Search Results (1,269)

Senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, collectively referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Certain pro-inflammatory SASP factors are known to inhibit the differentiation of bone-forming osteoblast while promoting the differentiation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts, thereby causing osteoporosis. In this study, we screened cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat medullary thyroid cancer, for its ability to reduce doxorubicin-induced cellular senescence in both osteoblast and osteoclast progenitors. This non-cytotoxic agent suppressed the secretion of SASP factors (e.g., TNFα, IL1α, IL1β, IL6, and CCL2) from senescent osteoblast and osteoclast progenitors, resulting in enhanced osteoblast differentiation and reduced osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of cabozantinib to age-related estrogen-deficient mice subjected to ovariectomy prevented bone loss without apparent side effects, increasing osteoblast numbers and reducing osteoclast numbers along the surface of the trabecular bone. In summary, our findings suggest that anti-aging cabozantinib has potential as a preventive anti-osteoporotic agent by promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis through the repression of SASP. Full article

This study presents research on the production of activated biocarbons derived from herbal waste. Sage stems were chemically activated with two activating agents of different chemical natures—H₃PO₄ and K₂CO₃—and subjected to two thermal treatment methods: conventional and microwave heating. The effect of the activating agent type and heating method on the basic physicochemical properties of the resulting activated biocarbons was investigated. These properties included surface morphology, elemental composition, ash content, pH of aqueous extracts, the content and nature of surface functional groups, points of zero charge, and isoelectric points, as well as the type of porous structure formed. In addition, the potential of the prepared carbonaceous materials as adsorbents of model organic (represented by Triton X-100 and methylene blue) and inorganic (represented by iodine) pollutants was assessed. The influence of the initial adsorbate concentration (5–150 (dye) and 10–800 mg/dm³ (surfactant)), temperature (20–40 °C), and pH (2–10) of the system on the efficiency of contaminant removal from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The adsorption kinetics were also investigated to better understand the rate and mechanism of contaminant uptake by the prepared activated biocarbons. The results showed that materials activated with orthophosphoric acid exhibited a significantly higher sorption capacity for all tested adsorbates compared to their potassium carbonate-activated counterparts. Microwave heating was found to be more effective in promoting the formation of a well-developed specific surface area (471–1151 m²/g) and porous structure (mean pore size 2.17–3.84 nm), which directly enhanced the sorption capacity of both organic and inorganic contaminants. The maximum adsorption capacities for iodine, methylene blue, and Triton X-100 reached the levels of 927.0, 298.4, and 644.3 mg/g, respectively, on the surface of the H₃PO₄-activated sample obtained by microwave heating. It was confirmed that the heating method used during the activation step plays a key role in determining the physicochemical properties and sorption efficiency of activated biocarbons. Full article

This review highlights the critical role of chemotaxonomy in the identification, authentication, and discovery of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. By analyzing secondary metabolites using techniques like UV spectroscopy, FTIR, HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, LC-MS-Qtof, and MALDI-TOF MS, chemotaxonomy ensures accurate plant identification, supporting the safe and effective use of plants in herbal medicine. Key secondary metabolites used in chemotaxonomic identification include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, tannins, and plant peptides. Chemotaxonomy also facilitates the discovery of novel compounds with therapeutic potential, contributing to drug development. The integration of chemotaxonomy with genomics and proteomics allows a deeper understanding of plant biosynthesis and the mechanisms behind bioactive compound production. However, challenges due to variability in metabolite profiles and the lack of standardized methods remain, and future research should focus on developing global databases, improving standardization, and incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance plant identification and bioactive compound discovery. The integration of chemotaxonomy with personalized medicine offers the potential to tailor plant-based therapies to individual genetic profiles, advancing targeted treatments. This review underscores chemotaxonomy’s importance in bridging traditional knowledge and modern science, offering sustainable solutions for medicinal plant use and drug development. Full article

