Search Results (1,681)

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

Asthma is a persistent ailment that impacts the respiratory system and stands as a formidable public health challenge globally. Inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators, while effective in asthma management, are accompanied by side effects and high costs. Recently, nutraceuticals have gained significant attention as adjuvant therapy due to their promising outcomes. Given the antioxidant properties, nutrient richness, and an array of health benefits, beetroot and its bioactive compounds have been tested as an adjuvant therapy for asthma management. Although its main bioactive compound, betalains (betanin), has demonstrated promising results in mouse studies, beetroot juice has been found to worsen asthma. This review investigated the full spectrum of active compounds associated with beetroots to understand the underlying factors contributing to the conflicting findings. The finding suggests that individual bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, nitrates, betalains, saponins, vitamins, fiber, and carotenoids, possess asthma-managing properties. However, the consumption of juice may exacerbate the condition. This discrepancy may be attributed to the presence of sugars and oxalates in the juice, which could counteract the beneficial effects of the bioactive compounds. Full article

The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus) is an endemic perennial plant of the Mediterranean area commonly consumed as food. It is known since ancient times for its beneficial properties for human health, among which its antioxidant activity due to polyphenolics stands out. In the frame of our ongoing studies aiming to highlight the biodiversity and the chemodiversity of natural resources, we investigated the phenolic and saponin content of the cultivar “Carciofo di Procida” collected at Procida, an island of the Gulf of Naples (Italy). Along with the edible part of the immature flower, we included in our analyses the stem and the external bracts, generally discarded for food consuming or industrial preparations. The LCMS quali-quantitative profiling of polyphenols (including anthocyanins) and cynarasaponins of this cultivar is reported for the first time. In addition to antioxidant properties, we observed a significant cytotoxic activity due to extracts from external bracts against human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines with 43% of cell viability, after 24 h from the treatment (50 μg/mL), and less potent but appreciable effects also against human colorectal adenocarcinoma CaCo-2 cells. This suggests that the different metabolite composition may be responsible for the bioactivity of extracts obtained from specific parts of artichoke and foresees a possible exploitation of the discarded material as a source of beneficial compounds. Full article

The genus Panax contains traditional herbs that have been widely used in traditional medicine. The active constituents, collectively known as ginsenosides, are well characterized in the most representative species, P. notoginseng. However, the major bioactive chemical constituents of P. stipuleanatus together with P. vietnamensis are relatively less studied. In this study, an untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed in P. notoginseng, P. stipuleanatus, and P. vietnamensis using root and leaf organs. Further metabolomic differences in P. stipuleanatus were compared with those of the two most prevalent species. The analysis results revealed tissue-specific qualitative and quantitative metabolic differences in each species. Several differentially accumulated metabolites were enriched in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including the biosynthesis of ginsenosides I. The ginsenosides Rb1, Rf, Rg1, Rh1, Rh8, and notoginsenosides E, M, and N had a higher abundance level in the roots of both P. notoginseng and P. vietnamensis. In P. stipuleanatus, the accumulation of potentially important ginsenosides is mainly found in the leaf. In particular, the dammarane-type ginsenosides Rb3, Rb1, Mx, and F2 as well as the notoginsenosides A, Fe, Fa, Fd, L, and N were identified to have a higher accumulation in the leaf. The strong positive correlation network of different ginsenosides probably enhanced secondary metabolism in each species. The comparative analysis revealed a significant differential accumulation of metabolites in the leaves of both species. The various compounds of dammarane-type ginsenoside, such as Rb1, Rg1, Rg6, Rh8, Rh10, Rh14, and majoroside F2, had a significantly higher concentration level in the leaves of P. stipuleanatus. In addition, several notoginsenoside compounds such as A, R1, Fe, Fd, and Ft1 showed a higher abundance in the leaf. These results show that the abundance level of major ginsenosides is significant in P. stipuleanatus and provides an important platform to improve the ginsenoside quality of Panax species. Full article

