Search Results (4,680)

Endophytic fungi from Malaysian medicinal plants constitute a metabolically prolific yet underexplored reservoir for natural product discovery. This scoping review of 56 studies published between 2015 and 2025 identified a fundamental methodological divergence within the field: while phenotypic bioactivity screening dominates the literature (>87% of studies), it is weakly supported by chemical characterization (<25%) and entirely disconnected from genomic investigation (0% biosynthetic gene cluster studies). This phenotype-first paradigm has largely confined the field to descriptive reporting, limiting mechanistic understanding and translational potential. Collectively, the evidence reveals a substantial disconnect between reported bioactivities and their underlying biosynthetic foundations. To address this limitation, a practical genotype-to-phenotype workflow is proposed that integrates strain prioritisation, multi-omics-guided activation, chemical mapping, and mechanism-oriented validation. By linking genomic potential with metabolite production and biological function, this framework provides a roadmap for advancing fungal natural product discovery beyond conventional phenotype-driven screening. Adoption of such approaches may improve the identification of chemically novel and biologically relevant metabolites while supporting the sustainable development of Malaysia’s endophytic fungal resources for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality in men globally. Although current therapies can control early-stage disease, advanced PCa remains difficult to treat because of therapeutic resistance and adverse side effects, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. Syzygium nervosum (SN), a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds such as gallic acid and ellagic acid, has demonstrated anticancer properties in several malignancies; however, its effects on PCa remain unclear. This study investigated the anticancer potential of SN using integrated computational and in vitro approaches. DU145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cells were treated with SN extract at concentrations of 25–400 µg/mL for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability, colony formation, and cell-cycle progression were evaluated to determine antiproliferative activity. In parallel, computational analyses were performed to predict molecular targets of SN-derived compounds. Our results displayed that SN extract reduced cell viability, suppressed clonogenic growth, and disrupted cell-cycle progression in both cell lines. Computational findings suggested that gallic and ellagic acids may interact with key regulatory proteins related to cell proliferation and survival, including AKT and CDK2. Overall, SN demonstrates promising anticancer activity and may represent a potential therapeutic source for prostate cancer treatment. Full article

The inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to lower angiotensin is important in the treatment of hypertension (HT). ACE inhibitory activity is rarely documented in Thai traditional and indigenous medicine. Here, we evaluated the angiotensin I–converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEi) activity through bio-screening of selected medicinal plant species traditionally used for HT treatment by ethnic communities in northern Thailand, including Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., Clerodendrum chinense (Osbeck) Mabb., Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb., and Zingiber purpureum Roscoe. Using an in vitro assay, ethanolic extracts were evaluated for ACE inhibitory activity. Among the four extracts tested, the ethanolic leaf extract of Blumea balsamifera was the most effective by reducing ACE activity by 29, 36, and 64% at concentrations of 0.4, 2.0, and 10.0 mg/mL, respectively. The rhizome extract of Zingiber purpureum showed the second highest activity, with inhibition rates of 34%, 39%, and 40% at the corresponding concentrations. Cytotoxicity testing in HEK293T kidney cells was conducted to underscore the detectable toxicity under the tested conditions. Interestingly, intercultural and cross-cultural comparisons revealed a degree of agreement in the use of medicinal plants for hypertension treatment. Plant species traditionally used across multiple cultures tended to show higher levels of ACE inhibitory activity, suggesting their potential as candidates for the development of novel anti-hypertensive agents. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the ACE inhibitory activity of medicinal plant species used for hypertension treatment by ethnic communities in northern Thailand. Full article

