Phytomedicine Plus最新文献

{"title":"Anticancer potential of Pra-Sa-Chan-Dang multi-herb formulation and its synergistic effects with cisplatin","authors":"Zar Zar Win ,&nbsp;Hasaya Dokduang ,&nbsp;Sirinya Sittirak ,&nbsp;Panupong Chongwichai ,&nbsp;Suchittra Butda ,&nbsp;Siriluk Nuemaihom ,&nbsp;Saengrawee Thammawithan ,&nbsp;Piya Prajumwongs ,&nbsp;Nattha Muangritdech ,&nbsp;Watcharin Loilome ,&nbsp;Nisana Namwat ,&nbsp;Poramate Klanrit ,&nbsp;Jurarat Sirisukhepradit ,&nbsp;Rungsak Kaveeyanun ,&nbsp;Chutikan Sakphisutthikul ,&nbsp;Arporn Wangwiwatsin","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural product-based potential therapies offer promising avenues for drug discovery and development, particularly for challenging conditions like cancer treatment. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a multi-herb Pra-Sa-Chan-Dang (PSCD) formulation, sequentially prepared from twelve distinct herbal plant ingredients, with <em>Dracaena cochinchinensis</em> (Lour.) S.C.Chen heartwood is the main component. PSCD extracts were prepared sequentially and assessed for total polyphenol, flavonoid contents and antioxidant scavenging using standards. Cell cytotoxicity effects were measured across various cancer cell lines, and combination index (CI) analysis was performed to determine synergism with standard drug, cisplatin. Untargeted metabolite profiling was conducted to identify the key bioactive compounds. The PSCD herbal formulation, particularly its ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, is a rich source of polyphenols and flavonoids, demonstrating potent antioxidant activity. A key finding was the formula's noteworthy selective cytotoxicity with favorable selectivity indices (Selective Index &gt; 3) towards cancer cell lines, indicating its ability to specifically target malignant cells. Furthermore, CI analysis revealed a substantially reduced CI value when PSCD was combined with cisplatin, indicating a considerable synergistic effect that was selectively toxic to cancer cells, thereby enhancing the therapeutic purposes. Global metabolite profiling illustrated metabolic patterns and key bioactive compounds, including brazilin, resveratrol, and coumaroyl agmatine, identifying their presence with the observed bioactivities. The current study highlights the promise of the PSCD multi-herb formulation as novel anti-proliferative agents and suggests a treatment strategy to enhance therapeutic efficacy, paving way for further studies on its most bioactive constituents, mechanisms of action, and in vivo efficacy for clinical translation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100987"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147802252","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":"The effect of herbal extracts and plant bioactive compounds on insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Juliana de Andrade Fauth ,&nbsp;Bruna Teles Soares Beserra ,&nbsp;Érica Correia Garcia ,&nbsp;Angélica Amorim Amato","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Herbal extracts and plant bioactive compounds have been shown to improve several metabolic outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to examine the effect of herbal extracts and plant bioactive compounds on insulin resistance (IR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, and LILACS from inception until February 06, 2025, for RCT addressing the effect of herbal extracts and plant bioactive compounds in women with IR. Their findings were analyzed the data qualitatively and quantitatively, the latter using a random-effects model.</div></div><div><h3>Main results</h3><div>Among the 39 included RCT, curcumin (<em>n</em> = 6, 350 women), cinnamon (<em>n</em> = 5, 217 women), and berberine (<em>n</em> = 3, 236 women) were the most frequently assessed herbal extracts/compounds. In the qualitative analysis, most of them had a beneficial effect on IR in women with PCOS. However, synthesis of their findings indicated that curcumin had a neutral effect on HOMA-IR (standardized mean difference, SMD: -0.07, 95%CI: -0.34, 0.19, <em>p</em> = 0.59, I²: 0%, low certainty) and QUICKI (SMD 0.08, 95%CI -0.23, 0.38, <em>p</em> = 0.62, I²: 0%, low certainty), and cinnamon marginally improved HOMA-IR (SMD:-0.39, 95%CI -0.77, 0.00, <em>p</em> = 0.05, I²: 41%, low certainty). Flaxseed was investigated in three RCT, with two studies reporting a beneficial effect and one study reporting a neutral effect on IR in women with IR. Other herbal extracts and plant bioactive compounds, such as pomegranate, quercetin, spinach, fenugreek, crocin, fennel, green coffee, marjoram, propolis, <em>Salvia officinalis</em>, Sumac, and licorice were assessed in fewer studies, with mixed results.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings suggest that cinnamon may improve IR in PCOS, albeit with a low certainty of evidence. However, the available evidence for other herbal extracts/compounds is not conclusive. Therefore, current evidence does not support the recommendation for the use of herbal extracts and bioactive plant compounds in the treatment of IR in PCOS. However, the shortcomings in our review highlight the need for further clinical trials to establish the clinical efficacy of herbal extracts and plant bioactive compounds for the treatment of IR in PCOS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100962"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122646","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":"The importance of standardisation in phytomedicine: Variation in mood-enhancing mesembrine-alkaloids in non-standardised vs. Zembrin® commercial products","authors":"Mika Meredith de Jong,&nbsp;Suzanne Elaine van Niekerk,&nbsp;Frank van der Kooy","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100966","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100966","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Mesembryanthemum tortuosum</em>, commonly known as kanna, is traditionally used as a mood enhancer due to its mesembrine alkaloids, notably mesembrine and mesembrenone, which demonstrate anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Zembrin®, a patented standardised extract, seeks to ensure a consistent alkaloid content in products like Elev8™ and Zerenity™, supporting reliable efficacy. However, many non-standardised over-the-counter products, with variable and unspecified alkaloid levels, are widely available, potentially leading to inconsistent therapeutic outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC method to quantify mesembrine and mesembrenone and assess the variability of alkaloid content in commercially available products, including those containing Zembrin®.