Medicinal Ingredients Research Articles

A systematic survey of online trade in the caterpillar fungusOphiocordyceps sinensis

AbstractAlthough wildlife trade has received considerable research and conservation attention, much of it has been focused on charismatic species, with taxa such as fungi receiving little or no attention despite being highly sought after. The caterpillar fungusOphiocordyceps sinensisis highly valued as an ingredient in cosmetics and medicines, and as an aphrodisiac and dietary supplement. Despite its livelihood and socio-economic significance, it has received little attention in either research or wildlife trade policy. Nevertheless, trade appears to be rampant, and growing online, and this is an emerging conservation challenge. Here we present a systematic survey of online trade in the caterpillar fungus during 2021. During this period, 168 advertisements were recorded on eight e-commerce platforms, both national and international. The grade of the caterpillar fungus advertised for sale fell into six categories. Fungi described as pure/organic/wild grade, which we categorized as authentic grade, had the highest median price (24 USD/g) and those described as medicine/food/cosmetic/beverage, which we categorized as consumption grade, had the lowest median price (0.04 USD/g). The highest advertised sale price was for caterpillar fungus of Bhutan origin (155 USD/g) advertised on the eBay e-commerce platform. Trade in caterpillar fungus on national and international online platforms is evident, and trade in other non-charismatic species is also likely burgeoning online but remains poorly documented. Further systematic surveys of online trade are required, not only to improve understanding of such trade but also to facilitate the development of effective conservation interventions and prevent undocumented overexploitation of important natural resources in developing countries.

Comparison of different extraction methods of active ingredients of Chinese medicine and natural products.

Like other traditional medicine in the world, Chinese traditional medicine (CTM) has a long history, which is a treasure of the combination of medicine and Chinese classical culture even more than 5000 years. For thousands of years, CTM has made great contributions to the reproduction and health of the Chinese people. It was an efficient therapeutic tool under the guidance of Chinese traditional medical theory, its source is generally natural products, but there are also a small number of it are natural products after some processing methods. In fact, the definition of Chinese medicine (CM) includes both traditional and new CM developed by modern technology. It is well known that the chemical composition of most CM and natural products is very complex, for example, a single herb may contain hundreds of different chemicals, including active ingredients, side effects, and even toxic ingredients. Therefore, the extraction process is particularly crucial for the quality and clinical efficacy of CM and natural products. In this work, a new classification method was proposed to divide the extraction technologies of CM and natural products into 21 kinds in recent years and analyze their status, advantages, and disadvantages. Then put forward a new technical route based on ultra-high-pressure extraction technology for rapid extraction else while removing harmful impurities and making higher utilization of CM and natural products. It is a useful exploration for the extraction industry of medicinal materials and natural products in the world.

Immuno-modulatory role of baicalin in atherosclerosis prevention and treatment: current scenario and future directions.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells within the damaged walls of arterial vessels. It is a significant independent risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Despite the availability of current treatments such as statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, and lifestyle modifications for prevention, AS remains a leading cause of morbidity and economic burden worldwide. Thus, there is a pressing need for the development of new supplementary and alternative therapies or medications. Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. [SBG]), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a significant immunomodulatory effect in AS prevention and treatment, with baicalin being identified as one of the primary active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine. Baicalin offers a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including the regulation of immune balance, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of lipid metabolism dysregulation. Consequently, it exerts beneficial effects in both AS onset and progression. This review provides an overview of the immunomodulatory properties and mechanisms by which baicalin aids in AS prevention and treatment, highlighting its potential as a clinical translational therapy.

Self-assembled carrier-free formulations based on medicinal and food active ingredients.