Experimental acute lung injury (ALI) models are widely used to investigate pulmonary inflammation and evaluate therapeutic strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Kaempferia marginata is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat fever and has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. 6β-Acetoxysandaracopimaradien-1α,9α-diol (ASPD), a major isopimarane-type diterpenoid isolated from this plant, has not previously been investigated for its effects on ALI. This study employed an integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation strategy to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of ASPD against LPS-induced ALI. Network pharmacology analysis identified several inflammation-related hub targets associated with Src, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signalling. In LPS-stimulated MLE-12 cells, ASPD reduced inflammatory cytokine production and inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK1/2, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, Akt, and GSK-3β. In mice with LPS-induced ALI, ASPD alleviated histopathological lung injury, pulmonary oedema, and inflammatory cell infiltration while reducing IL-6, TNF-α, and myeloperoxidase activity without apparent toxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated reduced Src and ERK1/2 expression in lung tissue. Molecular docking analysis predicted favourable binding affinities between ASPD and selected Src- and MAPK-related signalling proteins. These findings suggest that ASPD attenuates LPS-induced ALI and is associated with alterations in Src-, MAPK-, and Akt/GSK-3β-related signalling. Full article

Momordica charantia L. is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, including steroidal glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, triterpenoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, which exhibit antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer activities. This review summarizes its nutritional and phytochemical composition, green extraction technologies, molecular mechanisms, and industrial applications based on literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and other scientific databases. Ultrasound-assisted extraction is an efficient and eco-friendly method that provides higher recovery of bioactive compounds from M. charantia and improved bioavailability compared with enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, and conventional methods. The phytochemicals of M. charantia regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, and glucose homeostasis. Studies show that its antidiabetic effects involve improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced glucose uptake, and inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. These compounds also exhibit antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. M. charantia further demonstrates anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis, causing cell-cycle arrest, and downregulating proliferation pathways in several cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, HCT-116, HepG2, A549, and PANC-1. Beyond medicinal uses, it is applied in the food industry as a functional ingredient in products such as yogurt, cookies, pickles, bread, juice, oil, and beverages. Overall, M. charantia shows strong potential for therapeutic applications, including functional foods and pharmaceutical formulations targeting diabetes, inflammation, liver diseases, and cancer; however, further studies are needed to confirm its clinical efficacy. Full article

Background: Glucose and lipid metabolism disorders are characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis, all of which contribute to progressive metabolic dysfunction and tissue injury. As a plant extract mixture derived from mulberry leaves, lotus leaves, and Eucommia leaves, MELHAC (Mulberry–Eucommia–Lotus Herbal Aqueous Complex) was developed as a medicinal and edible formula with potential multi-component metabolic regulatory activity. In the present study, we systematically evaluated the effects of MELHAC on glucose and lipid metabolic abnormalities in high-fat diet (HFD) plus alloxan-induced mice. Methods: The phytochemical profile of MELHAC was characterized using untargeted LC–MS and network pharmacology. Its metabolic effects were evaluated in HFD plus alloxan-induced mice by measuring fasting blood glucose, serum lipid parameters, glucose tolerance, hepatic oxidative stress markers, histopathological changes, hepatic lipid accumulation, gut microbiota composition, and preliminary safety indices. Results: Chemical characterization revealed that MELHAC contains abundant bioactive constituents dominated by flavonoids, phenolic acids and alkaloids. In vivo experiments demonstrated that MELHAC lowered fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while ameliorating glucose intolerance and pathological damage in the liver, kidney and pancreas. MELHAC also improved liver-related biochemical abnormalities, increased hepatic superoxide dismutase, decreased malondialdehyde, and reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, indicating protective effects against oxidative stress and steatosis associated with metabolic dysfunction. In addition, MELHAC modulated gut microbial community structure and differential taxa linked to metabolic homeostasis. Short-term high-dose administration did not cause obvious abnormalities in serum biochemical, hematological, or histopathological indices. Conclusions: These findings suggest that MELHAC has potential as a plant-derived functional ingredient for improving glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and may provide an experimental basis for the future development of functional foods targeting metabolic health. Full article

