Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-03-12DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100788
Mudassir Khattak , Irfan Amir Khan , Nabi Shah , Saud A Abdulsamad , Abdulghani A Naeem , Abdul Jabbar Shah
{"title":"Shikimic acid, a phenolic acid reverses isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rat model","authors":"Mudassir Khattak , Irfan Amir Khan , Nabi Shah , Saud A Abdulsamad , Abdulghani A Naeem , Abdul Jabbar Shah","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Myocardial infarction (MI), a leading cause of death in ischemic heart disease, may be mitigated by natural phenolic acids due to their antioxidant properties. This study investigates the cardioprotective role of shikimic acid (SA) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Rats were divided into six groups; all received ISO (85 mg/kg/day, s.c) on days 6 and 7, except the control (normal saline). Groups III-V received SA (10, 30, and 50 mg/kg/day, i.p) for seven days, while group VI was given atenolol (10 mg/kg/day, i.p). In-vitro studies were performed on isolated rat aortic rings and right atrium.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>SA pretreatment significantly prevented ISO-induced ECG changes (ST elevation, pathological Q wave), reduced cardiac biomarkers (cTnI, CPK, LDH, AST), improved heart histology, and increased tissue viability. Similarly, SA also showed a significant vasorelaxant effect against phenylephrine-induced precontraction, probably by inhibiting the receptor operated Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels without having effect on voltage-dependent Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels. SA showed mild negative chronotropic and ionotropic effects, potentially reducing MI-related cardiac workload.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These results indicate that SA preventing MI in rats through improving ECG, cardiac biomarkers and histopathological changes; the effect of SA may be attributed to the decrease in Ca<sup>2+</sup>movement and cardiac workload.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100788"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143643584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-03-09DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100781
Mona Tfaily, Jamilah Borjac
{"title":"Antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of Streptomyces spp isolated from the rhizosphere of Origanum majorana in Lebanon","authors":"Mona Tfaily, Jamilah Borjac","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100781","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100781","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The increasing threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria highlights the critical requirement for the development of new and effective antibiotics from natural sources. <em>Actinobacteria</em> are main producers of natural products to treat various diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to isolate <em>Actinobacteria</em> from the rhizosphere of <em>Origanum majorana</em>, characterize them, and test the antimicrobial activity of their metabolites.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Rhizospheric soil samples surrounding <em>O. majorana</em> plants were collected from 4 locations in Lebanon. The physicochemical characteristics of the soil were studied. Twenty <em>Actinobacteria</em> were chosen for primary screening against different bacterial pathogens using cross streak method and were identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Two <em>Actinobacteria</em> that we coded as WP and OP were chosen for secondary metabolites’ extraction, followed by antibacterial, antioxidant, and hemolysis assessments. These strains were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration for WP and OP metabolites were 47 and 94 µg/ml respectively against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>. WP showed significant biofilm inhibition reaching 95.47 % against <em>S. aureus</em>. WP exhibited similarity with <em>Streptomyces tuirus</em> while OP was similar to <em>Streptomyces</em> sp. OGA5 (99 % and 98 %, respectively). Their metabolites demonstrated time and dose-dependent activities against the tested bacteria. They did not show any haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes even at high concentrations. WP extract exhibited 91.25 % free radicals scavenging activity at 50 mg/ml.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The distribution of <em>Actinobacteria</em> is influenced by the physicochemical parameters of soil. <em>S. tuirus</em> produces potent bioactive compounds with promising antibacterial activity making it a valuable source to produce antimicrobial agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100781"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143591602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phytochemicals of Callisia fragrans exhibit significant antimicrobial, pro-wound-healing, and anti-inflammatory properties","authors":"Arik Dahan , Ludmila Yarmolinsky , Arie Budovsky , Boris Khalfin , Shimon Ben-Shabat","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100780","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100780","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Callisia fragrans</em> is a known plant in folk medicine but poorly explored from a scientific perspective.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The aims of this research were to identify the major phytochemicals of this plant, and to investigate them with regards to antimicrobial, pro-wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties<em>.