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>A comparative analytical study was conducted to evaluate the alkaloid content of 12 commercially available <em>M. tortuosum</em> products, two of which contained Zembrin® and six different batches of one Zembrin® containing product, using the newly developed HPLC method.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A HPLC method was developed and validated to quantify mesembrine and mesembrenone. The technique was used to analyse 18 over-the-counter <em>M. tortuosum</em> products, including two containing Zembrin® and six different batches of one standardised product. Alkaloid concentrations, labelling accuracy, and dosage instructions were assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The two Zembrin®-containing products, despite different formulations and manufacturers, contained mesembrine (32 vs. 27 µg/max daily dose) and mesembrenone (91 vs. 108 µg/max daily dose), which fall within clinically tested dosages<em>.</em> In contrast, significant variability was observed in the non-standardised commercial products, with mesembrine and mesembrenone differing by over 1600-fold (17 714 vs. 11 µg/max daily dose) and 70-fold (1 514 vs. 20 µg/max daily dose), respectively. The inter-batch results of the standardised product demonstrated remarkable consistency across all batches tested, with relative standard deviations of only 2.3 and 3.1% for mesembrine and mesembrenone, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The HPLC method effectively quantified mesembrine and mesembrenone, revealing substantial variability in non-standardised <em>M. tortuosum</em> products. The remarkable consistency of Zembrin®-containing products underscores the importance of standardisation and highlights the critical need for quality control in phytomedicines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100966"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146193083","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":"Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.): ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, therapeutic potential, and regulatory perspectives","authors":"Santhosh Kumar J. Urumarudappa ,&nbsp;Chayapol Tungphatthong ,&nbsp;Lavanya G ,&nbsp;Suchada Sukrong","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100986","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100986","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Mitragyna speciosa</em> Korth., commonly known as Kratom, has a long history as a traditional Thai herbal medicine, employed to treat various ailments since ancient times. This review aims to provide a kratom's ethnopharmacological applications, ethnobotanical uses, and evolving regulatory landscapes to provide a balanced perspective on its therapeutic potential versus public health risks. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various scientific databases to collect relevant information on <em>M. speciosa.</em> This study discusses the folk medicinal uses of <em>M. speciosa</em> and its key phytochemical constituents, along with its reported pharmacological activities, toxicological profile, and known adverse effects. In addition, regulatory frameworks across different regions are examined, with attention to challenges surrounding quality control, legal classification, and the need for sustainable harvesting practices that honour cultural traditions. Kratom presents a dual challenge as a culturally significant therapeutic agent and a substance requiring rigorous quality control. Collaborative research integrating traditional knowledge with modern science is essential to validate its medicinal potential, ensure sustainable sourcing, and harmonize regulations. Policymakers must balance accessibility with safety to protect public health and indigenous rights. This comprehensive review provides healthcare professionals and researchers with current, evidence-based information to facilitate informed discussions and decision-making regarding kratom use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100986"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147802350","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":"Evaluating the effects of sea cucumber extract supplementation on the developmental competence of aged oocytes during in vitro fertilization and in vitro maturation","authors":"Irena Ujianti ,&nbsp;Mulyoto Pangestu ,&nbsp;Thomas Mayers ,&nbsp;Wawang S Sukarya ,&nbsp;Bety Semara Lakhsmi ,&nbsp;Zahra Nurushoffa ,&nbsp;Supandi ,&nbsp;Takashi Yashiro","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ovarian aging, characterized by declines in oocyte quantity and quality, results in reduced fertility, particularly in women over 38 years of age. Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are major contributors, necessitating strategies to support the developmental competence of aged oocytes. <em>Holothuria lessoni, a</em> sea cucumber <em>species</em> rich in bioactive compounds, offers antioxidant and cytoprotective potential that may help counteract these oxidative and ER stress-related declines.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>Aged oocytes from BL6 hybrid female mice were fertilized <em>in vitro</em> and cultured with sea cucumber extract at concentrations of 0, 15, 20, and 25 ppm. Embryo development was evaluated at 24-, 48-, 72-, 96-, and 120-hours post-fertilization. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to characterize extract composition, while quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of blastocyst expression of HSP90, and GPX1. In silico protein–protein interaction and pathway analyses were performed using bioinformatics databases.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>GC–MS revealed multiple bioactive constituents, including fatty acids, esters, squalene, and siloxane derivatives. A concentration of 20 ppm yielded the best developmental outcomes, with 100% of embryos reaching the two-cell stage and 29% forming blastocysts, along with superior blastocyst morphology, while 25 ppm reduced embryo quality. At 20 ppm, HSP90 and GPX1 were upregulated 20-fold and 6.58-fold, respectively, whereas 25 ppm further increased GPX1 but decreased HSP90 expression. Network analysis identified TP53, TNF, and IL1B as central regulators in oxidative stress-related pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div><em>Holothuria lessoni</em> extract at 20 ppm enhanced early embryonic development of aged murine oocytes, likely by modulating oxidative stress and proteostasis via HSF1–HSP90 and Nrf2–GPX1 pathways. Further studies are required to optimize dosing and confirm downstream molecular targets for later developmental stages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100976"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147950913","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":"Role of magnolol in neuroprotection cellular mechanisms, therapeutic potential and insights into safety and efficacy","authors":"Sachin Tarasing Rathod ,&nbsp;Himanshu Sharma ,&nbsp;Prakhar Varshney ,&nbsp;Phool Chandra ,&nbsp;Neetu Sachan ,&nbsp;Ayesha Yasmeen ,&nbsp;Talha Jawaid ,&nbsp;Arunprasad VK ,&nbsp;Suresh Babu Kondaveeti","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100988","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100988","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Magnolia genus is traditionally used in traditional medicine to treat neurological and other disorders. <em>Magnolia officinalis</em> Rehder &amp; E.H. Wilson and <em>Magnolia obovata</em> Thunb species have high concentrations of the naturally occurring chemical magnololol in their bark and cones. Dried flower buds of <em>Magnolia biondii</em> Pamp also possess magnolol in large amounts. Magnolol has a prolonged history of usage in conventional Chinese and Japanese medicine for its therapeutic properties. This study aims to evaluate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of magnolol against neurological disorders through a systematic review. The review was performed using the databases Medline, Embase, Science Direct, and Scopus; using the keywords “Magnolol”, “anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotection” and “molecular mechanisms”. Additional information was gathered from related textbooks, reviews, and documents. It also participates in neurotransmitter modulation through enhancement of GABAergic transmission and implications for anxiety and epilepsy disorders. Magnolol upregulates Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression, inhibits amyloid-beta aggregation, and penetrates blood-brain, DNA protection, and calcium homeostasis. Based on the study, magnolol is found to be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of neurological disorders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100988"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147950914","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":"Neuroprotective effects of Tagetes erecta extract on H2O2-induced damage in SH-SY5Y cells","authors":"Suradwadee Thungmungmee,&nbsp;Monsicha Khuanekkaphan,&nbsp;Nakuntwalai Wisidsri","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100991","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2026.100991","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oxidative stress is a key contributor to neuronal dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorders. <em>Tagetes erecta</em> (<em>T. erecta</em>) is a medicinal plant rich in antioxidant bioactive compounds, including lutein. This study investigated the protective effects of <em>T. erecta</em> extract (TE) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Exposure to H₂O₂ significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative DNA damage, and the expression of senescence- and inflammatory-associated biomarkers. Pretreatment with TE at 12.5–50 μg/ml effectively attenuated H₂O₂-induced cellular damage. TE significantly reduced intracellular ROS accumulation and suppressed oxidative DNA damage, as evidenced by decreased levels of 8‑hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). In addition, treatment with TE mitigated H₂O₂-induced senescence- and inflammatory-associated biomarkers, as indicated by reduced p21 expression and attenuated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)). These protective effects were associated with enhanced cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms, as evidenced by increased levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). These findings demonstrated that TE protected neuronal cells and exhibited a potential neuroprotective effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100991"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858078","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":"Aegle marmelos attenuates high glucose induced renal cell fibrosis via redox homeostasis maintenance and gasotransmitters modulation","authors":"Saravanakumar Venkatesan ,&nbsp;Anusha Rajagopal ,&nbsp;Ganeshjeevan Ramajeevan ,&nbsp;Suvaiyarasan Suvaithenamudhan ,&nbsp;Muthuswamy Balasubramanyam ,&nbsp;Viswanathan Mohan ,&nbsp;Nagaraj Manickam","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100942","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100942","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Diabetic kidney disease substantially increases the risk of endstage renal disease necessitating the imperative need for identification of novel drug candidates to prevent disease progression. Aegle marmelos is a well-known plant used in the Indian system of medicine for treating diabetes and its complications, but its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Hence, we investigated the mechanistic role of Aegle marmelos leaf extract (AMLE) and its active molecules in protecting high glucose (HG) induced renal cell fibrosis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Normal rat kidney epithelial cells were used to study the effect of AMLE (100 μg/ml) on HG (25 mM) induced renal cell fibrotic events and oxidative imbalance. Gasotransmitters (NO and H₂S), their respective synthesizing enzymes and their regulatory miRNAs were measured. Molecular docking analysis was performed using Schrodinger software to study the binding interaction of active biomolecules.