Mass spectrometric (MS) fingerprinting coupled with chemometrics for the detection of plants in plant mixtures is sparsely researched. This paper aims to check its value for herbal adulteration concerning plants with slimming as an indication. Moreover, it is among the first to exploit the full three-dimensional dataset (i.e., time × intensity × mass) obtained with liquid chromatography hyphenated with MS for herbal fingerprinting purposes. The MS parameters were optimized to achieve highly specific fingerprints. Trituration’s (total 55), blanks (total 11) and reference plants were injected in the MS system to generate the dataset. The dataset was complex and humongous, necessitating the application of compression techniques. After compression, Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was performed to generate models validated for accuracy using cross-validation and an external test set. Confusion matrices were constructed to provide insight into the modeling predictions. A complimentary evaluation between data obtained using a previously developed Diode Array Detection (DAD) method and the MS data was performed by data fusion techniques and newly generated models. The fused dataset models were comparable to MS models. For ease of application, MS modeling was deemed to be superior. The future market studies would adopt MS modeling as the preferred choice. A proof of concept was carried out on 10 real-life samples obtained from illegal sources. The results indicated the need for stronger monitoring of (illegal) plant food supplements entering the market, especially via the internet. Full article

Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) exhibit diverse structures and pharmacological effects. Annotating MIAs in herbal medicines remains challenging when using liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). This study introduced a new annotation strategy employing LC-HRMS to efficiently identify MIAs in herbal medicines. Briefly, MS² spectra under multiple collision energies (MCEs/MS²) helped capture high-quality product ions across a range of mass-to-charge (m/z) values, revealing key MS² features such as diagnostic product ions (DPIs), characteristic cleavages (CCs), and neutral/radical losses (NLs/RLs). Next, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) was created to map the structural relationships among MIAs across large MS datasets. Potential MIAs were then graded and annotated through systematic comparison with known biosynthetic pathways (BPs), derived skeletons, and their characteristic substituents. The MCEs/MS²-FBMN/BPs workflow was first applied to annotate MIAs in the alkaloids from the leaf of Alstonia scholaris (ALAS), a new botanical drug for respiratory diseases. A total of 229 MIAs were systematically annotated and classified, forming a solid basis for future clinical research on ALAS. This study offers an effective strategy that enhances the structural annotation of MIAs within complex herbal medicines. Full article

Dairy mastitis is a common dairy farming disease. It severely affects the health of dairy cows and the quality and yield of dairy products. This paper reviews the main current mastitis treatments and associated bacterial resistance. It emphasizes the importance of integrated resistance and treatment management. The therapeutic efficacy and resistance associated with commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins, macrolides and fluoroquinolones are analyzed. The principles, application effects and benefits of non-antibiotic therapies are also discussed, including those of immunotherapy, herbal therapy, probiotic therapy and phage therapy. The paper presents the latest gene editing and nanotechnology advances in the contexts of big data and artificial intelligence. It suggests future research directions such as developing new antibiotics, optimizing treatment and enhancing immunity. In conclusion, effective treatment and management can control dairy cow mastitis. It can guarantee cow health, improve dairy product quality and promote sustainable dairy industry development. Full article

Viscum coloratum (Komar.) Nakai (V. coloratum) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It is used in treating rheumatism and paralysis, lumbar and knee soreness, weakness of the muscles and bones, excessive leakage of menstruation, leakage of blood in pregnancy, restlessness of the fetus, dizziness and vertigo. All information about V. coloratum was collected through databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and supplemented by consulting classical Chinese medical books. To date, 111 compounds have been isolated and identified from V. coloratum, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, diarylheptanoids, alkaloids, other components, and macromolecular compounds, such as polysaccharides and lectins. These chemical components exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-cardiovascular disease effects, among other beneficial effects. According to the reports, alkaloids, lectins, and other chemical components present in V. coloratum may induce toxicity due to excessive intake or accidental ingestion. However, there are few reports on the toxicology of V. coloratum, and there is a lack of studies on the toxicity of V. coloratum with known in vitro or preclinical activity. It is suggested that further studies on the toxicology of V. coloratum should be conducted in the future. In this paper, the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of V. coloratum are summarized, and the progress and shortcomings in toxicology are discussed, so as to provide a possible direction for future research on V. coloratum. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is considered the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide; treating this disease remains quite challenging. Environmental and genetic factors may play a role in the pathophysiology of PD. α-synuclein aggregation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, mitochondrial failure, neuroinflammation, and gut dysbiosis are among the known risk factors of PD. The pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease is complicated by the interconnections between these molecular pathways, which also present significant obstacles to treatment development. However, due to its complex mechanism and long latency, PD is difficult to diagnose and detect, which presents a barrier to treatment. In addition, the need to develop new treatments for PD is increased by the fact that the majority of traditional therapeutic methods have major side effects and limited effects. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying PD is required. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of PD pathophysiology, paying particular attention to the molecular processes of PD, as well as the traditional research models, clinical diagnostic standards, documented medication therapeutic approaches, and recently disclosed drug candidates in clinical trials. We also highlighted the herbal-derived components that have recently been identified for their effects in the treatment of PD to provide a review and perspectives for the development of the next generation of drugs and preparations for the treatment of PD. Full article