</em></div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for phytochemical analysis; antimicrobial activity studies included estimation of eradication of the drug-resistant microorganisms and biofilm formation; human dermal fibroblasts were applied for research of pro-wound healing (WH) and anti-inflammatory properties. For bioinformatical assessment, we selected the STITCH database found at <span><span>http://stitch.embl.de/</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven phytochemical constituents: quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-<em>O</em>-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-<em>O</em>-caffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin 3-<em>O</em>-rutinoside and farrerol were successfully identified. The crude extract and quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-<em>O</em>-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-<em>O</em>-caffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid and farrerol were found to exhibit significant antimicrobial effect against antibiotic-resistant <em>Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Serratia marcescens</em> and <em>S. enteritidis</em>. The extract and some phytochemicals of <em>C. fragrans</em> inhibited the growth of biofilm-producing bacterium, while the effect of the extract was greater than that of the positive control streptomycin. The extract, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid significantly enhanced wound healing in the scratch assay (<em>p</em><0.001). Finally, the extract and identified phytoconstituents exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects mediated by reduced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines in human dermal fibroblasts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This research revealed convincing and promising indications of significant therapeutic potential of <em>C. fragrans</em> extract and its active phytochemicals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100780"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143642799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-03-07DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100779
Marjan Talebi , Kimia Shahbazi , Mohammad Sedigh Dakkali , Marziyeh Akbari , Rouzbeh Almasi Ghale , Seyedali Hashemi , Mahdyeh Sashourpour , Faraz Mojab , Saeed Aminzadeh
{"title":"Phytosomes: A promising nanocarrier system for enhanced bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of herbal products","authors":"Marjan Talebi , Kimia Shahbazi , Mohammad Sedigh Dakkali , Marziyeh Akbari , Rouzbeh Almasi Ghale , Seyedali Hashemi , Mahdyeh Sashourpour , Faraz Mojab , Saeed Aminzadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Herbal products have revealed a variety of therapeutic potential in numerous health conditions. However, limitations regarding their solubility, absorption, bioavailability, and stability have hindered clinical translations. Among various strategies to combat these challenges, using phytosomes as a nanocarrier system has presented a promising approach to enhance the bioavailability and effectiveness of phytoconstituents.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study comprehensively reviews the development, preparation, and advantages of phytosomes as a novel nanodelivery system, focusing on overcoming the pharmacokinetic limitations of phytoconstituents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A scientific literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords such as “phytosome,” “herbasome,” “herbal drug delivery,” and “phospholipid complex” were employed to identify appropriate scientific articles.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Phytosomal delivery systems have demonstrated significant improvements in bioavailability, therapeutic outcomes, stability, and targeted distribution of herbal products. Compared to other delivery systems like liposomes, phytosomes exhibit superior pharmacokinetic profiles and distribution efficiency. They show promise in enhancing bioavailability and enabling diverse routes of administration, including oral, topical, and intranasal. They also have numerous therapeutic applications in inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, cancers, metabolic syndrome, and liver diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Phytosomal delivery systems effectively address the pharmacokinetic challenges of herbal products, offering improved bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100779"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-03-07DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100773
P.S. Venkatesan , S. Sundaresan , M. Eswarya , M. Madhavaselvi , R. Renuka
{"title":"Evaluation of antiepileptic properties of herbal mix of different combinations by PTZ-induced mouse model","authors":"P.S. Venkatesan , S. Sundaresan , M. Eswarya , M. Madhavaselvi , R. Renuka","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100773","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by convulsive seizures. Between 50 and 70 million people worldwide are impacted, and safer medications with superior anticonvulsant qualities and greater accessibility are still needed. Antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects continue to be a significant concern despite advances in pharmacotherapy, as they can lower quality of life and adherence. Herbal medicines are becoming more and more popular as complementary and alternative therapies as a result.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using a mouse seizure model caused by PTZ (Pentylenetetrazole) of dose 120 mg/kg.b.wt, this study examines the anticonvulsant efficacy of a traditional medicinal plant called <em>Withania somnifera, Matricaria recutita and Evolvulus alsinoides</em> which are commonly called as Ashwagandha, Chamomile and Morning glory respectively. The herb was mixed with 1.5 % Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and given to mice with various dosage levels and in combination.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study demonstrates that <em>Evolvulus alsinoides, Withania somnifera</em>, and <em>Matricaria recutita</em>, possesses significant anticonvulsant properties in a PTZ-induced seizure model in mice. Combination of all three showed highest latency of 168.25 ± 30.4s and seizure period of 3.82 ± 7.65 s</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100773"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143683193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Diuretic effects of hydromethanolic extract of Rumex nepalensis Spreng. leaves and its solvent fractions in mice","authors":"Fasika Argaw Tafesse , Tafere Mulaw Belete , Assefa Belay Asrie","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100775","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100775","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The leaves of <em>Rumex nepalensis</em> Spreng<em>.</em> have been traditionally utilized for treating urinary retention and as a diuretic, but scientific validation is limited.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose of the study</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the diuretic activity of <em>R. nepalensis</em> leaf extract and solvent fractions using standardized experimental models.