Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Chemistry chemistry	2.6	4.4	2019	13 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Foods foods	6.0	10.3	2012	14.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Molecules molecules	5.1	10.3	1996	15.6 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Organics organics	3.2	3.3	2020	19 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals	5.7	9.0	2004	14.3 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Plants plants	4.7	8.5	2012	14.8 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Polysaccharides polysaccharides	4.1	7.7	2020	20.3 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Sci sci	4.1	5.4	2019	28.2 Days	CHF 1400	Submit

26 pages, 2256 KB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Study of Hops (Humulus lupulus L.): Botany, Phytochemistry, Cultivation, and Industrial Uses—Brewing, Pharmaceuticals, and Cosmetics

by Miguel Á. Collado and Francisco José González-Minero

Plants 2026, 15(18), 2817; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15182817 - 14 Sep 2026

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Abstract

Research on the multifaceted aspects of hops remains an active area of research with numerous publications appearing in recent years. In this article, we present a comprehensive review integrating foundational literature with contemporary studies, primarily those indexed in the Web of Science and [...] Read more.

Research on the multifaceted aspects of hops remains an active area of research with numerous publications appearing in recent years. In this article, we present a comprehensive review integrating foundational literature with contemporary studies, primarily those indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. We compile a broad range of information on the species, encompassing ethnobotanical and taxonomic data, including its taxonomic position, morphological characteristics, nomenclature, palynology, and karyology. This review also provides a synthesis of recent genome sequencing studies, research on plant-derived powders, and extensive phytochemical investigations, together with information on cultivation practices and diseases. Furthermore, it examines the industrial and economic applications of hops, highlighting their importance in brewing, their medicinal uses, and their incorporation into cosmetic formulations. Considerations regarding toxicity and the safety of hop extracts are also addressed. From both economic and human health perspectives, H. lupulus is a plant of remarkable versatility and significance. Therefore, sustained interdisciplinary research is essential to fully elucidate and harness its diverse potential. Ultimately, the primary objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive understanding of this species for researchers across the various disciplines and professional sectors mentioned above. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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26 pages, 2394 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bioassay-Guided Evaluation and LC-MS/MS Characterization of Five Limonia acidissima L. Plant Parts: A Multitarget Approach Against Acne Vulgaris

by Ika Maruya Kusuma, Berna Elya, Herman Suryadi, Iskandarsyah Iskandarsyah, Mariska Eka Putri, Fadilah Fadilah, Ummu Mastna Zuhri and Najihah Mohd Hashim

Molecules 2026, 31(18), 3234; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31183234 (registering DOI) - 13 Sep 2026

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Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial inflammatory disorder involving bacterial colonization, oxidative stress, and lipid-mediated inflammation, necessitating a comprehensive multitarget approach. This study evaluated the anti-acne potential of five morphological parts of Limonia acidissima L. using an integrated in vitro and in silico approach. [...] Read more.

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial inflammatory disorder involving bacterial colonization, oxidative stress, and lipid-mediated inflammation, necessitating a comprehensive multitarget approach. This study evaluated the anti-acne potential of five morphological parts of Limonia acidissima L. using an integrated in vitro and in silico approach. Ultrasound-assisted extracts were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, antioxidant activity using DPPH and ABTS assays, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC). TOPSIS was applied to minimize selection bias and identified the leaf extract as the optimal candidate (closeness coefficient = 0.88325). LC-MS/MS tentatively identified major metabolites, including vitexin, quercetin, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, caffeate, methyleugenol, indole, and linolenic acid. Molecular docking predicted favorable interactions of linolenic acid with C. acnes KAS III (Rerank Score = −78.470) and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) (Rerank Score = −101.025), as well as cyanidin-3-O-galactoside with S. epidermidis (Rerank Score = −109.588) and KEAP1 (Rerank Score = −132.253). SwissADME analysis further suggested favorable drug-likeness and skin-permeation profiles. Collectively, these findings support the potential of L. acidissima leaf extract as a promising multitarget anti-acne candidate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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21 pages, 9852 KB

