Phytomedicine Plus最新文献

{"title":"Oroxylum indicum and its flavonoids impact on SARS-CoV-2 and urban dust-induced inflammation in human lung fibroblast cells","authors":"Khunkhang Butdapheng ,&nbsp;Rattanathorn Choonong ,&nbsp;Waranyoo Phoolcharoen ,&nbsp;Waraporn Putalun","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>SARS-CoV-2 infection and chronic urban dust exposure can lead to lung inflammation and fibrosis by stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. <em>Oroxylum indicum</em> (L.) Kurz and its flavonoids, baicalein and chrysin, demonstrate potential to treat pulmonary damage.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study evaluated the effects of <em>O. indicum</em> grilled fruit extract, baicalein, and chrysin against receptor-binding domain (RBD)- and urban dust-induced inflammation and key COVID-19 entry mechanisms using an <em>in vitro</em> human lung fibroblast model.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Human lung fibroblasts were exposed to RBD or urban dust. Relative gene expressions of <em>TNF-α, IL-6, 5-LOX, ACE2</em>, and <em>TMPRSS2</em> were quantified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determined RBD–ACE2 binding inhibition. Computational analyses to explore potential mechanisms included PCA, molecular docking, and network pharmacology.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both RBD and urban dust dramatically increased genes, with RBD upregulating <em>IL-6</em> and urban dust upregulating <em>TNF-α</em>. Dexamethasone suppressed them, validating the model. <em>O. indicum</em> extract, baicalein, and chrysin significantly reduced <em>TNF-α, IL-6</em>, and <em>5-LOX</em> expression. <em>O. indicum</em> extract consistently downregulated <em>ACE2</em> and <em>TMPRSS2</em> expressions and decreased RBD and urban dust-induced inflammation. Baicalein and <em>O. indicum</em> extract inhibited RBD–ACE2 binding (IC₅₀ = 4.60 ± 0.7 µM and 435.4 ± 52.7 µg/ml, respectively). Experimental results were supported by computational analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This research validates the <em>in vitro</em> model and demonstrates that <em>O. indicum</em> extract, baicalein, and chrysin have the potential to mitigate pulmonary inflammation and interfere with SARS-CoV-2 entry mechanisms. Further investigation should include protein-level analysis and <em>in vivo</em> studies confirming therapeutic efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100886"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145157718","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 hesperidin in modulating antioxidant enzymes in the brain of rats exposed to Nickel Chloride","authors":"Niloufar Alizadeh,&nbsp;Bagher Seyedalipour,&nbsp;Mohammad Karimian","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100874","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100874","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study aimed to investigate the effects of hesperidin on the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutase (Sod), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) in the brain and their enzymatic activities in the brain and serum of rats exposed to nickel.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: control group, nickel group (nickel chloride 20 mg/kg), hesperidin group (100 mg/kg), and three nickel + hesperidin groups at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Hesperidin was administered via gavage, and nickel was injected intraperitoneally for 21 days. The gene expression of Sod, Cat, and Gpx enzymes was examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the activity of these enzymes in serum and brain tissue was assessed by standard biochemical methods. Immunohistochemistry was also used to analyze the expression of Sod1 protein in brain tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Exposure to nickel chloride significantly suppressed Sod, Cat, and Gpx enzymatic activities in both brain and serum tissues of rats (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05 to <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Hesperidin at 200 mg/kg significantly restored Sod and Cat activities in the brain by approximately 95.74 % and 80.35 %, respectively (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), and all doses (50–200 mg/kg) increased Gpx activity (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01 to <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). In serum, hesperidin administration at doses of 100 mg/kg (44.36±13.7 U/mL) and 200 mg/kg (47.78±6.23 U/mL) significantly increased Cat activity compared with the nickel-exposed group (19.17±8.20 U/mL) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Moreover, the 200 mg/kg dose markedly enhanced Sod activity (36.78±9.86 U/mL) relative to the nickel group (16.60±3.67) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). <strong>Nickel significantly downregulated Cat and Gpx gene expression (<em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.01 to <em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.001), with no recovery after hesperidin treatment. In contrast, hesperidin at all doses significantly upregulated Sod gene expression (<em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.01 to <em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.001). Sod1 protein expression in the brain was markedly reduced by nickel (<em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.0001), while hesperidin increased its expression at all doses (<em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.01 to <em>P</em></strong> <strong>&lt;</strong> <strong>0.0001).