Search Results (563)

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a member of the Lamiaceae family, which includes a wide variety of medicinal and aromatic herbs cultivated for their essential oils and bioactive compounds. However, prolonged drought stress can significantly impair growth and essential oil content. In this study, a two-season pot experiment was conducted under open-field conditions. The study was carried out at the Floricultural Nursery, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Egypt, during 2024 and 2025, with the aim of assessing how foliar applications of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) impact the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of sweet basil under different soil water capacity (SWC) levels (80%, 60%, and 40% SWC). Drought stress markedly reduced plant height, branch number, leaf area, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, macronutrient content, and essential oil content, while increasing levels of proline and secondary metabolites such as phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid. Growth and productivity were highest under 80% SWC, followed by 60%, and lowest under 40%. Under drought stress (40% SWC), Si₂₀₀ increased plant dry biomass by approximately 12%, chlorophyll content by 53%, and essential oil content by 46% compared with untreated plants. Silicon application proved more effective at ameliorating the negative consequences of drought than Zn, with Si₂₀₀ combined with 80% SWC yielding the best results in terms of plant performance and essential oil percentage and content. Meanwhile, Si₂₀₀ under 40% SWC induced the highest accumulation of secondary metabolites. These results highlight the potential of silicon foliar application as a practical strategy to reduce drought stress in sweet basil, enhancing both yield and phytochemical quality, and offering valuable guidance for sustainable cultivation under water-limited conditions. Full article

Pterocephalus hookeri (C.B.Clarke) Höeck is a classic traditional Tibetan medicinal herb with multiple pharmacological activities. The inconsistent usage of its medicinal parts (whole herb, aboveground part (AP), and underground part (UP)) in commercial circulation severely restricts its clinical safety and quality stability. Currently, most existing chemical investigations focus on the whole herb, whereas the intraspecific chemical discrepancies between AP and UP remain poorly clarified. Herein, an integrated analytical strategy combining ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)-based untargeted metabolomics, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN), and paper-based analytical device desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (PAD-DESI-MSI) was established to characterize differential metabolites and their spatial distribution in P. hookeri. A total of 101 compounds were annotated, and 12 vital differential metabolites were further screened with variable importance in projection (VIP) values > 1. The visualized distribution differences of these biomarkers were validated via heatmap and PAD-DESI-MSI analysis. Obvious differences in chemical accumulation characteristics were confirmed between AP and UP, which can guide reasonable clinical medication and rational dosage regulation referring to metabolite abundance. Moreover, optimized data filtering thresholds effectively eliminated metabolomic false positives, and FBMN exhibited excellent capacity for differential biomarker screening. This study provides a solid chemical basis for the quality evaluation and rational medicinal application of P. hookeri. Full article

Agriforestry systems are essential for improving the quality of medicinal herbs and ensuring the sustainable management of forests. Forest soil acidification inhibits the growth of medicinal plants. The application of novel dolomite-loaded vermicompost (DOVC) is considered a potential method for promoting plants growth. However, the mechanisms by which it promotes the growth of medicinal plants are poorly understood. This study combined observational analysis and field experimentation, to first elucidate the correlation between under-forest soil pH and root dry weight of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). Subsequently, the mechanisms by which DOVC promotes the growth of P. quinquefolius were analyzed from the perspectives of plant physiology and soil microbiome. The results indicate: (1) Field survey results demonstrated when the pH was between 5.28 and 5.99, the root dry weight of P. quinquefolius gradually increased with increasing soil pH. (2) Compared with Control, DOVC increased the soil pH by 1.48 units and promoted the growth of P. quinquefolius, with a net photosynthetic rate increase of 60.26%, malondialdehyde content decrease of 71.07%, and root dry weight increase of 50.33%. (3) Compared with Control, DOVC enhanced bacterial community diversity, with Ace and Chao 1 indices increasing significantly by 33.88% and 25.18%, respectively; and increased the relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Basidiomycota. (4) Partial Least Squares Path Modeling revealed that DOVC positively influenced P. quinquefolius growth via the improvement of soil health index and microbial community diversity. The development of this novel soil amendment offers a new approach to improving soil health in agroforestry systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Naxi people in Northwest Yunnan of China have used alcohol-soaked Pleione Pseudobulbus, which is the Pseudobulbus of Pleione bulbocodioides Rolfe (PBR), for lung diseases and tumors for a long period of time. This study aims to explore underlying mechanisms of bioactive ingredients in PBR, as well as to underscore the synergy between traditional medicine and modern pharmacological research. Methods: We verified the anti-tumor effects of the PBR extract through in vitro cell experiments, and explored its underlying mechanisms by combining untargeted metabolomics with network pharmacology to predict the related targets. Results: The anti-tumor potential of PBR extracts was systematically evaluated by integrating chemical profiling with in vitro cell-based assays. Untargeted metabolomics tentatively annotated metabolites spanning 12 major chemical classes, several of which have been previously reported to possess anti-tumor activity. To validate these annotations, prioritized candidates were further examined by LC-MS/MS against authentic reference standards at the nanogram scale, which confirmed the presence of sclareol—a naturally occurring diterpene with documented anti-tumor properties—as a constituent of PBR. Consistent with this chemical evidence, the PBR extract exerted multi-faceted anti-tumor effects in A549 lung cancer cells: it significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion; induced G0/G1-phase cell-cycle arrest; disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential; and modulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Conclusions: By highlighting the pharmacological properties of cultivated PBR, we identified 118 overlapping targets between PBR compounds and lung disease-related targets, and we further selected 25 core lung cancer targets with high topological importance. This study suggests that the primary active compounds of Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) Rolfe may exert anti-lung cancer activity, potentially through targeting the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking suggested that the two major active compounds exhibited favorable predicted binding affinities with four core targets, particularly EGFR and AKT1, providing a basis for further experimental validation. These results support the potential value of Naxi traditional medicine and the need to further research onthese medicinal plants, thereby promoting Chinese herb medicine conservation efforts in the Naxi region. Full article

