Search Results (845)

Background: This paper deals with the detection of amino acid composition of Iraqi Ocimum basilicum (basil) leaves and evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of the plant leaf extract on human colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Leaves of Ocimum basilicum were collected from Iraq in November 2024. After drying and powdering, the plant material went through cold methanol extraction. Initial phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Amino acid analysis was completed by an amino acid analyzer with fluorescence detection. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated via the MTT assay on HRT-18 cell lines. Morphological changes were further tested using dual Propidium Iodide/Acridine Orange assay fluorescent staining. Results: Seventeen amino acids were detected in the plant extract. The extract showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on HRT-18 cells, with significant reduction in cell viability at concentrations of more than 25 µg/mL. Morphological alterations of membrane blebbing and cell shrinkage were observed, suggesting apoptotic activity. The IC₅₀ value confirmed strong cytotoxic potential. Conclusions: The extract of Ocimum basilicum leaf cultivated in Iraq shows a rich amino acid profile and significant cytotoxic activity against colorectal cancer cells that highlights its potential effect as a natural source of anticancer compounds. Full article

The Pelargonium genus, encompassing over 280 species, remains markedly underexplored despite extensive traditional use for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and dermatological disorders. This review of aqueous, alcoholic, and hydroalcoholic extracts reveals critical research gaps: only 10 species have undergone chemical characterization, while 17 have been evaluated for biological activities. Phytochemical analysis identified 252 unique molecules across all studies, with flavonoids emerging as the predominant class (n = 108). Glycosylated derivatives demonstrated superior bioactivity profiles compared to non-glycosylated analogs. Phenolic acids (n = 43) and coumarins (n = 31) represented additional major classes. Experimental studies primarily documented antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, with emerging evidence for antidiabetic, anticancer, and hepatoprotective activities. However, methodological heterogeneity across studies limits comparative analysis and comprehensive understanding. In silico target prediction analysis was performed on 197 high-confidence molecular structures. Glycosylated flavonols, anthocyanidins, flavones, and coumarins showed strong predicted interactions with key inflammatory targets (ALOX15, ALOX5, PTGER4, and NOS2) and metabolic regulators (GSK3A and PI4KB), providing mechanistic support for observed therapeutic effects and suggesting potential applications in chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases. These findings underscore the substantial therapeutic potential of underexplored Pelargonium species and advocate for systematic research employing untargeted metabolomics, standardized bioassays, and compound-specific mechanistic validation to fully unlock the pharmacological potential of this diverse genus. Full article

Tanacetum parthenium (Asteraceae) has been traditionally used worldwide for medicinal purposes, and some of its therapeutic uses have been attributed to the pharmacological effects of its secondary metabolites. The root culture of this species might represent a sustainable source of several pharmacologically active compounds. The biomass of a root T. parthenium culture was extracted with methanol and fractionated using column chromatography. Three selected fractions (4TP, 5TP, and 8TP) were analyzed via spectrophotometric, chromatographic, and mass spectrometry techniques and in vitro pharmacological assays. The greatest values for total phenolic and phenolic acid contents and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli were determined for 4TP. The highest values for total flavonoid and sesquiterpene lactone contents, antioxidant potential, and α-amylase inhibitory effect were determined for 8TP. The antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus was not significantly different among the three fractions. The root culture of T. parthenium is a potential source of several metabolites, such as phenolic acids, fatty acids, coumarins, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids, which are capable of exerting α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic effects. Among eight phenolic compounds detected and quantified in the fractions, chlorogenic acid was the most abundant. Full article

This study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory pharmacological components and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the alcohol extract of Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR). The components of the alcohol extract of SR were analyzed using the UPLC-MS/MS system. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of the alcohol extract and core components of SR was evaluated using the LPS-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of SR in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis was expounded by means of serum metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. A total of 12 chromones and 13 coumarins were identified in the alcohol extract of SR. The alcohol extract of SR and its components all had good anti-inflammatory activities. In the mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, the glycoside compounds of SR were transformed into aglycones, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, the alcohol extract of SR alleviated the inflammatory response by up-regulating the expression levels of metabolites such as phenylalanine and tyrosine. Network pharmacology and molecular docking results show that SR could exert an anti-inflammatory effect by regulating AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK, and Toll-like signaling pathways. In this study, the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mechanisms of the alcohol extract of SR are explored, with the aim of providing a reference for subsequent research. Full article