Open AccessArticle

Emulsion Gels Stabilized Using Sweet Almond Expeller Globulin Modified by Ultrasonication Assisted with Chlorogenic Acid Conjugation: Preparation, Characterization, Stability, and Applications in Curcumin

by Yi Li, Ling Dang, Biao Ma, Yanan Ren and Yajun Zheng

Foods 2026, 15(18), 3213; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15183213 - 11 Sep 2026

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Abstract

Almond expeller is high in protein content and produced in large quantities every year; however, its utilization in the food industry remains limited. To provide new strategies to enhance the performance of protein-based emulsion gels and expand the applications of sweet almond expeller [...] Read more.

Almond expeller is high in protein content and produced in large quantities every year; however, its utilization in the food industry remains limited. To provide new strategies to enhance the performance of protein-based emulsion gels and expand the applications of sweet almond expeller globulin (SAEG) in the food industry, emulsion gels were formed using sweet almond expeller globulin modified by ultrasonication and chlorogenic acid conjugation (SAEG-UCA) in this study. The results showed that ultrasonication and chlorogenic acid grafting improved the emulsifying capacity (from 67.51 to 143.65 m²/g) and emulsion stability (from 70.37% to 87.18%) of SAEG by increasing its solubility and interface sorption capacity and enhancing the zeta potential within the emulsion (p < 0.05). Compared with the SAEG-emulsion gel, the SAEG-UCA-emulsion gel exhibited a more compact and denser gel structure, higher crystallinity (30.71%), bound water content and viscosity, and superior rheological stability (lower loss factor) and elasticity. Furthermore, the SAEG-UCA-emulsion gel showed superior oxidative stability, and higher chewiness (32.35 g), springiness (0.77), hardness (78.63 g), and cohesiveness (0.72) than SAEG-emulsion gel. Additionally, the SAEG-UCA-emulsion gel improved the photostability, encapsulation and loading capacities, and bioaccessibility of curcumin (p < 0.05). However, more specific mechanisms should be investigated in future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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17 pages, 12011 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages of an Inulin-Type Fructan (AVP-1-2) Isolated from Allium victorialis L.

by Xinyang Guo, Xiaoxiao Xiong, Xueqi Wang, Zeran Wang, Jingran Zhao, Ziyu Wang, Sijia Jiang and Ying Chang

Plants 2026, 15(17), 2687; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15172687 - 1 Sep 2026

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Abstract

Allium victorialis L. is a significant plant traditionally used as both food and medicine in Northeast China. However, the structural and functional studies of its polysaccharide components remain limited. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of AVP-1-2 (DP 27), an [...] Read more.

Allium victorialis L. is a significant plant traditionally used as both food and medicine in Northeast China. However, the structural and functional studies of its polysaccharide components remain limited. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of AVP-1-2 (DP 27), an inulin-type fructan isolated from A. victorialis, using an LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model. Its structural characterization was determined through methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. AVP-1-2 is an inulin-type fructan composed of fructose and glucose. The backbone consists mainly of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→, with minor glucose residues and limited branching. The qPCR and ELISA results indicated that AVP-1-2 effectively suppressed the mRNA expression and protein secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in a cellular model. Overall, this work provides new structural and functional insights into A. victorialis polysaccharides and offers a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive utilization of A. victorialis resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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28 pages, 5969 KB