The popularity of medicinal plants, which have a unique system and are mostly used in compound form for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, is growing worldwide. In recent years, with advances in chemical separation and structural analysis techniques, many of the major bioactive molecules of medicinal plants have been identified. However, the active ingredients in medicinal plants often possess chemical characteristics, including poor water solubility, stability and bioavailability, which limit their therapeutic applications. To address this problem, self-assembly of small molecules from medicinal food sources provides a new strategy. Driven by various types of acting forces, medicinal small molecules with modifiable groups, multiple sites of action, hydrophobic side chains, and rigid backbones with self-assembly properties are able to form various supramolecular network hydrogels, nanoparticles, micelles, and other self-assemblies. This review first summarizes the forms of self-assemblies such as supramolecular network hydrogels, nanoparticles, and micelles at the level of the action site, and discusses the recent studies on the active ingredients in medicinal plants that can be used for self-assembly, in addition to summarizing the advantages of self-assemblies for a variety of disease applications, including wound healing, antitumor, anticancer, and diabetes mellitus. Finally, the problems of self-assemblers and the possible directions for future development are presented. We firmly believe that self-assemblers have the potential to develop effective compounds from drug-food homologous plants, providing valuable information for drug research and new strategies and perspectives for the modernization of Chinese medicine.

The ecological suitability area of Cirsium lineare (Thunb.) Sch.-Bip. under future climate change in China based on MaxEnt modeling.

Many kinds of medicinal ingredients occur in Cirsium lineare that have good clinical efficacy, conferring on this species its high medicinal development value. However, with a rapidly changing global climate, it is increasingly imperative to study the factors affecting the habitat distribution and survival of species. We predicted the current and future distribution areas of suitable habitats for C. lineare, analyzed the importance of environmental variables in influencing habitat shifts, and described the alterations to suitable habitats of C. lineare in different periods (modern, 2050s, and 2070s) and scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5). The results show that, under the current climate, the total suitable area of C. lineare is about 2,220,900 km2, of which the highly suitable portion amounts to ca. 292,600 km2. The minimum temperature of the coldest month, annual precipitation, and mean daily temperature range are the chief environmental variables affecting the distribution of habitat for C. lineare. In the same period, with rising greenhouse gas emission concentrations, the total suitable area will increase. In general, under future climate change, the suitable habitat for C. lineare will gradually migrate to the west and north, and its total suitable area will also expand. The results of this experiment can be used for the conservation and management of the wild resources of C. lineare. We can choose suitable growth areas to protect the medicinal resources of C. lineare through insitu conservation and artificial breeding.

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Celastrol for Chemotherapy and Photothermal Anticancer Therapy

The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using extracts or active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine presents a novel approach characterized by simplicity, environmental friendliness, and independence from specific conditions. This innovative method combines the photothermal conversion properties of Au NPs with the chemotherapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine components, significantly enhancing anticancer efficacy. Celastrol (Cel), an effective medicinal ingredient extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TW), exhibits outstanding anticancer properties. In this study, Cel was successfully employed for the novel green synthesis of gold nanoparticles, forming Cel-Au NPs with a particle size of 50[Formula: see text]nm. Cel-Au NPs demonstrated excellent photothermal responsiveness, thermostability, and biocompatibility. The cytotoxicity of Cel-Au NPs on A549 cells reached approximately 80% upon exposure to 808[Formula: see text]nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The anticancer activity was attributed to the induction of apoptosis and necrosis, achieved by elevating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and modulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. In conclusion, our synthesized Cel-Au NPs exhibited exceptional capabilities in chemotherapy and photothermal therapy, demonstrating excellent therapeutic efficacy and safety for cancer treatment.

Analysis of the improved mechanism of Rhodobacter sphaeroides VK-2-3 coenzyme Q10 by reverse metabolic engineering.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential medicinal ingredient. In this study, we obtained a high-yielding mutant strain of CoQ10, VK-2-3, by subjecting R. sphaeroides V-0 (V-0) to a 12C6+ heavy ion beam and high-voltage prick electric field treatment. To investigate the mutation mechanism, the complete genomes of VK-2-3 and V-0 were sequenced. Collinearity analysis revealed that the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent dehydrogenase (NAD) gene underwent rearrangement in the VK-2-3 genome. The NAD gene was overexpressed and silenced in V-0, and this construct was named RS.NAD and RS.ΔNAD. The results showed that the titers of CoQ10 in the RS.NAD and RS.ΔNAD increased and decreased by 16.00 and 33.92%, respectively, compared to those in V-0, and these differences were significant. Our results revealed the mechanism by which the VK-2-3 CoQ10 yield increases through reverse metabolic engineering, providing insights for genetic breeding and mechanistic analysis.

