South African Journal of Botany最新文献

{"title":"A review of southern African medicinal plants used traditionally to treat wounds, and studies into their wound healing properties","authors":"I.E. Cock ,&nbsp;S.F. Van Vuuren","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wounds are a common medical condition and numerous plants are used across southern Africa to promote their healing. This review summarises the traditional use of southern African plants to treat wounds and to promote healing. Our study used expanded search parameters and a wider geographical focus than in previous reviews to identify further plant species, resulting in the identification of 292 plants species that are used to treat wounds in the southern African region. This inventory included 96 species that were not recorded in previous reviews. Notably, existing ethnobotanical records are incomplete, and details of the plant part used, the preparation and the biological target(s) of many of the identified plants are lacking. Of the plants whose use has been more completely reported, the main part used to promote wound healing is the leaves (∼40%), and nearly 40% of all plant parts are applied directly to the wound, either as the whole part, or as a powder or paste. Notably, only 152 plants (52% of the identified species) have been scientifically evaluated for bioactivities related to one or more phases of wound healing. Of the screening studies, a relatively low proportion have examined the therapeutic mechanism(s) in detail. Additionally, many of the previous screening studies (particularly the older studies) have used less quantitative and/or outdated methods to evaluate the wound healing properties of these plants. Substantially more research is required to better evaluate those plants, and to screen plants that have previously been neglected. This review establishes a structured framework that highlights current knowledge gaps in the literature, thereby guiding researchers in the informed selection of plants and assays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"191 ","pages":"Pages 112-138"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192825","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":"Synergistic effects of zinc and reduced glutathione application on growth, yield, gas exchange attributes, water relations, and metabolite profiles in Zea mays (L.) plants under water deficit irrigation","authors":"Farah Saeed ,&nbsp;Qasim Ali ,&nbsp;Suliman Mohammed Suliman Alghanem ,&nbsp;Abida Kausar ,&nbsp;Rashida Perveen ,&nbsp;Haifa Abdul Aziz Sakit Alhaithloul ,&nbsp;Muhammad Rizwan","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under deficit irrigation, reduced mobility and availability of micronutrients are major factors contributing to yield loss and decline in crop nutritional quality. This study aimed to enhance stress tolerance in maize under water-deficit conditions by improving zinc (Zn) availability, mobility, and translocation through foliar application of reduced glutathione (GSH) alone or in combination with Zn. The results revealed that deficit irrigation significantly decreased maize yield and biomass production, which was associated with reduced nutrient uptake and translocation, impaired water relations, disturbed gas exchange attributes, increased lipid peroxidation, and diminished activity of the antioxidative defense system. Foliar application of Zn, GSH, and particularly their combined application effectively mitigated the negative impacts of water stress on growth and yield. The combined treatment led to marked improvements in plant water relations, Zn mobility and uptake, osmotic adjustment through accumulation of compatible metabolites such as amino acids, enhanced antioxidative defense capacity with elevated GSH levels, reduced lipid peroxidation, and increased photosynthetic efficiency with higher content of photosynthetic pigment. The drought tolerance of maize plants was also found associated with qualitative and quantitative changes in leaf amino acids. In conclusion, combined foliar application of Zn and GSH proved most effective in inducing water stress tolerance in maize by improving Zn dynamics and strengthening physiological and biochemical mechanisms that support growth under deficit irrigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"191 ","pages":"Pages 20-37"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192822","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":"Apium graveolens extract suppresses α-glucosidase activity and relieves diabetes liver injury by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia","authors":"Arnaud Fondjo Kouam ,&nbsp;Eleonore Ngounou ,&nbsp;Kerinyuy Juliene Kongnyuy ,&nbsp;Mayelle Mepa Mokam ,&nbsp;Jordas Casares Tchana Tchamba ,&nbsp;Elisabeth Menkem Zeuko’o ,&nbsp;Armelle Gaelle Kwesseu Fepa ,&nbsp;Felicité Syntia Douanla Somene ,&nbsp;Armel Jackson Seukep ,&nbsp;Frédéric Nico Njayou ,&nbsp;Paul Fewou Moundipa ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Acha Asongalem","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liver injury is a significant complication of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The culinary herb <em>Apium graveolens</em> (celery) possesses various bioactive properties and has shown promise in regulating glycemia and protecting the liver. Accordingly, this study investigated the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective potential of an aqueous extract of <em>Apium graveolens</em> (AGE) using a combination of in vitro enzyme kinetics, molecular docking, and an in vivo rat model of T2DM. Our findings revealed that AGE potently inhibited α-glucosidase activity through a mixed-type inhibition mechanism, with an IC₅₀ comparable to the drug Acarbose (21.01±2.6 vs. 17.38±3.4 µg/mL). Molecular docking analysis predicted strong binding affinities of the HPLC-identified phenolic compounds in AGE (Caffeic acid, Epigallocatechin, Quercetin, Silibinin, and Naringenin) to the enzyme's active