Comparative and phylogenetic analyses of plastid genomes of the medicinally important genus Alisma (Alismataceae).

Alisma L. is a medicinally important genus of aquatic and wetland plants consisting of c. 10 recognized species. However, largely due to polyploidy and limited taxon and gene sampling, the phylogenomic relationships of Alisma remain challenging. In this study, we sequenced 34 accessions of Alismataceae, including eight of the ten species of Alisma, one species of Echinodorus and one species of Luronium, to perform comparative analyses of plastid genomes and phylogenetic analyses. Comparative analysis of plastid genomes revealed high sequence similarity among species within the genus. Our study analyzed structural changes and variations in the plastomes of Alisma, including IR expansion or contraction, and gene duplication or loss. Phylogenetic results suggest that Alisma is monophyletic, and constitutes four groups: (1) A. lanceolatum and A. canaliculatum; (2) the North American clade of A. subcordatum and A. triviale; (3) A. wahlenbergii and A. gramineum; and (4) A. plantago-aquatica from Eurasia and northern Africa with the eastern Asian A. orientale nested within it. Hence the results challenge the recognition of A. orientale as a distinct species and raise the possibility of treating it as a synonym of the widespread A. plantago-aquatica. The well-known Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie) in Chinese medicine was likely derived from the morphologically variable Alisma plantago-aquatica throughout its long history of cultivation in Asia. The plastome phylogenetic results also support the tetraploid A. lanceolatum as the likely maternal parent of the hexaploid eastern Asian A. canaliculatum.

Cell Culture and Molecular Docking Analysis to Determine the Antiviral Activity of Folklore Medicinal Plants Against Chikungunya Virus.

Introduction: Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-transmitted pathogen, poses a significant global health threat owing to its widespread prevalence and high morbidity. There are no approved vaccines or antivirals for prevention or treatment. Screening of folklore medicinal plants has emerged as a promising approach to finding novel therapeutics to combat pathogens. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-chikungunya potential of folklore medicinal plants and their phytochemicals.

Methods: Maximum non-toxic concentrations (MNTD) of the extracts to Vero cells were determined by the cytotoxicity assay. A Focus-Forming Unit (FFU) assay was used to assess the antiviral activity of the extracts (at MNTD) against CHIKV in Vero cells under pre-, co-, and post-treatment conditions. GC-MS was used to detect the phytochemicals of the extracts, and Schrodinger (Maestro) software was employed for their molecular docking against the target protein of CHIKV.

Results: Azadirachta indica exhibited anti-CHIKV activity during pre- and post-treatment, decreasing the virus titer from 8.145 to 7.998 and 8.361 to 8.040 mean log10 FFU/ml, respectively. Calendula officinalis and Piper retrofractum exhibited anti-CHIKV activity only during post-treatment (8.361 to 8.135, 8.361 to 8.075). Moreover, molecular docking studies of phytochemicals detected in GCMS analysis of all the extracts revealed that many phytochemicals (especially F3, F5, F6, and A1) could bind to the non-structural protein (nSP2) target of CHIKV and suppress the viral replication.

Conclusion: The screened plants showed the ability to inhibit CHIKV infection and replication and hold potential for further investigation in developing treatments for Chikungunya.

Exploration of Genetic Variation and Population Structure in Bergenia ciliata for its Conservation Implications.

Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. is a perennial medicinal herb distributed in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). A total of eight populations of B. ciliata were collected from diverse locales of IHR, and 17 EST-SSR markers were used in this study. The present study revealed moderate genetic diversity at the locus level with the mean number of alleles (Na = 7.823), mean number effective of alleles (Ne = 3.375), mean expected heterozygosity (He = 0.570), and mean Shannon's diversity index (I = 1.264). The MSR (He = 0.543, I = 1.067) and DRJ populations (He = 0.309, I = 0.519) revealed the highest and lowest genetic diversity at the population level, respectively. AMOVA analysis showed that 81.76% of genetic variation was within populations, 10.55% was among populations, and 7.69% was among the regions. In addition, a moderate to high level of differentiation was found among the populations (FST = 0.182), which could be indicative of low to moderate gene flow (Nm = 0.669) in the B. ciliata populations. UPGMA and PCoA analysis revealed that eight populations could be differentiated into two groups, while the structure analysis of the 96 individuals differentiated into three groups. The Mantel test showed a positive relationship between genetic and geographical distance. The findings of this study will provide the development of conservation and germplasm management strategies for this valuable medicinal species.

Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Potential of Extract Fraction of Quercus baloot Griff seeds in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice.

INTRODUCTION: The discovery and development of new phytomedicines can be greatly aided by plants because of their tremendous therapeutic benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, lack of side effects, and cheaper therapies. In this regard, Quercus baloot, generally known as oak, is used in folkloric medicine for treating and preventing various human disorders, including diabetes. AIM: For this purpose, the present study aimed to evaluate crude methanolic extract and various fractions of Quercus baloot for antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic potential followed by the analysis of active compounds. METHOD: The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity was evaluated in Swiss male Albino mice by administering an oral dose of 150-300 mg/kg of Q. baloot extracts in alloxan induced diabetic mice for 14 days. RESULTS: The results revealed that crude methanolic extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg exhibited a significant reduction in the blood glucose level (198.50 ± 1.99 mg/dl) at day 14 and the same treatment significantly increased the body weight (31.26 ± 0.27g) at day 14 in comparison to the control group. Moreover, the biochemical parameters were investigated which presented an increase in high-density lipids (HDL) (30.33 ± 0.33 mg/dl), whereas Low-Density Lipids (LDL) showed a significant decrease (105.66 ± 0.26 mg/dl). Additionally, triglyceride levels 104.83 ± 0.70 mg/dl, and total cholesterol 185.50 ± 0.76 mg/dl are significantly decreased. In serum biochemical analysis creatinine and hepatic enzyme markers, like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (32.00 ± 0.36 U/mg), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (34.33 ± 0.61 U/mg), and alkaline phosphatase (157.00 ± 0.73 U/mg), were significantly reduced by the crude methanolic extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg as compared to the control group. The antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase (4.57 ± 0.011), peroxidases dismutase (6.53 ± 0.014, and catalase (8.38 ± 0.014) at a dosage of 300 mg/kg of methanolic extract exhibited a significant increase. The histopathological study of the diabetic heart, liver, and pancreas showed substantial restoration of damaged tissues in the methanolic extract 150 and 300 mg/kg treated group, which supports the effectiveness of Q. baloot seeds. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of methanolic extract identified 10 antidiabetic active compounds in the Q. baloot seeds, validating the antihyperglycemic activity. Thus, methanolic crude extract at the doses 150 and 300 mg/kg of Q. baloot showed significant antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activities, which validate the folkloric utilization of Q. baloot as a remedy in diabetes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the 300 mg/kg methanolic extract of Q. baloot has notable hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential, supporting the plant's traditional medicinal usage in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Further studies are needed for the purification, characterization, and structural clarification of bioactive compounds.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Hypecoum erectum L. (Papaveraceae).

Hypecoum erectum L., a widespread species in northern Eurasia, is a valuable medicinal plant, but its chloroplast genome has not previously been reported. We determined its complete chloroplast genome using a high-throughput sequencing technique. Its total length was 169,241 bp, consisting of a large single-copy region of 93,301 bp and a small single-copy region of 17,316 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions of 29,312 bp. A total of 140 genes were annotated, including 91 protein coding genes, 41 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis shows that H. erectum and H. zhukanum of the subfamily Hypecoideae are monophyletic with the highest support.

Deciphering the Anticancer Arsenal of Piper longum: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Unveil Phytochemical Targets Against Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Lung cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation within the lung tissues, is the predominant cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. The traditional medicinal herb Piper longum has emerged as a significant contender in oncological research because of its documented anticancer attributes, suggesting its potential for novel therapeutic development. Methods: This study adopted network pharmacology and omics methodology to elucidate the anti-lung cancer potential of P. longum by identifying its bioactive constituents and their corresponding molecular targets. Results: Through a comprehensive literature review and the Integrated Medicinal Plant Phytochemistry and Therapeutics database (IMPPAT), we identified 33 bioactive molecules from P. longum. Subsequent analyses employing tools such as SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and DIGEP-Pred facilitated the isolation of 676 potential targets, among which 72 intersected with 666 lung cancer-associated genetic markers identified through databases including the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and GeneCards. Further validation through protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, gene ontology, pathway analyses, boxplots, and overall survival metrics underscored the therapeutic potential of compounds such as 7-epi-eudesm-4(15)-ene-1ß, demethoxypiplartine, methyl 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate, 6-alpha-diol, and aristolodione. Notably, our findings reaffirm the relevance of lung cancer genes, such as CTNNB1, STAT3, HIF1A, HSP90AA1, and ERBB2, integral to various cellular processes and pivotal in cancer genesis and advancement. Molecular docking assessments revealed pronounced affinity between 6-alpha-diol and HIF1A, underscoring their potential as therapeutic agents for lung cancer. Conclusion: This study not only highlights the bioactive compounds of P. longum but also reinforces the molecular underpinnings of its anticancer mechanism, paving the way for future lung cancer therapeutics.