Regulation of Nrf2/A20/eEF1A2 Axis by Ginsenoside Rb1: A Key Pathway in Alleviating Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a prevalent neurological disorder, characterized by the oxidative stress and inflammatory response induced during the ischemia-reperfusion process, leading to significant damage to brain cells. Ginsenoside Rb1, a natural medicinal ingredient, possesses potential neuroprotective effects. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of action of ginsenoside Rb1 in CIRI and its protective effects on brain injury. We utilized a mouse CIRI model and randomly divided the mice into control group, CIRI group, and ginsenoside Rb1 treatment group. The effects of Rb1 on brain tissue damage, apoptosis, expression of inflammatory factors, and pyroptotic cell numbers in CIRI mice were observed through triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and electron microscopy. In a cell model, the regulatory effect of Rb1 on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced HT22 cell pyroptosis via the nuclear respiratoty factor 2/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced Protein 3 (TNFAIP3, aka A20)/eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A2 (Nrf2/A20/eEF1A2) axis was detected using Western blot and TUNEL staining. Additionally, the impact of Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 and eEF1A2 overexpression on the neuroprotective effect of Rb1 was assessed. Using the comprehensive experimental methods mentioned above, the neuroprotective mechanism of Rb1 in CIRI was thoroughly evaluated. Our findings demonstrate that treatment with ginsenoside Rb1 alleviated behavioral deficits induced by CIRI and reduced pathological damage in brain tissue. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rb1 treatment notably decreased oxidative stress and the inflammatory response induced by CIRI, leading to lower levels of inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). Further experimental results indicated that ginsenoside Rb1 promoted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses by regulating the activity of the Nrf2/A20/eEF1A2 axis. Additionally, ginsenoside Rb1 inhibited the activation of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, thereby reducing the release of inflammatory factors and the occurrence of cell apoptosis. Our study results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 exerts neuroprotective effects and alleviates brain injury induced by CIRI by regulating the Nrf2/A20/eEF1A2 axis and inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings provide new treatment insights for CIRI and support ginsenoside Rb1's development as a therapeutic drug. However, despite the promising nature of our findings, further research is required to validate these discoveries and explore the feasibility and safety of ginsenoside Rb1 in clinical applications. We hope that our study can provide new directions and strategies for the treatment and prevention of CIRI, contributing to the development of neuroprotective drugs.

Pragmatical utilization of beneng taro (Xanthosoma undipes) based on local knowledge of the community of Mount Karang, Pandeglang, Indonesia

Abstract. Windarsih G, Rahma AF, Mulyana D, Hariri MR, Erlinawati I, Riastiwi I, Efendi M. 2023. Pragmatical utilization of beneng taro (Xanthosoma undipes K.Koch) based on local knowledge of the community of Mount Karang, Pandeglang, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 6415-6424. Beneng taro (Xanthosoma undipes K.Koch) belongs to the order Arales and family Araceae. It is one of the staple crop commodities cultivated extensively in Mount Karang, Pandeglang District, Banten, Indonesia. This research aimed to assess the utilization of beneng taro by the local community in Mount Karang. The study was classified as descriptive research. The research used exploratory surveys and participatory rural appraisal as methodological approaches. Data collection techniques were collected through interviews, questionnaires, observations, and documentation. Moreover, 30 participants were selected using purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods. The plants were sampled randomly, 5 per location, to observe morphological traits. The findings of this study indicate that there are two local cultivars of beneng taro found in Mount Karang, including green leaf sheath and red leaf sheath cultivars. All beneng taro plant parts possess significant economic worth, including leaf blades, leaf sheaths, petioles, corms, cormels, and exudates. This plant is frequently used for food and beverage, cigarettes, medicinal ingredients, fabric production, crafts, organic fertilizer, livestock feed, fish pellets, and decorative plants. However, beneng taro with green leaf sheath is more widely cultivated in the area and consumed for food and beverage.