Open AccessReview

Unlocking the Anticancer Potential of Patchouli Leaves: Molecular Mechanisms and Translational Perspectives

by Elshan Musazade, Lizhu Qin, Fengshuo Yu, Nan Li, Liquan Guo and Chunyu Zhang

Molecules 2026, 31(16), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31162870 - 17 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of global mortality, with its incidence continuing to rise due to population growth, aging, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. Despite significant advances in early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, the clinical management of cancer is still hindered [...] Read more.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of global mortality, with its incidence continuing to rise due to population growth, aging, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. Despite significant advances in early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, the clinical management of cancer is still hindered by drug resistance, limited selectivity, and treatment-related toxicity. Consequently, increasing attention has been directed toward natural products as sources of novel anticancer agents with improved efficacy and reduced adverse effects. Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, has emerged as a promising candidate owing to its diverse bioactive constituents and broad pharmacological properties. This review systematically summarizes and critically evaluates current evidence on the anticancer potential of patchouli leaves, with particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms and translational relevance. Based on available experimental and preclinical studies, patchouli and its major phytochemicals exhibit notable anticancer activity against a wide range of malignancies, including endometrial, ovarian, liver, skin, nasopharyngeal, prostate, hematological, colorectal, and lung cancers. Mechanistically, these effects are primarily associated with the modulation of apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, oxidative stress, and key oncogenic signaling pathways, as well as potential synergistic interactions with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Overall, this review highlights the therapeutic promise of patchouli leaves as a source of anticancer agents, identifies current knowledge gaps, and outlines future research directions to facilitate their development and clinical translation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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25 pages, 4462 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrafiltered Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaf Albumin-Type Protein Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice by Remodeling Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Homeostasis

by Leyi Yu, Kaiwen Luo, Dongjun He, Guoxing Yu, Yu Yang, Hong Yao, Chongzhen Sun and Xiyang Wu

Foods 2026, 15(16), 2774; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15162774 - 7 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder closely associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Mulberry leaves are rich in bioactive proteins, but whether mulberry leaf albumin-type protein can improve diet-induced obesity remains unclear. In this study, ultrafiltered mulberry leaf [...] Read more.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder closely associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Mulberry leaves are rich in bioactive proteins, but whether mulberry leaf albumin-type protein can improve diet-induced obesity remains unclear. In this study, ultrafiltered mulberry leaf albumin-type protein (UMP) was prepared and its anti-obesity effects were evaluated in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice. UMP contained 87.12 ± 0.52 g/100 g protein, 2.52 ± 0.00 g/100 g polyphenols, and 8.21 ± 1.49 g/100 g polysaccharides, with two major albumin-type protein bands of approximately 14 and 52 kDa. Structural analysis showed that UMP was mainly composed of β-turns and α-helices. In HFD-fed mice, daily administration of UMP for 16 weeks reduced body weight gain by 3.85 g and 5.63 g in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively, without affecting food intake. Biochemical assays, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and histological analysis showed that UMP improved insulin responsiveness, alleviated serum dyslipidemia, reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased circulating alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lipopolysaccharide levels. Histological analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance-based short-chain fatty acid quantification further showed that UMP protected colonic morphology and increased colonic short-chain fatty acid levels. Gut microbiota analysis showed that UMP restored microbial diversity, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, and enriched potentially beneficial genera, including Ileibacterium and norank_f_Muribaculaceae. Fecal biochemical assays suggested that UMP promoted fecal free fatty acid excretion and partially improved bile acid-related metabolic alterations. Untargeted serum metabolomics revealed that UMP reshaped metabolic pathways related to lipid turnover, bile acid signaling, glucose utilization, and glucuronidation. Correlation analysis linked UMP-enriched bacterial taxa with key metabolites involved in fatty acid and energy metabolism. Together, these findings indicate that UMP attenuates HFD-induced obesity through coordinated regulation of gut microbiota, intestinal metabolites, and systemic metabolic homeostasis. UMP may therefore represent a promising functional dietary protein for the prevention of obesity-related metabolic disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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30 pages, 34687 KB

Open AccessArticle

Material Basis and Mechanisms of Action of PuRenDan in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Integrated Network Pharmacology and Molecular Simulation Study

by Wenshuai Yang, Gaojie Ouyang, Wenwen Zhou, Binan Lu and Zongran Pang

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(7), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19071107 - 17 Jul 2026

Viewed by 509

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic multifactorial metabolic disorder requiring multi-target therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to predict the potential material basis, key targets and molecular mechanisms by which PuRenDan (PRD) may act against T2DM through an integrated network [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic multifactorial metabolic disorder requiring multi-target therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to predict the potential material basis, key targets and molecular mechanisms by which PuRenDan (PRD) may act against T2DM through an integrated network pharmacology and molecular simulation approach. Methods: Active compounds of PRD were screened from TCMSP, HERB 2.0 and the literature, and compound-related targets were predicted using TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper. T2DM-associated targets were collected from OMIM, DrugBank, DisGeNET, HPO, ClinPGx and GeneCards to obtain drug–disease intersection targets. Cytoscape was used to construct herb–compound–target and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina1.1.2, and representative ligand–receptor complexes were further assessed by 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) binding free-energy analysis. Results: A total of 163 active compounds, 597 PRD-related targets, 9138 T2DM-associated targets and 483 intersection targets were identified. β-sitosterol, emodin, quercetin, kaempferol and formononetin were predicted as major active compounds, whereas AKT1, TP53, SRC, IL6, TNF, EGFR and ESR1 were identified as disease-related network hubs. KEGG enrichment highlighted the PI3K-Akt, MAPK, HIF-1, FoxO, mTOR, AGE-RAGE and TNF signalling pathways. Docking predicted a comparatively favourable multi-target binding tendency for β-sitosterol. MD and MM/PBSA analyses further suggested favourable dynamic stability for β-sitosterol-TNF, β-sitosterol-AKT1, β-sitosterol-SRC and emodin-EGFR complexes, with β-sitosterol-TNF showing the lowest predicted binding free energy among the simulated systems. Conclusions: These in silico findings suggest that PRD may regulate T2DM-related inflammatory, insulin-signalling, oxidative-stress and metabolic networks through coordinated multi-compound, multi-target and multi-pathway actions. β-sitosterol may represent an important candidate material basis of PRD, with TNF, AKT1, SRC and EGFR as potential key targets. These conclusions remain predictive and require validation in biochemical, cellular and animal experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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29 pages, 8764 KB

Open AccessReview

From Spice to Scaffold: Design and Development of Curcumin Analogs to Combat Pancreatic Cancer

by Mukund Jha and Amitabh Jha

Organics 2026, 7(3), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/org7030030 - 13 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered as one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive local invasion, profound therapy resistance, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment. Currently known chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of PDAC are limited and typically depend on [...] Read more.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered as one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive local invasion, profound therapy resistance, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment. Currently known chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of PDAC are limited and typically depend on the stage of disease. For pre-surgery and post-surgery settings, modified combination of fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin are used. Gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel is an alternative regimen used for the disease at advanced stage. However, modest efficacy and high toxicity are often associated with these treatments. Therefore, more efficacious, safer, and novel therapeutic options are urgently required. The natural product curcumin has been shown to exert promising anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and antimetastatic activities in PDAC models. Inspired by these initial reports, there has been a sustained effort in the medicinal chemistry community to develop chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of PDAC based on the chemical architecture of curcumin. This review highlights recent developments of multiple classes of curcumin analogs as a credible and versatile class of investigational agents for addressing the unmet therapeutic needs of pancreatic cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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21 pages, 3889 KB

Open AccessArticle

Schisandrin B Exerts Radiosensitizing Effects on Breast Cancer via Dual Mechanisms of Cell Cycle/DNA Repair and Gut Microbiota-Immune Axis Modulation

by Yanhua Fang, Mengxuan Wang, Man Tong, Yue Wang, Zeshuo Feng, Ruoyu Wang, Zhe Wang, Lingyun Jia and Shanshan Liang