</strong></div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Hesperidin, especially at higher doses, shows significant protective effects against nickel-induced oxidative damage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100874"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916466","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":"Recent advances in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F against diabetic kidney disease: A review of preclinical and clinical evidences","authors":"Di Jin ,&nbsp;Yanyan Fu ,&nbsp;Hongbao Zhang ,&nbsp;Yuting Sun ,&nbsp;Jiaojiao Xue ,&nbsp;Zou Di ,&nbsp;Shoulin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100863","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100863","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Currently, the treatment of DKD primarily targets the regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, however, optimal therapeutic outcomes have yet to be realized. Consequently, the development of new strategies for treating DKD remains a critical area of research. Tripterygium wilfordii is the earliest discovered traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and it has shown remarkable clinical efficacy in the treatment of DKD.</div></div><div><h3>Aim of the study</h3><div>The objective is to present evidence that supports the need for additional research into the clinical effectiveness of TwHF in the management of DKD and to systematically clarify its possible mechanisms of action.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>This research employed a comprehensive approach to identify articles pertinent to the treatment of DKD. The methodology incorporated clinical trials, <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em> studies, endpoint analyses of reviews, bioinformatics assessments, and molecular docking experiments.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A systematic search and comprehensive analysis of studies regarding the treatment of DKD with TwHF were conducted utilizing various electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. The search strategy incorporated a range of keywords: Tripterygium wilfordii, tripterygium glycoside, triptolide, tripterine, Celastrol, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, DN, DKD, clinical trial, animal experiment, and cell experiment. Ultimately, a total of 114 articles pertaining to TwHF were reviewed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>TwHF improves DKD by targeting NF-κB, TGF-β/Smad, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and JNK pathways to reduce inflammation and fibrosis, thereby inhibiting the progression of DKD.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review presents new ideas and significant content for future research on TwHF in the treatment of DKD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100863"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415962","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":"Metabolite profiling, cytotoxicity, liver ROS detoxifiers and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Trachyandra ciliata L.F. (Kunth) (wild cabbage)","authors":"Sihle Ngxabi ,&nbsp;Avela Sogoni ,&nbsp;Nasifu Kerebba ,&nbsp;Rialet Pieters ,&nbsp;Suranie Horn ,&nbsp;John P. Giesy ,&nbsp;Learnmore Kambizi ,&nbsp;Charles Petrus Laubscher ,&nbsp;Muhali Olaide Jimoh","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Wild cabbage (<em>Trachyandra ciliata</em>) is one of the understudied, wild, edible halophytes from South Africa. Although its edibility has recently been validated, its therapeutic potential was yet to be explored. This research was carried out to profile and characterise the phytochemical content of <em>T. ciliata</em> extracts and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging in the liver.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cuttings of <em>T. ciliata</em> were grown under 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM salinity concentrations. The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was employed to quantify and characterise metabolites in leaves, roots, and flower buds of <em>T. ciliata</em>. The yellow dye 3-(4,5-dimethyltiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), Ellman's colourimetric method, and the 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay (H₂DCF-DA) were respectively employed to evaluate cytotoxicity, AChE antagonism, and ROS scavenging of the extracts of <em>T. ciliata</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 71 compounds were observed, which were grouped into flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, nucleobase, nucleosides/tide, saccharides, fatty acids, amino acids, and coumarins. A concentration of 1 mg/mL of extracts of <em>T. ciliata</em> flower buds prepared from plants grown at 0 mM and 100 mM salinity, showed strong cytotoxicity to cancer cells, however, the extracts also had moderate and weak cytotoxicity to non-cancer