Design and validation of analytical methods for quantitative determination of active ingredients in extemporal combined medicine in spray form

The aim of the work was the development and study of the validation characteristics of the method of quantitative determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride, nitrofural and diphenhydramine hydrochloride when they are simultaneously present in an extemporaneous combined medicinal product in the form of a spray using liquid chromatography method.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Agilent 1260 liquid chromatographs, equipped with a diode-matrix and UV detector from the company "Agilent technologies", USA. Chromatographic columns 250×4.6 mm filled with octadecylsilyl silica gel for chromatography (Zorbax StableBond SB-Aq, Agilent company), mobile phase - 0.1 % aqueous solution of trifluoroacetic acid R - methanol R, elution mode - gradient; mobile phase speed – 1.2 ml/min; the detection wavelength is 220 nm.&#x0D; Results. The determined chromatographic conditions ensure proper separation of the peaks of the substances to be determined: phenylephrine hydrochloride, nitrofural and diphenhydramine hydrochloride in their joint presence, and do not have a negative effect on the quantitative assessment of their content. Validation tests were conducted to confirm the suitability of the analytical method for the performance of the task - control of the quantitative content of active substances in the combined medicinal product in the form of a spray. The determined validation characteristics indicate that the method is characterized by appropriate specificity, linearity, correctness and convergence in the range of application for phenylephrine hydrochloride (range 0.499-0.749 mg/ml, ΔZ=0.44 ≤ max ΔZ=3.20, d=0.22 ≤ max d=1.02, a=0.01 max a=5.1, r = 0.9997 min r= 0.9924), nitrofural (range 0.154-0.231 mg/ml, ΔZ=0.44 ≤ max ΔZ=3.20, d=0.62 ≤ max d=1.02, a=0.0006 max a=5.1, r = 0.9996 min r= 0.9924) and diphenhydramine hydrochloride (range 0.499-0.749 mg/ml, ΔZ=0.50 ≤ max ΔZ=3.20, d=0.05 ≤ max d=1.02, a=0.076 max a=5.1, r = 0.9999 min r= 0.9924).&#x0D; Conclusions. An analytical technique for the quantitative determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride, nitrofural and diphenhydramine hydrochloride when simultaneously present in an extemporaneous combined medicinal product in the form of a spray by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography was developed. The determined validation parameters confirm the correctness of the methodology. The proposed HPLC technique was used to study the chemical stability of the spray for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

Quercetin relieves coronary atherosclerosis via regulating fibroblast growth factor 2.

This study aims to investigate the role of quercetin in coronary atherosclerosis and explore its possible mechanisms. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), immunohistochemical (IHC), and aniline blue staining were used to analyze the pathological changes in the cross-section of the aorta. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), Swiss Target Prediction, and PubChem were utilized to predict and screen the bioactive ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (Huanglian, Yuxingcao, and Jinyinhua) for coronary atherosclerosis. Inflammatory factors and vascular protection parameters were quantitatively detected using ELISA and western blot. The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU), and wound healing assays. The targets of quercetin were predicted using DisGeNET, Matascape, SWISSMODEL, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and fluorescence titrimetric methods. Based on our findings, quercetin was identified as the active component of Huanglian, Yuxingcao, and Jinyinhua that exerted a positive effect on coronary atherosclerosis. In vivo and in vitro data demonstrated that quercetin improved the pathological changes in model mice and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and inflammatory response of VSMC cells. Specifically, we found that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a direct target of quercetin, and overexpression of FGF2 attenuated the anti-atherosclerosis function of quercetin. Overall, our study confirms the functional role of the quercetin-FGF2 axis in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, providing a potential target for its treatment.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of endophytic fungi extracts isolated from the petiole of sungkai plant (Peronema canescens)

