Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) is a psychoactive plant native to Southeastern Asia, belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Traditionally, its fresh leaves have been consumed in the region for centuries due to their therapeutic properties, including pain relief. The leaves contain a variety of phytochemicals with the alkaloids being the most biologically significant constituents. In the present study-the first investigation exploring sustainable extraction methods for kratom-47 natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) systems were screened. The most effective system demonstrated significantly higher extraction efficiency compared to commonly used organic solvents. The food-grade system, lactic acid : glucose was subsequently selected for optimization using a one-factor-at-a-time approach, and the optimal conditions were a molar ratio of 4 : 1 and a water content of 20%. Further optimization using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology identified the optimal extraction conditions as a solid-to-liquid ratio of 30 mg/mL, a temperature of 70 °C and an ultrasound treatment time of 12 min. Finally, three recovery methods were evaluated: solid phase extraction (including strong cation exchange and reversed-phase types), macroporous resins (six types), and acid-base extraction. The highest recovery yields were obtained with strong cation exchange solid phase extraction (95%) followed by the macroporous resins XAD 18 and XAD 1600 N (85%).

Cephalanthus tetrandrus (Roxb.) Ridsdale & Bakh.f. (1976) is a medicinally significant plant with applications in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, yet its molecular aspects remain poorly studied. This study presents its first complete chloroplast genome comprising 155,133 bp with a GC content of 37.56%. The genome follows a typical quadripartite structure, comprising LSC (85,727 bp), SSC (18,084 bp), and two IR regions (25,661 bp each). The genome contains 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis clarified its evolutionary relationships within the Rubiaceae family, providing valuable resources for future studies.

Discovery of anthraquinone derivative from Ophiorrhiza alatiflora with dual-functions of direct virucidal activity and induce host immunity against TMV.

Oldenlandia corymbosa (family Rubiaceae) has been long used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as fever, hepatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions. Numerous compounds isolated from this species have been reported to exhibit notable pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of different solvent fractions of O. corymbosa was evaluated to identify promising extracts for further phytochemical investigation. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest inhibitions against Vibrio sp. and Aeromonas caviae, with particularly high inhibition against Vibrio sp. (86.78 ± 0.24 mm at 5.000 mg/mL). Chemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction was performed using silica gel column chromatography, and the chemical structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy through comparison with reference data, leading to the identification of three compounds: geniposide (1), rutin (2), and quercetin (3). These findings highlight the potential of O. corymbosa as a promising natural source of antibacterial agents.

Recently, herbal medicines have become increasingly popular, with high usage rates in Africa (90 %) and in India (70 %). In Madagascar, they are considered a good, natural alternative to allopathic medicines. However, as more and more herbal drugs are recommended, concerns about their safety have emerged. Consumers and some practitioners have limited knowledge of the potential risks of herbal remedies. As part of the promoting and innovating of the practice of Malagasy traditional medicine, acute and subacute toxicological studies were carried out on Gaertnera phanerophlebia Baker, an endemic species of the RUBIACEAE family. It has been used as a febrifuge and wound healing but there is very little information about its direct toxic effects on organisms. This study aimed to characterize the toxicological profile of the methanolic extract from the aerial parts in male and female mice via oral administration. In vivo experiment indicates that, while the methanolic extract (ST380RF) of the aerial parts has a high acute safety profile (non-toxic up to 5,000 mg/kg of b.w), repeated 28-day exposure at lower doses (5 mg/kg of b.w) caused significant hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by biochemical, hematological and anatomopathological studies of vital organs. These results demonstrate that even if a substance is harmless, its gradual accumulation in the body following repeated exposure over a long period can lead to serious adverse effects that are often impossible to detect until a critical threshold is reached. They also confirm that pharmacological benefits cannot replace comprehensive subacute safety evaluations before human application.