Glioma, the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, presents significant clinical management challenges due to difficulties in blood–brain barrier penetration, high tumor heterogeneity, and susceptibility to drug resistance and recurrence, leading to an extremely poor prognosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly its derived active ingredients and herbal formulations, with its advantages of multi-component, multi-target, and holistic regulation, demonstrates significant potential in the comprehensive treatment of this disease. This review systematically outlines the research progress in TCM for combating glioma. Regarding mechanisms of action, active TCM components not only directly inhibit tumors by inducing cell apoptosis but also exert synergistic therapeutic effects via multiple pathways. These include remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment, activating novel cell death programs such as ferroptosis and immunogenic cell death, intervening in tumor metabolic reprogramming, and reversing chemotherapy resistance. In terms of overcoming delivery barriers, drug delivery systems represented by nanocarriers, liposomes, and extracellular vesicles, combined with the penetration-enhancing effects of aromatic orifice-opening herbs (a class of TCM medicinals traditionally used to “open the orifices” and awaken the mind, now recognized to transiently enhance BBB permeability), have significantly improved the brain-targeting efficiency and bioavailability of TCM components. For clinical translation, a number of innovative drugs derived from TCM, such as elemene, cinobufagin, and ACT001, are currently under clinical investigation, with initial results showing efficacy in prolonging survival and improving quality of life. In the future, by integrating the analysis of multi-target synergistic mechanisms, promoting the clinical translation of intelligent drug delivery systems, and conducting high-quality clinical research on integrated Chinese and Western medicine, TCM is expected to provide a new generation of integrated treatment strategies for glioma that combines holistic and precision medicine. Full article

Cannabis-derived compounds are increasingly used as adjuncts in cancer therapy due to their reported antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects. However, potential drug–herb interactions with standard anticancer agents—namely sorafenib—remain unclear. This study investigated the interaction between cannabis and sorafenib, together with transcriptomic alterations in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and drug interactions were evaluated using the Combenefit program. RNA sequencing was performed to characterize gene expression changes across treatment groups. Combination analysis demonstrated concentration-dependent synergistic effects at intermediate doses. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that the combination treatment induced a broader and more distinct set of differentially expressed genes compared with single treatments. Integrated enrichment analyses showed consistent activation of stress- and inflammation-related pathways, including tumor necrosis factor-α via nuclear factor-kappaB (TNF/NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK–STAT), oxidative stress, and p53-mediated apoptosis, alongside suppression of metabolic and proliferative processes. While several pathways were shared across treatments, the combination group exhibited a more coordinated transcriptional response, including enrichment of integrated stress response, cytokine signaling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and epigenetic regulation. These findings were supported by increased reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis, particularly in the combination group. Overall, cannabis may potentiate sorafenib activity through enhanced cellular stress and anti-proliferative signaling. Full article