In silico and experimental potentials of 6-shogaol and meglumine antimoniate on Leishmania major: multiple synergistic combinations through modulation of biological properties.

Conventional therapeutic agents are no longer adequate against leishmaniasis. This complex condition continues to have a high mortality rate and public health impact. The present study aimed to explore an extensive array of experiments to monitor the biological activities of 6-shogaol, a major component of ginger, and meglumine antimoniate (MA or Glucantime®). The binding affinity of 6-shogaol and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a major enzyme catalyzing nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine was the source for the docking outline. The inhibitory effects of 6-shogaol, MA, and mixture were assessed using colorimetric and macrophage assays. Antioxidant activity was inferred by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Variably expressed genes were measured by quantifiable real-time polymerase chain reaction. Apoptotic and cell cycle profiles were analyzed by flow cytometry. Moreover, a DNA fragmentation assay was performed by electrophoresis and antioxidant metabolites include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and also nitric oxide (NO) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 6-shogaol and MA exhibited multiple synergistic mechanisms of action. These included a remarkable leishmanicidal effect, potent antioxidative activity, a high safety index, upregulation of M1 macrophages/Th1-associated cytokines (including, γ-interferon, interleukin-12p40, tumor necrotizing factor-alpha, and associated iNOS), significant cell division capture at the sub-G0/G1 phase, a high profile of apoptosis through DNA fragmentation of the nuclear components. In addition, the activity of NO was substantially elevated by treated intracellular amastigotes, while SOD and CAT activities were significantly diminished. This study is exclusive because no similar investigation has inclusively been conducted before. These comprehensive mechanistic actions form a logical foundation for additional advanced study.

A Compressive Review on Source, Toxicity and Biological Activity of Flavonoid.

Flavonoids are biologically active chemicals in various fruits, plants, vegetables, and leaves, which have promising uses in medicinal science. The health properties of these natural chemicals are widely accepted, and efforts are underway to extract the specific components referred to as flavonoids. Flavonoids demonstrate a diverse range of bio-activities, anticancer, antioxidant activity, anti-cholinesterase activity, antiinflammatory activity, antimalarial activity, antidiabetic activity, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular effect, hepatoprotective effects, and antiviral and antimicrobial activity. This study aims to examine the prevailing trends in flavonoid investigation studies, elucidate the activity of flavonoids, examine their various func-tions and uses, assess the potential of flavonoids as preventive medications for chronic diseases, and outline future research opportunities in this field. This review explores the diverse functions of flavonoids in preventing and managing various diseases.

GC-MS Assisted Determination of 26 Compounds in Phlomis stewartii Extract Exhibiting Antioxidant, Antifungal, and Antibacterial Properties.

Medicinal plants have long been studied for their therapeutic benifits. The present research aims to unveil complex phytochemical profile and therapeutic properties of ethyl acetate fraction of Phlomis stewartii, an important medicinal plant. In this context, the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the fraction identified 26 compounds. Additionally, the fraction exhibited concentration dependent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value lower than the standard antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. The antifungal activity of the fraction examined against F. oxysporum, A. alternate, and R. solani resulted in almost complete inhibition (>90%) of fungal growth. Furthermore, the fraction exhibited significant antibacterial potential against B. subtilus, S. aureus, E. coli, and S. dysenteriae, with inhibition zones of 18±0.22, 17±0.22, 12±0.11, and 10±0.12, respectively. Briefly, the plant extract was found to be highly potent, particularly in its antifungal action. Further studies, including natural products isolation coupled with bioassays, are recommended for promising drug candidates discovery.