Infectious diseases have been treated using plants and their compounds for thousands of years. This knowledge has enabled modern techniques to identify specific antiviral remedies and to understand their molecular mechanism of action. Numerous active phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans), coumarins, thiophenes, saponins, furyl compounds, small proteins, and peptides, are promising options for treating and preventing viral infections. It has been shown that plant-derived products can prevent or inhibit viral entry into and replication by host cells. Biotechnological advances have made it possible to engineer plants with an increased capacity for the production and accumulation of natural antiviral compounds. Plants can also be engineered to produce various types of antivirals (cytokines, antibodies, vaccines, and lectins). This study summarizes the current understanding of the antiviral activity of specific plant-derived metabolites, emphasizing their mechanisms of action and exploring the enormous potential of plants as biological factories. Full article

The search for substances that increase the immunity of bees is becoming a necessity in the era of various environmental threats and the declining immunocompetence of these insects. Therefore, we tested the biological and physicochemical properties of 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxycoumarin (7DOC). In a cage test, two groups of bees were created: a control group fed with sugar syrup and an experimental group fed with sugar syrup with the addition of 7DOC. In each group, the longevity of the bees was determined and the protein concentrations and antioxidant activities in the bees’ hemolymph were determined. The bees fed with 7DOC lived 2.7 times longer than those in the control group. The protein concentrations and activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GST, as well as the TAC levels, were significantly higher in the hemolymph of the supplemented workers. To confirm these potent biological properties of 7DOC, the UV-Vis spectra, emission and excitation of fluorescence, synchronous spectra and finally the fluorescence lifetimes of this compound were measured using the time-correlated single photon counting method, in various environments differing in polarity and in the environment applied in bee research. This compound was shown to be sensitive to changes in solvent polarity. The spectroscopic assays were complemented with crystallographic tests of the obtained monocrystals of the aforementioned compounds, which attested to the aggregation effects observed in the spectra measurements for the selected coumarin. The research results confirm that this compound has the potential to be implemented in apiary management, which will be our application goal, but further research into apiary conditions is required. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disease with a complex pathomechanism that can be best treated with multi-target medications. Among the possible molecular targets involved in AD, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) are well recognized because they control the neurotransmitters responsible for memory processes. This review discusses the current understanding of AD pathology, recent advances in AD treatment, and recent reports in the field of dual AChE/MAO-B inhibitors for treating AD. We provide a classification of dual inhibitors based on their chemical structure and describe active compounds belonging to, i.a., chalcones, coumarins, chromones, imines, and hydrazones. Special emphasis is given to the computer-aided strategies of dual inhibitors design, their structure–activity relationships, and their interactions with the molecular targets at the molecular level. Full article

Fluorescent chemosensors are increasingly becoming relevant in recognition chemistry due to their sensitivity, selectivity, fast response time, real-time detection capability, and low cost. Boronic acids have been reported for the recognition of mycolactone, the cytotoxin responsible for tissue damage in Buruli ulcer disease. A library of fluorescent arylboronic acid chemosensors with various signaling moieties with certain beneficial photophysical characteristics (i.e., aminoacridine, aminoquinoline, azo, BODIPY, coumarin, fluorescein, and rhodamine variants) and a recognition moiety (i.e., boronic acid unit) were rationally designed and synthesised using combinatorial approaches, purified, and fully characterised using a set of complementary spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, LC-MS, FT-IR, and X-ray crystallography. In addition, a complete set of basic photophysical quantities such as absorption maxima (λ_abs^max), emission maxima (λ_em^max), Stokes shift (∆λ), molar extinction coefficient (ε), fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F), and brightness were determined using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy techniques. The synthesised arylboronic acid chemosensors were investigated as chemosensors for mycolactone detection using the fluorescent-thin layer chromatography (f-TLC) method. Compound 7 (with a coumarin core) emerged the best (λ_abs^max = 456 nm, λ_em^max = 590 nm, ∆λ = 134 nm, ε = 52816 M⁻¹cm⁻¹, Φ_F = 0.78, and brightness = 41,197 M⁻¹cm⁻¹). Full article