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The leaves of the plant were dried under shade, crushed to a coarse powder, and subjected to cold maceration with 80% methanol and concentrated. A portion of the crude extract was taken and fractionated using solvents of increasing polarity: n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water. The mice were divided into different groups, including negative control groups (received 2% tween 80 or distilled water), positive control groups (given 10 mg/kg of furosemide), and experimental groups receiving the 80% methanol extract or its solvent fractions at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg orally. Then urine volume was measured at 1st, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup>, 4<sup>th</sup>, and 5<sup>th</sup> hours post-dosing of the treatments. Meanwhile, a urine sample was taken from each animal for electrolyte analysis and pH measurement. The mean values of the treatment groups were finally compared against those of the negative controls.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results showed that the 80% methanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and aqueous fraction at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg produced significant diuretic effects, marked by substantial increases in urine volume compared to the negative control (<em>p</em> < 0.001). The fractions also demonstrated significant natriuresis and kaliuresis effect at these doses (<em>p</em> < 0.001), further confirming their diuretic efficacy. Additionally, the highest doses of the crude extract (p < 0.01), ethyl acetate fraction (<em>p</em> < 0.001), and aqueous fraction (<em>p</em> < 0.001) significantly increased the pH of the urine.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This investigation demonstrated the diuretic effect of the hydromethanolic extract of <em>R. nepalensis</em> leaves and its ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. The observed diuretic effect is possibly attributable to the presence of different secondary metabolites. However, this work lacks chemical characterization of the extract and the fractions using advanced analytical techniques and mechanistic studies. These limitations may be addressed by other studies in the future. Despite these limitations, the current study has offered a scientific verification for the traditional therapeutic application of <em>R. nepalensis</em> leaves and this may serve as a foundation for future research on the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of the plant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100775"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-03-04DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100778
Nazir Ahmad , Kaisun Nesa Lesa , Nanang Fakhrudin , Zullies Ikawati
{"title":"Modulation of cognitive activity by plant-based extracts (Allium cepa, Coffea robusta, and Brassica oleracea) through the phosphodiesterase 4B inhibition: Insite from a Mice model study","authors":"Nazir Ahmad , Kaisun Nesa Lesa , Nanang Fakhrudin , Zullies Ikawati","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100778","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100778","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a growing issue worldwide, despite extensive advancements and clinical research in therapeutic strategies. A potential approach in order to treat CD entails phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), which has a big impact on how well memory works.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The current investigation aimed to quantify quercetin, sinigrin, and chlorogenic acid in the extracts <em>Allium cepa</em> (<em>A. cepa</em>), <em>Brassica oleracea</em> (<em>B. oleracea</em>), and <em>Coffea robusta</em> (<em>C. robusta</em>), respectively using thin layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometry assessments and to figure out the memory-enhancing effect of combination extract (<em>A. cepa, B. oleracea</em>, and <em>C. robusta</em>) in mice.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The ethanol extracts of <em>B. oleracea</em> and <em>A. cepa</em> were prepared individually using the maceration method, while the <em>C. robusta</em> aqueous extract was obtained through infusion method. Quantification assessment of quercetin, sinigrin, and chlorogenic acid was carried out using TLC-densitometry. While the Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to determine the memory potential of mice. Subsequently, administering the combination extracts, memory performance was evaluated with the MWM test. Additionally, the hippocampus of the mice was analyzed against cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activities using Western blot and ELISA methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The amounts of quercetin, sinigrin, and chlorogenic acid in the extracts estimated by TLC-densitometry. The combination extracts enhanced cognition in scopolamine-induced CD in mice during behavioral test. Furthermore, the combination extracts blocked PDE4B activity and exhibited memory potential by elevating hippocampal biomarkers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In summary, <em>A. cepa, B. oleracea</em>, and <em>C. robusta</em> extracts serve as an excellent sources of quercetin, sinigrin, and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The combination of these extracts was found to improve memory function in mice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100778"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143591598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antidiabetic and tissue-protective effects of Brachystegia eurycoma leaf extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rat model","authors":"Ayodeji Benjamin Akawa , Isaac Adekola Adu , Oluwaseun Emmanuel Agboola , Olajumoke Tolulope Idowu , Foluso Oluwagbemiga Osunsanmi , Basiru Olaitan Ajiboye , Babatunji Emmanuel Oyinloye","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diabetes mellitus remains a significant global health challenge, with traditional medicinal plants offering promising therapeutic potential. <em>Brachystegia eurycoma</em> has been traditionally employed in African medicine for diabetes management, yet its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To evaluate the antidiabetic potential and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of <em>B. eurycoma</em> leaf extract through both <em>In vitro</em> and <em>In vivo</em> studies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The ethanol extract was assessed for antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and phytochemical content. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats received oral doses (100–400 mg/kg) for 21 days. Multiple parameters, including glycemic indices, insulin, glycogen, metabolic enzymes, antioxidant markers, inflammatory mediators, and lipid profiles, were evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (73.32 % DPPH, 58.88 % ABTS inhibition) with high phenolic (348.8 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoid (158.26 mg QE/kg) content. In diabetic rats, 400 mg/kg treatment reduced hyperglycemia by 31.5 %, increased insulin by 82 %, and enhanced glycogen by 84 %. Hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities improved to 11 % and 52.5 % of normal control, while glucose-6-phosphatase decreased to 55 % of diabetes control. Treatment significantly reduced inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6) and improved lipid profiles with a marked increase in HDL and reduction in LDL and triglycerides (<em>p</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>B. eurycoma</em> leaf extract exhibits multifaceted antidiabetic effects through antioxidant activity, carbohydrate-metabolizing enzyme inhibition, and metabolic regulation, supporting its traditional use and warranting further clinical investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-03-03DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100771
Storm Blockley-Powell , Sarah Andreassend , Bella Paenga , Damian Skinner , Nikki Harcourt , Manu Caddie , Teresa Moreno , Stephen Tallon , Robert A. Keyzers , Andrew B. Munkacsi
{"title":"Indigenous community-guided chemical genomic insight into synergy of rapamycin with nerolidol derived from a leaf extract of kānuka (Kunzea robusta) in Tairāwhiti, Aotearoa New Zealand","authors":"Storm Blockley-Powell , Sarah Andreassend , Bella Paenga , Damian Skinner , Nikki Harcourt , Manu Caddie , Teresa Moreno , Stephen Tallon , Robert A. Keyzers , Andrew B. Munkacsi","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity are essential in drug discovery. Utilizing a natural product combinatorial approach can offer a promising strategy to preserve bioactivity while reducing the dosage of potentially toxic drugs in patient treatment. Kānuka (<em>Kunzea robusta</em>) is a well-known endemic plant of Aotearoa New Zealand that has therapeutic value with traditional knowledge and preliminary laboratory studies indicating antimicrobial bioactivities, yet combinatorial bioactivity studies of this plant are non-existent. Via a research collaboration led by an indigenous Māori social enterprise that ensured indigenous landowners contributed biological material and knowledge with free, prior and informed consent at each stage of the study, we show that a steam extract of kānuka leaves has synergistic activity with the well-known immunosuppressive agent, rapamycin, resulting in amplified bioactivity in the model organism <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae.</em> Network analysis of a genome-wide gene deletion screen suggested the extract increased the bioavailability of rapamycin. Subsequent fluorescent microscopy analyses revealed the importance of endocytic and oxidative stress pathways. Bioassay-guided metabolomic analyses elucidated the main component of the steam extract, α-pinene, to not be responsible for the synergistic bioactivity, rather, highlighting nerolidol as a strong synergistic candidate. Given rapamycin is an advanced compound in many clinical studies involving anti-cancer, anti-ageing, and anti-microbial activities, albeit associated with several toxic side-effects, this study provides mechanistic insight into this previously unknown bioactivity of kānuka leaves and illustrates how a lower, and safer, concentration of rapamycin could be potentially used in these diverse clinical settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100771"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143578459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phytomedicine PlusPub Date : 2025-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100772
Salik Abdullah , Pritam Chatterjee
{"title":"A review on the molecular mechanisms and pharmacology of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees in the management of the interplay between type 2 diabetes and breast cancer","authors":"Salik Abdullah , Pritam Chatterjee","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100772","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100772","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Andrographis paniculata</em> (Burm.f.) Nees is a herbaceous plant originating from the acanthaceae family, the plant has a wide distribution in subtropical regions and commonly known as Chuan-Xin-Lian in China, Kalmegh in the Indian subcontinent. <em>A. paniculata</em> has evolved into a plethora of Chinese proprietary medicines that are frequently utilized in clinical settings; it was originally documented in Lingnan caoyaolu next to an entire list of 480 Chinese herbal remedies.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>The present review examines the literature relating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), breast cancer and <em>A. paniculata</em>. To relate all three and find a link a thorough search of literature was done on TCM Bank, TCMSP, PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Embase, and ScienceDirect with keywords such as Chuan-Xin-Lian, traditional Chinese medicine, Andrographolide, breast cancer and diabetes.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>The molecular mechanism between diabetes and cancer has long been speculated, although it is still unknown. Both diseases contribute to worldwide death rates, and if their causative link is not addressed, it could cause a global health crisis. Thus, complementary/alternative medications from natural Sources with fewer side effects are becoming more popular with <em>Andrographis paniculata</em> (Burm.f.) Nees, being a common Asian herb, has been used to cure several diseases, including diabetes and breast cancer.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In summary, this review highlights the importance of <em>A. paniculata</em> as a traditional Chinese herb, which has demonstrated promising therapeutic benefits in treating numerous diseases and offers valuable direction for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 2","pages":"Article 100772"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}