstrated significant improvements in specific cognitive domains, although evidence for broader cognitive benefits was limited. Overall quality of life was generally improved, and no major adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: The substantial heterogeneity in the studies identified from this review across multiple factors, including different herbal interventions, doses, duration, and assessment methods, makes it difficult to come to an overall conclusion on whether or not herbal supplementation is effective for treating menopausal symptoms. Further well-designed trials are needed to clarify the efficacy and optimal dosing of herbal treatments.
Journal of natural medicinesYoshitomi Kudo, Rina Hashimoto, Rajnee Hasan, Connor Pedersen, Hirokazu Ando, Kelly Kindscher, Yohei Sasaki, Toshihiro Obata
Native Americans have historically used roots, shoots, and seeds of Lomatium species for various dietary and medicinal purposes. Lomatium foeniculaceum is a perennial parsley or biscuitroot species endemic to the Great Plains and western U.S. Its seeds are reported to be used as a "love medicine," a unique use compared to other Lomatium species, which are primarily used as a root food and for broad health improvement. We harvested L. foeniculaceum plants from their natural habitat throughout the year and analyzed tissue and seasonal variations in their chemical composition to elucidate the relationship between traditional usage and the plant's metabolism and time of year, and how this might relate to its traditional usage. This species grew vegetatively from March to May and flowered in May and June. The aerial tissues senesced in July, and the root remained dormant from July to March. Leaves and flowers contained significantly higher levels of metabolites than roots. We detected two major essential oil constituents, (E)- and (Z)-ligustilide, and the furanocoumarin, bergapten, at high levels in leaves and flowers. L. foeniculaceum is an uncommon species accumulating less-stable E-form at higher concentrations than the Z-form. This characteristic essential oil composition is probably related to the fragrance of flowers and seeds. On the other hand, the roots of this species contained lower levels of bioactive compounds and nutrients, which, coupled with their toughness and stringiness, make them less desirable as food than those of other Lomatium species.