Search Results (405)

Despite the significant advancements in treatment and prevention, the fight against cancer is ongoing worldwide. This study evaluated the pharmacological properties and anticancer activity of Afzelia quanzensis bark, traditionally used by the indigenous communities of KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa to treat cancer and related illnesses. Phytochemical screening, high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were carried out using established protocols. The antioxidant activity was assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and nitric oxide radicals. The anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and phlobatannins. The HPLC-DAD analysis detected seven distinctive peaks in the aqueous extract and three distinctive peaks in the methanolic extract. The FTIR spectra of the aqueous extract displayed characteristic peaks corresponding to O-H, C=O, C=C, and =C–H functional groups. Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by the ethanolic extract, in both DPPH and nitric oxide. The methanol extract showed a higher cell proliferation inhibition against the DU-145 cancer cell line with the percentage of inhibition of 37.8%, followed by the aqueous extract with 36.3%. In contrast, limited activity was observed against PC-3, SK-UT-1, and AGS cell lines. The results demonstrated notable dose-dependent antioxidant and antiproliferative activities supporting the ethnomedicinal use of Afzelia quanzensis bark in cancer management. These findings warrant further investigation into its bioactive constituents and mechanisms of action. Full article

Skin disorders are common and often chronic conditions with significant therapeutic challenges. Limitations of conventional treatments, such as adverse effects and antimicrobial resistance, have increased interest in plant-based alternatives. This article presents the phytochemical composition and pharmacological potential of several medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of skin diseases, including Rubus vulgaris, Plantago major, Artemisia terrae-albae, and Eryngium planum. Based on an analysis of scientific literature, the presence of bioactive compounds—including flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, tannins, and sesquiterpenes—is summarized, along with their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Emphasis is placed on the correlation between traditional ethnomedicinal applications and pharmacological mechanisms. The findings support the potential of these species as sources for dermatological phytotherapeutics. Further research is needed to standardize active constituents, assess safety, and conduct clinical validation. Full article

Wild edible fruit plants are integral to the cultural, nutritional, medicinal, and economic practices of Indigenous Isan communities in Roi Et Province, northeastern Thailand, a region characterized by plateau and lowland topography and a tropical monsoon climate. This study aimed to document the diversity, traditional uses, phenology, and conservation status of these species to inform sustainable management and conservation efforts. Field surveys and ethnobotanical interviews with 200 informants (100 men, 100 women; random ages) were conducted across 20 local communities to identify species diversity and usage patterns, while phenological observations and conservation assessments were performed to understand reproductive cycles and species vulnerability between January and December 2023. A total of 68 species from 32 families were recorded, with peak flowering in March–April and fruiting in May–June. Analyses of Species Use Value (0.19–0.48) and Relative Frequency of Citation (0.15–0.44) identified key species with significant roles in food security and traditional medicine. Uvaria rufa had the highest SUV (0.48) and RFC (0.44). Informant consensus on medicinal applications was strong for ailments such as gastrointestinal and lymphatic disorders. Economically important species were also identified, with some contributing notable income through local trade. Conservation proposed one species as Critically Endangered and several others as Vulnerable. The results highlight the need for integrated conservation strategies, including community-based initiatives and recognition of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), to ensure the preservation of biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and local livelihoods. Full article

Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) is a Rubiaceae widely used in Peru’s traditional medicine. It is mainly known by the vernacular name of Cat’s claw due to its morphological aspects and is found in tropical low mountain forests of Central and South America. A decoction of Ut bark, root and leaves is used traditionally for different health problems, including arthritis, weakness, viral infections, skin disorders, abscesses, allergies, asthma, cancer, fevers, gastric ulcers, haemorrhages, inflammations, menstrual irregularity, rheumatism, urinary tract inflammation and wounds, among others, which gave rise to scientific and commercial interest. The present paper reviews research progress relating to the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ut, and some promising research routes are also discussed. We highlight the centrality of its different biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiviral, and antinociceptive, among others. Recently, studies of the health effects of this plant suggest that novel nutraceuticals can be obtained from it and applied as a preventive or prophylaxis strategy before the start of conventional drug therapy, especially for patients who are not prone to conventional pharmacological approaches to diseases. The present work emphasizes the current pharmacological properties of Uncaria tomentosa, evidencing its therapeutic benefits and encouraging further research on this medicinal plant. Full article