For centuries, traditional medical systems have utilized Cistus leaf infusions, extracts, and essential oils in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, respiratory infections, febrile illnesses, and gastrointestinal disorders. Contemporary research has increasingly focused on the identification and characterization of biologically active constituents—particularly polyphenols and other antioxidants—that may modulate key physiological and cellular processes in the human body. These include mechanisms related to oxidative stress, inflammation, aging, and carcinogenesis. The therapeutic relevance of Cistus-derived compounds is further supported by their generally favorable safety profile and high tolerability, which distinguishes them from many synthetic pharmaceuticals. Moreover, the accessibility of Cistus preparations as dietary supplements or herbal infusions allows for their regular consumption without the need for complex therapeutic regimens. This positions Cistus as a promising candidate for integrative health strategies aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological potential and therapeutic applications of Cistus extracts, with particular emphasis on their antioxidant and bioactive properties. Full article

In recent years, cosmetic science has adopted a more integrative approach to skincare, in which sensory experience and psychophysical well-being are increasingly valued. In this context, plant-derived ingredients, particularly those from officinal species, are gaining attention for their multifunctional bioactivities. This review explores a curated selection of medicinal plants widely used or emerging in dermocosmetics, highlighting their phytochemical composition, mechanisms of action, and experimental support. A narrative literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed and Scopus, targeting studies on topical cosmetic applications. Results show that many officinal plants, including Camellia sinensis, Panax ginseng, and Mentha piperita, offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, photoprotective, and anti-aging benefits. Less conventional species, such as Drosera ramentacea and Kigelia africana, demonstrated depigmenting and wound-healing potential. In particular, bioactive constituents like flavonoids, iridoids, saponins, and polyphenols act on key skin targets such as COX-2, MMPs, tyrosinase, and the Nrf2 pathway. These findings underscore the potential of botanical extracts to serve as effective, natural, and multifunctional agents in modern skincare. While only Mentha piperita is currently recognized as a traditional herbal medicinal product for dermatological use, this research supports the broader dermocosmetic integration of these species. Full article

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are a class of systemic insecticides widely used in agriculture owing to their high efficacy and selectivity. As one of the most globally consumed beverages, tea may represent a potential dietary source of pesticide residues. However, limited research has examined NEO contamination in tea and its implications for human exposure, highlighting the need for further investigation. Therefore, this study comprehensively evaluated the residue characteristics, processing effects, and human exposure risks of six NEOs—dinotefuran (DIN), imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), thiamethoxam (THM), clothianidin (CLO), and thiacloprid (THI)—in Chinese tea products. According to the findings, the primary pollutants, ACE, DIN, and IMI, accounted for 95.65% of the total NEO residues in 137 tea samples, including green, oolong, white, black, dark, and herbal teas. The highest total target NEO (∑₆NEOs) residue level was detected in oolong tea (mean: 57.86 ng/g). Meanwhile, IMI exhibited the highest residue level (78.88 ng/g) in herbal tea due to the absence of high-temperature fixation procedures. Concentrations of DIN in 61 samples (44.5%) exceeded the European Union’s maximum residue limit of 10 ng/g. Health risk assessment indicated that both the chronic hazard quotient (cHQ) and acute hazard quotient (aHQ) for adults and children were below the safety threshold (<1). However, children required special attention, as their exposure risk was 1.28 times higher than that of adults. The distribution of NEO residues was significantly influenced by tea processing techniques, such as full fermentation in black tea. Optimizing processing methods (e.g., using infrared enzyme deactivation) and implementing targeted pesticide application strategies may help mitigate risk. These results provide a scientific foundation for enhancing tea safety regulations and protecting consumer health. Full article

This study investigated aroma changes in Hui Li red Sichuan pepper across five different harvesting times within their typical optimum period based on 24 traditional solar terms, employing sensory evaluation, electronic nose (E-nose), gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) combined with relative odour activity value (ROAV) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Sensory analysis indicated that peppers were characterised by green, citrus, minty, sweet, woody, and peppery numbing aroma attributes. E-nose revealed the greatest aroma difference in peppers occurred between the early and late optimum harvest stages. GC-IMS identified 71 volatile compounds, with esters being the most abundant. Six key compounds identified were crucial for distinguishing peppers harvested at different times. Findings provided a valuable contribution to decide the optimal harvest window for Hui Li red Sichuan peppers, maximising their applications in the seasoning industry. Full article

