Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-22DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100823
Chihiro Tohda, Shogo Shibue
{"title":"Oral administration of diosgenin protects optic nerve degeneration in a mouse model of normal-tension glaucoma","authors":"Chihiro Tohda, Shogo Shibue","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100823","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100823","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In glaucoma, degeneration of visual pathway spread whole brain area, suggesting that restoring the degenerated axons in the whole visual pathway is crucial for vision recovery. Current pharmacological therapies for glaucoma are intraocular pressure-lowering eye drops. However, the contribution of those medications to the recovery of vision loss may be small. Our previous studies revealed that diosgenin has axonal regeneration activity, and distributes in the brain after oral treatment. Therefore, we have hypothesized that the oral administration of diosgenin might better protect the visual pathway in normal-tension glaucoma because of its wide distribution in the brain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Diosgenin was intravitreally or orally administered to optic nerve-crushed mice for 14 days. The number of retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve density, and intraocular pressure were measured. The time course of diosgenin distribution in the retina, optic nerve, and brain after oral administration was quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Intravitreal injection of diosgenin (0.5, 5, 50 μM, twice for14 days) provided no protective effects on the loss of retinal ganglion cells and optic nerves. In contrast, oral administration of diosgenin (1, 10, and 100 mg/kg, daily for 14 days) significantly protected against optic nerve loss but not retinal ganglion cell death. Six hours after oral administration, diosgenin reached the retina, optic nerve and brain at 6 h.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Oral administration of diosgenin protected the optic nerve. Diosgenin is a potential medicine that can be expected to restore the visual field in glaucoma more effectively than local intraocular administration by affecting the brain and eye.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100823"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144139533","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-21DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100821
Qi Liu , Jinhao Wu , Nan Wang , Carolina Burki , Susanne Grether-Beck , Jean Krutmann
{"title":"A French maritime pine bark extract alleviates cellulite: A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study","authors":"Qi Liu , Jinhao Wu , Nan Wang , Carolina Burki , Susanne Grether-Beck , Jean Krutmann","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100821","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100821","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aims and objectives of the research</h3><div>Cellulite presents with dimpling and denting of the skin surface. It mainly affects women, for whom it often poses a cosmetically unfavorable skin condition. Etiopathological knowledge is scarce, under discussion are, among others, inflammatory processes as well as dermal vascular and metabolic changes as found in chronic venous stasis. Besides topical regimes, there is growing interest in nutritional supplements as a strategy to ameliorate cellulite.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methodology</h3><div>The standardized bark extract from the French maritime pine tree <em>Pinus pinaster</em> Aiton, subspecies <em>atlantica</em> (FMPBE), contains 70 ± 5 % procyanidins built from condensed catechin and epicatechin monomers. The extract is a nutritional supplement known for its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vascular endothelium protective capacity. Based on its positive effects on endothelial health, we wanted to test the impact of this proprietary bark extract from the French maritime pine tree on cellulite.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with no follow-up, we asked if a moderate dose of 150 mg FMPBE a day over 3 months would affect (i) a clinical cellulite score, (ii) the thigh circumference, and (iii) physiological parameters such as roughness, and smoothness in 60 Han Chinese females aged between 25 and 45 years suffering from moderate cellulite. The subjects were recruited in a Beijing study center from November 2021 to February 2022. The occurrence of adverse events or serious adverse events was regularly recorded by phone. Results: No adverse or serious adverse events were observed. The clinical cellulite score significantly improved after 2 and 3 months by 12.2 % and 13.6 % in the verum group, corresponding to approximately 1 score point, whereas no significant effect was seen under placebo treatment. The improvement of the cellulite severity score was associated with clinical remediation shown by photographs and a significant decrease in the upper thighs’ circumference after 3 months. Skin roughness and skin smoothness were significantly ameliorated in the verum group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>FMPBE is suited to ease moderate cellulite and may help to prevent or postpone females against minimally invasive cellulite treatments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100821"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144124397","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-19DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100819