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060883 - 1 Jun 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Schisandrin B (Sch B), a bioactive lignan of Schisandra chinensis has been commonly investigated for its antitumor activities, yet its radiosensitizing effect and mechanism remain unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of Sch B in breast cancer [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Schisandrin B (Sch B), a bioactive lignan of Schisandra chinensis has been commonly investigated for its antitumor activities, yet its radiosensitizing effect and mechanism remain unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of Sch B in breast cancer (BC) and elucidate its molecular mechanisms, with a specific focus on the gut microbiota–immune axis. Methods: In vitro, CCK-8, colony formation, and 3D spheroid assays were used to evaluate the effects of Sch B on proliferation inhibition and radiosensitization, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to elucidate the mechanisms involved. In vivo, 4T1 tumor-bearing mice were treated with Sch B, and 16S rDNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS were used to analyze the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. IHC and qPCR detected antitumor immune responses. Results: Sch B inhibited the proliferation of BC cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner with negligible toxicity to the mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A. Furthermore, Sch B enhanced the radiosensitivity (sensitization enhancement ratio: 1.20~1.77) of BC by inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest and delaying radiation-induced DNA double-strand break repair. In vivo, Sch B suppressed BC growth in BALB/c mice without causing obvious systemic toxicity. Sch B reversed tumor-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis (restoring species abundance and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, enriching beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus and Butyrobacter) and normalized SCFA profiles (correlative evidence). Furthermore, Sch B modulated systemic immune responses by increasing the expression of Ifng, Cxcl10, Ddx58 and promoting CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration in tumors. Conclusions: Sch B exerts BC radiosensitization through dual mechanisms, direct regulation of the cell cycle and DNA repair, and indirect modulation of the gut microbiota-immune axis (correlative evidence), highlighting it as a safe and effective candidate for improving the efficacy of BC radiotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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17 pages, 6334 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heterologous Expression and In Vivo Functional Analysis of OsTPS2 in Yeast, Tobacco, and Rice

by Hua Li, Saiwen Li, Xiaojia Zhang and Yanping Luo

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1614; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111614 - 25 May 2026

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Abstract

Casbene-type macrocyclic diterpenes possess a range of biological activities, with casbene and neocembrene serving as key precursor compounds. While there is an abundance of research on casbene synthase, in-depth studies in vivo on neocembrene synthase are relatively scarce. This study presents the first [...] Read more.

Casbene-type macrocyclic diterpenes possess a range of biological activities, with casbene and neocembrene serving as key precursor compounds. While there is an abundance of research on casbene synthase, in-depth studies in vivo on neocembrene synthase are relatively scarce. This study presents the first functional validation in vivo of OsTPS2 as a primary neocembrene synthase in rice, as demonstrated through both transient tobacco expression and yeast-induced expression systems. Comparative analysis with the OsTPS28 gene revealed that OsTPS2 produces a higher content of neocembrene. Furthermore, the overexpression of OsTPS2 in rice resulted in an increased neocembrene content within the leaves. Additionally, both OsTPS2 and OsTPS28 were found to induce the synthesis of geranylgeraniol in yeast. Geranylgeraniol exhibits antifungal properties against Rhizoctonia solani and Phomopsis sp., with EC₅₀ values of 56.67 ± 3.78 µg/mL and 89.75 ± 12.75 µg/mL, respectively. Geranylgeraniol also displayed antifungal activity against Alternaria solani (Ell. et Mart.) Jones et Grout, albeit to a lesser extent. The findings of this study provide a scientific foundation for the metabolic engineering of neocembrene and offer novel perspectives on enhancing the nutritional value of rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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16 pages, 887 KB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Potential of Brosimum alicastrum Swartz: Comparison Between Different Raw, Dried, and Roasted Seed Flours with Acute Toxicological Validation

by Irene Jazmín García Luna-Pérez, Sergio Esteban Moreno-Vázquez, Gabriel Alfonso Gutiérrez-Rebolledo, Darío Iker Téllez-Medina and Alicia Ortiz-Moreno

Sci 2026, 8(5), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8050115 - 19 May 2026

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Abstract

Brosimum alicastrum Swartz (Mayan Nut) is a traditional Mesoamerican resource with nutritional potential exceeding many cereal grains, yet its therapeutic efficacy relative to processing remains under-researched. This study investigated the impact of geographic origin and processing on its hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. Seed [...] Read more.

