Pharmacological Research - Natural Products最新文献

{"title":"Andrographolide safeguards neurons in an oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model through modulating the JNK3/Cyt-c/caspase pathway","authors":"Ravi Kumar Rajan ,&nbsp;Muthiah Ramanathan","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ischemic stroke occurs due to an interruption in cerebral blood flow, leading to oxygen-glucose deprivation and subsequent neuronal injury. This triggers apoptotic and inflammatory pathways, exacerbating brain damage. Among key regulators of neuronal apoptosis, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) plays a crucial role in stroke-induced neurodegeneration. While JNK3 inhibition has been proposed as a neuroprotective strategy, no specific JNK3 inhibitor has been approved for stroke therapy. Moreover, no studies have explored the role of andrographolide in mitigating JNK3 protein expression and its neuroprotective potential. In this study, we systematically screened 190 terpenoids against JNK3 using virtual screening and identified andrographolide as the most promising candidate based on molecular docking (-8.486 kcal/mol) and MMGB/SA binding energy (-102.03 kcal/mol). A JNK kinase assay confirmed andrographolide’s preferential inhibition of JNK3 over its isoforms, JNK1 and JNK2. Under hypoxic conditions, andrographolide exhibited neuroprotective effects comparable to SP600125, a standard JNK3 inhibitor. Additionally, caspase-3 and −9 assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in apoptotic markers, corroborated by Western blot analysis showing JNK3 downregulation. Molecular interaction studies further validated andrographolide’s direct binding to JNK3. By integrating computational, biochemical, and molecular approaches, our study provides the first evidence that andrographolide mitigates hypoxia-induced neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting the JNK3/cyt-c/caspase pathway. These findings highlight andrographolide’s potential as a neuroprotective agent for ischemic stroke and warrant further preclinical validation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143833855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of antiviral potential of Cinchona officinalis derived compounds against COVID-19 and human hepatitis B: An in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study","authors":"Emmanuel Kitete Mulongo ,&nbsp;Aristote Matondo ,&nbsp;Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua ,&nbsp;Pius Tshimankinda Mpiana","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100229","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>COVID-19 has caused 6.95 million deaths with multiple variants. Hepatitis B virus is continuously killing millions of people per year. This study aims to evaluate the anti-COVID-19 and anti-viral Hepatitis B potential of bioactive compounds identified within <em>Cinchona officinalis</em> using in silico methods. Two receptors were targeted per virus: the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Rdrp) for COVID-19, the human hepatitis B virus capsid (HBCAG) and 4-DNA-damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1) HBx. After molecular docking, Cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, Cinchophyllamine, and Cinchophylline were the three lead hits against COVID-19 and Hepatitis B virus. The molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) between Mpro and Cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside have shown normal fluctuations, stability of the ligand in the binding pocket, multiple contacts between the ligand and receptor residues, and rGyr, MolSA, SASA, and PSA within the recommended range while the MDS between Cinchophylline and HBCAG have shown high fluctuations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100229"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethno-medicinally important plants from Northeast India with therapeutic properties against respiratory disorders: A comprehensive review","authors":"T. Stanis Mangsianlun,&nbsp;Akriti Tirkey,&nbsp;Punuri Jayasekhar Babu","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The respiratory system is one of the most essential systems of the body, and it can be adversely impacted by air pollution and infections caused by bacterial and viral pathogens encountered during human respiration. These infections can lead to several chronic respiratory diseases by affecting the different parts of the respiratory tract including the pharynx (throat), trachea (windpipe), lung tissue, larynx, muscle cage, and nasal cavities. Modern medications can help treat these conditions, but they have several adverse side effects that might lead to other critical health issues and contribute to the rising problem of antibiotic or drug resistance. Local physicians across numerous communities in Northeast India continue to use traditionally known plants and herbs as medicines to treat severe respiratory disorders such as asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, and so on, based on information gathered from tribal inhabitants. Traditional practitioners use all plant parts as herbal medicines, including the leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, roots, bark, rhizomes, and seeds. Different modes of preparation of plant extracts such as decoction, fluid extraction, infusion, burning, boiling, drying, forming paste, etc. have also been identified. Among these, decoction has been determined as the top choice for the treatment of the respiratory ailments. The current study aims to provide consolidated information from multiple sources on medicinal plants used to treat common respiratory disorders in Northeast India while summarizing the lists of the indigenous medicinal plants and highlighting the current state and need of experimental data to support these data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143912675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotanical insights: Medicinal plants used by the Baiga community in Amarkantak region, Madhya Pradesh","authors":"Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar ,&nbsp;Diptesh Kumar Bhoi ,&nbsp;Reshma Jangde","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100227","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Ethnopharmacological relevance&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Medicinal plants have been vital to global healthcare for millennia, valued for their roles in treating and preventing numerous diseases. In the Amarkantak region of Madhya Pradesh, India, the Baiga tribal community continues to depend on these plants, with most members possessing basic knowledge of herbal remedies to address common ailments, such as bloody cough, cold, fever, headaches, poisonous bites, and other minor health issues.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Aim of the Study&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study aimed to identify traditional Baiga healers in the Amarkantak region who practice herbal medicine and to thoroughly document their indigenous knowledge regarding the use of common medicinal plants.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Field research was conducted over a year in the Amarkantak region. Ethnomedicinal data were gathered through interviews with Baiga traditional healers and analyzed using methods like use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative importance (RI), and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study identified 77 plant species across 75 genera from 47 families, used by Baiga healers to treat 56 ailments, categorized into 14 groups based on affected body systems. Additionally, 19 newly identified medicinal plant species were proposed for the Amarkantak region. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts, with most remedies prepared as pastes and administered orally. High ICF values showed strong healer consensus on using plants for treating bloody coagulants and ear pain. The highest use value (1.92) were recorded for ailments like gonorrhea, syphilis, rheumatism, and paralysis, with four plants showing a fidelity level of 100 %. Species with the highest use values included &lt;em&gt;Gloriosa superba&lt;/em&gt; (1.92), &lt;em&gt;Aegle marmelos&lt;/em&gt; (1.62), &lt;em&gt;Curculigo orchioides&lt;/em&gt; (1.38), and &lt;em&gt;Gymnema sylvestre&lt;/em&gt; (1.23).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study suggests &lt;em&gt;Gloriosa superba&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Aegle marmelos&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Curculigo orchioides&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Gymnema sylvestre&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Lawsonia inermis&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Phyllanthus emblica&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;Dryopteris cochleata&lt;/em&gt; as plants with high medicinal potential based on their UV and RI values. Newly recorded medicinal claims include &lt;em&gt;Annona squamosa&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Bacopa monnieri&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Bauhinia vahlii&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Benincasa hispida&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Butea monosperma&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Centratherum anthelminticum&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cuscuta reflexa&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cyperus rotundus&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Datura stramonium&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Eichhornia crassipes&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Ficus infectoria&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Hyptis suaveolens&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Mimosa pudica&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Ocimum canum&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Phyllanthus emblica&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Sida rhombifolia&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Sterculia urens&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Tamarindus indica&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;Terminalia arjuna&lt;/em&gt;. Plants such as &lt;em&gt;Annona squamosa&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Eichhornia crassipes&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Melilotus parviflora&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;Ph","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100227"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the role of traditional remedies, cultural practices, and belief interventions in combating COVID-19 in Dodoma City, Tanzania","authors":"Jackson Henry Katonge","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research sheds light on the role of cultural practices and traditional remedies in combating COVID-19, addressing the health and socio-economic challenges of the pandemic. It focuses on how local communities used indigenous knowledge, cultural rituals, and traditional medicines. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey among residents, interviews with local healers and pharmacy dispensers, focus group discussions with community elders, and observation, to assess the perceived efficacy, accessibility, and cultural significance of these practices. Additionally, the active compounds, antimicrobial properties, pH, and toxicity levels of traditional remedies were tested using standard laboratory testing methods. The findings indicate that while modern medicine played a critical role in managing the pandemic, many people turned to traditional herbs, steam therapy, and other culturally rooted practices as complementary treatments. Natural immune boosters and traditional medicines produced in Tanzania were seen as effective and accessible for managing symptoms like cough, fever, and respiratory difficulties. All tested traditional medicine brands were deemed safe for consumption. Active compounds found in various remedies were alkaloids (40–54 %), flavonoids (25–35 %), saponins (20–27 %), polyphenols (50 %), and terpenoids (20 %) were found in various remedies, along with specific pH levels and essential oils like limonene, menthol, eucalyptol, and camphor. While these remedies are culturally significant, scientific validation of their safety and effectiveness is needed. Integrating traditional and modern medicine could offer valuable options for advancing healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100225"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sorghum bicolor polyphenol-rich supplement ameliorates chronic stress exacerbated hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis dysregulation in diabetic rats through suppression of inflammation and apoptosis","authors":"Abayomi M. Ajayi ,&nbsp;Favour O. Igari ,&nbsp;Tolulope E. Akintelu ,&nbsp;Olajuwon Okubena ,&nbsp;Solomon Umukoro","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100224","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diabetes mellitus, characterized by prolonged elevated blood glucose levels, is often associated with dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. <em>Sorghum bicolor</em> leaf sheath is known for its high antioxidant content and therapeutic benefits. This study investigated the effects of a <em>S. bicolor</em> polyphenol-rich supplement (SBPS) on testicular dysfunction in diabetic rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Male Wistar rats divided into five groups (n = 7) were fed with high fat diet and injected streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Groups 1 was non-diabetic control, 2 (HFD/STZ), and 3 (HFD/STZ/CUMS) were treated with vehicle. Groups 4–6 (HFD/STZ/CUMS) orally treated for 28 days with SBPS (200 mg/kg), metformin (250 mg/kg) and SBPS+metformin, respectively. Seminal sperm parameters, plasma reproductive hormones, brain hypothalamic and testicular inflammatory, oxidative and apoptosis markers were analysed. Oral administration of SBPS significantly reduced FBS in diabetic rats. Sperm count, plasma and testicular testosterone were significantly increased in diabetic-rats treated with SBPS. Chronic stress-exacerbated increase in diabetic hypothalamic and testicular levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, myeloperoxidase, arginase were significantly decreased in rats treated with SBPS, metformin and SBPS+metformin. Testicular increases in apoptotic markers (caspase-3, caspase-9) and NF-κB, along with reduced Nrf2 levels, were significantly reversed by SBPS, metformin, and their combination. The findings suggest that SBPS ameliorates stress-exacerbated diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction. This is achieved through the suppression of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis via modulation of Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways. These results highlight the potential of SBPS as a therapeutic agent and its combination with metformin in managing diabetes-related reproductive dysfunction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100224"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacological evaluation of Tagetes erecta Petals (Aztec Marigold) with special reference to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential","authors":"Hirakjyoti Das,&nbsp;Lakshyajeet Nath","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A complicated biological reaction, inflammation is vital for the occurrence of numerous conditions, especially asthma, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which offer significant challenges for world health. The therapeutic potential of <em>Tagetes erecta</em> (African or Aztec marigold), a plant in the Asteraceae family that used to be known as Genda Phul in India, is the primary concern of this investigation. The key objective aimed to separate and examine the plant’s active phytochemical components, assess its <em>in vitro</em> anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities, and carry out molecular docking and an <em>in silico</em> ADME profile. Its petals also served the purpose to create a novel herbal tea. The phytocomponents of <em>Tagetes erecta</em> were found to number 133 by GC-MS study. Considering <em>in silico</em> docking against inflammatory targets, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS, ten vital components were chosen from among them. Docking scores, binding energies, bond types, and interactions with target amino acids were employed to assess the molecular interactions. The outcomes revealed significant anti-inflammatory activity, highlighting <em>Tagetes erecta’s</em> appropriateness as a source for herbal formulations. This investigation underlines <em>Tagetes erecta’s</em> medicinal value in healing illnesses linked to inflammation. This work improves the advancement of herbal-based medications by clarifying its phytochemical characteristics and molecular mechanisms, which could unlock the door to novel approaches to treatment for inflammatory diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100222"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant extracts identified by in vitro high-content screening improve epithelial barrier function and attenuate oxidative and inflammatory stress","authors":"Melanie Wallner ,&nbsp;Verena Stadlbauer ,&nbsp;Bernhard Blank-Landeshammer ,&nbsp;Mara Heckmann ,&nbsp;Nadiia Sadova ,&nbsp;Marcus Iken ,&nbsp;Giovanni Mario Pitari ,&nbsp;Julian Weghuber","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maintaining intestinal barrier integrity is crucial for gastrointestinal health. Bioactive compounds of plant origin can contribute to prevent barrier dysfunction. In this study, we employed a holistic approach to identify plant extracts with barrier improving properties utilizing a broad range of cell lines, epithelial models and assays targeting barrier protection, antioxidant activity, cytokine response and tight junction regulation. Among the 210 plant extracts screened from an in-house library, 5 % increased the transepithelial electrical resistance in MDCK-II cells. Subsequent validation in Caco-2 cells narrowed the number to 6 potent candidates. Among these, <em>Lamium galebdolon</em>, <em>Anthriscus sylvestris</em> and <em>Asparagus officinalis</em> exhibited the strongest barrier improvement through modulating the expression of CLDN1, CLDN3, OCLN and ZO-1. Furthermore, a combination of selected plant extracts delivered enhanced barrier tightness with clear additive effects exceeding those of the single extracts. Beyond this, the botanical mixture exhibited additive antioxidant, superior anti-inflammatory and barrier protective effects also under stress conditions. In conclusion, a tailored combination of selected plant extracts was identified that could be used in nutraceuticals to support gastrointestinal health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100226"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"UPLC-PDA-ESI-QDA characterization and evaluation of the antioxidant and anxiolytic activities of the ethanolic extract of Sarcomphalus joazeiro (Mart.) Hauenschild leaves","authors":"Natália Kelly Gomes de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Mariana Pereira da Silva ,&nbsp;Débora Odília Duarte Leite ,&nbsp;Gerson Javier Torres Salazar ,&nbsp;Johnatan Wellisson da Silva Mendes ,&nbsp;Kirley Marques Canuto ,&nbsp;Paulo Riceli Vasconcelos Ribeiro ,&nbsp;Amanda Maria Barros Alves ,&nbsp;Ivana Carneiro Romão ,&nbsp;Hélcio Silva dos Santos ,&nbsp;José Galberto Martins da Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sarcomphalus joazeiro (Rhamnaceae) demonstrated antioxidant activity and effects on the central nervous system (CNS), being considered an alternative for preclinical investigations of anxiolytic drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity and anxiolytic effect of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of S. joazeiro (EEFSJ). The chemical profile was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-ESI-QDA). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH• and ABTS•⁺ capture assays. Acute toxicity tests for 96 h, open field and light/dark tests were applied in vivo to evaluate the sedative and anxiolytic effects, respectively, using zebrafish of both sexes with n = 6/treatment group, at doses of 40, 200 and 400 mg/kg. A total of 5 groups were formed. For the mechanism of action test, the antagonist flumazenil (FMZ) group was also included in the sample. Eleven compounds from the flavonoid and saponin classes were identified. EEFSJ showed a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 185.2 ± 2.2 µg/mL and 74.17 ± 1.5 µg/mL against DPPH• and ABTS•⁺ radicals, respectively. At low doses, EEFSJ may have an anxiolytic effect; however, as the doses increase, the sedative effect becomes predominant and no toxicity was observed after 96 h, and its mechanism of action is related to GABAergic modulation. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the pharmacological profile of EEFSJ in chronic models of anxiety and oxidative stress, as well as to extend the studies to mammals, exploring potential clinical applications and long-term safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143784030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volatile oils from Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae): Antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer activities, and molecular docking","authors":"I.T. Gbadamosi ,&nbsp;A. Agbatutu ,&nbsp;E.O. Yeye ,&nbsp;T.O. Ajibade ,&nbsp;J.A. Badejo ,&nbsp;A.A. Adeyi ,&nbsp;F.A. Adepoju ,&nbsp;A.Y. Momoh ,&nbsp;T.T. Lawal ,&nbsp;D.O. Idowu ,&nbsp;S.A. Ahmed ,&nbsp;A.A. Oyagbemi ,&nbsp;T.O. Omobowale ,&nbsp;A.O. Adeyi ,&nbsp;O.A. Odeku","doi":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100221","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100221","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Olax subscorpioidea</em> is a medicinal plant from Africa, traditionally used for the management of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This study explored the essential oils from its leaves and roots, assessing their chemical composition and biological properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Essential oils were extracted via hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The toxicity of the oils was carried out using brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays, while antibacterial activity was tested with the agar well diffusion method. The anticancer potential was determined through sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays on the HT-29 cell line, and molecular docking studies were performed using Chimera software. The leaf oil had eleven components, mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons (76.63 %) and oxygenated monoterpenes (15.10 %). The major compounds found in the leaf oil were Azulene (48.79 %), β-pinene (16.24 %) and α-pinene (7.82 %) whereas azulene (100 %) was only component of the root oil.The leaf and root essential oils of <em>O. subscorpioidea</em> were found to be toxic with LC₅₀ of 0.1771 and 92.642 µg/L, where the leaf oil showed higher toxicity compared to the root oil. The leaf oil demonstrated superior antioxidant activity in FRAP and ORAC assays, while the root oil excelled in DPPH radical scavenging. Additionally, the root oil showed stronger antibacterial effects against <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Streptococcus pyogenes</em>, and <em>Proteus mirabilis</em>. In the cell <strong>viability</strong> assays, the root oil exhibited better anticancer effects at 24 h, which diminished over 48 h. Molecular docking revealed favorable binding energies (-6.8 to −7.4 kcal/mol) with selected proteins, indicating potential efficacy of <em>O. subscorpioidea</em> oils. In conclusion, the study highlights the toxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties of <em>O. subscorpioidea</em> essential oils, suggesting their therapeutic applications as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101014,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Natural Products","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100221"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143784029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}