Gerbera piloselloides (L.)Cass. is an important ethnomedicinal plant. Wild populations are steadily declining, however, posing a risk of failure to meet future market demand. Investigating suitable habitats for this plant and key influencing factors is crucial for its artificial cultivation. In this study, we implemented an optimized MaxEnt to project suitable habitats for the target species in five different periods and explored the impact of different environmental variables on its distribution. Our study findings provide confirmation of the following: (1) The current and future potential distributions of Gerbera piloselloides are primarily located in the areas south of the Qinling–Huaihe boundary in China, with future expansions expected to shift northward and westward. (2) Notably, there was a contraction in the junction regions of the provinces of Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, and Hubei. (3) The number of highly suitable habitats in Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Guangxi is expanding; in comparison, the number in Guizhou, Sichuan, and Hainan is declining. (4) The primary environmental determinants shaping its range, together with the threshold values for highly suitable habitats, are the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6, 0.88–22.58 °C) and the temperature seasonality (bio4, 461.54–763.9). The findings presented in this work provide support for the artificial cultivation and conservation of this plant. Full article

Strophanthus sarmentosus is recognised for various ethnomedicinal applications, including treatment after snakebites. However, only limited scientific evidence exists on its antivenomous capabilities. This study investigates the efficacy of methanol and ethylacetate extracts from S. sarmentosus leaves and roots against Echis ocellatus venom. A non-toxic range for the extracts was determined in rats, and assays were performed to test their anti-hemorrhagic and anti-hemolytic activity as well as their influence on venom-induced blood clotting. In all of these experiments, the extracts demonstrated significant positive effects equal to or better than antivenom. Moreover, the extracts strongly inhibited and even abolished the digestion of the vasoactive neuropeptide bradykinin by snake venom metalloproteinases. Strophantus plants are known for their high content of cardiac glycosides, one of which is the commercially available ouabain, that by itself also considerably inhibited venom-induced bradykinin cleavage. Although ouabain is only present in low amounts in S. sarmentosus when compared to other cardenolides of similar structure, it can be hypothesized that members of this substance class may also have inhibitory properties against venom proteases. S. sarmentosus additionally contains bioactive substances such as flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids, which contribute to its protective effects. The study provides scientific data to explain the success of the traditional use of S. sarmentosus plant extracts as a first aid against envenomation in rural Africa. Full article

Combretum micranthum G. Don (kinkeliba) is a medicinal plant traditionally employed in West Africa for its diuretic and gastrointestinal therapeutic properties. Despite its extensive ethnomedicinal use, comprehensive toxicological assessments are still lacking. This study aimed to characterize the phenolic composition of C. micranthum ethanolic leaf extract using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and evaluate its acute and subacute oral toxicity in BALB/c mice, per OECD Guideline 420. Female mice received oral doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg of extract for acute toxicity assessment for 14 days. In the subacute study, both sexes were administered daily doses at the same concentrations over 28 days. Clinical signs, body weight, and food and water consumption were regularly monitored throughout both protocols. At the end of each study, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were analyzed. Phenolic profiling revealed nine major compounds with a total of 293.54 mg/g extract. No mortality or significant clinical manifestations were observed at any dose. However, significant variations in platelet counts and amylase activity were noted in the acute phase. In the subacute model, slight, non-critical alterations in hepatic and renal biomarkers were observed, without signs of systemic toxicity. Histopathological examination revealed similar lesions in both acute and subacute phases, including multifocal inflammatory infiltrates (lymphocytes and neutrophils) in the periportal area of the liver, minimal bacterial overgrowth in the superficial layer of the gastric mucosa, minimal medullary mineralization and inflammatory infiltrates with lymphocytes in the kidneys, and minimal to moderate vacuolization in the pancreatic acini. These results indicate that C. micranthum ethanolic extract is relatively safe at the tested doses, reinforcing its traditional use and supporting further research into its pharmacological potential. Full article

Ptaeroxylon obliquum (Thunb.) Radlk. (Rutaceae) is traditionally used for a range of purposes, including ethnoveterinary medicine and to treat various human ailments such as tuberculosis, inflammatory diseases, and bacterial and fungal infections. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the traditional uses, phytochemistry, toxicology, in silico, and pharmacological activities of P. obliquum and discuss the advances made to date. The phytochemistry of P. obliquum revealed the abundance of secondary metabolites such as coumarins and chromones, essential oils, and several other classes of bioactive compounds. A total of 80 secondary metabolites have been reported from this plant species. In vitro studies on P. obliquum explored its therapeutic potential and reported pharmacological properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antimycobacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. This review highlights the diversity of the medicinal use of P. obliquum and encourages its preservation. Future research should focus on the efficacy of P. obliquum’s most promising bioactive compounds, and the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) pharmacological activities may help determine therapeutic potential in in vivo animal models and validate the wide range of traditional uses of P. obliquum. Full article