(1) Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by liver damage similar to alcoholic fatty liver disease, including triglyceride infiltration of hepatocytes, regardless of alcohol consumption. It leads to progressive liver damage, such as loss of liver function, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, and the response rate of drugs under clinical research is less than 50%. There is an urgent need for biomarkers to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs. (2) Methods: MASLD was induced in mice using a High-Fat diet (HF), Western diet (WD), and Methionine/Choline-Deficient diet (MCD) for 20 weeks (4 weeks for MCD). Liver tissue biopsies were performed, and the treatment effects of saponin and non-saponin feeds were evaluated. Fat accumulation and hepatic inflammation were measured, and mRNA sequencing analysis was conducted. The therapeutic effects were validated using patient-derived liver organoids. (3) Results: The NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) significantly increased in all MASLD models compared with controls. Saponin treatment decreased NAS in the HF and WD groups but not in the MCD group. RNA sequencing and PCA analysis showed that the HF saponin response samples were similar to normal controls. DAVID analysis revealed significant changes in lipid, triglyceride, and fatty acid metabolic processes. qRT-PCR confirmed decreased fibrosis markers in the HF saponin response group, and GSEA analysis showed reduced HAMP1 gene expression. (4) Conclusions: Among the diets, red ginseng was most effective in the HF diet, with significant effects in the saponin-treated group. The therapeutic efficacy was better when HAMP1 expression was increased. Therefore, we propose HAMP1 as a potential exploratory biomarker to assess the saponin response in a preclinical setting. In addition, the reduction of inflammation and hepatic iron accumulation suggests that saponins may exert antioxidant effects through modulation of oxidative stress. Full article

The popularity of bioactive compounds extracted from sea cucumbers is growing due to their wide application in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the development of drugs for neurological disorders. Different types of compounds, such as saponins, phenolic compounds, cerebrosides, and glucocerebrosides, are being studied intensively for their efficacy in assessing the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors, among others. Positive results have been observed in the upregulation in the content of p-CREB, p-PL3K, BDNF, SOD, and MDA. Furthermore, the neuroprotective mechanism of the compounds against Alzheimer’s disease revealed that suppressing the phosphorylation of tau protein by the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway leads to improved synaptic plasticity and reduced nerve fiber tangles. This comprehensive review explores recent findings on the therapeutic potential of sea cucumber bioactives in the treatment of brain-related disorders. Full article

Two triterpene saponins, hederagenin glucosides, including a novel monodesmoside: 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] hederagenin (compound 1), were isolated from the fruits of Oxybasis rubra (L.) S.Fuentes, Uotila & Borsh (Amaranthaceae). These compounds, together with hederagenin itself (compound 4) and a commercially available 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl hederagenin ester (compound 3), were evaluated for cytotoxicity and selectivity across a wide panel of human cancer cell lines (skin, prostate, gastrointestinal, thyroid, and lung). All four compounds exhibited dose- and time-dependent effects, with varying potency depending on the specific cancer type. The isolated bidesmosidic saponin (3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl] hederagenin 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester—compound 2) showed the strongest activity and selectivity, with an IC₅₀ = 6.52 μg/mL after 48 h incubation against WM793 melanoma, and almost no effect on normal HaCaT skin cells (IC₅₀ = 39.94 μg/mL). Multivariate analysis of the obtained data using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) supported the assumption that cytotoxicity is influenced by the type of compound, its concentration, and the intrinsic sensitivity of the cell line. Structure-activity observations between closely related hederagenin derivatives are also briefly presented. Full article

