For the first time, this study presents the phytochemical and anticancer activity studies on Sphagnum molle species. Chemical component analysis of S. molle plant was carried out by HPLC/TOF-MS. Anticancer activity studies of its organic solvent extract against human prostate cancer (PC3) cells were performed. Chlorogenic acid, along with gentisic, 4-hydroxy-benzoic, protocatechic, vanillic, chicoric, ferulic, and cinnamic acids, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and rutin, were identified as the main components in S. molle extract. In the antiproliferative activity studies of MeOH:CHCl3 extract of S. molle plant, high dose was found to show the highest activity against human prostate cancer (PC3) cells with a 68% inhibition between the 10th and 15th hours.

This study aimed to examine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ruscus aculeatus, Phlomis amanica and Echinops viscosus plants growing in Hatay, Türkiye. The antioxidant effect was evaluated by utilizing the Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH free radical scavenging, and β-carotene-linoleic acid emulsion methods. Findings were compared to BHA and BHT. Antimicrobial effect was evaluated by the disk diffusion agar method using Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans fungi. Phenolic substance content was highest in Phlomis amanica (859.1 mg/g GAE), followed by Echinops viscosus (453.5 mg/g GAE) and Ruscus aculeatus (229.7 mg/g GAE). According to the results of both DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid emulsion methods, Phlomis amanica showed the highest antioxidant activity because of IC50 (0.013 mg/mL) and % inhibition values (62.07%) among the plants examined. Considering antimicrobial analysis, it was determined that all plants were the least effective against Escherichia coli and the most effective against Staphylococcus aureus. Phlomis amanica exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity with an inhibition zone of 21 mm.

Plant products or their by-products have always exhibited appreciable and vast economic values, as the whole plant or part of it is beneficial for human welfare. One of the significant values is they are the treasure of medicines due to the presence of unique kinds of bioactive compounds. Hence boundless research has been underway on the plants, which leads to the innovation of medicines. To know about the presence of bioactive compounds in the selected tree species N. zeylanica was subjected to screening the preliminary phytochemicals and antioxidants in the leaf, and stem, of various solvent extracts. The results were positive for saponins, tannins, terpenoids, phenols, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids and carbohydrates. Stem methanolic extract showed the highest percentage of total phenolic content (24.919% at 50µg/mL). Leaf ethanolic extract (98.78%) showed the highest rate of free radical scavenging activity and reducing power activity was more in stem ethanolic extract with absorbance1.5683 Stem ethanolic extract showed a maximum of 47% inhibition of protein denaturation and 62% of proteinase inhibitory activity.

Bioencapsulation is a technique that has been frequently studied in recent years, with the use of different yeast cells in encapsulation. The low cost, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic nature of yeast cells has enabled them to find applications as encapsulation agents in addition to their well-known uses in the food and fermentation industry. In this study, lyophilized powder extracts from pithaya fruits were encapsulated with plasmolyzed and non-plasmolyzed Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells and bioactive tests, SEM, and FTIR analyses were performed. In addition, different concentrations of ethanol: water solvent media were tested for encapsulation. DPPH inhibition values of the capsules were found between 5.08% and 25.53% and the highest value was found in the encapsulation method performed with non-plasmolyzed cells in 80:20% ethanol medium. Similarly, ABTS inhibition values were determined as 1.91-6.13μg Trolox eq/g, and the highest value was found in the encapsulation method performed in 80:20% ethanol medium with non-plasmolyzed cells. Shrinkage and deformations in plasmolyzed cells were observed in SEM images and clearer images of capsules were obtained in non-plasmolyzed yeast cells. In the FTIR analysis of the fruit extract, the sharp peak obtained at approximately 2950 cm-1 indicated the presence of galacturonic acid and this band intensity decreased in encapsulated samples. Our study showed that yeast cells can be used in encapsulation for the preservation of low-stability components such as betacyanin and betanin in pithaya and more successful results were obtained in non-plasmolyzed yeast cells.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a widely cultivated vegetable plant. A comparative study of the phytochemical and microbial composition of peppers obtained from different markets is necessary to ensure their safety and quality, as pepper is a spice that is consumed worldwide, and its quality and safety are of utmost importance. This study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical component and microbial load of fresh and spoilt pepper collected from three different major markets in Benin-city, Edo state, Nigeria. Using standard methods, the prepared samples were analyzed for fungi composition. The same samples were also analyzed for phytochemical constituents and data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis. The results obtained show the composition of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponin, and polyphenols. There were significant differences in the microbial constituents between spoilt and fresh pepper obtained from the three markets. The phytochemicals analyzed show an increase in the fresh pepper samples when compared to the spoilt ones. For the fresh pepper, alkaloids have a range of 11.10–15.20%, the tannins show a range of 2.09–4.22% and the flavonoids range from 7.06-23.10g from the three markets. The microbial occurrence in fresh peppers for Uselu and Oba markets is 100%. The results of this study confirm that the environmental and physical conditions surrounding the packaging of C. annuum can affect its phytochemical composition and microbial load. C. annuum is a rich source of active phytochemical constituents, which play a key role in disease treatment and prevention and also effective against various ailments.