site, with Silibinin being the strongest ligand, compared to Acarbose (6.64 vs. -5.43 kcal/mol). In diabetic rats, AGE treatment significantly (P˂0.05) alleviated hyperglycemia, body weight loss, and dyslipidemia. It also markedly attenuated liver injury, as demonstrated by normalized serum biomarkers (186.13 vs. 89.61 U/L, 204.20 vs. 101.22, and 265.86 vs. 133.48 U/L, respectively for ALT, AST, ALP) and improved hepatic architecture, compared to diabetic control. In addition, AGE treatment significantly (P˂0.05) attenuated T2DM-induced oxidative stress, evidenced by restored malondialdehyde and glutathione levels, and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, catalase) activities, while decreasing inflammation, shown by reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Interestingly, the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB/TNF-α were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively, in AGE-treated diabetic rats, suggesting that the hepatoprotective effect could be possibly mediated by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation via the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB/TNF-α signaling pathways, respectively. These results support the potential use of <em>Apium graveolens</em> as a promising nutraceutical for managing T2DM and highlight AGE as a promising adjunct for mitigating diabetic liver injury, warranting further mechanistic and clinical evaluation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"191 ","pages":"Pages 38-54"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192827","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":"Engineering bioactive wound dressings: A review of phytochemical-loaded nanocarriers in hydrogel matrices","authors":"Pavithra Ayyadurai ,&nbsp;Chinnasamy Ragavendran","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic wounds represent a serious threat to world health because of their propensity for infection, high levels of inflammation, and poor tissue regeneration. Although phytochemicals such as tannins, curcumin, and quercetin have promising antibacterial, antioxidant, and regenerative properties, their low bioavailability and poor solubility prevent them from being used in clinical settings. By encapsulating these substances, nanotechnology offers an achievable approach around these limitations, improving their stability and facilitating targeted distribution to the wound site. An enhanced hydrogel dressing is produced by incorporating these nano-encapsulated phytochemicals into a hydrogel matrix. These hydrogels provide regulated release of the medicinal ingredients and offer a wet, biocompatible environment. This review aims to critically evaluate the synergistic integration of phytochemicals, nanotechnology, and hydrogel systems in enhancing wound healing efficacy and overcoming clinical limitations of traditional therapies<strong>.</strong> It draws attention to the fundamental processes, synthesis techniques, and antibacterial and therapeutic outcomes that follow. The scope of this review encompasses experimental insights, fabrication strategies, and translational perspectives of phyto-nanoparticle-integrated hydrogels for chronic wound management. The important necessity for extensive clinical validation is discussed, along with fascinating experimental findings and current treatments. The review concludes by highlighting the main obstacles to clinical translation, such as long-term safety, commercial scalability, sustainable and cost-effectiveness. Future research directions are emphasized toward standardized fabrication, scalable production, and large-scale clinical evaluation to establish these hybrid systems as next-generation bioactive wound dressings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"191 ","pages":"Pages 63-77"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192823","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":"Synergistic antibacterial effects of clove essential oil and eugenol with ciprofloxacin against MDR Gram-negative bacteria: in vitro and in silico approaches","authors":"Saoussen Jilani ,&nbsp;Haya Rashid Mohammed AlTamimi ,&nbsp;Sihem Bayar ,&nbsp;Salwa Ahmed Lotfi ,&nbsp;Malek Besbes ,&nbsp;Kholoud Al-Shammery ,&nbsp;Amr Farouk ,&nbsp;Walid Ben Selma","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global rise in infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, including <em>Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>, poses a significant public health threat and necessitates the urgent development of effective synergistic treatment strategies. This study investigated the potent bactericidal and synergistic properties of <em>Syzygium aromaticum</em> essential oil (Syz.arom-EO) and its major component, eugenol, when combined with ciprofloxacin against MDR isolates, along with an evaluation of their pharmacokinetic profiles. GC–MS analysis characterized the essential oil as an eugenol chemotype, containing eugenol as the dominant constituent (85.454%), followed by eugenyl acetate (6.88%) and β-caryophyllene (4.92%). Syz.arom-EO produced inhibition zones of 15–22 mm and MICs of 1.25–2.5 mg/mL; MBC/MIC = 1 for all MDR isolates (13 isolates tested in triplicate, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), indicating bactericidal activity. Crucially, checkerboard assays demonstrated significant synergistic effects (FICI &lt; 0.5, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) when combining either Syz.arom-EO or eugenol with ciprofloxacin. This combination significantly enhanced ciprofloxacin’s efficacy, reducing its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by up to 16-fold, thereby effectively transforming the ciprofloxacin-resistant phenotype of the strains into a susceptible one (p˂0.05). Furthermore, computational ADMETlab2.0 and Deep-PK confirmed that the major volatile compounds possess favorable drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties, but face substantial safety and solubility