Rubiaceae species are widely distributed, mainly concentrated in tropical regions. They contain various alkaloids, flavonoids, and other active compounds that have significant therapeutic effects on many diseases. In this study a meta-analysis of the existing experimental data on the therapeutic effects of Rubiaceae was conducted using Cochrane, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases for report retrieval. The search contained “ Gardenia” , “ Hedyotis” , “ Morinda” , “ Nauclea” , and “ Paederia” species of Rubiaceae , which were used in animal inflammation models. A total of 348 papers were analyzed, duplicate studies were removed, data reliability and adequate sample sizes were filtered. Proinflammatory cytokines (PCs), and the expression of inflammatory gene NF-κB were used to evaluate the inflammatory levels in two animal models, the Rubiaceae -treated (RT) and Inflammation Model (IM). Subgroup analysis was used to explore: 1) the anti-inflammatory effects of different genera; 2) the anti-inflammatory effects of different extracts. The results from meta-analysis show that Rubiaceae extracts exert significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models, with the RT group exhibiting lower levels of PCs (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and NF-κB expression than the IM group ( p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis found that Gardenia , Hedyotis , and Morinda all significantly reduced IL-1β and TNF-α levels, while only Morinda had a notable inhibitory effect on IL-6; aqueous, ethanol, and terpenoid extracts all showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. Substantial heterogeneity was observed, which subgroup and meta-regression analyses identified as being primarily due to intergeneric differences. Begg’s and Egger’s tests indicated the presence of publication bias across the included studies. Further in vivo and in vitro experiments are therefore required to verify the anti-inflammatory effects of various medicinal plants of the Rubiaceae family.

Gardenia jasminoides, an evergreen shrub in the Rubiaceae family, is widely cultivated across southern China, particularly in regions south of the Yangtze River. With a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, its fruits and flowers are valued for their rich diversity of bioactive compounds. In this study, Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing produced 37-34 Gb of long-read data (60-66× coverage) per accession. Complementary PacBio HiFi sequencing generated 28-32 Gb (50-58× coverage), while Hi-C sequencing provided 61-67 Gb (108-119× coverage) to support chromosome-scale assembly. To ensure accuracy, contigs were polished through multiple iterations using Medaka (ONT-based) and Racon (HiFi-based). The final assemblies resolved all 11 chromosomes at telomere-to-telomere continuity, with no gaps. Functional annotation assigned roles to more than 94% of predicted genes (34,397-34,440) through homology and domain-based searches. This high-quality genome resource enables the study of structural variation underlying agronomic traits and supports advances in molecular breeding, bioactive compound biosynthesis, and comparative genomics in Gardenia.

The species Psychotria densicostata Müll.Arg. is a shrub belonging to the Rubiaceae family, endemic to Brazil. So far, there are reports neither of phytochemical work on nor of biological evaluation of it. This study investigated its alkaloid profile and evaluated the inhibitory effects of extracts, alkaloid-enriched fractions and one of its major constituents on human neutrophil elastase (HNE). The monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) strictosidine (1), (3α,5α)-5-carboxystrictosidine (2), strictosidine lactam (3), lyaloside (4), lyalosidic acid (5), 5-carboxystrictosamide (6), 3,4-dehydrostrictosidinic acid (7), and N-glucopyranosyl vincosamide (8) were characterized in mixture, in its leaves, and/or stems by using an integrated approach combining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS), and molecular networks. The crude leaf extract and an alkaloid-enriched fraction derived from it showed inhibitory activity against HNE. These results contribute to the chemical knowledge of the species and suggest its potential biological property.

Unraveling the evolutionary and biogeographical factors that drive the widespread occurrence of outcrossing mechanisms in plants is key to understanding their prevalence. Style-length polymorphisms (SLP) are labile outcrossing traits that have evolved repeatedly in several angiosperm lineages sharing moderately specialized pollination features, reflecting a convergent strategy to optimize outcrossing efficiency. Notably, over 50% of known genera exhibiting SLP belong to the Rubiaceae family, which, beyond harboring floral architectures that promote pollination precision, is characterized by a predominantly tropical distribution and high species diversity. This fact suggests that the evolution and distribution of SLP could be associated with specialized pollinator interactions prevalent in tropical regions (tropicality-driven hypothesis) and with high species richness, potentially boosting the chance of random appearance of SLP (diversity-driven hypothesis). We examined the biogeographical correlates of SLP across all angiosperm genera on a global scale to test the tropicality- and diversity-driven hypotheses. We conducted phylogenetic logistic regression models to assess the prevalence of SLP genera in the tropics and biodiversity hotspots (areas of exceptional species richness), accounting for phylogenetic conservatism, genus-level species richness, and evaluating the role of the Rubiaceae family. Our analyses found no support for either the tropicality- or the diversity-driven hypotheses once phylogenetic relatedness was accounted for. Despite the occurrence of SLP being significantly associated with tropical habitats, this pattern relied on the Rubiaceae family. No positive association emerged between SLP and biodiversity hotspots. Instead, phylogenetic conservatism predominantly shaped SLP distribution. Also, there was a clear positive relationship between genus-level species richness and SLP. Our findings challenge tropicality- and diversity-driven hypotheses, suggesting that SLP distribution is primarily shaped by conserved evolution. Future studies should explore further the role of SLP in species richness by explicitly assessing its potential influence on diversification patterns.

