Strophanthus divaricatus (Lour.) Hook. & Arn. (1837) is an important medicinal plant utilized in traditional Chinese and Yao ethnomedicine. Here, we report its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina sequencing. The circular genome is 155,409 bp in length, with an overall GC content of 38.28%, and displays a typical quadripartite structure comprising a large single-copy region (85,683 bp), a small single-copy region (18,182 bp), and two inverted repeats (25,772 bp each). A total of 130 genes were annotated, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. divaricatus is closely related to S. wallichii.

Medicinal plants in the management of muscle loss and sarcopenia: A narrative review of preclinical and clinical evidence from eight species.

Ethnopharmacological insights into native medicinal plants for cancer management by indigenous and local communities of Africa: A systematic review.

Advances in natural medicinal plant-based interventions against hypoxia-related neuroinflammation.

Unveiling the genus Taraxacum: From folk medicine to chemodiversity-driven pharmacological and toxicological outcomes-A systematic review.

Acteoside targeting glutamine synthetase ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis.

Unraveling the chemical complexity of Areca catechu by combining pH-dependent SPE-2D LC-HRMS and mass spectrometry imaging.

Gingerols and their derivatives from ginger oleoresin and the anti-melanogenic effect in IBMX-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurological disorder, is often managed with medications targeting specific symptoms. Complementing conventional therapies, medicinal plants are frequently used for neurological disorders, including PD. This study evaluated the effects of crude extracts and fractions of Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl. and Datura stramonium L.-psychoactive plants-on PD-related mechanisms using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Crude extracts of C. edulis (leaves) and D. stramonium (leaf/root mixture) were prepared using dichloromethane/methanol (50/50). Fractionation was performed via C8 solid-phase extraction. Cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects of the crude extracts and fractions against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cytotoxicity were assessed using the sulforhodamine B assay. Mechanistic studies included reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial integrity, and apoptosis assays. In silico analysis was used to assess the binding of biomarkers to dopamine receptors. Both plant extracts exhibited minimal cytotoxicity. Crude extracts and fractions (F1-F7) displayed cytoprotective effects (5.8-34.28%). The highest ROS reduction was observed for F1 of C. edulis (1.72-fold) and F2 of D. stramonium (1.33-fold). Both extracts reduced caspase 3/7 activation and maintained mitochondrial integrity. Atropine and scopolamine showed cytoprotection with IC50 values of 49.48μM and 48.26μM, respectively. In silico analysis indicated strong binding affinities of norephedrine and noradrenaline to dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Both plant extracts preserved cell viability, reduced ROS levels, and maintained mitochondrial integrity, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents for PD.

Oligopeptides from Gynura divaricata improve glycemic control via inhibition of gluconeogenesis and gut-brain axis regulation.

Diarrheal diseases are responsible for significant mortality worldwide. In many regions, local populations rely on traditional medicine, including medicinal plants, to manage these illnesses. This study aimed to identify the medicinal plants used by traditional healers in the Hauts-Bassins region of Burkina Faso for treating diarrheal diseases. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from September 4 to 30, 2020, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Key indicators such as Family Importance Value (FIV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), plant parts used, preparation methods, and routes of administration were assessed. A total of 51 traditional healers were interviewed, 90.20% of whom were male. Most participants were over 60 years of age, and 54.9% were from the village of Bala. Eighteen (18) plant species from eleven (11) botanical families were recorded, with the Annonaceae family being the most frequently cited (35.56%). The most commonly reported species included Annona senegalensis Pers. (35.56%), Euphorbia hirta L. (11.11%), and Erythrina senegalensis DC (8.89%). Roots (44.44%) and trunk bark (20.00%) were the most frequently used plant parts. Decoction (57.78%) and maceration (42.22%) were the primary preparation methods, with oral administration being the most common. Species including Opilia celtidifolia, Erythrina senegalensis, Entada africana, Acacia erythrocalyx, and Combretum nigricans were reported as rare. This study contributes to the preservation of indigenous knowledge and provides a foundation for future pharmacological investigations into antidiarrheal medicinal plants.

SAA-YOLO: A scale-aware attention enhanced YOLOv10 for UAV-based detection of medicinal plant Phlomoides rotata in alpine grasslands

Identification of a group of UDP-glycosyltransferases catalyze emodin glycosylation in Rheum officinale with substrates promiscuity.

Evaluation of essential trace elements in selected medicinal plants by using proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE)

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.: A comprehensive review on phytochemical, pharmacological and tissue-specific distribution of active components.

Vitex negundo Linn.: A decade of advances in phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and biotechnological interventions (2015-2025) - A comprehensive review.

Atsuattenone, a novel ishwarane derivative from Piper attenuatum, mitigates hepatic lipid accumulation by modulating PPARα pathway and lipolytic enzymes.

In silico evaluation of the estrogenic activity of flavonoids from Butea monosperma: Exploring phytoestrogenic alternatives to endogenous estrogens.

Phytotherapeutic potential of Lamiaceae essential oils and their monoterpenes against Giardia duodenalis.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, largely driven by excessive activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (Hmgcr), the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Although statins are effective inhibitors of this enzyme, their long-term use is often limited by their adverse effects. This has encouraged the search for safer, plant-derived alternatives. Withania coagulans, a medicinal plant rich in withanolides, has demonstrated lipid-lowering potential; however, its molecular interactions with Hmgcr remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to identify and characterize bioactive compounds from Withania coagulans as potential natural inhibitors of Hmgcr in Mus musculus, using an integrated in silico strategy. A validated three-dimensional model of Mus musculus Hmgcr was generated using homology modeling. Twenty bioactive compounds from Withania coagulans, along with standard statins, were screened using molecular docking and ADMET profiling, following Lipinski's rule of five. High-ranking complexes were further explored using MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA binding-free energy calculations. Molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) were performed for top-ranked selected ligand-protein complexes to assess their structural stability and interaction persistence under physiologically relevant conditions. Several Withania coagulans compounds demonstrated strong binding affinities toward the Hmgcr active site, in some cases comparable to or exceeding those of standard statins. The key interactions involved conserved catalytic residues, such as Tyr516, Met533, Ile535, Ile761, Pro812 and Gln813. Molecular dynamics analyses revealed stable complexes with low RMSD fluctuations and minimal active site flexibility, confirming sustained ligand binding. ADMET predictions suggested favorable oral absorption and acceptable drug-like properties for the leading compounds. This study highlights Withania coagulans as a promising source of natural Hmgcr inhibitors. The identified compounds exhibited stable binding, favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, and mechanistic similarity to established statins, supporting their potential for further experimental validation as cholesterol-lowering agents.