Muscle atrophy, characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, remains a significant therapeutic challenge. Jakyak-gamcho-tang (JGT) is a traditional herbal formulation that has demonstrated promising muscle-protective effects; however, the key bioactive constituents and the influence of different extraction methods have not yet been fully elucidated. This study compared the muscle-protective effects of the ethanol and water extracts of JGT (JGT-E and JGT-W, respectively), while also identifying the principal bioactive compounds that contribute to the enhanced efficacy of JGT-E. An integrative methodological approach was adopted, incorporating transcriptomic profiling, network pharmacology analysis, antioxidant activity assays, and in vitro validation using C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes. This comprehensive investigation enabled a detailed assessment of the biological activities of both JGT-E and JGT-W. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that JGT-E significantly modulates key pathways involved in oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and signaling cascades related to PGC-1α, mTORC1, and ERRα, while simultaneously inhibiting TGF-β-mediated muscle atrophic signaling. Functional assays demonstrated that under oxidative stress conditions, JGT-E preserved mitochondrial content more effectively, reduced reactive oxygen species levels, and enhanced both myoblast viability and myotube integrity. Network pharmacology analysis identified isoliquiritigenin, catechin, and glabridin as major bioactive compounds enriched in JGT-E, all of which play critical roles in mitigating oxidative stress and supporting mitochondrial function. These findings were further substantiated by antioxidant assays that confirmed the contribution of these compounds to the observed muscle-protective effects of JGT-E. Overall, JGT-E exhibited superior efficacy in preventing muscle atrophy compared to JGT-W, likely due to its enriched profile of potent bioactive constituents. These results highlight the critical role of extraction methods in herbal medicine research and support the potential of JGT-E as a promising candidate for the treatment of muscle atrophy. Full article

The global sleep aids market has grown significantly due to rising stress and increased awareness of sleep’s importance. Melatonin, available in the EU as a prescription or over-the-counter medicine, depending on the country, is also permitted in dietary supplements with country-specific limits. Recent reports indicate concerning levels of excessive melatonin in EU dietary supplements, necessitating accurate quantification methods. We developed and validated, by applying accuracy profiles, ISO17025-compliant, rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) methodologies coupled with either diode array detection (DAD) or high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRAM MS). The cost-effective UHPLC-DAD method is suitable for medicines and most dietary supplements, except those more complex herbal matrices containing passionflower, hop, hemp, lime tree or lavender or their extracts, where UHPLC-HRAM MS is recommended due to selectivity issues of the DAD methodology. To demonstrate the applicability, we analyzed 50 dietary supplements claiming to contain melatonin—25 from legal supply chains and 25 from suspicious sources claiming therapeutic melatonin content. Our findings confirmed previous reports of high melatonin content in online products, especially when purchased through rogue internet pharmacies. Moreover, 12% of legal supply chain samples violated current legislation through unauthorized health claims or contained at least triple the melatonin amount permitted in Belgium. This research provides reliable analytical methods for regulatory bodies and confirms the circulation of non-compliant melatonin-containing dietary supplements in the EU market, even in the legal supply chain. Full article

The Quality by Design (QbD) concept has been widely applied to the optimization of traditional Chinese medicine production processes recently. This work focused on optimizing the critical purification process of Scutellaria baicalensis extract used in the preparation of Zhusheyong Shuanghuanglian. Considering the impact of noise parameters and changes in herbal properties, an experimental design method was employed for optimization. Multiple batches of Scutellaria baicalensis decoction were prepared in this research, and quantitative models of Scutellaria baicalensis herbal properties, critical process parameters (CPPs), and process evaluation indicators were established. The R² of the quantitative models were all higher than 0.80. According to the model, the yield of baicalin was identified as a critical material property (CMA). The pH of first acid precipitation (X₁), first temperature holding time (X₂), pH of alkalization (X₃), ethanol amount (X₄), and end pH of ethanol washing (X₅) were CPPs. Considering the difficulty in controlling the end pH of the ethanol washing, it was considered to be a noise parameter. The Monte Carlo probability-based method was used to calculate the design space, determining the range of controllable parameters, which was successfully validated through experiments. Normal operation ranges for controllable parameters are recommended as follows: X₁ of 0.8–2.2, X₂ of 25–35 min, X₃ of 6.5–7.5, and X₄ of 0.8–1.2 g/g. Full article