Millettia speciosa Champ. (M. speciosa) is a traditional medicinal and edible plant with notable nutritional value and diverse biological activities. Although previous studies have investigated its botanical characteristics, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and potential applications, a systematic review remains lacking, limiting comprehensive understanding and further utilization of this plant. This review summarizes the botanical features and chemical constituents of M. speciosa, critically discusses its pharmacological activities, and evaluates its safety and beneficial health effects. While current experimental data suggest that M. speciosa has therapeutic potential, further validation is required, and significant research limitations remain, including the underutilization of its non-medicinal parts, the scarcity of clinical evidence, and limited progress in product development and commercial translation. These factors restrict further development and industrialization of this plant resource. Future studies should focus on several areas: the full utilization of whole-plant resources, the mechanisms of action of the plant’s active components, systematic toxicological evaluation and clinical translation, and the establishment of standardized quality evaluation systems. This may help unlock the full application potential of M. speciosa. Full article

Neuroinflammation, driven by microglial activation and oxidative stress, is a key pathological feature of various neurodegenerative diseases. Dendropanax morbifera Léveille (DM) is a medicinal plant known for its diverse pharmacological activities; however, the influence of leaf developmental stage on its neuroprotective potential remains poorly understood. In this study, we compared the phytochemical profiles of young DM (YDM) and mature DM leaves and evaluated their effects on neuronal metabolism and microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. HPLC analysis revealed that YDM contained approximately 2.4-fold higher levels of chlorogenic acid than DM, while DM exhibited higher quercetin content. In differentiated N2A neuronal cells, YDM treatment significantly upregulated the expression of key metabolic and mitochondrial regulators, including PGC-1α, PPARγ, and CPT2, suggesting enhanced mitochondrial and metabolic regulatory signaling related to biogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation. Under inflammatory conditions, YDM more potently suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia compared to DM. Furthermore, in N2A cells treated with BV2-conditioned medium, both extracts effectively mitigated reactive oxygen species production and restored brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. These findings demonstrate that leaf age is a critical determinant of the phytochemical composition and biological activity of DM. Our results suggest that chlorogenic acid-rich YDM preparations may offer superior therapeutic advantages in targeting neuroinflammatory and metabolic dysregulation in the central nervous system. Full article

Diabetes mellitus represents a major global health burden, necessitating the development of safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. Medicinal plants have gained increasing attention due to their bioactive compounds with potential hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics, phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and toxicological profile of hydroalcoholic tinctures obtained from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., Calendula arvensis L., and Polygonum hydropiper L. The tinctures were prepared by simple percolation using 70% ethanol and evaluated according to pharmacopoeial standards, including organoleptic properties, relative density, refractive index, alcohol content, and purity parameters. Phytochemical analysis was performed using thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometric methods, highlighting the presence of flavonoids and polyphenolcarboxylic acids, with several bands showing chromatographic and spectral similarities to chlorogenic and caffeic acid standards. Antioxidant activity was assessed through total polyphenol and flavonoid content, with Polygonum hydropiper exhibiting the highest values. The hypoglycemic effect was evaluated using the oral glucose tolerance test in normoglycemic mice, demonstrating significant reductions in blood glucose levels, particularly for Agrimonia pilosa at higher doses. Acute toxicity studies indicated a low toxicity profile, with no mortality observed even at high doses (up to 9 g/kg body weight), corresponding to GHS category 5. However, subacute toxicity assessment revealed species-dependent effects, ranging from minimal hepatic changes for Calendula arvensis to moderate hepatotoxicity for Polygonum hydropiper and more pronounced hepatic, renal, and pancreatic alterations for Agrimonia pilosa. These findings suggest that the investigated tinctures possess significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential, with generally favorable safety profiles following acute administration. Nevertheless, prolonged use may induce organ-specific toxicity, highlighting the need for further pharmacological and clinical investigations to establish their therapeutic applicability and safety in diabetes management. Full article