Ngoc Kim Nguyen , Ha Thu Thi Nguyen , Thanh Phuong Mai , Quang Vinh Trinh , Nghia Trong Duong , Phong Xuan Pham , Van Anh Thi Pham
{"title":"Protective effects of Morus alba Linn leaf extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice model","authors":"Ngoc Kim Nguyen , Ha Thu Thi Nguyen , Thanh Phuong Mai , Quang Vinh Trinh , Nghia Trong Duong , Phong Xuan Pham , Van Anh Thi Pham","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100819","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100819","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diabetic nephropathy, a major microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes, arises from chronic hyperglycemia-induced renal dysfunction. Current therapies have limited efficacy in halting its progression.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate the nephroprotective potential of <em>Morus alba</em> Linn leaf extract (MAE) against streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in a mouse model.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Diabetic nephropathy was induced in Swiss mice using multiple low-dose streptozotocin intraperitoneal injections. Mice received MAE (820.8 or 2462.4 mg/kg) or dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg) orally for 28 days.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>Morus alba</em> Linn leaf extract reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipoprotein combine index (LCI), and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) while increasing creatinine clearance (Ccr) compared to diabetic controls. Specifically, after 28 days of treatment, MAE at 820.8 mg/kg reduced FBG from 16.56 ± 3.90 mmol/L in diabetic controls to 9.69 ± 2.15 mmol/L (<em>p</em> < 0.01), and at 2462.4 mg/kg to 12.51 ± 4.17 mmol/L (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Additionally, Ccr increased from 16.80 ± 10.80 µl/min in diabetic controls to 41.84 ± 27.02 µl/min with low-dose MAE (<em>p</em> < 0.05) and 39.72 ± 15.54 µl/min with high-dose MAE (<em>p</em> < 0.01). Histopathological analysis revealed reduced glomerulosclerosis, tubular degeneration, and pancreatic islet damage in MAE-treated groups. However, MAE did not improve glucose tolerance in the oral glucose tolerance test, and changes in renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were not significant, suggesting limited effects on dynamic glucose handling and oxidative/inflammatory pathways. A trend toward increased glutathione (GSH) was observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings suggest MAE as a promising candidate for managing diabetic nephropathy, but further mechanistic and clinical studies are needed to validate its therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100819"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144106129","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100814
Md Abdur Rashid Mia , Qamar Uddin Ahmed , Sahena Ferdosh , Md Shahidul Islam , Mohammad Shahzad Samdani , Md Zaidul Islam Sarker
{"title":"Antidiabetic potential of Phaleria macrocarpa fruit liquid CO₂ extract: Bioactivity, cytotoxicity, phytochemicals and molecular targets","authors":"Md Abdur Rashid Mia , Qamar Uddin Ahmed , Sahena Ferdosh , Md Shahidul Islam , Mohammad Shahzad Samdani , Md Zaidul Islam Sarker","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100814","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100814","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by impaired insulin utilization and elevated blood glucose levels. Synthetic drugs often fall short in fully regulating glucose and can cause deleterious side effects during the treatment of diabetes. In contrast, medicinal plants are believed to manage diabetes effectively and alleviate its symptoms. <em>Phaleria macrocarpa</em> fruit has been traditionally used in Southeast Asia to treat various diseases, including diabetes mellitus. This research aims to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of <em>P. macrocarpa</em> fruit extract, identify its antidiabetic compounds, and elucidate their mechanisms of action. The fruit flesh of <em>P. macrocarpa</em> was extracted using liquid CO<sub>2</sub> and ethanol under subcritical conditions to obtain a liquid CO<sub>2</sub> extract (LCE), while a heat reflux extract (HRE) was prepared using ethanol. Both LCE and HRE were assessed for total phenolic, flavonoid contents, <em>α</em>-glucosidase inhibition and cytotoxicity effects. The most bioactive fraction, LCE, was tested in a mice model. The <em>in vivo</em> antidiabetic effect of LCE was evaluated biochemically