Achillea nobilis and its subspecies (A. nobilis subsp. neilreichii and A. nobilis subsp. sipylea) have been traditionally used in various ethnomedical systems across Eurasia. However, comprehensive studies on their phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties are still insufficient. This review aims to provide a critical synthesis of current knowledge regarding the botanical characteristics, geographic distribution, traditional applications, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of A. nobilis A structured search was conducted using eight scientific platforms, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science.gov, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, and BASE. Keywords related to phytochemistry, pharmacology, and ethnomedicine were applied, and a total of 28,000 records were initially retrieved. After a multi-stage screening process based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 167 peer-reviewed publications from 1952 to 2023 were selected for detailed evaluation. Findings reveal a diverse range of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene lactones, which demonstrate antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antispasmodic, and anticonvulsant activities. Most studies have focused on aerial parts and water-based extracts, while the root chemistry and organ-specific metabolite profiles remain largely unexplored. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of A. nobilis and underscores the need for future studies using multi-omics and advanced analytical techniques to support its development in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Background: In many African areas, herbal products still represent a significant source of healthcare. However, a major gender bias is evident in the literature, as most of the work is carried out by male researchers, collecting data from male traditional practitioners, and thus often neglecting women’s specific health issues. This warrants a detailed review of the current knowledge about the major medicinal plants historically and still used for women’s health. Objective: This study aims to compile and critically analyze published data on the use of traditional herbal remedies by African women in addressing specific health conditions, in order to evaluate the potential of traditional medicine as a viable alternative or complementary approach to modern healthcare for women globally. Methods: Data were retrieved from databases by combining the following relevant keywords: “abortion, adverse, Africa, attendant, birth, botanical, delivery, developing, drug, ethnomedicine, ethnopharmacology, folk, gynecological, healing, infertility, herb, indigenous, lactation, medicine, native, obstetric, phytomedicine, plant, pregnancy, remedy, side, sub-Saharan, traditional, treatment, women”. Results: More than 125 studies, carried out across 12 African nations, revealed that up to 80% of African women resort to herbal medicines. An estimated 200 medicinally important plant species are reported to be utilized by women in different African countries, including Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. These herbs have many applications, mostly focused on infertility, pregnancy, painful menstruation, breast feeding, breast cancer, and contraception. Interestingly, according to their occurrence of usage, the plants most commonly reported for these conditions that are important to women are ambivalent plants (i.e., used both as foods and medicines) that include Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Allium sativum L., Cucurbita pepo L., and Ricinus communis L. Conclusions: Even though most women, in most African countries, do use traditional medicine, the amount of work published remains quite limited and no data are available in many countries. Therefore, it is desirable to expand African studies in this direction. Full article

Artemisia schmidtiana Maxim., a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, is renowned for its extensive ethnomedicinal applications and distinctive aromatic qualities. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glucosidase, and β-lactamase of its essential oil (EO). The major constituents of the EO were identified as germacrene D (16.29%), falcarinol (11.02%), β-caryophyllene (9.43%), α-zingiberene (7.93%), phytol (6.06%), and α-humulene (4.04%). The EO demonstrated radical scavenging activity against DPPH (44.9% at 5 mg/mL) and ABTS (IC₅₀ = 0.72 ± 0.02 mg/mL) radicals, with a FRAP antioxidant capacity of 126.61 ± 0.59 μmol·g⁻¹. Additionally, the EO exhibited modest AChE inhibition (16.7% at 250 μg/mL) and significant inhibition of α-glucosidase and β-lactamase, with IC₅₀ values of 178.80 ± 17.02 μg/mL and 40.06 ± 8.22 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking revealed favorable interactions between the major EO compounds and the tested enzymes, providing a theoretical foundation for future drug development. These findings suggest that A. schmidtiana EO holds potential for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, warranting further investigation. Full article

The genus Dracocephalum (family Lamiaceae) comprises approximately 70 species, many of which have been traditionally used in various ethnomedical systems. The plants exhibit a broad distribution across steppe, semi-deserts, deserts, and alpine zones of temperate Eurasia, with isolated endemic species occurring in North America and North Africa. The traditional medicinal uses of the Dracocephalum species encompass the treatment of respiratory diseases, colds and fever, gastrointestinal disorders, liver and gallbladder ailments, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gynecological and urological disorders, as well as ailments of the ears, throat, mouth, and eyes, as well as various dermatological conditions. The plants are rich sources of polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which contribute to their diverse pharmacological activities. The flavonoid profile of the Dracocephalum species is dominated by luteolin and apigenin derivatives, supplemented by mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentamethoxylated flavones. The predominant phenolic acids are chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and their derivatives. Other phenolic compounds have also been identified in the genus: anthocyanins, lignans, phenylethanoids, phenylacetamide glycosides, flavonoid alkaloids, gingerols, coumarins, furanocoumarins, and cyanogenic glucosides. Despite growing scientific interest in this genus, a comprehensive review of its polyphenolic constituents, their structures, and associated biological activities remains lacking. To bridge this gap, this review presents an analysis of the polyphenolic profile of the Dracocephalum species, their ethnomedicinal uses, and the latest findings on their biological potential. Full article