challenges. Different molecular docking protocols were applied to reveal synergy, where simultaneous multiple-ligand docking yielded higher docking scores for ciprofloxacin and eugenol (-11.12 and -9.91 kcal/mol against Gyrase B and Topoisomerase IV, respectively than single- or sequential-ligand docking. Integrating natural compounds may help repurpose antibiotics against MDR infections by overcoming resistance, offering a safer and effective treatment option for MDR Gram-negative bacteria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 567-580"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173913","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":"Comprehensive toxico-physiological evaluation of Melia azedarach methanolic fruit extract on Helicoverpa armigera larvae: Developmental delay, nutritional disruption, enzymatic modulation and midgut histology","authors":"Amir Amini ,&nbsp;Malahat Mojarab-Mahboubkar ,&nbsp;Jalal Jalali Sendi","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cotton bollworm, <em>Helicoverpa armigera</em> (Hübner), is a highly polyphagous pest responsible for severe yield losses in a variety of economically important crops. Conventional chemical insecticides are often insufficient to control this pest due to widespread resistance and associated environmental hazards, highlighting the need for alternative, eco-friendly pest management strategies. In this context, botanically derived insecticides offer a sustainable approach to mitigate crop damage while reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. In this study, the insecticidal activity of a methanolic fruit extract from <em>Melia azedarach</em> L. was evaluated against third-instar larvae of this pest. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis identified linoleic acid (9.33%), dimethylhydroxylamine (9.03%), cyclopentanol (7.61%), heneicosane (6.34%), and clionasterol (2.44%) as major constituents. Oral toxicity bioassays revealed concentration-dependent mortality with LC₁₀, LC₃₀, and LC₅₀ values of 1.28, 2.49, and 3.94 (% w/v), respectively, at 48 h. Exposure significantly extended larval, pre-pupal, pupal, and adult developmental durations and reduced pupal weight. Nutritional indices indicated significantly increased approximate digestibility (AD), alongside significantly reduced efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), digested food (ECD), consumption index (CI), relative growth rate (RGR), and relative consumption rate (RCR) in treated larvae versus controls. Digestive enzyme activities (α- and β-glucosidases, α-amylase, and proteases) were significantly inhibited. Detoxification enzymes displayed contrasting responses: general esterase activity was markedly suppressed, whereas glutathione S-transferases (with CDNB/DCNB substrates) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were strongly induced. Acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly suppressed. Enzymes of intermediary metabolism (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, acid/alkaline phosphatases, lactate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase) showed significant alterations, with notable elevation in antioxidant activity. Histology confirmed extensive midgut epithelial damage and ovarian atrophy. These results demonstrate multifaceted physiological disruption by the extract, supporting its potential for ecologically sustainable pest management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 366-380"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174004","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":"Extraction, encapsulation, and the antiparasitic effect of Verbascum thapsus against Trichinella spiralis infected mice","authors":"Aml S. Saleh ,&nbsp;Heba M. Amer ,&nbsp;Mohamed E. Hassan ,&nbsp;Mona A. Farah","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effectiveness of encapsulated <em>Verbascum thapsus</em> extract against <em>Trichinella spiralis</em> larvae in mice. Thirty-six male Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups: negative control, positive control, mebendazole (MBZ), <em>V. thapsus</em>, alginate nanocarrier (Alg), and <em>V. thapsus</em>-Alg/NPs. After 36 days post-infection, the mice were sacrificed for various analyses. <em>V. thapsus</em>-Alg/NPs group showed the most significant results, achieving a 96 % reduction in larval count and nearly restoring normal diaphragmatic muscle fibers. This group also exhibited reduced inflammation, lower COX-2 expression, and decreased collagen type IV staining. In contrast, the MBZ, V. thapsus, and Alg/NPs groups caused moderate muscle damage, necrosis, and elevated COX-2 and collagen type IV levels. Biochemically, all treated groups showed reduced levels of AST, ALT, total protein, LDH, CPK, MDA, nitric oxide, and MMP-9, with the most pronounced improvements in the V. thapsus and <em>V. thapsus</em>-Alg/NPs groups. These findings suggested that Alg/NPs enhance the larvicidal activity of <em>V. thapsus</em>, indicating its potential as a therapeutic alternative for trichinellosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 207-221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079241","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":"Cultivation of basil (Ocimum basilicum) in a compact hydroponic system and essential oil chemical characterization by FTIR-ATR, GC-MS, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR","authors":"Maria Amélia Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Gabriela Lafayne Okonski dos Santos ,&nbsp;Ágatha Milena Rebelato Corsino ,&nbsp;José Eduardo Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Juliana Cristina Castro ,&nbsp;Regina Aparecida Correia Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Arildo José Braz de Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Basil (<em>Ocimum</em> spp.), a plant of Asian origin widely cultivated in Brazil, stands out for its medicinal applications, being rich in bioactive compounds