Abstract. Oktiansyah R, Elfita, Widjajanti H, Salni, Setiawan A. 2023. Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of endophytic fungi extracts isolated from the petiole of sungkai plant (Peronema canescens). Biodiversitas 24: 6516-6526. Indonesia has a diverse number of medicinal plants that are very helpful in preventing infectious diseases. Sungkai (Peronema canescens) is a medicinal plant of the family Verbenaceae that is often used and found in Indonesia. Its leaves possessed antibacterial and antioxidant properties that boost immunity and lessen the signs of infectious disorders. This study explored the types of endophytic fungi found in sungkai petioles and examined their relationship to previously reported sungkai leaf endophytic fungal isolates and spectrum of compounds contained them. Endophytic fungal were isolated from fresh leaf petioles of host plants, and their morphological and molecular characteristics were determined. Endophytic fungal extracts were tested for antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Utilizing the paper disk diffusion technique, the antibacterial characteristics were ascertained, while the DPPH method was used to determine antioxidant activity. Molecular identification was carried out on the fungal isolate with the most potential, and chemical compounds were isolated using column chromatography. The structures of the compounds were determined using spectroscopy, including 1D and 2D NMR. Eight endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from sungkai leaf stalks (RA1-RA8) of various species of the genus Trichoderma. Differences in the diversity of endophytic fungi found in leaf stalks and endophytic fungi from leaves were identified. RA1 showed the strongest antibacterial and antioxidant activity and was molecularly identified as T. harzianum. Spectroscopic analysis showed that the pure compound contained within was 9-hydroxy-7-methylenebenzo[c]oxepin-3(7H)-one (1), which had never previously been found in sungkai plants and endophytic fungi. The antibacterial activity of Compound 1 is in the strong category (MIC = 64 µg/mL) but is not active as an antioxidant. In terms of producing medicinal ingredients from endophytic fungi, T. harzianum in extract form has more potential to be developed.

Analysis of tensile strength of composite fiber reinforced with areca Nut Skin Fiber using BQTN 157 EX Resin

In the development of materials science, especially polymers, natural fibers such as areca nut shell fiber are increasingly attractive to use. The use of synthetic polymer materials made from fiber can replace conventional materials such as metal, wood and leather. They can replace conventional materials with the advantages of lower price, environmental friendliness, and recyclability. Areca nut shell fiber, as an example of a natural fiber, has great potential in the furniture industry, crafts, and as an ingredient in traditional medicine. This fiber is used as a reinforcing material in composites with an Unsaturated Polyester Yukalac resin matrix. Unsaturated Polyester Yukalac resin, with characteristics such as stiffness, flexibility, water resistance, chemical resistance and weather resistance, is used as a matrix in making composites. The aim of this research is to make a plastic composite prototype reinforced with areca palm fiber, varying the volume fraction of areca nut shell fiber by 30%:50%, 50%:60%, 70%:70%, 90%:80% and for the matrix using polyester resin. BQTN 157 EX. The fiber composition is arranged in a mold in the same direction using the hand lay up method. Composite testing is in the form of a tensile test referring to the ASTM 638-03 standard. The results of the largest tensile testing process were with a volume fraction of 50% with an average value of 7.11 MPa, and for tensile testing the lowest was a volume fraction of 70% with an average value of 6.17 MPa, it can be concluded for reinforced plastic composites Areca nut shell fiber has considerable ability to be applied as a structural material. This is a step towards the development of innovative and environmentally friendly composite materials for various industrial applications.