Vaccine adjuvants are non-immunogenic agents that enhance or modulate immune responses to co-administered antigens and are essential to modern vaccines. Despite their importance, few are approved for human use. The rise of new pathogens and limited efficacy of some existing vaccines underscore the need for more advanced and effective formulations, particularly for vulnerable populations. Aluminum-based adjuvants are commonly used in vaccines and effectively promote humoral immunity. However, they mainly induce a Th2-biased response, making them suboptimal for diseases requiring cell-mediated immunity. In contrast, saponin-based adjuvants from the Quillajaceae family elicit a more balanced Th1/Th2 response and generate antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL). Due to ecological damage and limited availability caused by overharvesting Quillaja saponaria Molina barks, efforts have intensified to identify alternative plant-derived saponins with enhanced efficacy and lower toxicity. Quillaja brasiliensis (A.St.-Hil. and Tul.) Mart. (syn. Quillaja lancifolia D.Don), a related species native to South America, is considered a promising renewable source of Quillajaceae saponins. In this review, we highlight recent advances in vaccine adjuvant research, with a particular focus on saponins extracted from Q. brasiliensis leaves as a sustainable alternative to Q. saponaria saponins. These saponin fractions are structurally and functionally comparable, exhibiting similar adjuvant activity when they were formulated with different viral antigens. An alternative application involves formulating saponins into nanoparticles known as ISCOMs (immune-stimulating complexes) or ISCOM-matrices. These formulations significantly reduce hemolytic activity while preserving strong immunoadjuvant properties. Therefore, research advances using saponin-based adjuvants (SBA) derived from Q. brasiliensis and their incorporation into new vaccine platforms may represent a viable and sustainable solution for the development of more less reactogenic, safer, and effective vaccines, especially for diseases that require a robust cellular immunity. Full article

Due to the limited scientific exploration of Argania spinosa (L.) skeel husk, this study presents the first investigation of the metabolite profile of methanol and acetone extracts analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution multistage mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/HRMSMS). A total of 43 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoid derivatives, saponins, and triterpenic acids, were identified, some of which have not been previously reported in this species. The total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) content were spectrophotometrically determined. A multi-target approach was applied to investigate the antioxidant potential using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), β-carotene bleaching, and Ferric Reducing Ability Power (FRAP) tests. Carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes and lipase inhibitory activities were also assessed. The acetone extract exhibited the highest TPC and TFC values, resulting in being the most active in β-carotene bleaching test with IC₅₀ values of 26.68 and 13.82 µg/mL, after 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. Moreover, it was the most active against both α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes with IC₅₀ values of 12.37 and 18.93 µg/mL, respectively. These results pointed out that this by-product is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals potentially useful for prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Full article

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

In this work, we report a green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Tradescantia spathacea (purple maguey) as bioreducing and stabilizing agents, which are plant extracts not previously employed for metal oxide nanoparticle synthesis. This method provides an efficient, eco-friendly, and reproducible route to obtain ZnO nanoparticles, while minimizing environmental impact compared to conventional chemical approaches. The extracts were prepared following a standardized protocol, and their phytochemical profiles, including total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity, were quantified via UV-Vis spectroscopy to confirm their reducing potential. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using zinc acetate dihydrate as a precursor, with variations in pH and precursor concentration in both aqueous and ethanolic media. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferential (101) orientation and lattice parameters a = b = 3.244 Å, c = 5.197 Å. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed agglomerated morphologies, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of phytochemicals such as quercetin, kaempferol, saponins, and terpenes, along with Zn–O bonding, indicating surface functionalization. Zeta potential measurements showed improved dispersion under alkaline conditions, particularly with ethanolic extracts. This study presents a sustainable synthesis strategy with tunable parameters, highlighting the critical influence of precursor concentration and solvent environment on ZnO nanoparticle formation. Notably, aqueous extracts promote ZnO synthesis at low precursor concentrations, while alkaline conditions are essential when using ethanolic extracts. Compared to other green synthesis methods, this strategy offers control and reproducibility and employs a non-toxic, underexplored plant source rich in phytochemicals, potentially enhancing the crystallinity, surface functionality, and application potential of the resulting ZnO nanoparticles. These materials show promise for applications in photocatalysis, in antimicrobial coatings, in UV-blocking formulations, and as functional additives in optoelectronic and environmental remediation technologies. Full article

This study investigates the potential for the microbial transformation of camelliagenin B, a saponin derived from Camellia oleifera seed cake meal, to develop novel metabolites. We employed three microbial strains, specifically Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Bacillus megaterium CGMCC 1.1741, and Streptomyces griseus ATCC 13273, to biotransform camelliagenin B into its derivatives. The compounds were purified and separated using chromatographic techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Structural identification was carried out using spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Ten bioactive compounds were obtained (1a-1j), of which nine were novel with multiple tailoring reactions, such as allyl oxidation, C-C double-bond rearrangement, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and glycosylation, observed in camelliagenin B analogs. The structures of these compounds were determined by 1D/2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS analysis. Therefore, this study showcases the capacity of microbial transformation as a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for generating bioactive compounds from C. oleifera seed cake meals. The individual chemicals can potentially facilitate the design of novel medicinal agents, functional foods, and natural preservatives. Full article