Antimicrobial Plants Used by Fang Populations and Phytochemical Profiling of Erismadelphus exsul.

Gabon has a rich flora, many species of which are used in traditional medicine. However, little research has been carried out on this wealth. An ethnopharmacological survey in the Fang language was carried out among traditional practitioners to collect antimicrobial medicinal plants. Phytochemical profiling of ethanolic and methanolic extracts from Erismadelphus exsul Mildbr leaves was carried out using HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF and a molecular network approach. Antibacterial activity was assessed with disk diffusion and microdilution methods, antioxidant activity via DPPH and FRAP methods, and in vitro cell viability via Cell Counting Kit-8. A total of 21 medicinal plants were collected, grouped into 10 families, of which the Fabaceae is the most represented. Erismadelphus exsul was chosen for chemical and biological studies due to its citation frequency (RCF = 0.59) and the absence of previous phytochemical studies. These studies revealed 4 major families of natural compounds and annotated 19 compounds for the first time. The crude leaf extract showed significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Cytotoxicity studies showed that the leaves were not cytotoxic, unlike the bark. This study underlines the importance of preserving the ancestral knowledge of the Fang populations, while showing promising results for Erismadelphus exsul.

Gastroprotective role of a flavonoid-rich subfraction from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann: a medicinal plant used in the Amazon region.

Fridericia chica is an Amazonian plant used to treat stomach disorders. However, the pharmacological activity of flavonoids in the extract has yet to be investigated. Therefore, we considered that a flavonoid-rich F. chica subfraction (FRS) has gastroprotective functions. For this, before the induction of gastric ulcers with ethanol or piroxicam, the rats received vehicle (water), omeprazole (30 mg/kg), or FRS (30 mg/kg), and the ulcer area was measured macro and microscopically, and the antisecretory action was investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. In addition, the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds (NP-SH) in the gastroprotective effects of FRS were studied. FRS reduced ethanol- and piroxicam-induced ulcerations by 81% and 77%, respectively, as confirmed histologically. Antioxidant effects were observed for FRS through the maintenance of GSH and LPO levels, and the SOD and CAT activity similar to those found in the nonulcerated group. Moreover, FRS avoided the increase in MPO activity and TNF, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 levels. Moreover, mucin staining increased in ulcerated rats receiving FRS, and the pharmacological mechanism gastroprotective seems to involve the NO and NP-SH in addition to antisecretory actions. The chemical study by mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of flavonoids in FRS, and molecular docking studies have shown that these compounds interact with cyclooxygenase-1 and NO synthase. Furthermore, there was no indication that FRS had cytotoxic effects. Our results support the popular use of F. chica, and we conclude that the gastroprotection effect promoted by FRS can be attributed to the combined effect of the flavonoids.

A Sustainable Approach to Valuable Polyphenol and Iridoid Antioxidants from Medicinal Plant By-Products.

Supply chain waste gives rise to significant challenges in terms of disposal, making upcycling a promising and sustainable alternative for the recovery of bioactive compounds from by-products. Lignocellulosic by-products like STF231, which are derived from the medicinal plant extract industry, offer valuable compounds such as polyphenols and iridoids that can be recovered through upcycling. In an unprecedented study, we explored and compared conventional hydroethanolic extraction, ultrasound hydroethanolic extraction, and natural deep eutectic solvents-ultrasound extraction methods on STF231 to obtain extracts with antioxidant activity. The extraction profile of total polyphenols (TPCs) was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu test and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was tested with FRAP and DPPH assays. HPLC-UV was employed to quantify the phenolic and iridoid markers in the extracts. Additionally, the sustainability profile of the process was assessed using the green analytical procedure index (GAPI), AGREEprep, and analytical GREEnness metric approach (AGREE) frameworks. Our findings indicate that a choline chloride and lactic acid mixture at a 1:5 ratio, under optimal extraction conditions, resulted in extracts with higher TPC and similar antioxidant activity compared with conventional hydroethanolic extracts. The innovative aspect of this study lies in the potential application of sustainable upcycling protocols to a previously unexamined matrix, resulting in extracts with potential health applications.