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>AMLE alleviated the HG induced renal cell fibrosis by decreasing the expression levels of fibrotic markers and impeded the fibrotic events. AMLE significantly reduced the HG induced ROS generation by decreasing NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression. AMLE increased the gasotransmitters levels (NO and H₂S) by augmenting the NOS3 phosphorylation and CBS expression and decreased their regulatory miRNAs (miR-195 and miR-21). Active biomolecule, aegeline significantly combated the HG induced renal cell fibrosis by targeting NOX4 and CBS.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We demonstrated the protective effect and mechanistic action of AMLE in preventing HG mediated renal cell fibrosis by regulating the oxidative stress, gasotransmitters, its active biomolecule aegeline plays a beneficial role.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100942"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924210","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":"Phenolic extract of Macrotyloma uniflorum triggers caspase 3–mediated apoptosis and HDAC modulation in PC3 prostate cancer cells","authors":"Amber Rizwan ,&nbsp;Faqua Zarreen ,&nbsp;Shazia Karim ,&nbsp;Yeshfeen Sherwani ,&nbsp;Mairaj Ahmed Ansari ,&nbsp;M.Moshahid Alam Rizvi ,&nbsp;Humaira Farooqi","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100945","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100945","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prostate cancer is a major global health issue, disproportionately affecting older adults and those with genetic or socio-economic risk factors. HDAC inhibitors show promise but are restricted by toxicity and insufficient target specificity. This study, investigated phenol-rich extracts of Macrotyloma uniflorum (horse gram) for their potential to inhibit HDAC7, a class II HDAC associated with prostate cancer progression. Total phenolics in <em>Macrotyloma uniflorum</em> seeds measured 258.34 ± 2.16 mg/g, expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE).The extracts exerted dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, LNCaP, DU145), with the highly aggressive, androgen-independent PC3 cells showing the greatest sensitivity (IC₅₀ = 681.75 µg/mL). The extract induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Western blot revealed decreased HDAC7 protein levels and increased cleaved caspase-3, indicating caspase-3-mediated HDAC7 downregulation. Global or overall HDAC activity was modulated, reflecting epigenetic effects. Phenolic extract from <em>Macrotyloma uniflorum</em> induces caspase-3–dependent apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and HDAC modulation in PC3 cells. These results support its potential as an epigenetic anticancer agent and warrant further isoform-specific HDAC studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100945"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924671","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":"Understanding cytotoxic effects of traditional herbal remedies: A comprehensive review","authors":"Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar ,&nbsp;Akhileshwar Kumar Srivastava ,&nbsp;Dugganaboyana Guru Kumar ,&nbsp;Diptesh Kumar Bhoi ,&nbsp;Reshma Jangde","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100931","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100931","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Traditional herbal products have long been integral to healthcare systems worldwide, providing therapeutic benefits in various cultural practices. However, concerns regarding the cytotoxicity of these products, often overlooked, present significant safety risks, especially with the increasing use of herbal remedies in modern integrative medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A comprehensive literature review was conducted to understand the cytotoxic effects of traditional herbal remedies. The literature search used Google Scholar and scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer. Relevant studies focusing on traditional medicinal uses, cytotoxicity, and pharmacological properties of herbal remedies were included. Research articles, review papers, and ethnobotanical studies documenting cytotoxic effects were analyzed to provide an in-depth perspective.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The review highlights several herbal products linked to cytotoxic effects, such as those involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and DNA damage. Notably, case studies demonstrate adverse reactions and toxicity, underscoring the potential risks when these remedies are not properly assessed or used. Key herbs identified include.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings call for more robust and standardized safety evaluations to address the cytotoxic risks associated with herbal treatments. It is crucial for regulatory frameworks to be strengthened, and for further research to establish clear guidelines for the safe integration of herbal products in healthcare. Emphasis should be placed on risk assessment, public awareness, and the development of safer formulations to protect consumer health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100931"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681763","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}