Effectiveness of herbal medicine as an alternative therapy for burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation or dysesthesia of the oral mucosa without accompanying abnormal clinical or laboratory findings. Management of BMS is very important to reduce pain, support nutrition and improve patients’ quality of life. Various studies on BMS therapy have been carried out, one of which is by using alternative materials derived from nature known as herbal ingredients. The objective of this systematic review is to review the effectiveness of herbal medicine to reduce pain in BMS patients. Methods: This systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Article searches were conducted through Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Springer Link published from 2012 to 2022 with specific keywords. The search for articles was limited to human studies and randomized controlled trial (RCT), papers written in English and availability of full text. The risk assessment of bias uses the Modified Jadad Scale. Results: Seven articles with good eligibility that meet the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The herbal medicine reviewed were capsaicin (two articles), Aloe vera, catuama, capsaicin, virgin olive oil, chamomile and crocin (one article for each herbal medicine). All of the herbal medicine reviewed were proven to reduce pain in BMS patients, but capsaicin and catuama showed significant differences with the comparison group. Minimal side effects were also observed with capsaicin and catuama. Conclusion: Herbal medicinal ingredients have been proven to be effective, useful and safe alternative therapies for BMS patients.

Therapeutic effect and metabolic fingerprinting of triple-negative breast cancer cells following exposure to a novel pH-responsive, gambogic acid-loaded micelle

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis and lacks effective therapeutic targets. The use of gambogic acid (GA), a class of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumour potential, is limited in tumour therapy owing to its drawbacks and unclear organ toxicity. In this study, we used the pH-responsive amphiphilic block copolymer, PEOz-PCL, to create nanodrugs for GA delivery to MDA-MB-231 cells. The pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles were prepared through nanoprecipitation with a more homogeneous size. The average particle size was 42.29 ± 1.74 nm, and the zeta potential value was 9.88 ± 0.17 mV. The encapsulation rate was 85.06%, and the drug loading rate was 10.63%. The process was reproducible, and sustained release reached 80% in 96 h at acid pH 5.0. Furthermore, cellular tests using CCK-8, TUNEL, and flow cytometry revealed that pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles killed MDA-MB-231 cells more effectively and had much higher activity and targeting compared with free drugs. Metabolomic analysis of the changes in differential metabolites revealed that pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles may inhibit TNBC cells by causing amino acid anabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and glucose metabolism, as well as by affecting their energy sources. The study outcomes will help understand the mechanism of action and the therapeutic efficacy of pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles in vivo.

Development of Ethnobotany Materials to Support Basic Concepts of Science Learning in Higher Education

The local knowledge of the Doridungga Donggo community in searching for medicinal and food ingredients is a form of wisdom because its use follows ecological rules. The use of these plants can be in the form of plants with medicinal properties that are used for treatment by communities around forest areas as traditional medicine. The research aims to investigate medicinal ingredients from conventional plants of the Doridungga Donggo community, which can be used to strengthen science learning concepts. Data sources and information on research data sources were determined using purposive sampling techniques. Data sources were selected based on primary data and secondary data. Preliminary data was obtained from the results of site surveys and supported by secondary data from various literature on ethnobotany. The research was conducted in Doridungga Village, Donggo District, Bima Regency, NTB. Data was analyzed based on characteristic values, theoretical plant benefits, and plant benefits based on community perception. The research results include Bidara, Guava, Golkar, Turmeric, Betel, Pule, Coriander, Kicibling, and Rida Fada. These plants are used as medicine for fever, stomach ache, diabetes, stomach ulcers, to remove body odor and bad breath, tuberculosis, wounds, tonsils, urinary syphilis, headaches, and lumbago. The research results can be input for university science learning curricula based on local wisdom

Porous phenolic resin regulated by alcohol-based deep eutectic solvent for selective extraction and separation of tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza

Deep eutectic solvents (DES), regarded as promising green solvents, have gained attention due to their distinctive properties, particularly in analytical chemistry. While the use of DES in solvent extraction and separation has been extensively studied, its application in the synthesis of adsorbents has just begun. Phenolic resin, with its polyhydroxy structure and stable spherical morphology, could serve as an effective as adsorbents for enrichment of active ingredients in herbal medicine. Designing adsorbents with high selectivity and adsorption capacity presents a critical challenge in the enrichment of active ingredients in herbal medicine. In this study, alcohol-based DESs were employed as regulators of morphology and structure instead of organic solvents, facilitating the creation of polyhydroxy structure, adjustable pores and high specific surface areas. The resulting DES-regulated porous phenolic resin demonstrated enhanced extraction and separation capacity for active ingredients compared to conventional spherical phenolic resin owing to the alcohol-based DES offering more interaction modes with the analytes.