Evaluating larvicidal, ovicidal and growth inhibiting activity of five medicinal plant extracts on Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), the West Nile virus vector.

Mosquitoes, one of the deadliest animals on the planet, cause millions of fatalities each year by transmitting several human illnesses. Synthetic pesticides were previously used to prevent the spread of diseases by mosquitoes, which was effective in protecting humans but caused serious human health problems, environmental damage, and developed mosquito pesticide resistance. This research focuses on exploring new, more effective, safer, and environmentally friendly compounds to improve mosquito vector management. Phytochemicals are possible biological agents for controlling pests and many are target-specific, rapidly biodegradable, and eco-friendly. The potential of extracts of Lantana camara, Melia azedarach, Nerium oleander, Ricinus communis, and Withania somnifera against 3rd instar Culex pipiens (Common house mosquito) larvae was evaluated. Methanol extracts had more toxic effects against Cx. pipiens larvae (95-100%, 24 h post-treatment) than aqueous extracts (63-91%, 24 h post-treatment). The methanol extracts of Nerium oleander (LC50 = 158.92 ppm) and Ricinus communis (LC50 = 175.04 ppm) were very effective at killing mosquito larvae, 24 h after treatment. N. oleander (LC50 = 373.29 ppm) showed high efficacy in aqueous plant extracts. Among the different extracts of the five plants screened, the methanol extract of R. communis recorded the highest ovicidal activity of 5% at 800 ppm concentration. Total developmental duration and growth index were highly affected by R. communis and M. azedarach methanol extracts. In field tests it was clear that plant extracts decreased mosquito larval density, especially when mixed with mosquito Bti briquette, with stability up to seven days for N. oleander. GC-MS results showed that the methanol extract had a higher number of chemical compounds, particularly with more terpene compounds. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was used to detect the existence of non-volatile polyphenols and flavonoids. All five methanol extracts showed high concentrations of active ingredients such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid (more than 100 µg/ml) and the rosmarinic acid was also found in all the five extracts in addition to 17 active polyphenols and flavonoids presented at moderate to low concentrations. Molecular modeling of 18 active ingredients detected by the HPLC were performed to the vicinity of one of the fatty acid binding proteins of lm-FABP (PDB code: 2FLJ). Rutin, Caffeic acid, coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid which presented densely in R. communis and N. oleander showed multiple and stable intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The inhibition ability of the fatty acid binding protein, FABP4, was evaluated with remarkable receptor inhibition evident, especially with R. communis and N. oleander having inhibitory concentrations of IC50 = 0.425 and 0.599 µg/mL, respectively. The active phytochemical compounds in the plants suggest promising larvicidal and ovicidal activity, and have potential as a safe and effective alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Comprehensive exploration of a traditional Chinese medicinal plant of Magnolia officinalis based on high-coverage mass spectrometry and multidimensional chemical-biological analysis.

Magnolia bark is a traditional Chinese medicine used for hypoglycaemia. With the widespread use of Magnolia bark, its resources are facing a serious shortage. To address this issue, a strategy based on high-coverage mass spectrometry (HCMS) and multidimensional chemical-biological analysis (MCBA) was proposed for the comprehensive exploration of Magnolia officinalis which is the main source of Magnolia bark. The strategy is divided into three main steps. In the first step, the stem bark, stem xylem, root bark, root xylem, leaf and rootlet of Magnolia officinalis were comprehensively analyzed using high-coverage mass spectrometry. In the second step, multivariate statistical analysis was used to explore the heterogeneity of the six parts and detect differential chemical components. In the third step, a combination of experimental screening and molecular docking was used to explore α-glucosidase inhibitors from Magnolia officinalis. Multidimensional chemical-biological analysis (MCBA) of Magnolia officinalis was achieved by combining the last two steps. Finally, a total of 103 compounds were identified from the whole plant of Magnolia officinalis. Differential components of stem bark, stem xylem, leaf, root bark, root xylem and rootlet were systematically revealed. A pair of positional isomers, namely magnolol and honokiol, were found to be α-glucosidase inhibitors. The activity of their combination is superior to that of each single compound, indicating that magnolol and honokiol are in a synergistic relationship. This strategy contributes to comprehensive exploitation of functional plants and effective alleviation of resource shortage. This study also provides a research paradigm for other similar traditional Chinese medicinal plants.