and histologically. LCE was analysed by LCMS-MS, and the identified compounds were evaluated for ADME and toxicity properties, followed by QSAR and molecular docking to confirm antidiabetic properties. LCE showed higher total phenolic (100.9 ± 3.02 mg GAE/g), flavonoid (92.26 ± 1.21 mg QE/g) contents, and <em>α</em>-glucosidase inhibition (IC<sub>50</sub> = 4.52 μg/mL) compared to HRE. LCE fraction was also found to be non-toxic in the cell lines. After 6 weeks of administering 250 mg/kg bw of LCE, blood glucose levels significantly decreased, insulin response improved, and glycogen was partially restored in the liver and muscles. Histological findings indicated <em>β</em>-cell regeneration and protected liver architecture in treated hyperglycemic mice. Six bioactive compounds were identified, adhering to the Lipinski rule of five, and exhibiting potential antidiabetic activity. <em>In silico</em> findings showed these compounds bind to <em>α</em>-glucosidase and PPAR-<em>γ</em> receptors via hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions. Among the findings, rhodomyrtoxin, genistein, 8-methyl, <em>cis</em>-9-palmitoleic acid and sappanone A dimethyl ether demonstrated the best antidiabetic effects against <em>α</em>-glucosidase inhibition and PPAR-<em>γ</em> activation, indicating their potential as antidiabetic inhibitors. Based on these scientific findings, LCE may be a safe and potent antidiabetic inhibitor, offering an alternative herbal medicine for the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100814"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144116395","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100818
Laetitia Liz Coulibaly , Bagora Bayala , Julio Buñay , Aminata Marie Simone Amsalet Traoré , Pengdwendé Fabienne Ingrid Zongo , Marc Donald Wilfried Adico , Gilles Figueredo , Jean-Marc Lobaccaro , Jacques Simpore
{"title":"Cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil on prostate and cervical cancer cells in vitro","authors":"Laetitia Liz Coulibaly , Bagora Bayala , Julio Buñay , Aminata Marie Simone Amsalet Traoré , Pengdwendé Fabienne Ingrid Zongo , Marc Donald Wilfried Adico , Gilles Figueredo , Jean-Marc Lobaccaro , Jacques Simpore","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100818","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100818","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Essential oil of <em>Ocimum gratissimum</em> L. (<em>O. gratissimum</em>) from Burkina Faso was evaluated for its antioxidant activity and for the first time, its cytotoxic properties, and effects on the cell cycle of LNCaP and HeLa cells, respectively derived from prostate and cervix tumors. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 53 compounds, among them thymol (38.10 %) as the major component, which could explain the antiradical properties and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil on LNCaP and HeLa cells. The essential oil also exhibited antimigratory activity on the LNCaP cells with the reduction of their proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. While these results need to be confirmed in preclinical models, they support the potential use of cell cycle arrest of <em>O. gratissimum</em> essential oil as an antitumor agent, particularly in prostate cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100818"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072400","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-10DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100817
Shengjie Zhu , Xinyi Feng , Ge Yan , Xin Liu , Yuanran Chen , Likun Zhang , Kan Ze
{"title":"9th surgery decoction alleviates psoriasis-like inflammation through the downregulation of angiogenesis induced by HIF-1α and the EGFR-PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways","authors":"Shengjie Zhu , Xinyi Feng , Ge Yan , Xin Liu , Yuanran Chen , Likun Zhang , Kan Ze","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100817","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100817","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>9th Surgery Decoction (9SD) is a long clinically-proved herbal mixture against inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema and acne. There still lacks researches revealing the role of 9SD in treatment of psoriasis. This work investigated the mechanism of 9SD in psoriasis treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The main components of the 9SD were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Network pharmacology was employed to identify potential targets and pathways. Psoriasis-like inflammation was induced in human keratinocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells using a cytokine cocktail, and the therapeutic effects of the decoction were validated <em>in vitro</em>. Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis in mice was used to assess the effects <em>in vivo</em>. Histopathological changes, gene expression, and protein levels were analyzed using various techniques, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study revealed that 9SD contains multiple active components that target various pathways involved in psoriasis. It was found to exert anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the levels of cytokines such as epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Additionally, the decoction inhibited angiogenesis by downregulating hypoxia-induced factor 1-alpha and the epidermal growth factor receptor-phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B-mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The 9SD demonstrates significant anti-psoriatic effects by targeting inflammation and angiogenesis through multiple pathways. These findings suggest that the decoction could be a promising therapeutic option for psoriasis, particularly in modulating the vascular and inflammatory aspects of the disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100817"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143941221","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-10DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100816
Nair Silva Macêdo , Zildene de Sousa Silveira , Débora Menezes Dantas , Cristina Rodrigues dos Santos Barbosa , Cícera Datiane de Morais Oliveira-Tintino , Saulo Relison Tintino , Gabriel Gonçalves Alencar , Gustavo Miguel Siqueira , Thaís Ferreira da Silva , Márcia Machado Marinho , Matheus Nunes da Rocha , Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho , Emmanuel Silva Marinho , Hélcio Silva dos Santos , Francisco Assis Bezerra da Cunha
{"title":"Evaluation of the antibacterial and efflux inhibitory activity of trans-cinnamic acid in Staphylococcus aureus: Experimental assays and in silico modeling","authors":"Nair Silva Macêdo , Zildene de Sousa Silveira , Débora Menezes Dantas , Cristina Rodrigues dos Santos Barbosa , Cícera Datiane de Morais Oliveira-Tintino , Saulo Relison Tintino , Gabriel Gonçalves Alencar , Gustavo Miguel Siqueira , Thaís Ferreira da Silva , Márcia Machado Marinho , Matheus Nunes da Rocha , Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho , Emmanuel Silva Marinho , Hélcio Silva dos Santos , Francisco Assis Bezerra da Cunha","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100816","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100816","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> develops bacterial resistance using membrane transport systems that perform the active efflux of antimicrobial agents, allowing its survival and growth.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of <em>trans-</em>cinnamic acid and its ability to modify the antibiotic activity and inhibit the efflux pump mechanism present in the 1199B strain of <em>S. aureus</em> (NorA overexpressed).</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>The permeability of <em>trans-</em>cinnamic acid through the cytoplasmic membrane of <em>S. aureus</em> was also evaluated. In silico assays were used to evaluate the molecular interactions of this compound with the efflux protein NorA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>Trans-</em>cinnamic acid did not show direct antibacterial activity against the 1199B strain of <em>S. aureus</em>. However, when combined with norfloxacin, it potentiated the antibiotic activity and reduced the MIC of norfloxacin. In addition, <em>trans</em>-cinnamic acid potentiated the effect of EtBr, reducing its MIC from 128 µg/mL to 64 µg/mL. The evaluated compound also increases membrane permeability in <em>S. aureus</em> strains, suggesting that this is one of the mechanisms of action involved in its activity. Molecular docking simulations showed that <em>trans</em>-cinnamic acid can act as an inhibitor of the NorA efflux pump due to its hydrophobic interactions with residues Tyr225 and Phe303. Pharmacokinetic descriptors showed that the compound presents good cell permeability due to the balance between lipophilicity and polarity favored by the presence of a deprotonated carboxylate group. Conclusion: In conclusion, <em>trans-</em>cinnamic acid has promising potential as an inhibitor of the resistance mechanism present in <em>S. aureus</em> and could act as a possible antibiotic adjuvant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100816"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069723","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-09DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100815
Ying Zeng , Wenting Li , Tingting Ma , Honglei Zhang , Jiaxing Xu , Kang Liu