Hyperlipidemia-associated obesity is frequently accompanied by hepatic injury, bile acid dysregulation, gut microbial remodeling, and anxiety-like behavioral alterations. As emerging functional food ingredients, postbiotics and dietary herbs (DH) may provide practical dietary strategies for metabolic health management, but the most suitable postbiotic form and its compatibility with DH remain unclear. In this study, FB 3-14-derived postbiotics were first screened in vitro for cholesterol micellar binding. Inactivated bacterial cells (Postcell) exhibited the strongest cholesterol-binding capacity and were therefore selected for in vivo validation, alone or in combination with DH, in a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) mouse model. Consistently, Postcell showed superior efficacy in attenuating body weight gain, jejunal triglyceride accumulation, and hepatic dysfunction compared with other postbiotic forms. Importantly, Postcell_DH exerted broader metabolic benefits, including reductions in weight gain, food efficiency, bile acid dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Multi-omics analysis further indicated that these effects may be mediated through remodeling of the gut microbiota and metabolome, particularly pathways involved in bile acid and tryptophan metabolism. Notably, Clostridioides and taurochenodeoxycholate-7-sulfate were negatively associated with total cholesterol (TC) and leptin, whereas Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and 3-Hydroxyindolin-2-1-sulfate were negatively correlated with brain inflammatory level, lipid, and bile acid-related index. This study supports a practical postbiotic–herbal combination strategy relevant to functional food and dietary supplement development for hyperlipidemia-associated metabolic disturbances. Full article

The increasing global demand for animal-derived food products, combined with growing environmental and public health concerns, has intensified the search for sustainable strategies in livestock production. Among emerging nutritional approaches, phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have gained attention as natural alternatives to conventional synthetic growth promoters. PFAs, derived from herbs, spices, essential oils, and plant extracts, contain diverse bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities that can support animal health, productivity, and product quality. Current research indicates that PFAs positively influence digestive physiology by modulating gut microbiota, improving intestinal integrity, and stimulating digestive enzyme secretion. These mechanisms enhance nutrient utilization, feed efficiency, and growth performance. In addition, the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of plant-derived compounds strengthen the ability of animals to cope with physiological stress and disease, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic antimicrobials and supporting antibiotic-free production systems. PFAs may also improve reproductive performance and physiological stability, particularly in small livestock species and indigenous breeds. Beyond productivity benefits, phytogenic additives contribute to environmental sustainability by improving feed conversion efficiency and reducing nutrient excretion. The present literature review confirms that although variability in plant composition and the need for standardization remain challenges, PFAs represent a valuable component of integrated nutritional strategies aimed at achieving resilient, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable livestock production systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Cnidii Fructus is widely used in clinical practice. Its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are closely related to its antipruritic effect and insecticidal properties. Due to the susceptibility of this medicinal herb to mold contamination, adopting appropriate sterilization measures is of great significance for its storage. ⁶⁰Co irradiation is widely used for this purpose due to its various advantages. Methods: This study employed Gas Chromatography–Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis to systematically investigate the influence of different ⁶⁰Co irradiation doses (0, 3, 6, 9 kGy) on the VOCs of Cnidii Fructus and associated metabolic regulatory mechanisms. Results: A total of 115 VOCs were tentatively identified. Statistical analysis revealed dose-dependent effects: 3 kGy irradiation caused the least compositional perturbation, best preserving original chemical characteristics; 6 kGy induced more pronounced compositional changes; and 9 kGy triggered substantial chemical composition reconstruction. Differential metabolite enrichment analysis indicated that medium and high doses of irradiation primarily perturbed central carbon metabolic pathways, including pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. Key differential components were tentatively identified (e.g., α-Thujone, α-Pinene, β-Pinene) that possess pharmacological activities closely associated with the traditional efficacy of Cnidii Fructus. Conclusions: When the irradiation dose is 3 kGy, the VOCs profile of Cnidii Fructus is most similar to that of the non-irradiated control group, suggesting that its compositional profile may be closer to that of traditional high-quality medicinal materials. Meanwhile, the differential metabolites and core metabolic pathways identified in this study can provide a chemical reference for the quality control of irradiated Cnidii Fructus. The findings provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the rational application of ⁶⁰Co irradiation sterilization in the processing of Chinese medicinal materials and their powders. Full article

Phytolacca acinosa Roxb., a perennial herb native to East Asia, is increasingly naturalizing in Europe, yet its reproductive ecology in the secondary range remains poorly understood. This study evaluated seed productivity across central and edge populations in the secondary range, fruit and seed morphometrics, and germination responses to cold storage, acid scarification (simulating bird endozoochory), and light exposure. Fruit production per raceme was influenced by an interaction between insolation and range position: reduced insolation increased fruit set in central populations but decreased it at the range edge. Raceme number per shoot was lower in spontaneous plants compared to cultivated ones. Fresh seeds exhibited strong dormancy with no germination without scarification. Acid scarification significantly enhanced germination, particularly with light exposure, reaching up to 55%. Cold storage did not increase germination percentage but accelerated germination of scarified seeds under light, reducing median germination time from 24 to 21 days. Compared to the congeneric P. americana, P. acinosa shows more stringent dormancy requirements. We conclude that P. acinosa retains deep seed dormancy in its secondary range and relies on bird-mediated endozoochory for both dispersal and dormancy release. At the northern range edge, reduced plant vigor and lower raceme numbers are partially offset by increased flower production per raceme, though fruit set remains constrained. The species does not exhibit the simplified germination requirements often associated with successful invaders; instead, its invasion success appears driven by a bet-hedging strategy combining persistent seed banks with specific dormancy-breaking cues. Full article

Background: Pinellia ternata is a major medicinal herb widely utilized in traditional medicine, but is sensitive to high temperature, which often triggers a severe “sprout tumble” phenomenon. Methods: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance in P. ternata, we screened two contrasting germplasms: the heat-tolerant JBX1 and the heat-sensitive XBX4. In the present study, a combined analysis of physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome was performed on JBX1 and XBX4 under heat stress at 40 °C. Results: JBX1 exhibited significantly greater leaf thickness, higher basal chlorophyll content, more stable antioxidant enzyme activities, and lower oxidative damage than XBX4 under heat stress. Transcriptomically, JBX1 maintained elevated basal expression of genes encoding key enzymes in carbon fixation, amino acid metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as those encoding heat shock transcription factors (HSFs), heat shock proteins (HSPs), and the thermosensor Thermo-With ABA-Response 1 (TWA1). Metabolomically, JBX1 accumulated higher levels of key primary metabolites, antioxidants, and protective phenylpropanoids under both control and heat conditions. Notably, a “polarity reversal” emerged in nitrogen metabolism, where core amino acids accumulated in JBX1 but were depleted in XBX4. Integrated analysis revealed a more coordinated gene–metabolite network in JBX1 involving the phenylpropanoid, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, and glutathione pathways. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that JBX1 possessed stronger basal thermotolerance, which is derived from coordinated establishment of higher constitutive metabolic reserves and efficient dynamic metabolic reprogramming. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress in P. ternata. Full article

In this study, Chinese medicinal herbs were evaluated as potential antibiotic substitutes for Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Forty-five herbs were initially screened for antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Shigella flexneri. Nine herbs exhibiting broad-spectrum inhibitory effects were selected and subjected to microbial fermentation, after which their antibacterial activities were reassessed and applied as dietary supplements in feeding trials. The results showed that fermentation altered the antibacterial activities of several herbs and enhanced their overall functional performance. Dietary supplementation with fermented Chinese herbal medicine did not adversely affect feed utilization but significantly improved hematological parameters, liver and kidney function indicators, antioxidant capacity, and nonspecific immune responses. Furthermore, turtles fed fermented herbal diets exhibited higher survival rates following bacterial challenge. Intestinal microbiota analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that fermented herbal supplementation modulated microbial community structure by reducing potential pathogens and increasing beneficial bacterial taxa associated with intestinal health. These findings suggest that microbial fermentation effectively enhances the biological efficacy of Chinese medicinal herbs. Fermented herbal feed additives represent a promising green alternative to antibiotics for soft-shelled turtle aquaculture. The global ban on prophylactic antibiotics drives the need for safe, effective feed alternatives. Microbial fermentation of Chinese herbs (FCM) is proposed to enhance efficacy and detoxification, but its comprehensive effects in aquaculture require deeper investigation. This study evaluated compound unfermented (CM) and fermented (FCM) Chinese herbal supplements on the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Initial screening showed fermentation generally enhanced the antibacterial activity of the herbs against common enteric pathogens (S. enteritidis, E. coli, S. flexneri). Results indicated that the FCM diet significantly improved physiological status, leading to higher red blood cell counts, better liver/kidney function (reduced ALT/AST, UREA), and stronger immune/antioxidant responses (increased Lysozyme and T-AOC) compared to CM or control diets. Critically, the FCM group achieved the highest survival rates across all single and combined pathogen challenges, demonstrating superior protective efficacy. Furthermore, FCM effectively modulated the gut microbiota, enriching beneficial fermentative bacteria. In conclusion, microbial fermentation significantly amplifies the health-promoting and protective benefits of Chinese herbal supplements in soft-shelled turtles, positioning FCM as a promising green alternative for disease control in aquaculture. Full article

Ashwagandha, a revered herb in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years, is recognized for its potential benefits in regulating sleep and supporting overall vitality. This study evaluated the comparative effects of Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) and melatonin (MLT) on sleep quality in adults. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 200 men and women aged 18–50 years were randomized to receive ARE (300 mg twice daily; n = 50), MLT (3 mg/day; n = 50), a combination of ARE (600 mg/day) and MLT (3 mg/day; n = 50), or placebo (n = 50) for eight weeks. The primary outcome was the change in sleep onset latency (SOL) from baseline to week eight, measured by actigraphy. Secondary outcomes included actigraphy-based changes in total sleep time (TST), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency (SE), as well as subjective measures such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A). At week eight, SOL was significantly reduced across treatment groups, with the ARE–MLT (p < 0.0001) combination showing the greatest improvement. The combination group also demonstrated significant improvements in TST (p < 0.0001), WASO (p < 0.0001), and SE (p < 0.0001), whereas ARE and MLT monotherapy produced moderate but comparable benefits. Inferential analyses confirmed statistically significant improvements in objective and subjective sleep measures (p < 0.0001). Safety analyses indicated that mild adverse events occurred across all groups, with no clinically significant between-group differences. Overall, both Ashwagandha and melatonin improved sleep disturbances in adults, with combination therapy producing the most consistent and pronounced benefits. Full article

Understanding the drivers of understory vegetation diversity in plantation forests is critical for ecosystem management, yet traditional analytical methods are often constrained by assumptions of normality, linearity, and independence among variables. This study used the geographical detector (GeoDetector) method to quantify the independent and interactive effects of environmental factors on understory plant diversity in Pinus tabuliformis plantations. We established 36 standard plots at the Shihe Forest Farm in the Zhongtiao Mountains of Shanxi Province, China. A total of 25 environmental factors, encompassing stand structure, topography, soil physical properties, and soil chemical properties, were examined as potential drivers of shrub-layer and herb-layer diversity. The results identified distinct key drivers for different vegetation layers. Shrub-layer diversity was primarily influenced by regeneration potential, aspect, soil non-capillary porosity, and total soil nitrogen. In contrast, herb-layer diversity was mainly driven by forest type, slope, soil non-capillary porosity, and the soil nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio. Factor interactions were widespread, with nonlinear enhancement and bivariate enhancement being the dominant types. The combined effect of interacting factors was consistently stronger than that of any single factor alone. Compared to conventional statistical methods, GeoDetector does not rely on linear assumptions and is unaffected by multicollinearity. This allows for more effective identification of drivers that have low independent explanatory power yet high ecological importance, as well as their interactive effects. This study demonstrates that vegetation diversity in P. tabuliformis plantations results from the synergistic effects of multiple factors. The findings provide a theoretical basis for managing and enhancing understory biodiversity in plantation ecosystems. Furthermore, they offer a novel and effective analytical framework for investigating the environmental driving mechanisms of understory vegetation diversity. Full article

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy herb that contains many useful nutrients, allowing it to easily overcome the threats to food security in countries of the Global South by adding fiber/bulk, folate and other available nutrients. In 2020, almost 220 metric tons of lettuce was produced in Pakistan. This high production needs attention to meet the demand. Southern Pakistan is facing water crises and the hydroponic system is one revolutionary technique which can allow the region to meet its food demand. In this experiment, different treatment combinations were used to study their effects and evaluate the best combination of nutrients to get the maximum production of lettuce. Results are concluded on the basis of last-week (5th week) production of shoot and root mass. Treatment one (T1) performed outstanding overall out of all four treatments across all parameters. Maximum average root and shoot length (RL, SL) was observed in treatment one (T1) at 5.94 cm and 15.50 cm respectively. Shoot length is directly proportional to production of the head of the plant. For root and shoot weight (RW, SW) treatment 1 (T1) is more effective than treatment 2 (T2). For treatment 1, root weight (RW) was recorded at 0.09 g and shoot weight (SW) was 0.22 g. The hydroponic system demands huge capital investment, which can be compensated by high production of crops. To increase the efficiency of the system, there is a dire need to calculate optimum nutrient combinations for application to the crop for a sound food security plan. Full article