Plant growth promoting activities of endophytic bacteria from Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) and their influence on plant growth under gnotobiotic conditions.

Bacteria that live asymptomatically within plant tissues are known as endophytes. Because of the close relation with the plant host, they have been a matter of interest for application as plant growth promoters. Melia azedarach is a widely distributed medicinal tree with proven insecticidal, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria from M. azedarach and analyze their plant growth promoting activities for the potential application as biological products. Bacteria were isolated from roots and leaves of trees growing in two locations of Northeastern Argentina. The isolates were characterized by repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence PCR and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The plant growth-promoting activities were assayed in vitro, improvement of plant growth of selected isolates was tested on M. azedarach plantlets, and the effect of selected ACC deaminase producing isolates was tested on tomato seedlings under salt-stress conditions. The highest endophytic bacterial abundance and diversity were obtained from the roots. All isolates had at least one of the assayed plant growth-promoting activities and 80 % of them had antagonistic activity. The most efficient bacteria were Pseudomonas monteilii, Pseudomonas farsensis, Burkholderia sp. and Cupriavidus sp. for phosphate solubilization (2064 µg P ml-1), IAA production (94.7 µg ml-1), siderophore production index (5.5) and ACC deaminase activity (1294 nmol α-ketobutyrate mg-1 h-1). M. azedarach inoculation assays revealed the bacterial growth promotion potential, with Pseudomonas monteilii, Pseudomonas farsensis and Cupriavidus sp. standing out for their effect on leaf area, leaf dry weight, specific leaf area, and total Chl, Mg and N content, with increases of up to 149 %, 58 %, 65 %, 178 %, 76 % and 97.7 %, respectively, compared to NI plants. Efficient ACC deaminase-producing isolates increased stress tolerance of tomato plants under saline condition. Overall, these findings indicate the potential of the endophytic isolates as biostimulant and biocontrol agents.

In vitro-antibacterial properties of ten medicinal plants against common uropathogenic organisms and toxicity determination using brine shrimp lethality assay.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, antibiotic resistance has emerged as a global health concern in bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is the most frequent organism responsible for both simple and complex UTIs. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are frequently associated with complicated UTIs. Sri Lanka has significant resources of medicinal plants used to cure UTIs in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. METHODS: Agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of ten medicinal plants against P. aeruginosa ATCC27853, S.aureus ATCC25923, E.coli ATCC25922 and their UTI positive strains extracted from positive culture plates. As a preliminary toxicity assay, the Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) was used to determine its cytotoxicity. RESULTS: The methanolic fruits extract of P. emblica demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against both E. coli ATCC25922 and E. coli UTI-positive strains. B. diffusa roots extract exhibited the highest activity against S. aureus ATCC25923, while T. chebula fruits extract showed the highest activity against the S. aureus UTI-positive strain. T. involucrata roots extract displayed the highest activity against P. aeruginosa ATCC27853, and Z. officinale rhizomes extract showed the highest activity against the P. aeruginosa UTI-positive strain. Moreover, the plant mixture showed the most substantial antibacterial effect against P. aeruginosa ATCC27853. However, the methanolic seed extract of C. melo did not exhibit any antimicrobial effects against the selected organisms. All plant material, including the plant mixture, showed cytotoxicity according to the BSLA. CONCLUSION: All the methanolic extracts including P. emblica fruits, O. tenuiflorum whole plant, T. chebula fruits, Z. officinale rhizome, T. terrestris roots, T. involucrata roots, A. lanata whole plant. B. diffusa roots and A. falcatus roots showed antimicrobial effects against selected strains except C. melo seed extract. The results of the present study evidently supports the traditional and ayurvedic use of these plants for the treatment of UTIs. This paves the way for another praise for new plant-based therapeutic product development for the treatment of UTIs. However, further toxicity studies are needed for medicinal dose determination.

Traditional Processing Can Enhance the Medicinal Effects of Polygonatum cyrtonema by Inducing Significant Chemical Changes in the Functional Components in Its Rhizomes.