Polygonatum cyrtonema (P. cyrtonema) Hua is an important economic crop with both edible and medicinal value. However, frequent root rot severely restricts its industrial development, resulting in sharp yield reduction and quality deterioration. To clarify the primary pathogenic fungi causing root rot of P. cyrtonema Hua, 58 fungal strains from naturally diseased P. cyrtonema Hua plants in different habitats were isolated in this study. By combining morphological observation and molecular identification based on 18S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequences, the species of 22 pathogenic fungi were identified, among which 10 strains belonged to the genus Fusarium, accounting for 45.45% of the identified isolates. The pathogenicity of 21 pathogenic fungi was verified according to Koch’s postulates, with findings indicating that Fusarium species exhibited significant pathogenic potential. Meanwhile, six previously identified endophytic Paenibacillus strains isolated from P. cyrtonema Hua were employed to perform dual culture assays and antifungal evaluations of their fermentation supernatants against representative strains including F. concentricum F2, Neopestalotiopsis sp. F3 and F. oxysporum F8. The results indicated that the antagonistic activity exhibited by the six strains exceeded 50%, with the inhibition rates of their fermentation supernatants against strains F2, F3 and F8 surpassing 73%. This study confirmed that Fusarium is the dominant pathogenic fungal group causing root rot of P. cyrtonema Hua. Furthermore, highly effective antagonistic endophytes were preliminarily identified, offering candidate strains and a theoretical foundation for the green management of root rot in P. cyrtonema Hua. Full article

Chilli peppers (Capsicum species) have been widely used around the world because of their economic value and distinctive sensory characteristics. They contain abundant functional metabolites, especially a group of vanillylamide compounds belonging to the family of capsaicinoids, which have been exploited for medicinal, nutritional, agricultural, and cosmetic uses. The demand for capsaicinoid molecules is increasing day by day due to their high economic value and wide range of applications. Therefore, increasing bioactive metabolites, especially capsaicinoids in chilli peppers, is a major priority in the current scenario. Multi-omics approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have substantially contributed to understanding the complex regulatory networks governing capsaicinoid biosynthesis. Key structural genes, transcription factors, and signaling pathways involved in the phenylpropanoid and branched-chain fatty acid pathways have been identified, providing valuable targets for metabolic engineering in chilli pepper. Despite these advances, the integration of genetic modification approaches for the targeted enhancement of capsaicinoid production remains limited in chilli pepper. Recent developments in biotechnology, particularly CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome-editing, enable the precise genetic modification of metabolic pathways and regulatory networks in plants. Therefore, it can contribute to the precise modification of key genes involved in the capsaicinoid biosynthesis pathway, offering potential strategies to enhance the capsaicinoid content in chilli pepper. However, CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in chilli pepper is still in its early stages. There are currently no reports available on the successful enhancement of capsaicinoid content in chilli peppers through CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing. To date, no comprehensive review has evaluated the CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome-editing approaches for capsaicinoid metabolic engineering in chilli pepper. This review critically evaluates the recent advances in CRISPR/Cas–mediated metabolic engineering in chilli peppers, with particular emphasis on regulatory genes involved in capsaicinoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, multi-omics approaches are expected to complement these strategies by enabling the identification of key regulatory genes, the optimization of genome-editing targets, and the prediction of metabolic outcomes for enhanced capsaicinoid production. Overall, this review provides insights into improving capsaicinoid accumulation in chilli peppers through advanced genome-editing technologies. Full article

The divalent metal transporter DMT1 (SLC11A2) is implicated in diverse human pathologies including cancers, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Small molecules targeting this membrane protein are actively searched. Following the identification of the pyranocoumarin praeruptorin A as an inhibitor of ferroptosis that is able to bind to DMT1, we have investigated the interaction of related natural products with DMT1 using molecular modeling to determine structure-binding relationships. Two series of compounds were tested: praeruptorins A-H and qianhucoumarins A-J, all isolated previously from the roots of the Chinese medicinal plant Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (Bai-Hua Qian-Hu). The antitumor compound praeruptorin C was identified as the best DMT1 ligand in the series, with a binding capacity largely superior to that of praeruptorin A and also well superior to the reference organoselenium product ebselen, at least from an in silico perspective. Praeruptorin C, and to a lower extent praeruptorins F and H, can form stable complexes with DMT1 upon binding close to the ebselen binding site. Qianhucoumarins C and I were also identified as potential binders. Altogether, the analysis of the 18 natural products enabled identification of structural elements implicated in the target binding process. The curvature of the tricyclic pyranocoumarin scaffold and the angeloyl side chain at position 9 seem to contribute importantly to the protein interaction. An experimental validation is required but the docking study paves the way to the discovery and design of tricyclic coumarin derivatives targeting DMT1. Full article

Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is a phytochemically rich yet underexplored species with potential biomedical applications. This study aimed to provide an organ-specific chemical characterization of its secondary metabolites and to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of ethanolic extracts derived separately from its leaves and flowers. Using UHPLC-MS/MS, we identified a total of 54 compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. In total, 35 compounds in the flower extract and 38 in the leaf extract were reported here for the first time. The antimicrobial activity of both extracts was tested against six multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Acinetobacter baumannii) using seven concentration levels (12.5–87.5%). While the leaf extract showed limited antibacterial effects, the flower extract demonstrated stronger, concentration-dependent inhibitory effects. At concentrations of 62.5% and above, it markedly reduced viable bacterial counts in all tested MDR strains. These findings highlight the importance of organ-specific phytochemical analysis in medicinal plants and suggest that A. foeniculum, particularly its flowers, may serve as a promising source of bioactive compounds for further antimicrobial research and development. Full article

Zygophyllum fabago L. is traditionally used in folk medicine due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive morphological, anatomical, phytochemical, and microbiological investigation of Z. fabago collected in the Zhetysu region of Kazakhstan and to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of its extract. Morphological and microscopic analyses of the aerial parts were performed to establish diagnostic characteristics of the plant material. A 70% ethanolic extract obtained by ultrasonic extraction was subjected to GC-MS and LC-MS analyses, quantitative phytochemical assessment, and elemental profiling. The extract was further fractionated using solvents of different polarity. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected clinically relevant bacterial and fungal strains, while cytotoxicity was assessed using the Artemia salina model. Phytochemical analyses tentatively identified a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, fatty acids, and other bioactive constituents, together with appreciable levels of phenolic compounds and mineral elements. Several solvent fractions exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. In the Artemia salina assay, no detectable toxicity was observed for the ethanolic extract under the tested conditions. The results provide pharmacognostic and phytochemical data for Z. fabago collected in Kazakhstan and demonstrate the presence of diverse bioactive constituents. The observed antimicrobial activity and low toxicity in the applied screening model suggest that this species may represent a potential source of biologically active compounds and warrants further phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological investigations. Full article

Background:Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a medicinally important aromatic plant rich in bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse therapeutic properties. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile of R. officinalis leaf extracts, isolate carnosic acid as a major bioactive diterpene, and evaluate its biological activities. Methods: Leaf extracts were prepared using solvents of increasing polarity and analyzed by phytochemical screening and UHPLC/QTOF-MS. Carnosic acid was isolated by thin-layer chromatography and assessed for antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiproliferative activities using in vitro assays. Expression of apoptosis-related genes was also investigated. Results: Methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited the highest abundance of phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites, whereas the hexane extract showed lower phytochemical content. UHPLC/QTOF-MS identified seven major metabolites, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and abietane-type diterpenes. Purified carnosic acid demonstrated potent antibacterial activity (MIC: 10–23 μg/mL) and inhibited biofilm formation by up to 90%. Strong antioxidant activity was observed, with DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging IC₅₀ values of 125 and 130 μg/mL, respectively. The compound also exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activity and markedly inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Furthermore, carnosic acid exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative activity against MCF-7, HepG2, and MCF-10A cells, reducing cell viability to 10.8%, 16.9%, and 70.4 ± 1.8%, respectively, at 250 μg/mL, with corresponding IC₅₀ values of 28.3, 37.8, and >250 μg/mL, respectively. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of BAX and downregulation of BCL2, indicating activation of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Conclusions:R. officinalis leaves represent a valuable source of multifunctional phytochemicals, particularly carnosic acid. Its broad-spectrum biological activities and apoptosis-inducing potential support its promising application in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and biomedical fields. Full article