Lippia multiflora Moldenke is widely used in Angola, on the African continent, and beyond for the treatment of many health conditions such as hypertension, enteritis, colds, gastrointestinal disturbances, stomachaches, jaundice, coughs, fevers, nausea, bronchial inflammation, conjunctivitis, malaria, and venereal diseases. However, there is limited literature about the active compounds linked with the reported biological activities. This study aims to assess the chemical profiles, antioxidant properties, and the cytotoxicity effects of the roots, stem bark, and leaves of L. multiflora. Chemical characterization of the crude extracts was assessed through quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents followed by Q exactive plus orbitrap™ ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS) screening. The correlation between the extracts and the correlation between the compounds were studied using the multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) loading scores and principal component analysis (PCA) biplots and correlation plots were used to connect specific compounds with observed biological activities. The antioxidant activities of the crude extracts were carried out in vitro using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while the in vitro toxicology of the crude extracts was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. A total of twenty constituents were characterized and identified using the UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS. The methanol leaf extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 0.559 ± 0.269 μg/mL); however, the stem bark extract had the highest reducing power (IC_0.5 = 0.029 ± 0.026 μg/mL). High phenolic and flavonoid content was found in the dichloromethane leaf extract (32.100 ± 1.780 mg GAE/g) and stem bark extract (624.153 ± 29.442 mg QE/g), respectively. The results show the stem bark, methanol leaf, and dichloromethane leaf extracts were well-tolerated by the Vero cell line at concentrations up to 50 µg/mL. However, at 100 µg/mL onward, some toxicity was observed in the root, methanol leaf, and dichloromethane leaf extracts. The UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS profiles showed the presence of terpenoids (n = 5), flavonoids (n = 5), phenols (n = 4), alkaloids (n = 3), coumarins (n = 1), fatty acids (n = 1), and organic acids (n = 1). According to several studies, these secondary metabolites have been reported and proven to be the most abundant for antioxidant potential. The identified flavonoids (catechin, quercitrin, and (−)-epigallocatechin) and phenolic compound (6-gingerol) can significantly contribute to the antioxidant properties of different plant parts of L. multiflora. The research findings obtained in this study provide a complete phytochemical profile of various parts of L. multiflora that are responsible for the antioxidant activity using UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS analysis. Furthermore, the results obtained in this study contribute to the scientific information or data on the therapeutic properties of Lippia multiflora and provide a basis for further assessment of its potential as a natural remedy. Full article

Peucedanum ostruthium (L.) W.D.J. Koch (Apiaceae) is a perennial herb native to alpine regions that is renowned in traditional medicine. This study provided a pharmacognostic evaluation, comparing the EOs obtained from its rhizomes and leaves (REO and LEO, respectively). A micromorphological analysis, which was carried out using fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, revealed terpenoid-rich secretory ducts in both organs. The EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography, coupled with flame ionization detection and mass spectrometry (GC-FID and GC-MS), revealing distinct chemical profiles. REO was dominated by monoterpenes (80.08%), especially D-limonene (29.13%), sabinene (19.77%), and α-phellandrene (12.02%), while LEO was sesquiterpene-rich (81.15%), with β-caryophyllene (21.78%), β-selinene (14.09%), and germacrene D (10.43%) as the major compounds. The in vitro assays demonstrated that both EOs exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with LEO consistently outperforming REO across all tests. However, neither EO showed antimicrobial effects against common bacterial or fungal strains. This may have been due to the absence of polar antimicrobial constituents, such as coumarins, which are poorly recovered by hydrodistillation. To fully exploit the therapeutic potential of P. ostruthium, especially its antimicrobial properties, future studies should aim to develop integrated formulations combining volatile and non-volatile fractions, preserving the complete plant complex and broadening bioactivity. Full article

In this paper, we will present the synthesis of coumarins bearing a phosphonate group in the C-3 position of the coumarin skeleton and phosphacoumarin derivatives. The compounds were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation. Notably, the synthetic difficulties in preparing phosphacoumarins have limited previous studies. Our approach allows us to efficiently produce these derivatives, opening the way to investigate their biological properties. The resulting compounds were fully characterized using spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry. We then evaluated the cytotoxicity of the compounds against human colon cancer HT-29 tumor and CCD 841 CoTr normal colon epithelial cells. We compared these results with coumarin activity to assess the effect of the introduction of the phosphonate group on their cytotoxicity. In addition, we performed cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry and examined the antioxidant activity of the compounds by the DPPH and FRAP methods. Furthermore, we conducted ADME analysis to gain more insight into the pharmacokinetic properties of the tested coumarins. Our study is in line with current trends in the search for new compounds with potential anticancer properties. Although there are numerous reports in the scientific literature on the anticancer activity of coumarin derivatives, the cytotoxicity of synthetic derivatives with a phosphonate group has not been investigated to date. Full article