Gardenia jasminoides fruit extract alleviates MC903-induced atopic dermatitis and reduces IL-4/IL-13-induced tight junction disruption and inflammation by regulating the phosphorylation of STAT6.

Mexico harbors exceptional biological and cultural diversity, ranking among the most floristically rich countries worldwide. Wild edible plants have historically played a central role in Mexican food systems, cultural identity and traditional ecological knowledge. However, many taxonomic groups remain poorly documented regarding their food uses. The Rubiaceae family, one of the most diverse vascular-plant families in Mexico, lacks a comprehensive synthesis of its edible species. This review compiles and analyzes available information on edible Rubiaceae species in Mexico through an extensive literature survey of scientific articles, theses, books and technical reports. Almost 50 sources were examined, focusing on documented food use. A total of 39 edible species belonging to 19 genera were recorded, of which 33 species are native. Most of these species grow in tropical rainforest ecosystems, and many are traditionally used by Indigenous communities. However, there is still a significant information gap regarding the specific uses of many of these species among different ethnic groups. Fruits were the most frequently consumed plant part, and direct consumption was the predominant form of use. The genera Randia and Coffea accounted for the highest number of edible species. The results highlight the importance of Rubiaceae as underrecognized contributors to traditional diets and local food systems. Despite their cultural, nutritional and ecological relevance, many species remain insufficiently studied. Documenting edible Rubiaceae contributes to preserving traditional knowledge and underscores their potential role in food security, sustainable resource management and resilience under changing environmental conditions.

Gardenia ternifolia is a shrub of the Rubiaceae family that is harvested in the wild for protection against evil spirit as it is believed that the plant has protective charm property. The study aim to determine the phytochemicals constituents and mineral compositions of aqueous and methanol extracts of the leaf and root bark of G. ternifolia. The leaves and root of Gardenia ternifolia were obtained from the wild in Akpegede in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The sample was rinsed and air dried in a shade, then pulverized. Extracts from the plant parts were gotten using water and methanol solvent. Thereafter, qualitative phytochemicals and minerals constituents was screened. The phytochemicals present in both aqueous and methanol extracts include carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins, triterpenes and cardiac glycosides in different proportions. While, the minerals found include iron, copper, zinc, nickel, lead and cobalt.

Characterization of andrographolide-loaded exosome-like nanoparticles from Nauclea officinalis and their modulation of inflammatory and lipid metabolic pathologies in WRL68 cells.

The genome of the allotetrapolyploid Morinda citrifolia (Noni) provides insights into its evolution and antioxidant function

Ixora coccinea, commonly called Jungle Germanium, is a flowering plant species in the family Rubiaceae of Order Gentianales with native range in Western and Southern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh to Indochina. This paper investigates solvent efficiency for paper chromatography of Ixora coccinea leaves and provides a comparative analysis of leaf pigments in young versus old leaves. Four solvent systems were evaluated: diethyl ether, methanol:acetic acid (7:3), ethanol:water (8:2), and petroleum ether:acetone (9:1). Results demonstrate that leaf aging significantly affects photosynthetic pigment composition, with old leaves showing degraded chlorophyll and prominent anthocyanin retention. Among the tested solvents, petroleum ether:acetone (9:1) provided the most effective separation with distinct pigment bands and optimal Rf values. The study confirms that unsuitable developing solvent choice critically alters chromatographic outcomes and demonstrates the importance of solvent polarity in achieving clear pigment separation.

The RUBIACEAE family is a promising source in herbal medicine. Many of them are widely used to treat various diseases in folk medicine. This research aims to promote biodiversity in Madagascar and innovate traditional malagasy medicine. The leafy twigs of Gaertnera phanerophlebia Baker (RUBIACEAE), a species endemic to the Great Island, have been used to treat pain, fever and wounds. Until now, few studies on its pharmacological and toxicological effects have been published thus so far. So, this study aims to verify the safety of the plant extract and determine the possible side effects by comparing its acute toxicity via three different administration routes in mice. In vivo results demonstrated that the leafy twigs crude extract (ST380RF) is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin according to the Draize index. No mortality or sever effetcs were observed with oral administration up to the maximum dose of 5,000 mg/kg of body weight. Anatomopathological studies of vital organs revealed no adverse effects. However, intraperitoneal injection of the crude extract resulted in the death of some animals, yielding an LD50 of 225,007 mg/kg of b.w, which is considered moderatly toxic according to the Hodge et Sterner classification. Additionally, macroscopic and microscopic analysis of vital organs revealed moderate changes in the spleen and kidneys. These results suggested that the oral and dermal administration of the leafy twigs of this plant appeared harmless and safe for medication. Anyway, since no data are available on the effects of repeated exposure, dermal application seems reasonable for drug development based on the crude extract.