{"title":"Early intervention of baicalin suppresses obesity-induced adipose tissue fibrotic remodeling through Interfering NF-κB/HIF-1ɑ/GRK2 Signaling Pathway","authors":"Ying Zeng , Wenting Li , Tingting Ma , Honglei Zhang , Jiaxing Xu , Kang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100815","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100815","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Obesity-induced adipose tissue (AT) fibrosis is difficult to reverse, indicating the importance of early intervention. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a potential regulator of energy metabolism. Baicalin can improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic homeostasis. However, their impacts on AT fibrosis have not been deciphered. This study aims to uncover the influence of early baicalin intervention on GRK2-related AT fibrotic remodeling under lipid overload. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and received baicalin or metformin during the whole period. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pre-treated with baicalin, metformin, or pharmacological inhibitors before exposure to palmitic acid (PA) or hypoxia for 20 h. Sometimes, Cells were transfected with siRNA or plasmid DNA specific for GRK2. Results showed that increased GRK2 in AT was observed early after HFD feeding. GRK2 silencing in adipocytes attenuated the profibrotic activation and improved insulin sensitivity and adipokine secretion, but GRK2 overexpression had the opposite effect. Baicalin treatment resulted in the downregulation of GRK2 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and epididymal AT from the early stage after lipid overload, prevented the profibrotic response, and ameliorated systemic and local insulin resistance. In addition, the negative regulation of GRK2 by baicalin was associated with reduced NF-κB phosphorylation and HIF-1ɑ abundance. Collectively, baicalin prevents HFD-induced AT fibrosis and ameliorates insulin resistance by interfering NF-κB/HIF-1ɑ/GRK2 signaling pathway. This finding provides a better insight into the regulatory effect of baicalin on AT homeostasis and reinforces its promising role in managing obesity-related diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100815"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071541","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":"A comprehensive review on Ayurvedic plants and isolation of their phytoconstituents","authors":"Vipin Kumar Jain , Vijay Kumar , Ch.V. Narasimhaji","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100813","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100813","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review discusses the medical and pharmaceutical significance of Ayurvedic plants with a focus on their relevance in daily life. A brief overview of common techniques employed for the isolation of marker compounds (phytoconstituents) is provided along with a detailed examination of the marker compound libraries derived from various Ayurvedic plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100813"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143936812","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}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-05-08DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100812
Putri Cahaya Situmorang , Syahputra Wibowo , Masitta Tanjung , Raden Jokokuncoroningrat Susilo , Ananda , Rizal Mukra , Alexander Patera Nugraha , Wida Akasah
{"title":"Molecular mechanism of phytochemical compounds in mitigating hypertension","authors":"Putri Cahaya Situmorang , Syahputra Wibowo , Masitta Tanjung , Raden Jokokuncoroningrat Susilo , Ananda , Rizal Mukra , Alexander Patera Nugraha , Wida Akasah","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100812","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100812","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While conventional antihypertensive therapies exist, their adverse effects and cost limit accessibility, prompting the exploration of safer, plant-based alternatives.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This review aims to comprehensively examine the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals in the management of hypertension by elucidating their mechanisms of action across multiple molecular pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed®, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect®, and Scopus. The analysis focused on phytochemicals affecting vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), oxidative stress (ROS/NO), the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), NF-κB signaling, endothelial dysfunction, and prostacyclin (PGI₂) pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Numerous phytochemicals, including quercetin, resveratrol, apigenin, and ursolic acid, demonstrate antihypertensive effects by targeting key signaling cascades involved in vascular remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Emerging evidence supports the role of nanotechnology in enhancing their bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. However, challenges remain regarding bioavailability, standardization, clinical validation, and potential drug interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Phytochemicals offer a multi-targeted and sustainable strategy for hypertension management. Future research should prioritize clinical trials, pharmacokinetics, personalized approaches, and advanced delivery systems to translate preclinical findings into clinical practice and improve outcomes in hypertensive populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 3","pages":"Article 100812"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069724","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}