Viola yedoensis Makino (V. yedoensis), a perennial herb in the Violaceae family, is recognized for its violet flowers and has a longstanding role in ethnomedicine for treating various inflammatory diseases, such as boils, furuncles, carbuncles, and both acute and chronic hepatitis, among others. A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing resources including the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Flora of China, Web of Science, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). This paper serves as the inaugural comprehensive review of the latest findings regarding the botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, quality control, and prospective uses of V. yedoensis. The objective is to provide a robust foundation for future research and to suggest novel avenues for exploring its potential applications. To date, 162 chemical constituents have been isolated from V. yedoensis, with flavonoids and coumarins identified as particularly abundant. These compounds exhibit promising activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-lung injury, anti-liver injury, anti-bacterial, anti-coagulant, anti-complement, and anti-oxidant properties. Despite considerable advancements in fundamental research on V. yedoensis, further investigations are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to discover additional uncharacterized compounds. This review underscores the plant’s significant development potential, highlighting the necessity for more in-depth exploration. Full article

Moringa oleifera (LAM) is a multipurpose tree species with extensive pharmacological and ethnomedicinal properties. Production of important medicinal plants is facing decline under changing climatic conditions, which brings along exacerbated abiotic stresses like salinity and intraspecific competition, particularly high planting densities. Increasing plant density is seen as a strategy to increase production; however, the intraspecific competition and a lack of arable land limit productivity. Salinity has been estimated to harm approximately six percent of the Earth’s landmass. This leads to a loss of over 20% of agricultural output annually. These stressors can significantly curtail moringa’s growth and yield potential. Literature designates that Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), ubiquitous soil microorganisms forming symbiotic associations with plant roots, offer a promising avenue for mitigating these stresses. This narrative review aims to investigate the utilization of AMF to alleviate the detrimental effects of salinity and high planting density on Moringa oleifera. The different adaptive strategies M. oleifera undergoes to mitigate both stressors are explored. The review found that AMF inoculation enhances plant tolerance to these stressors by improving nutrient acquisition, water relations, and activating stress response mechanisms. By facilitating improved nutrient and water absorption, AMF enhance root architecture, modulate ROS scavenging mechanisms, and promote optimal biomass allocation, ensuring better survival in high-density plantings. Furthermore, AMF-mediated stress alleviation is linked to enhanced physiological efficiency, including increased chlorophyll content, root–shoot biomass balance, and ion homeostasis. This review is important because it could provide insights into a sustainable, natural solution for improving the resilience of Moringa oleifera under adverse environmental conditions, with potential applications in global agriculture and food security. Future research should prioritize identifying and characterizing moringa-specific AMF species and evaluate the long-term efficacy, feasibility, and economic viability of AMF application in real-world moringa cultivation systems to fully harness the potential of AMF in moringa cultivation. Full article

The incidence of hypertension (HT) is rapidly increasing globally, and it is considered to be a critical public health problem. Due to the demand for medication and because various side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs have been reported, complementary and alternative therapies, including Thai Indigenous medicine (TIM), should be explored for treating HT. Medicinal plants traditionally used by multiple cultures over long time periods in HT treatment are more likely to be pharmacologically active and might provide useful data, leading to anti-hypertensive drug discovery. Ethnomedicinal field observations were undertaken with 41 key informants in eleven villages in Chiang Mai province from December 2022 to November 2023. In addition, we gathered data on traditional plants used for treating HT among 12 ethnic groups from 41 original references published between 1987 and 2023, covering nine provinces in northern Thailand. Important species among plants used for treating hypertension were identified by calculating their relative frequency of citation (RFC). In total, we found 237 plant species that were used for treating HT. Of these, 173 species had already been reported in the literature, and 96 species were documented in our fieldwork. There were 30 plant species from our field survey that overlapped with species accounted for in the literature. Fabaceae was the plant family with the most species (23 sp, 10%) used for treating HT. The most commonly used species was Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), and it had the highest recorded RFC value of 0.1979. There were 64 plant species that were reported for the first time for HT treatment among ethnic groups in northern Thailand. Of the recorded species, 24 were particularly promising in the treatment of HT, and their efficacy was confirmed by comparing our results to previous studies of plants with anti-hypertensive properties. Full article