Livestock farming is a vital component of global food security, yet it remains a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH₄), which has a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂). This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge surrounding the sources, biological mechanisms, and mitigation strategies related to CH₄ emissions from ruminant livestock. We first explore the process of methanogenesis within the rumen, detailing the role of methanogenic archaea and the environmental factors influencing CH₄ production. A thorough assessment of both direct and indirect methods used to quantify CH₄ emissions is presented, including in vitro techniques (e.g., syringe method, batch culture, RUSITEC), in vivo techniques (e.g., respiration chambers, Greenfeed, laser CH₄ detectors), and statistical modeling approaches. The advantages and limitations of each method are critically analyzed in terms of accuracy, cost, feasibility, and applicability to different farming systems. We then examine a wide range of mitigation strategies, organized into four core pillars: (1) animal and feed management (e.g., genetic selection, pasture quality improvement), (2) diet formulation (e.g., feed additives such as oils, tannins, saponins, and seaweed), (3) rumen manipulation (e.g., probiotics, ionophores, defaunation, vaccination), and (4) manure management practices and policy-level interventions. These strategies are evaluated not only for their environmental impact but also for their economic and practical viability in diverse livestock systems. By integrating technological innovations with sustainable agricultural practices, this review highlights pathways to reduce CH₄ emissions while maintaining animal productivity. It aims to support decision-makers, researchers, and livestock producers in the global effort to transition toward climate-smart, low-emission livestock farming. Full article

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that has a significant impact on public health and is becoming more and more common worldwide. Although effective, conventional therapies are often limited by high cost, adverse effects, and issues with patient compliance. As a result, there is growing interest in complementary and alternative therapies. Medicinal plants have played an essential role in diabetes treatment, especially in regions such as Romania, where biodiversity is high and traditional knowledge is well preserved. The pathophysiology, risk factors, and worldwide burden of diabetes are examined in this review, with an emphasis on the traditional use of medicinal plants for glycemic control. A total of 47 plant species were identified based on ethnopharmacological records and recent biomedical research, including both native flora and widely cultivated species. The bioactive compounds identified, such as flavonoids, triterpenic saponins, polyphenols, and alkaloids, have hypoglycemic effects through diverse mechanisms, including β-cell regeneration, insulin-mimetic action, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, and oxidative stress reduction. A systematic literature search was conducted, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies relevant to antidiabetic activity. Among the species reviewed, Urtica dioica, Silybum marianum, and Momordica charantia exhibited the most promising antidiabetic activity based on both preclinical and clinical evidence. Despite promising preclinical results, clinical evidence remains limited, and variability in phytochemical content poses challenges to reproducibility. This review highlights the potential of Romanian medicinal flora as a source of adjunctive therapies in diabetes care and underscores the need for standardization and clinical validation. Full article

Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) is a perennial herb containing various bioactive compounds that promote human health. In this study, single-factor experiments were first conducted, followed by the optimization of extraction conditions to maximize the saponin content from red sage root extracts. In the single-factor experiments, the highest saponin content (47.5 ± 0.88 mg/g) was obtained using 80% ethanol, a solvent-to-material ratio of 40:1 (mL/g), an extraction period of 3 h, and an extraction temperature of 60 °C. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was performed to optimize the extraction parameters with a material-to-solvent ratio of 41.31:1 (mL/g), an extraction temperature of 58.08 °C, and an extraction time of 3.16 h. Under these optimized conditions, the experimental saponin content reached 47.71 ± 0.15 mg/g. Additionally, crude extract of red sage exhibited antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals with an IC₅₀ value of 16.24 µg/mL. This extract also demonstrated anticancer against 61.79 ± 3.57% HepG2 cancer cells at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. Full article