cells. All extracts inhibited AChE activity. Moreover, ROS scavenging was mainly observed primarily in the extracts of leaves from plants grown at all salinities, and in the extract of roots from plants grown at 0 mM salinity treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A maiden documentation of anticancer, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and ROS scavenging activity of crude extracts of <em>T. ciliata</em> was achieved in this study. These findings suggest that <em>T. ciliata</em> could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and liver disorders, amidst the quest to develop more plant-based pharmaceuticals for the treatment of chronic diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100908"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145473500","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 potential of Cyperus rotundus L. as a natural hair removal agent: A review of traditional and modern applications","authors":"Ghada Farouk Mohammed ,&nbsp;Mohammed Saleh Al-Dhubaibi ,&nbsp;Saleh Salem Bahaj ,&nbsp;Ahmed Ibrahim AbdElneam ,&nbsp;Ahmed Mohammed Al-Dhubaibi ,&nbsp;Lina Mohammed Atef","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hair removal is a fundamental aspect of daily life, with various hair removal methods evolving throughout hair removal history to meet cultural, aesthetic, and spiritual needs. Traditional hair removal practices have long sought effective hair removal products that not only remove hair but also promote skin health. <em>Cyperus</em> rotundus L<em>.</em> (<em>C</em>r L.), known as nut grass or purple nut sedge, has long been used in traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating various ailments, including skin conditions and depilation.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>to understand the role of <em>C</em>r L. in decreasing hair growth.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>C</em>r L. contains essential oils (EOs) and phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, which contribute to its hair-removal properties. These compounds target hair follicles, dissolve keratin, and inhibit hair regrowth by modulating biological pathways. γ-curcumene, a key component, has been shown to suppress hair growth. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of <em>Cyperus</em> rotundus essential oil (CREO) in reducing hair growth, with minimal side effects. CREO has been found as effective as Alexandrite laser treatments in some cases, particularly in reducing white hair. This positions <em>C</em>r L. as a promising natural alternative to chemical depilatories, which often cause skin irritation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>C</em>r L. shows significant potential as a natural hair removal agent. With its strong safety profile and growing consumer demand for natural, sustainable beauty products, <em>C</em>r L. could serve as a viable alternative to synthetic depilatories, pending further clinical validation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100854"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265531","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":"Investigation on antioxidant interaction between isolated constituents from Dillenia excelsa leaves extract with Curcuma zedoaria roots extract","authors":"Fatin Sauli ,&nbsp;Titiruetai Doungwichitrkul ,&nbsp;Preecha Phuwapraisirisan ,&nbsp;Hartini Yasin ,&nbsp;Norhayati Ahmad ,&nbsp;Masayoshi Arai ,&nbsp;Fairuzeta Ja’afar","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Medicinal plants have been mixed to augment the intended therapeutic effectiveness in treating diseases. One such combination is the roots of <em>Curcuma zedoaria</em> and the leaves of <em>Dillenia excelsa</em>, as both plants possess healing properties. This study investigated the antioxidant interaction between <em>C. zedoaria</em> and isolated compounds from <em>D. excelsa</em> extract. Seven compounds – diospyrolide, betulinic acid, 12-dien-3,28-dioic acid, platanic acid, afzelin, quercitrin and myricitrin were successfully isolated from <em>D. excelsa</em> for the first time. These isolated compounds displayed distinctive interactions when combined with <em>C. zedoaria</em> roots extract using different antioxidant approaches. The antioxidant capacity was assessed via oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The antioxidant results of the isolated compounds revealed that betulinic acid has the highest ORAC value (52.21 ± 1.63 µg Trolox equivalent/g of crude extract), quercitrin has the highest DPPH value (391.97 ± 0.19 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of crude extract), and myricitrin has both the highest FRAP and ABTS value (11.28 ± 0.48 mg Trolox equivalent/g and 39.14 ± 0.67 mg quercetin equivalent/g of crude extract, respectively). When the isolated compounds were mixed with <em>C. zedoaria</em>, all compounds showed synergistic effect via DPPH and ABTS except for 12-dien-3,28-dioic acid. These findings demonstrate the potential of combining <em>C. zedoaria</em> with compounds from <em>D. excelsa</em> extract to enhance antioxidant activity especially in radical scavenging capability, highlighting their promise for further development in therapeutic applications and natural antioxidant formulations, offering an optimistic outlook for future research and development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100897"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265533","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":"Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside attenuates Aβ aggregation and disintegrates preformed amyloid fibril","authors":"Boyu Xie ,&nbsp;Rui Xu ,&nbsp;Jiahui Fu ,&nbsp;PeiAo Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhongxin Liang ,&nbsp;Jun Zheng ,&nbsp;Miaoshu Wang ,&nbsp;Haichao Wen ,&nbsp;Dong D. Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100888","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100888","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Amyloid-β (Aβ) fibril accumulation in the brain is a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease and a major therapeutic target. While the antibody aducanumab is currently the only approved agent for Aβ fibril elimination, no small-molecule alternative is available. Cyanidin-3-<em>O</em>-galactoside (Cy3Gal), a natural anthocyanin, has shown therapeutic potential, but its mechanism remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We evaluated Cy3Gal’s anti-amyloid effects using Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assays and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to assess its ability to slow down Aβ fibrillogenesis and disassemble existing fibrils. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to visualize the disassembly process, while microscale thermophoresis (MST) assessed Cy3Gal’s binding to monomeric and oligomeric Aβ. <em>In vivo</em> effects were tested using <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> CL2006 expressing human Aβ.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cy3Gal significantly attenuated Aβ aggregation and disassembled preformed fibrils, as confirmed by ThT reduction and TEM imaging. MD simulations revealed that Cy3Gal disrupts the fibril’s hydrophobic core and asparagine/glutamine ladder via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and MST data indicated a higher affinity for monomeric Aβ. Cy3Gal administration also alleviated Aβ-induced paralysis in <em>C. elegans</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Cy3Gal exhibits dual activity in both attenuating Aβ fibrillogenesis and promoting fibril disassembly. Its mechanism involves structural disruption driven by flavylium–residue interactions and preferential monomer binding. These findings highlight Cy3Gal as a promising natural small-molecule candidate for Alzheimer’s therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100888"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219753","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":"Indian medicinal plants as neuroprotective agents in Parkinson’s disease: Bridging tradition and therapeutics","authors":"Chetan Ashok ,&nbsp;Srikanth Jeyabalan ,&nbsp;Ramya Sugumar ,&nbsp;Sugin Lal Jabaris ,&nbsp;Naveen Kumar Rajasekaran ,&nbsp;Logeshwari Bala ,&nbsp;Vetriselvan Subramaniyan ,&nbsp;Ling Shing Wong","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, presents a significant challenge due to its complex etiology and lack of curative treatments. Conventional therapies, primarily dopamine replacement strategies, provide symptomatic relief but fail to modify disease progression. Recent studies highlights the potential of Indian medicinal plants in mitigating PD pathogenesis by targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalances, and protein aggregation. This review explores 27 Indian medicinal plants, including <em>Centella asiatica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Piper nigrum,</em> and <em>Azadirachta indica</em>, among others, emphasizing their neuroprotective mechanisms. These plants exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, modulate neurotransmitter pathways, enhance mitochondrial function, and inhibit α-synuclein aggregation. Notably, <em>Elaeocarpus floribundus</em> and <em>Hyoscyamus niger</em> inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), thereby increasing dopamine availability, while <em>Boswellia serrata</em> and <em>Silybum marianum</em> suppress neuroinflammation. Several plants, including <em>Nigella sativa, Piper nigrum,</em> and <em>Centella asiatica,</em> have demonstrated the ability to modulate oxidative stress and α-synuclein pathology, which are key contributors to the progression of PD. Despite extensive preclinical evidence supporting the efficacy of these botanicals, clinical translation remains limited due to challenges in standardization, bioavailability, and regulatory validation. This review underscores the need for rigorous pharmacokinetic studies, novel formulation strategies, and well-structured clinical trials to harness the full therapeutic potential of these plant-based interventions. Integrating traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern pharmacological advancements may open new avenues for disease-modifying therapies, offering hope for improved patient outcomes in Parkinson’s disease management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100905"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361658","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":"Apigenin and its derivatives in breast cancer prevention and therapy: a review on bioavailability and recent developments","authors":"Ghumika Pandita ,&nbsp;Disha Mittal ,&nbsp;Piyush Kashyap ,&nbsp;Wing-Fu Lai ,&nbsp;Naveen Kumar ,&nbsp;Rahul Mehra ,&nbsp;Mohd Adnan ,&nbsp;Syed Amir Ashraf","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100870","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100870","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Breast cancer has emerged as the most prevalent cancer and the leading contributor to cancer-related fatalities among women worldwide. The treatments directed at primary breast tumors have significantly advanced; however, those aimed at elusive micro-metastases have shown comparatively lower effectiveness. In this regard, bioactive compounds specifically flavonoids derived from plants have gained worldwide attention due to their potential in cancer chemoprevention and treatment. Among them, Apigenin (APN), a flavonoid rich in several fruits, vegetables, and herbs, has been studied extensively for its possible role in treating and preventing breast cancer. This review discusses APN and its derivatives anticancer activity, including their molecular mechanisms, therapeutic effects, and latest developments in improving bioavailability. The anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antimetastatic activity of APN are mediated through signal transduction pathways such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB. APN found to initiates apoptosis, suppresses cell proliferation, prevents cell cycle progression, and inhibits metastasis and angiogenesis in different breast cancer models, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Even though preclinical studies of APN are promising but the clinical use of it is limited due to its poor solubility, low bioavailability, fast metabolism, and low absorption. To address these limitations, researchers have created derivatives (such as methylated or glycosylated versions) with enhanced stability and activity, and nanoformulations such as liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and micelles for improved solubility, degradation resistance, and targeted delivery. As a results, APN and its derivatives are highly promising for breast cancer prevention and treatment. More research on delivery systems and modifications of their structures is critical for improving their clinical effectiveness. Thus, the focus of this review is also on recent mechanisms of action, bioavailability problems, and formulation approaches for eventual clinical applications. The future needs to focus on clinical trials and combination therapy in order to maximize their therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100870"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893451","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":"Conocarpus erectus extracts restore thyroid architecture and downregulate pro-apoptotic markers in propylthiouracil-treated rats","authors":"Mahmood Kahtan Salih,&nbsp;Shihab Hattab Mutlag","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, influences the onset and progression of autoimmune thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, disrupted immune regulation and abnormal cytokine profiles accelerate thyroid tissue loss through apoptotic pathways. With its antioxidant-rich composition, <em>Conocarpus erectus</em> has been explored for its ability to mitigate oxidative damage and inhibit apoptosis in thyroid cells.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Leaves of <em>C. erectus</em> were air-dried, ground, and defatted with hexane. A Soxhlet extractor produced a crude methanolic extract, which was concentrated and partitioned into chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions. Sixty female Wistar albino rats were randomized into six groups: a control, a propylthiouracil (PTU)-treated hypothyroid group, and two PTU groups receiving either the ethyl acetate or chloroform fraction (500 and 1000 mg/kg/day). After treatment, thyroids underwent histopathological examination and molecular analysis by ELISA, Western blot, and RT-qPCR to assess apoptotic and inflammatory markers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Phytochemical screening identified flavonoids, saponins, tannins, coumarins, and phenolics, while HPLC profiling confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as quercetin, kaempferol, and gallic acid. Histological analysis in extract-treated hypothyroid rats revealed improved follicular regeneration and neovascularization. Western blotting showed increased Bcl-2 and decreased cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8 levels in the ethyl acetate group. RT-qPCR demonstrated significant downregulation of proinflammatory and apoptotic genes TNF, NLRP3, TRAIL, and NF-κB.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These results indicate that <em>C. erectus</em> extracts protect against PTU-induced oxidative and apoptotic damage in thyroid tissue. Antioxidant-rich phytochemicals appear to modulate apoptotic pathways and support structural repair, suggesting potential as complementary agents in thyroid disorder therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 4","pages":"Article 100913"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145473499","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}