This study aims to analyse current knowledge on medicinal plants used by healers to treat infertility in couples in Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo, with a particular focus on their phytochemical properties. Phytochemical analyses were conducted at the laboratory of the University of Notre Dame du Kasayi (UKA) and sociodemographic surveys were conducted among fifty healers, including 18 (36%) men and 32 (64%) women, and fifty infertile couples. The study identified 18 plant species grouped into 18 genera and 14 families. The Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Rubiaceae families are the most common, with two species (11.1%) each. Of the 11 orders listed, Lamiales and Malpighias ranked first with 3 (16.7%). Leaves, the most commonly prescribed organ, accounted for 66%. Infusions accounted for 44% of preparation methods, while oral administration was estimated at 70%. Floristic analysis reveals: nine biological types, four phytogeographic types, four morphological types, and five types of diaspores. Phytochemical analyses have shown: Flavonoids at 80%; Saponins at 74%; Polyphenols at 70%; Alkaloids at 67% and Tannins at 58%. This study highlights the importance of phytochemical analysis as an essential step towards the scientific validation, standardisation and safety of these traditional remedies. Keywords: Phytochemical analysis, Medicinal plants, Couples' infertility, Kananga. Received Date: December 20, 2025 Accepted Date: January 12, 2026 Published Date: February 01, 2026 Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/568

Rubia cordifolia (Manjishtha), a perennial herb of the Rubiaceae family, has been valued in traditional medicine for its diverse pharmacological properties. Predominantly cultivated in hilly regions, its roots have been historically used for their red pigment and therapeutic applications in Ayurveda. R. cordifolia has been traditionally employed for skin diseases, menstrual disorders, snake bites, herpes, eye diseases, haemorrhoids, and fractures. Modern research highlights its potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties, with evidence supporting its role in managing acne, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and infectious diseases. Furthermore, its integration into various Ayurvedic formulations emphasizes its clinical significance. A comprehensive literature review highlights its bioactive compounds and their therapeutic relevance in modern medicine. The review aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge of the pharmacological impacts, the active components, and the medicinal applications of R. cordifolia. It uncovers new bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, or novel formulations, patent protection becomes essential.

Mitragyna speciosa Korth. berasal dari famili Rubiaceae yang banyak tumbuh di daratan negara-negara Asia Tenggara. Tumbuhan ini selain disebut Kratom, khususnya di daerah Kalimantan Timur dikenal juga dengan nama "Kadamba". Mitragyna speciosa Korth. belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is widely found in the mainland of Southeast Asian countries. This plant, known as Kratom, is also referred to as "Kadamba" in East Kalimantan. Kadamba has been used for generations as a traditional medicine and contains predominantly alkaloid compounds, which generally function as analgesics, antitussives, antidiarrheals, adrenergic agents, antimalarials, antibacterials, and antinociceptives. The aim of this research is to determine the isolation and identification methods for alkaloid compounds in Kadamba leaves. In this study, extraction was performed using methanol solvent, followed by fractionation using Vacuum Liquid Chromatography (VLC) and Column Chromatography (CC) with gradient eluents: 100% hexane, n-hexane : Ethyl Acetate (5:1, 1:1, 1:5), 100% Ethyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate : Methanol (1:1, 1:5), and 100% Methanol. The compounds were then identified using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The isolation process used preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC) with eluent n-hexane: ethyl acetate: 25% ammonia (6.5:3:0.5 v/v/v), and the spots were observed under UV light at 245 nm and 366 nm. The visible spots were sprayed with Dragendorff's reagent to identify the alkaloid compounds. The results showed that the UV-Vis spectrophotometric characterization of isolate B6-b had two peaks at wavelengths of 288 nm and 294 nm.

The genus Prismatomeris, comprising 17 species in the Rubiaceae family and native to Southeast Asia, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, including inflammatory disorders, hepatitis, and kidney dysfunction. Phytochemical studies consistently show that anthraquinones and their derivatives are the predominant secondary metabolites, accompanied by triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and several structurally distinctive constituents, such as prisconnatanones and prismatomerin. These metabolites exhibit diverse biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antituberculosis, antifungal, antimalarial, and antiviral effects, with anthraquinones and triterpenoids emerging as key bioactive classes. Despite promising pharmacological evidence, further comprehensive studies are needed to explore their mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Collectively, Prismatomeris represents an underexplored reservoir of bioactive natural products with significant therapeutic potential.