This study investigated the use of indigenous fruits and wild vegetables for treating common tropical ailments in Ilaro, Nigeria, with a focus on supporting sustainable tourism. The research was conducted over 12 months (January–December 2023) using an ethnobotanical approach that included site observations and plant specimen collection. Out of 120 questionnaires distributed, 100 were completed and returned,providing valuable information on locally used medicinal plants. Each species was documented with its family, botanical and local names, plant parts used, preparation techniques, dosage, and treatment duration. Plant identification began with common namesand was later confirmed using standard references such as Trees of Nigeria. The results recorded 34 wild vegetable species from 15 families and 22 native fruit trees from 16 families used to treat illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, ulcers, infertility, and skin diseases. These natural plant resources strengthen biodiversity, support cultural heritage, and offer opportunities for sustainable tourism Medi

While luteolin is known to alleviate osteoporosis, its effects on fracture healing under inflammatory conditions stay uncertain. This study demonstrates that luteolin enhances fracture healing under elevated Interleukin-6 conditions by promoting H-type vessel formation. In lipopolysaccharide-induced human umbilical vein endothelialcells, luteolin promoted H-type vessel formation and upregulated marker molecules, including Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). In lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoblasts, it enhanced cell migration and promoted upregulating the expression of differentiation markers, ferroptosis protective factors, and NRP-1. Mechanistically, luteolin increased Lysine-Specific Demethylase 3AmRNA expression and Histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation protein levels, suggesting epigenetic regulation of NRP-1. These findings may provide a novel therapeutic approach for accelerating fracture healing

Congenital scoliosis (CS) patients frequently exhibit low bone mineral density. This study aimed to investigate whether Astragaloside (AST) enhances the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) derived from CS patients. In vitroexperiments demonstrated that AST, at an optimal concentration of 8 μg/mL, significantly promotes BMSC proliferation, enhances osteogenic activity, and upregulates the expression of osteogenic markers, including RUNX2, OPN, and WISP2/β-catenin. The pro-osteogenic effect of AST was found to be inhibited by the Wnt inhibitor DKK1. Additionally, molecular docking studies confirmed that AST binds to WISP2. In conclusion, AST facilitates osteogenesis in CS-derived BMSCs by upregulating WISP2, which activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

This study investigates the effects of green walnut husk (gwh) extracts on endometrial stromal cells (escs) and the pi3k/akt signaling pathway. endometrial tissues were collected frompatients with endometriosis (ems) and escs wereisolated. the effects of gwh extracts—low (30 μg/mL),medium (100 μg/mL), and high (200 μg/mL)—on escs proliferation, migration, and invasion were examined using cck-8, edu, and transwell assays. the transcription levels and protein expressions of pi3k/akt were detected. an ems mouse model was established to assess the growth of ectopic endometrial lesions. gwh extracts exerted a significant inhibitory effect on escs proliferation, migration, and invasion. similarly, the extracts demonstrated suppression of pi3k and akt level in escs. in the ems mouse model, gwh extracts displayed an inhibitory impact on the growth of ectopic endometrial lesions. our study demonstrated that gwh extracts restrained the proliferative and invasive capabilities of escs, thereby alleviating ems.

Paeonolisan herbal medicine. The work explored the alleviation of paeonol on acute pancreatitis andaction mechanism. Thirty mice were divided into control, model and treatment groups. The acute pancreatitis model was established in model and treatment groups.The treatment group was treated with paeonol for seven days. After treatment, compared with model group, in treatment group the pancreas index was significantly decreased, with significantly decreased pancreas and ileum injury scores, the serum lipase, amylase, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α and malondialdehyde levels were significantly decreased, the SOD level was significantly increased, and the pancreas tissue nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)expression levels were significantly increased(p<0.05). In conclusion, paeonol can alleviate the acute pancreatitis in mice. The action mechanism may be related to its inhibition of inflammatory response and oxidative stress and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

This study explored the protective effect and mechanism of galangin from Alpinia officinarum Hance on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in rats. KOArats were divided into KOA, galanginand celecoxib groups. The galangin and celecoxib groups were treated with galangin and celecoxib for three weeks, respectively. Compared with KOA group, in galangin groups the paw pressure and gait scoreswere decreased, the paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were prolonged, the serum C-terminal peptide of type I collagen and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels were decreased, the serum hyaluronic acid level was increased, the synovial fluid tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1βand interleukin 6levels were decreased, and knee joint cartilage tissue p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p38 MAPK and p-nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65/NF-κB p65 ratios were decreased. In conclusion, galangin may alleviate KOA in rats by improving bone metabolism and suppressing MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory response.

This study investigated the mechanism of asiaticoside in alleviating diabetic nephropathy in rats. Fifty rats were divided into control, model, asiaticoside, asiaticoside+TAK-242 (Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor) and asiaticoside+lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (TLR4 agonist) groups. The diabetic nephropathy model was constructed in later four groups. Later three groups were treated with 40 mg/kg asiaticoside, 40 mg/kg asiaticoside plus 0.5 mg/kg TAK-242 and 40 mg/kg asiaticoside plus 10 mg/kg LPS for eight weeks, respectively. Compared to model group, in asiaticoside group the fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, 24-hour urine total protein, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 levels and renal tissue TLR4 and nuclear factorkappa-B (NF-κB) p65 levels were decreased (p<0.05), and the serum superoxide dismutase level was increased (p<0.05). In conclusion, asiaticoside alleviates diabetic nephropathy in rats through reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response and inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Zephyranthes fosteri(Amaryllidaceae), an herb illustrated in the Libellus Medicinallibus Indorum Herbis (Booklet of Medicinal Plants of the Indians), the first pharmacognosy treatise written (1552) in the American Continent. Based on its alkaloid content and its Nahuatl name "huetzcanixochitl" (flower that makes you laugh), this herb could have been used as a stimulant in pre-Columbian times. For this reason, the antidepressant activity of its main alkaloid lycorine, methanolic extract (Zf-ME) and alkaloid fraction (Zf-AF) were evaluated in behavioral tests with mice. Zf-ME and Zf-AF were analyzed by GC/MS to estimate its content of alkaloids. Lycorine (1 and 3 mg/kg) showed antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test without alterations in motor activity; with similar effects with Zf-ME and Zf-AF (300 and 10 mg/kg), and to the positive control imipramine (30 mg/kg). Using the computational method SwissTargetPrediction, the most likely possible binding target with lycorine is acetylcholinesterase

The global prevalence of gout is increasing, with current pharmacological treatments often proving inadequate or causing adverse effects, especially in chronic cases. This has spurred interest in safer, natural alternatives. Flavonoids found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs exhibit antigout potential through xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, uric acid reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review evaluates the pharmacological potential of flavonoid-rich traditional medicinal plants for gout treatment, analyzing in vivo, in vitro, and in silicostudies from 2003 to 2023. Using the QuADS tool, 30 articles on 18 plant species were assessed. The findings reveal that flavonoids demonstrate significant antigout activity, particularly via XO inhibition and inflammation modulation. Promising in vivoresults were observed in rodent models, despite variability in flavonoid concentration and formulation. Blumea balsamifera, Chrysanthemum sinense, Gnaphalium affine, Kaempferia parviflora, Perilla frutescensand luteolin stood out for their consistent efficacy. These insights support further research into flavonoids as natural agents for gout management.