Coumarin and cytisine and their derivatives have significant biological activity. In addition, the electronic properties of coumarin derivatives are very sensitive to the molecular environment, which allows for their use as sensors for bioluminescent imaging. Due to the fact that cytisine exhibits high activity in binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, a compound combining parts of cytisine and coumarin may have a broader spectrum of biological activity and also act as a photoactive element for promising use in optoelectronic devices. This article reports the synthesis of a crystalline cytisine–coumarin complex (IUPAC: N-(2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbonyl)cytisine), along with the results of both theoretical and experimental investigations of its structural and electronic properties. The structure of this new compound was established on the basis of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data and was confirmed through density functional theory calculations using periodic crystal and single-molecule approaches. Interpretations of the IR absorption peaks and the atomic patterns of the vibrational modes are given. The electronic band structure and the contributions of individual atoms to the electronic density of states are analyzed. The structural and optical properties considered may be useful for quality control of the compound and for studying similar matrices. Full article

Background: F. hirta vahl is a famous Chinese medicinal plant. The root is the main organ accumulating bioactive compounds, and its development is directly related to the yield and quality of the harvested F. hirta. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the bioactive compound biosynthesis occurring during the root development of F. hirta are unknown. Method: Transcriptome and widely targeted metabolome analyses were performed to investigate gene expression and metabolite variation during the development of F. hirta taproots. Results: A total of 3792 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the one- and three-year-old F. hirta taproots; they are related to circadian rhythm–plant, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and plant–pathogen interaction pathways. In total, 119 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified between the one- and three-year-old F. hirta taproots, including flavonols, phenolic acids, and coumarins compounds. Integrative transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed a significant correlation between 172 DEGs and 21 DAMs; they were predominantly enriched for processes associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid, and ginerol biosynthesis. In addition, 26 DEGs were identified to be significantly correlated with the DAMs that accumulated in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, and these DEGs may be the key genes for the biosynthesis of F. hirta active compounds. Conclusions: The phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway plays a dual role in both development and bioactive compound synthesis in F. hirta taproots. These findings provide a molecular regulatory network in the relationships between F. hirta taproot development and the accumulation of secondary metabolites. The identification of candidate genes and pathways provides a genetic resource for quality control and future molecular breeding in F. hirta. Full article

We conducted a study to explore the potential of an enriched coumarin extract from Cachrys libanotis for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The extract was prepared using pressurized cyclic solid–liquid extraction, and its safety profile was thoroughly evaluated using both cellular and embryonic models. Our main goal was to uncover a mixture of bioactive compounds that could offer therapeutic benefits. The following parameters were assessed: (i) extract composition; (ii) antioxidant activity; (iii) effects on cell viability and morphology; (iv) irritant potential (in ovo); and (v) antimicrobial activity against nine microbial strains. Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses confirmed that the main specialized metabolites in C. libanotis extract were furanocoumarins, with xanthotoxin, bergapten, and isopimpinellin identified as the three predominant constituents. Treatment with the C. libanotis extract did not induce significant alterations in the adherent human keratinocytes, with confluence and epithelial morphology comparable to control cells. Conversely, viable cells declined in the breast carcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231). Moreover, the C. libanotis extract exhibited a promising antimicrobial activity against two Gram-negative pathogens, Shigella flexneri and Salmonella typhimurium. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable phytosanitary products has renewed interest in botanical insecticides as viable pest control tools. Amid rising demand for sustainable crop protection, this study screens Cerrado plants traditionally used in medicine to pinpoint bioactive compounds that could replace synthetic pesticides. These products have complex chemical compositions, with compounds acting synergistically through multiple mechanisms, including oral (ingestion of allelochemicals) and topical (contact of allelochemicals on epidermis) toxicity. This study evaluated the oral and topical toxicity of aqueous leaf extracts from Anemopaegma arvense (AEAa), Coussarea hydrangeifolia (AECh), Tapirira guianensis (AETg), and Duguetia furfuracea (AEDf) on Plutella xylostella. In the oral toxicity test, first-instar larvae were fed treated diets until pupation, with biological parameters monitored until adulthood. The extracts caused an average of 45% larval mortality, reduced pupal duration, and lowered egg production. In the topical toxicity test, only the extract from T. guianensis showed significant effect (p = 0.0171), causing 30% mortality in third-instar larvae. The other extracts showed no significant topical toxicity, and AECh showed no lethal or sublethal effects at all. Phytochemical screening was assessed by quantitative spectrophotometric assays, and semi-quantitative classical colorimetric tests. Major compound classes identified were tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, and alkaloids. These findings highlight the potential of the evaluated plant extracts for pest control, particularly via ingestion, while also underscoring the need for further studies to better understand their efficacy and mechanisms of action. Full article