such as eugenol. In view of the challenges of conventional cultivation, this study proposed the hydroponic cultivation of the species in a compact system type Nutrition Film Technique (NFT) using a nutrient solution containing 13.2 g of a mixed mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (Hidrogood®), 9,9 g of calcium nitrate, and 0.6 g of iron. The seedlings, obtained from commercial sources in Maringá-PR, Brazil, were cultivated for 60 days, reaching an average height of 63.8 cm and a moisture content of 92.12 %. The leaves were collected, dried, and subjected to essential oil (EO) extraction by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, yielding an average of 0.44 %. Chemical characterization was performed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). GCMS– analysis of the EO identified 12 compounds, with τ-cadinol (31 %), eugenol (23.14 %), and linalool (9.71 %) as the major constituents. FTIR revealed characteristic absorption bands of functional groups such as O<img>H, C=C<img>H, C<img>H, C=C, and C<img>O. ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis indicated signals corresponding to aromatic compounds and both saturated and unsaturated terpenoids. Hydroponic cultivation proved to be suitable and efficient, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enabling the production of essential oils containing metabolites of pharmacological interest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 329-337"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079240","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":"Optimizing LED light in controlled environments to enhance yield and nutritional quality of basil microgreens","authors":"Mohammad Vahid Arab Bafrani ,&nbsp;Mahboobeh Zare Mehrjerdi ,&nbsp;Sasan Aliniaeifard ,&nbsp;Mehdi Seif","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sweet basil (<em>Ocimum basilicum</em>) microgreens are nutrient-dense functional foods, rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. Their growth and phytochemical composition are highly responsive to light conditions, particularly in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems. This study evaluated the effects of red–blue LED light spectra (R50:B50, R70:B30, R90:B10) and two light intensities (110 and 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, protein, soluble carbohydrates, antioxidant activity, and overall nutritional quality of green and purple basil microgreens. Morphological traits such as cotyledon area and biomass remained largely stable, while seedling height, yield, and phytochemical accumulation displayed cultivar-specific responses. Purple basil achieved maximum nutritional value under balanced light (R50:B50 at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹), whereas green basil performed best under a red-dominant spectrum (R70:B30 at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). High light intensity enhanced chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamin C, protein, and antioxidant activity, while blue light proportion regulated phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin synthesis. Correlation analyses revealed contrasting resource allocation strategies between cultivars, highlighting the importance of tailored lighting regimes in CEA. The integrated nutritional quality index (NQI) indicated up to a 2.7-fold difference in nutritional potential across treatments, emphasizing the critical role of optimized light management. These findings provide practical insights for vertical farming and controlled-environment production, supporting strategies to maximize both yield and nutraceutical value in basil microgreens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 262-275"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079282","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":"Exploring the therapeutic potential of secondary metabolites from edible and non-edible Crotalaria species in combating nosocomial infections and lifestyle disorders","authors":"Ramya M. Subramani ,&nbsp;Steffi Priya Jayaseelan ,&nbsp;Avinaash A Saravanan,&nbsp;Arvind Sivasubramanian","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nosocomial infections and lifestyle-related disorders are major global health issues, prompting the search for new and effective therapeutic agents. The genus <em>Crotalaria (</em>family: Fabaceae) includes both edible and inedible species known for producing diverse secondary metabolites with promising pharmacological properties. This review examines the therapeutic potential of compounds derived from <em>Crotalaria</em>—particularly phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids highlighting their broad spectrum of biological activities. Multiple studies have shown the antibacterial effectiveness of these metabolites against multidrug-resistant pathogens, suggesting their potential in combating hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of <em>Crotalaria</em> compounds have therapeutic value in managing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and nosocomial infections. Preclinical research indicates that some metabolites exert hypoglycemic effects by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. These attributes support their development as plant-based therapies or as leads for synthetic drug creation. An extensive review of literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, google scholar and ScienceDirect to assess their pharmacological relevance. While existing data support their potential, further research is needed to isolate, characterize, and validate bioactive constituents for clinical application. The rich phytochemistry of <em>Crotalaria</em> makes it a valuable, yet underexplored genus for drug discovery and development targeting complex human diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 133-143"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024473","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}