This study investigates the antibiofilm activity of Salvia cadmica (S. cadmica) aqueous-ethanol extract against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 25923, a well-known biofilm-forming bacterium. The antibiofilm efficacy of the extract on both planktonic and biofilm forms of S. aureus ATCC 25923 was assessed using the MTT reduction assay, while morphological alterations were examined by scanning electron microscopy. A dose-dependent increase in biofilm inhibition was observed, with biofilm inhibition and eradication rates reaching 34.07±0.44% and 35.71±0.4%, respectively, at 2× MIC concentration of plant extract. Microbiological analyses confirmed the antibiofilm potential of S. cadmica extract against S. aureus ATCC 25923. These findings highlight the promising antibiofilm properties of Salvia cadmica extract, suggesting its potential application in the treatment of infections associated with biofilm-forming S. aureus ATCC 25923. Future research should aim to isolate and characterize individual bioactive compounds from S. cadmica to better understand their mechanisms of action and potential synergistic effects.

This study is part of the search for new biologically active molecules of plant origin. The aim of this study is the in vivo evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydro-methanolic extract of the underground part (roots) of Rubia tinctorum from the Wilaya of Chlef (Algeria). The quantitative estimation of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins by the colorimetric method showed that the extract studied is rich in these compounds, with contents equal to 199.17 ± 0.074 mg GAE/g, 53.65 ± 0.042 mg QE/g, and 45.74 ± 0.033 mg CE/g, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the model of paw edema induced by the intraperitoneal (IP) route in mice (Morini strain) by carrageenan. The results obtained were compared to those of the reference treatment (diclofenac sodium). The evaluation of the percentage of inhibition of the hydro-methanolic extract of the root of Rubia tinctorum at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg significantly prevented paw edema (p

Infectious endometritis in mares can result in reduced fertility, early embryonic loss, and general health decline, implicating extensive economic loss. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is among the most frequent bacterial pathogens associated with infectious endometritis in mares. Here we explored the antimicrobial potential of ozonated sunflower seed oil, compared to the conventional form (both widely explored for wound healing), against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from mares with endometritis. The effects of combining the oils with clinically relevant antimicrobial drugs were also investigated. The conventional form of the oil was active against the strains, whereas the ozonated oil was not. When combined with the antimicrobials, both oils significantly decreased the pharmacological activity of the drugs. This study opens doors for discussions on clinical protocols for treating fertility issues in mares, as well as bacterial resistance in the intrauterine environment.

Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that cause acute and chronic lung inflammation and oxidative stress. Centella asiatica L. contains secondary metabolites with potential antioxidant properties for phytotherapy or phytoprevention. This study examined the effects of varying doses of Centella asiatica L. extract on lung damage in Wistar rats exposed to cigarette smoke. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 4): normal control, negative control (three cigarettes daily without extract), positive control (vitamin E) and three treatment groups that received three cigarettes per day and extract at 120, 180, and 240 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Histopathological examination of lung tissues was performed using the modified Manja–Roegnik scoring method. Data were analysed using the Kruskal‒Wallis test and a Bonferroni correction post hoc test. The lung tissue scores for the normal, negative control and positive groups were 1.00 ± 00, 2.67 ± 0.25, and 1.67 ± 0.25, respectively. In the treatment group, the scores were 2.16 ± 0.59 (120 mg/kg), 1.83 ± 0.33 (180 mg/kg), and 2.65 ± 0.66 (240 mg/kg). Extract of Centella asiatica L. (180 mg/kg) significantly reduced lung damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke (p = 0.002) and was as effective as vitamin E (p = 1.000). Centella asiatica L. extract reduced lung tissue damage in rats exposed to cigarette smoke due to its antioxidant properties.

According to the ethnobotanical survey, Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke roots were used by local women as vaginal suppositories to cure vaginal yeast infections; however, there is a lack of scientific evidence of the antifungal capabilities of this plant species. This research sought to conduct an ethnobotanical survey and assess the antifungal efficacy of several extracts from S. vulgaris roots against Candida albicans, the primary pathogen responsible for many vaginal infections. Disc diffusion and well diffusion methods were performed to determine the inhibition growth zone of aqueous and methanolic extracts. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined using the microdilution method. The outcomes revealed that water-based extracts, especially the decocted aqueous extract (Dec-H2O), had a greater effect against C. albicans relative to methanolic extracts. The MIC has been determined to be 8.68 ± 5.68 mg·mL–1, while the growth inhibition zones, assessed using disc and well diffusion methods at a concentration of 500 mg·mL–1, were 16.66 ± 1.52 mm and 23.33 ± 2.08 mm, respectively. The findings indicate that the bioactive compounds present in the aqueous extracts of S. vulgaris roots may serve as alternative antifungal agents, presenting a viable strategy to combat antibiotic resistance of C. albicans in the future. Additionally, the current results demonstrate that the use of medicinal plants by local populations, based on their traditional knowledge and practical experiences, may provide significant and precise insights into the therapeutic attributes of these plants, providing easy guidance for further investigations and applications.