A study on the characteristics of Songyang Duanwu tea, a classic traditional knowledge of Southwest Zhejiang, China

Duanwu Tea is a popular and ancient biodiversity-related traditional knowledge in Songyang, China. It has the remarkable function of dispelling dampness and relieving summer heat. However, systematic research on Duanwu Tea has been limited, and its biodiversity characteristics remain relatively unknown beyond the borders of Songyang. This study aims to investigate the bio-resources involved in making Duanwu Tea and its correlation with local geography and social conditions. To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted and 23 formulations of Duanwu Tea were collected from the northern, central, and southern regions of Songyang. The results indicated that: (1) A total of 49 species of bio-resources belonging to 37 families and 46 genera were involved in the formulations. (2) There were no significant differences in the amounts of bio-resources in formulations between various regions. However, there were significant differences in the diversity indices of richness, Shannon-Weiner diversity, and Simpson with the diversity indices descending in the order of southern, central, and northern regions. (3) In terms of the processing of stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits as medicinal ingredients, there were significant differences between the regions. We concluded that the biodiversity characteristics of Duanwu Tea formula are related to the geographical environment, which provides a reference for further study and an opportunity for sustainable utilization. Through this study, we hope more people will pay attention to this valuable traditional knowledge and give it adequate protection and inheritance in the future.

Study Of The Cinnamomum Clan As An Antidiabetic

Ethnopharmacological research is an approach to exploring the local knowledge of specific communities about the use of medicinal plants. This article discusses the use of cinnamon (Cinnamomum) as an effective alternative medicine ingredient in several regions in Indonesia. The method used with data collection through literature search has been published in scientific research articles and journals. A literature search uses search engines published on several sites, such as Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Science Direct. Based on the review, it can be concluded that the Cinnamomum clan is widely used in various ethnic groups in Indonesia as a natural ingredient to help control blood glucose levels and is used as an alternative supplement for people with diabetes mellitus. Among the species of the genus Cinnamomum that have the potential to help control blood glucose levels are Cinnamomum burmanii, Cinnamomum verum, Cinnamomum tamala, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Coumarin and Flavonoids from Citrus grandis Linn. (Tubtim Siam Pomelo) and Their Biological Activities

Natural products from plants have the potential to exert antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities and have been widely used as ingredients in cosmetics, medicines, or supplementary food. Several types of secondary metabolites from the Citrus genus have been reported to exhibit interesting biological activity. Due to this lack of studies and biological activity of compounds from related species, it was considered important to investigate Citrus grandis Linn. (Tubtim Siam Pomelo) to be studied. The objective of this research was to isolate and elucidate the structures of chemical constituents and to evaluate their biological activity from the peels of C. grandis Linn. A coumarin (1) and 3 flavonoids (2 - 4) were isolated from the peels of C. grandis Linn. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analyses of spectroscopic data as well as comparison of their spectroscopic data with the previously published data. Compounds 1 - 4 have been evaluated for antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Compound 2 showed the highest inhibition in DPPH and tyrosinase with IC50 values of 0.219 ± 0.011 and 0.033 ± 0.002 mg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, compound 1 - 4 were the first time being isolated from Tubtim Siam Pomelo. HIGHLIGHTS Chemical constituents from grandis Linn. (Tubtim Siam Pomelo) have not been reported Coumarin and flavonoids have been isolated from acetone extract (-) meranzin hydrate, 5-demethoxynobiletin, tangeretin and naringin were isolated for the first time from Tubtim Siam Pomelo Four compounds exhibited good antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT