South African Journal of Botany最新文献

{"title":"Green synthesis of CuONPs through phytochemical reduction of Matricaria chamomilla leaves extract and their antifungal potential against Fusarium wilt in tomato plants","authors":"Limeng Zuo ,&nbsp;Aiju Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tomato plants are vulnerable to several soil-borne pathogens, causing severe production losses. <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em>, one of the most notorious plant pathogenic fungi, caused considerable yield losses in tomato crops. In this study, we synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) using <em>Matricaria chamomilla</em> leaf extract and evaluated their antifungal and disease suppression effects against fusarium wilt in tomato plants. The formation of NPs was characterized using XRD, UV–Vis spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM analysis. The synthesized NPs were found to have direct antifungal activity, causing significant in-vitro fungal growth inhibition. In vivo evaluation showed that the NPs application alleviated oxidative stress caused by the pathogen, induced various biochemical and enzymatic activities, and enhanced photosynthetic performance in the plants under pathogen infection, resulting in increased growth and disease resistance. Host resistance genes expressed significantly at higher levels under pathogen inoculation and treatment of NPs, resulting in lower disease severity. The findings of this study revealed the potential of phytosynthesized CuO NPs for managing Fusarium wilt disease in tomato plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"185 ","pages":"Pages 53-65"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144766548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects and mechanisms of g-C3N4 on the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of wheat seedlings","authors":"Riping Duan ,&nbsp;Yuting Shi ,&nbsp;Hubin Xie,&nbsp;Linya Li,&nbsp;Bohan Zhang,&nbsp;Junli Li","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanomaterials have been widely applied in agricultural research, especially graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), which is composed of carbon and nitrogen elements and is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and thermally stable. However, studies on the effects of g-C₃N₄ on wheat growth are still limited. In this study, wheat nutrient solutions containing different concentrations of g-C₃N₄ (0–50 mg/mL) were prepared to investigate the effects and mechanisms of g-C₃N₄ on the growth of wheat seedlings, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency. The results indicate that with the increase in the concentration of g-C₃N₄, its effect on the growth of wheat seedlings shows a trend of low-dose promotion and high-dose inhibition. Specifically, g-C₃N₄ at concentrations of 10 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL upregulated the expression of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein genes in wheat leaves, enhanced the ability to capture and transfer light energy, increased chlorophyll content, and improved photosynthetic efficiency. These concentrations also significantly increased root total length, projected area, and surface area, thereby enhancing water and nutrient absorption and utilization. As a result, plant height increased by 11.77% and 11.45%, respectively, and root length increased by 8.29% and 2.56%, promoting overall wheat growth. In contrast, the concentration of 50 mg/mL inhibited wheat growth. Our findings demonstrate that low concentrations of g-C₃N₄ can promote the growth of wheat seedlings, with the optimal promoting effect observed at 20 mg/mL, while high concentrations inhibit growth. This study provides a reliable basis for the wide application of g-C₃N₄ in the field of agronomy and fills the gap in research on the effects of g-C₃N₄ on wheat growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"185 ","pages":"Pages 32-40"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144757253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shrub invasion drives herbaceous vegetation degradation in semi-arid rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa","authors":"Bridget C Kapiyana ,&nbsp;Mthunzi Mndela ,&nbsp;Humphrey K Thamaga","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shrub invasion is a global concern for biodiversity conservation, and rangeland productivity. Since early 1900s, a dwarf shrub from the Asteraceae family, <em>Pteronia incana</em> has invaded vast areas of the Grassland and Thicket biomes of South Africa. However, it is unclear how this shrub affects herbaceous vegetation and whether its effects are modulated by topography in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Three 1-hectare blocks were delineated in the mountain top, middle and bottom slopes in Lower Mgwalana and Qeto communal rangelands from which three 10 × 10 m plots were assigned to characterize three replicates of open, moderate and high invasion levels of &lt;10 %, &gt;20–40 % and &gt;40 % shrub cover, respectively. We determined shrub cover and density in each plot and assessed herbaceous vegetation in three 1-m² quadrats per plot. In total, 22 grass species were recorded, with their total abundance declining with shrub invasion while the opposite was true for forbs. However, two palatable grass species (<em>Digitaria eriantha</em> and <em>Eustachys paspaloides</em>) remained dominant in invaded sites. Graminoid cover varied significantly with shrub invasion irrespective of slope position. Highly invaded sites (HIS) generally exhibited lower graminoid cover relative to moderately invaded (MIS) and open areas (OAs). Conversely, cryptogam and litter cover were higher in HIS relative to OAs. Plant density varied by invasion levels only in the bottom slope, whereas species diversity showed differences in the middle and top slopes, with both vegetation attributes being highest in OAs compared to MIS and HIS. Overall, shrub invasion facilitated herbaceous vegetation degradation, calling for active restoration interventions including strategic removal of shrubs in strips for herbaceous recovery and leaving some shrubs as contour buffer strips to minimize soil erosion. Brush-packing can be incorporated into shrub-cleared strips to improve infiltration and minimize impact of direct rain splash.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"185 ","pages":"Pages 41-52"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144757254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the effect of herbal component-based natural hair oil using the Indigenous source of Bangladesh","authors":"A. Kibria ,&nbsp;M.S. Rahman ,&nbsp;N.C. Nandi ,&nbsp;M. Mostofa ,&nbsp;M.S. Hossain ,&nbsp;F.S. Chaity ,&nbsp;M.F. Sarker ,&nbsp;M. Sultana ,&nbsp;M.M. Rahman ,&nbsp;M.S.M.M. Islam ,&nbsp;S. Islam ,&nbsp;M.N.I. Bhuiyan","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing demand for natural and sustainable alternatives to synthetic hair care products has reignited interest in plant-based formulations rooted in traditional medicine. This study investigated the efficacy of polyherbal hair oils formulated using indigenous Bangladeshi plant species, including <em>Cocos nucifera</em> L., <em>Sphagneticola calendulacea</em> (L.) Pruski, <em>Phyllanthus emblica</em> L., <em>Hibiscus rosa-sinensis</em> L., <em>Lawsonia inermis</em> L., <em>Trigonella foenum-graecum</em> L., and <em>Azadirachta indica</em> A. Juss.— known for their rich phytochemical profiles and historical use in scalp and hair treatments. Six different formulations (A–F) were developed and evaluated for their physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activity, and hair growth-promoting effects through <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> analyses. Among all formulations, Formulation B exhibited superior performance, demonstrating the most potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, as confirmed by agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. <em>In vivo</em> studies on rabbit models revealed accelerated hair regrowth, enhanced follicular activation, and increased hair shaft length and weight, outperforming the standard 2% minoxidil treatment. These effects are attributed to synergistic interactions among key bioactives—flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, and naphthoquinones—which are known to modulate hair follicle cycling, inhibit microbial colonization, and reduce inflammation. Additionally, dermal safety assessments confirmed the non-irritant nature of all formulations, supporting their potential for safe topical application. This study bridges a significant gap in the scientific validation of traditional Bangladeshi botanical resources for dermatological use. The findings underscore the promise of polyherbal oils as sustainable, culturally relevant, and effective solutions for hair loss and scalp disorders, paving the way for future clinical applications and commercial development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"185 ","pages":"Pages 24-31"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144757252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heritability, genetic advance and marker-trait associations through bulked segregant analysis for bacterial leaf blight resistance in Rice in F2:3 population of TRY 3 x IRBB60","authors":"V. Sumithra,&nbsp;M. Arumugam Pillai","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rice production faces challenges from diseases like bacterial leaf blight. Breeding resistant varieties with genes like <em>Xa21, xa5, Xa4</em> and <em>xa13</em> is crucial. F₂ generation analysis and Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) help identify resistance-associated genomic regions. Rigorous validation of these regions through replication studies, fine-mapping, and field trials is essential. This process translates genetic discoveries into practical applications for developing durable disease-resistant rice varieties, enhancing global food security. The experiment involved 141 F₂ segregants from a cross between TRY 3 (susceptible) and IRBB60 (resistant) rice varieties. Field evaluation for Bacterial Leaf Blight resistance was conducted, with disease scoring based on IRRI's Standard Evaluation System. Statistical analyses included chi-square test, genetic variability parameters, heritability, and correlation studies. Bulked Segregant Analysis was performed on F_2:3 populations to identify markers associated with resistance. Single Marker Analysis was used in F₃ populations to detect associations between molecular markers and the trait of interest, employing various statistical techniques to determine genotype-phenotype relationships. This study analysed an F₂ rice population from TRY 3 x IRBB60 for Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) resistance. Molecular and phenotypic screening showed single gene model segregation for BLB resistance. Genetic variability analysis highlighted the importance of traits like single plant yield and number of tillers. High heritability was observed for several traits, with number of productive tillers showing high heritability and genetic advance. Correlation and path analyses identified key relationships between yield components. Bulked Segregant Analysis identified RM540 as a significant marker for BLB resistance, explaining 28 % of phenotypic variance in F_2:3 and maintaining significance across diverse landraces. The study recommends prioritizing high-heritability traits and incorporating RM540 in marker-assisted selection for developing BLB-resistant, high-yielding rice cultivars.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"184 ","pages":"Pages 1347-1358"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro propagation, phytochemical analysis and assessment of antioxidative potential of micropropagated plants of Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach","authors":"Srishti Yadav ,&nbsp;Amit Singh ,&nbsp;Madan Mohan ,&nbsp;Subha Narayan Das ,&nbsp;Manoj K. Rai","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Tecomaria capensis</em> (Thunb.) Spach is an important ornamental woody shrub with high potential for pharmaceutical applications. Different parts of this plant are known to be rich in phytochemicals. Earlier, no inclusive in vitro regeneration method has been developed for <em>T. capensis</em>. Therefore, the current study was designed to develop an in vitro propagation method using nodal explants excised from a field-grown mature plant. Further, three phytochemicals and the antioxidant potential of in vitro raised leaf tissue were also evaluated and compared with the leaf tissues of the field-grown mother plant. Out of four different cytokinins with varying concentrations tested, MS medium containing 0.5 mg l^-1 <em>m</em>T was optimal for shoot induction. An interactive effect of 0.5 mg l^-1 <em>m</em>T with 0.1 mg l^-1 IAA enhanced shoot proliferation with the maximum multiplication rate, maximum shoot number, and shoot length. Shoot cultures were maintained by repeated transfer of the mother explant and optimizing the regeneration potential of in vitro-derived nodal explants. Cent percent rooting in excised shoots was attained on MS medium containing 0.5 mg l^-1 IBA. All plants subjected to acclimatization survived. Moreover, the leaf extract of in vitro raised shoots possessed higher phenolics, flavonoids, and tannin contents compared to a field-grown plant. Likewise, leaf extracts of in vitro-derived plants recorded higher antioxidant activity compared to leaf samples of field-grown plants. The present study successfully established a comprehensive in vitro regeneration method for <em>T. capensis</em>, ensuring its therapeutic potential by enhancing phytochemicals and antioxidant activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"185 ","pages":"Pages 16-23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic applications of Arthrospira sp. in human health: An overview","authors":"Maria Rafaele Oliveira Bezerra da Silva ,&nbsp;Rayane Oliveira Bezerra da Silva ,&nbsp;Bruna Emanuelle Gomes do Nascimento ,&nbsp;Diego Gomes Ramos ,&nbsp;Maria Eduarda Moura Mendes ,&nbsp;Silvana de Fátima Ferreira da Silva ,&nbsp;Romero Marcos Pedrosa Brandão Costa ,&nbsp;Daniela de Araújo Viana Marques","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Arthrospira</em> sp. are blue-green cyanobacteria (phylum Cyanobacteria, class Cyanophyceae, order Oscillatoriales, family Phormidiaceae), used by indigenous peoples since 1520. Currently, this cyanobacterium is known as a “superfood of the future” due to the variety of metabolites it produces, such as proteins, vitamins, pigments, and fatty acids, and is commercially available, generally under the name <em>Spirulina</em>, in the form of powder, tablets, extracts, capsules, or flakes. These products dominate the nutraceutical sector but also have applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this study was to trace the research addressing the therapeutic potential of <em>Arthrospira</em> (<em>Spirulina</em>) sp. over the last 11 years (2014–2025) and to elucidate the mechanisms by which its compounds act against various diseases. A systematic search for original articles was conducted in the PubMed, Science Direct, LILACS, and SciELO databases. The results revealed that <em>Arthrospira</em> exhibits at least 25 therapeutic activities, including metabolic diseases (obesity, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome), cardiovascular diseases (antihypertensive, fibrinolytic, and antithrombotic activities), hematological and nutritional disorders (anemia and malnutrition), neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases (neurodegenerative disorders, psychotic disorders, and neuroprotective effects), dermatological conditions (lichen-induced lesions and skin disorders), respiratory diseases (asthma and allergic rhinitis), and different types of cancer. In addition, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, immunomodulatory, and antinociceptive activities were also observed. Most studies focused on evaluating the therapeutic activity of <em>A. platensis</em>, using aqueous extracts or crude biomass, while few explored purified bioactive compounds. Among these, phycocyanin, a pigment–protein, was the most frequently used. Future research should focus on characterizing the compounds present in these extracts and assessing their biological safety, since purified compounds and concentrated extracts, or those obtained through specific extraction methods, lack formal safety evaluations. Furthermore, it is essential to analyze the mechanism of action of these compounds and validate their clinical effects through <em>in vivo</em> studies in humans. Despite these limitations, <em>Arthrospira</em> sp. remains an attractive alternative in the field of natural products for the treatment of various diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"184 ","pages":"Pages 1359-1385"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploration of metabolite profiles of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) genotypes using an LC-MS approach","authors":"Ambesa Mantewu ,&nbsp;Sandiswa Figlan ,&nbsp;Fikile N. Makhubu ,&nbsp;Amelework Assefa ,&nbsp;Ntakadzeni Madala ,&nbsp;Molemi Rauwane","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cassava serves as a crucial crop for food security, particularly in regions where agriculture is integral to local livelihoods, owing to its resilience and adaptability to challenging environmental conditions. Understanding the metabolic diversity in cassava germplasm is essential for improving farmers’ and customers’ preferred traits. This work employed liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS qTOF) to analyse the metabolic profiles of four cassava genotypes under controlled environments, resulting in 3372 metabolite characteristics from the leaf samples. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated clear distinctions in metabolic patterns across the genotypes. Genotype P4/10 demonstrated the most significant separation, whilst UKF4 displayed modest divergence. Moreover, the findings suggested that lipids, polyphenols, organic acids, and flavonoids were the primary metabolites that contributed to genotype separation. A pathway study revealed significant influences from the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, emphasizing the role of genotype-specific metabolic profiles in shaping cassava’s biochemical diversity. These findings highlight the importance of metabolic blueprints in determining unique traits among genotypes. Furthermore, future research can look into the genetic basis of metabolic diversity and the potential of metabolomics as a selection tool in breeding programs targeting improved cassava genotypes with higher nutritional content and stress tolerance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"184 ","pages":"Pages 1313-1321"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144738300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antidiabetic, wound healing, and cytoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of Helichrysum odoratissimum: in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico studies","authors":"Patrick Brice Defo Deeh,&nbsp;Kiseok Han,&nbsp;Myeong-Hyeon Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Helichrysum odoratissimum</em> is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes, skin wounds, and eczema. We determined its phytochemical composition and evaluated its antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antidiabetic, wound healing, and cytoprotective activities. The antioxidant effect was tested by DPPH, ABTS⁺, cupric, and ferric methods. The anti-tyrosinase action was determined using tyrosine and <span>l</span>-DOPA as substrates, while the antidiabetic effect was studied by α-amylase and α-glucosidase assays. The cytoprotective activity was studied via cell viability in HaCaT cells, hemolysis using erythrocytes, and HET-CAM assay. Furthermore, drug-likeness, toxicity prediction, and molecular docking of selected phyto-compounds docked against tyrosinase, <span>l</span>-DOPA, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase were studied. <em>H. odoratissimum</em> contained various components of known pharmacological importance such as p-menthone, eucalyptol, palmitic acid, pulegone, and (E)-caryophyllene, and exhibited a strong antioxidant activity. It also inhibited tyrosinase, <span>l</span>-DOPA auto-oxidation, α-amylase and α-glucosidase in a concentration-dependent manner. <em>H. odoratissimum</em> enhanced the migration of keratinocytes and significantly (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05–0.01) increased the percentage of wound closure after 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment. On the other hand, <em>H. odoratissimum</em> did not cause any cytotoxicity in erythrocytes and hen's egg-chorioallantoic membrane after treatment. All phyto-components from <em>H. odoratissimum</em> met the acceptable standards for drug-likeness and toxicity prediction, according to Lipinski's rule. The strong binding affinity of phyto-components with the active site of proteins recorded <em>in silico</em> supported the <em>in vitro</em> anti-tyrosinase and antidiabetic activities of <em>H. odoratissimum</em>. This plant can be exploited in the development of plant-based anti-tyrosinase, antidiabetic, and wound healing agents. These findings could justify its ethnomedicinal uses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"184 ","pages":"Pages 1322-1336"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144738163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anticancer activity of Avicennia marina leaves on breast, ovarian and cervical cancer cell lines: In vitro and In silico analyses","authors":"Afshin Zare ,&nbsp;Alireza Afshar ,&nbsp;Masoud Zare ,&nbsp;Arezoo Khoradmehr ,&nbsp;Morteza Anvari ,&nbsp;Ramazon Safarzoda Sharoffidin ,&nbsp;Gholamhossein Mohebbi ,&nbsp;Mohsen Khatami ,&nbsp;Nadiar M. Mussin ,&nbsp;Mahdi Mahdipour ,&nbsp;Adel Daneshi ,&nbsp;Mehdi Mahmudpour ,&nbsp;Iraj Nabipour ,&nbsp;Amin Tamadon","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the anticancer potential of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts from <em>Avicennia marina</em> leaves against breast (MCF-7), ovarian (OVCAR3), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines through in vitro and in silico approaches. Phytochemical analyses revealed high phenolic and flavonoid contents, with ethanol extracts showing greater yields. In vitro assays demonstrated that ethanol extracts significantly inhibited MCF-7 proliferation via S-phase cell cycle arrest, while ethyl acetate extracts induced apoptosis in HeLa and OVCAR3 cells. Western blot analysis confirmed upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins (BAX, cleaved caspases-1, -3, -7) and downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins (BCL-2, pro-caspases). In silico molecular docking and dynamics simulations identified key compounds, including alpha amyrin, stigmasterol, and vitamin E, with strong binding affinities to apoptosis-related receptors (e.g., TNFR1, PPARγ, Adenosine A1). Bioavailability assays indicated favorable lipophilicity but poor aqueous solubility, suggesting the need for advanced delivery systems. These findings highlight <em>A. marina</em> as a promising source of anticancer compounds, warranting further in vivo and formulation studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"185 ","pages":"Pages 1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}