The aims of this study were to explore the significant chemical changes in functional components induced by the traditional processing method and evaluate whether this method based on nine cycles of steaming and drying can effectively enhance the medicinal effects of Polygonatum cyrtonema rhizome. A global analysis on dynamic changes in secondary metabolites during nine processing cycles was performed, and the significantly differentially accumulated secondary metabolites were initially identified based on the secondary metabolome. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLA-DA) on secondary metabolites clearly showed that processing significantly increased the global accumulation of secondary metabolites in processed P. cyrtonema rhizomes compared to unprocessed crude rhizomes. The first six processing cycles induced drastic changes in the accumulation of functional components, while the last three did not induce further changes. The accumulations of most functional components were significantly enhanced after the first three cycles and stabilized after six cycles; meanwhile, the first three cycles also led to numerous new components. However, the enhancing effects were unavoidably reversed or weakened under continued processing lasting 6-9 cycles. Furthermore, continued processing also reduced the contents of a small number of original components to undetectable levels. Processing induced some significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, among which the first three processing cycles enhanced the synthesis of various secondary metabolites and significantly affected the metabolisms of amino acids. In conclusion, this study not only reveals that processing can effectively enhance the medicinal effects, by two main mechanisms including enhancing chemical synthesis and inducing structural transformation of functional components, but also provides theoretical guidance for the optimization of the traditional processing method based on nine cycles of steaming and drying for achieving optimal effects on enhancing the medicinal effects of P. cyrtonema rhizome.

Development of phytotherapeutic nanoformulation containing Gypsophila eriocalyx and its evaluation as a candidate formulation for osteoporosis treatment on human bone marrow stem cells.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis, one of the common bone diseases, manifests itself as a decrease in bone mass. Recently, the use of medicinal plants in the search for effective and low-toxicity therapeutics for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis has become a trending topic. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to prepare a controlled drug carrier system loaded with Gypsophila eriocalyx to determine its potential for anti-osteoporosis applications. METHODS: Gypsophila eriocalyx extract (GEE) was prepared, and components were determined. The molecular interactions of the components with Cathepsin K (CatK), which is used as a target in drug development against osteoporosis, were revealed by in silico molecular docking and MD methods. ADMET profiles were also examined. GEE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized. The nanoparticles' morphology, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, release profile, average size, polydispersity index, and zeta potentials were determined. The cytotoxic effects of GEE and GEE-loaded CNPs on the L929 and osteogenic proliferation profiles on human bone marrow stem cells (hBMC) were examined. RESULTS: The MD analysis revealed no breaks or atomic changes in the dynamic system, and the docking analysis confirmed the continued interaction of identical residues. It was determined that the GEE-loaded CNP formulation was produced successfully, had no toxic effect on the L929, and had an osteogenic proliferation effect on hBMC. CONCLUSION: In line with the in vitro and in silico results obtained, it was evaluated that GEE-loaded CNPs can be used as a controlled drug release system as a candidate formulation with phytotherapeutic properties for osteoporosis treatment.q1.

Dental applications of Punica granatum L. in the treatment of gingivitis: A review of ethnomedicinal uses, randomized clinical trials, and antibacterial potential against Porphyromonas gingivalis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mouthwashes based on medicinal plants have demonstrated benefits in controlling plaque and inflammation, acting positively on the oral hygiene of patients with gingivitis. In traditional medicine, Punica granatum L. has been used to treat oral diseases in countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review on the dental applications of Punica granatum L. for the treatment of gingivitis, including ethnomedicinal uses, analysis of randomized clinical trials, antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, mechanisms of action of phytochemicals isolated from this plant, and preclinical toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature was retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed®, SciELO, and ScienceDirect®, since the first report published on the topic in 2001 until March 2024. RESULTS: Several clinical trials have demonstrated that mouthwashes containing P. granatum have equal or better efficacy than chlorhexidine in treating patients with gingivitis, confirming the indications for use of this plant by traditional communities. However, reports on the in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts from the fruits of this plant have not shown clinical relevance against the pathogen P. gingivalis. The ellagitannin punicalagin isolated from P. granatum has shown potential against several strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but, to date, this compound has not yet been tested against P. gingivalis. It is likely that the mechanisms of action of flavonoids, such as quercetin, are involved in the inhibition of the activities of the RgpA, RgpB, and Kgp proteases of P. gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, natural products obtained from P. granatum do not present toxic side effects and can be considered as possible substitutes of commercial products recommended for the treatment of gingivitis and other oral diseases.