Brosimum alicastrum Swartz (Mayan Nut) is a traditional Mesoamerican resource with nutritional potential exceeding many cereal grains, yet its therapeutic efficacy relative to processing remains under-researched. This study investigated the impact of geographic origin and processing on its hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. Seed flours from Campeche (green raw—GsF), Nayarit (dried—DsF), and Yucatán (commercial roasted—RsF) were evaluated. Following proximal analysis and acute toxicity screening (up to 2000 mg/kg), effects were tested in a tyloxapol-induced hypertriglyceridemia rat model monitoring triglyceride (TG), and hepatic oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers. Proximal profiles were stable across regions. All samples were non-lethal, and, significantly, DsF and RsF achieved a maximum reduction of TG and protein carbonyl content (PCC) at only 200 mg/kg, whereas raw GsF required 2000 mg/kg. Hypertriglyceridemia induced a compensatory increase in SOD activity (~555%), which was maintained across all treated groups. Conversely, tyloxapol depleted GSH-Px activity by 16%, and only DsF, at 20 mg/kg, preserved activity statistically similar to the healthy control (6.71 ± 0.65 IU/μL). Drying and roasting seemed critical for enhancing the acute therapeutic effects observed at lower dosages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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21 pages, 4404 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evidence for Potentiation of M-Type Potassium Current by Flavonoid Corylin (3-(2,2-Dimethylchromen-6-yl)-7-hydroxychromen-4-one)

by Sheng-Nan Wu, Rasa Liutkevičienė and Sheng-Che Lin

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(5), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19050713 - 30 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Background: Corylin (3-(2,2-dimethylchromen-6-yl)-7-hydroxychromen-4-one), a bioactive flavonoid, has been reported to exercise anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, and antioxidant effects, and may also possess lifespan-extending properties. Objectives: Any modifications of transmembrane ionic currents produced by corylin remain largely unknown. Methods: The patch-clamp technique and docking prediction were [...] Read more.

Background: Corylin (3-(2,2-dimethylchromen-6-yl)-7-hydroxychromen-4-one), a bioactive flavonoid, has been reported to exercise anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, and antioxidant effects, and may also possess lifespan-extending properties. Objectives: Any modifications of transmembrane ionic currents produced by corylin remain largely unknown. Methods: The patch-clamp technique and docking prediction were used in this study. Results: In pituitary GH₃ somatolactotrophs, corylin concentration-dependently increased the magnitude of the M-type K⁺ current (I_K(M)), with an EC₅₀ of 3.8 μM. Concurrently, the activation time constant of I_K(M) was shortened. The addition of linopirdine (10 μM), an I_K(M) inhibitor, suppressed the current amplitude. Corylin also induced a leftward shift in the steady-state activation curve and enhanced I_K(M) during pulse-train stimulation. Moreover, corylin increases the hysteretic strength of I_K(M) evoked by a long-lasting triangular ramp pulse; this effect was attenuated by linopirdine. The stimulatory effect of corylin on I_K(M) was not altered by carvedilol or iberiotoxin but was reduced by dapagliflozin. In contrast, depolarization-activated I_K(M) was not affected by 17β-estradiol alone. In cell-attached recordings, corylin increased M-type K⁺ (K_M)-channel activity with minimal change in single-channel amplitude, while prolonging the mean open time. This stimulatory effect was reversed by linopirdine or dapagliflozin. Additionally, corylin slightly inhibited the erg-mediated current. Docking analysis further suggested that corylin potentially interacts with residues in KCNQ2 or KCNH2 channels via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusions: These findings suggest that corylin modulates ionic currents, primarily through K_M (KCNQ/K_V7) channels, which may underlie its in vivo actions and those of related flavonoids. These effects may contribute to the regulation of functional activities of neuronal, neuroendocrine, and endocrine cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Natural Products)

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