Bilberry (Vacciniummyrtillus L., Ericaceae) is chiefly valued as an edible plant for its berries, widely consumed as a functional food, whereas the leaves, as agro-waste, remain an underutilized natural source of bioactives. The traditional use of V. myrtillus leaves is well documented, particularly for managing diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. However, their potential spasmolytic activity, which could support such uses, remains unexplored. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the spasmolytic potential of V. myrtillus leaf extract on the gastrointestinal tract and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. The spray-dried 50% hydroethanolic extract of V. myrtillus leaves, obtained by double percolation, was analyzed using HPLC-DAD. The analysis revealed phenolic acids, with chlorogenic acid as the major compound, and flavonoids, predominantly isoquercitrin. Spasmolytic activity was tested on isolated rat ileum, and the mechanism of action was monitored using models of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine-, histamine-, CaCl2−, Bay K8644-, L-NAME-, ODQ-, apamin-, BaCl2−, charybdotoxin-, glibenclamide-, TRAM-34-, and quinine-modified contractions. The extract’s activity on isolated ileum strips is primarily mediated via Ca2+ channels, cGMP, histamine, and NO pathways. Overall, this study affirms V. myrtillus leaves as a valuable source of phenolic compounds with potential for treating spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders.

Standardized alkali-treated Euglena gracilis β-glucan mitigates PM2.5-induced pulmonary and cerebral injury through NF-κB, NRF2, and CREB-BDNF-TrkB pathways.

Fever, or pyrexia, is defined as an elevation in body temperature beyond normal physiological limits and pain an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience occur in some types of fever. Dioscorea bulbifera leaves are traditionally used for managing fever with aches and pain as per Siddha Literature. Based on these traditional claims, the present study aimed to scientifically evaluate the antipyretic and analgesic activities of Diacorea bulbifera leaf decoction using experimental animal models. For antipyretic activity, 18 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, standard, and test. Fever was induced using 15% w/v Brewer's yeast administered subcutaneously. After 18 hours, rectal temperatures were recorded at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes following treatment. The control group received 1 ml/kg normal saline, the standard group received paracetamol syrup, and the test group received Diacorea bulbifera leaf decoction according to standard dose calculation. For analgesic activity, 18 female Wistar albino rats were divided similarly, and the tail immersion method was used. Tail withdrawal times were recorded at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after administering saline, diclofenac and diascorea bulbifera decoction. The Dioscorea bulbifera decoction significantly reduced fever, showing effects comparable to paracetamol after 90 minutes. It also exhibited notable analgesic activity from the 60th minute onward, with stronger and longer-lasting effects than diclofenac. Dioscorea bulbifera leaf decoction demonstrates significant antipyretic and analgesic effects, supporting its traditional use in treating fever and pain.

Rapid antidepressant effects of Aurantii Fructus are mediated by hypoxanthine-caspase-4 axis in CUMS mice.

Codonopsis Radix (CR) is a widely used canonical medicinal and edible herb. Its official botanical sources, including C. pilosula (CP), C. pilosula var. modesta (CPM), and C. tangshen (CTS), are geographically constrained. This limited distribution has led to the use of local alternatives, such as C. lanceolata (CL) and C. tubulosa (CT). The scientific basis for substituting these alternatives remains unvalidated. In this study, untargeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, and quantitative analysis were integrated to assess metabolic similarity and identify distinctive bioactive components. Our results demonstrated a conserved core metabolome, with over 90% similarity in metabolite types and 18 shared core active compounds, suggesting a common basis for their traditional medicinal use. Notably, CT exhibited the highest polysaccharide content, and CL was significantly enriched in amino acids. This study not only provides metabolic evidence to support the use of CL and CT as qualified potential supplementary resources for CR but also proposes a dual-track strategy: their core metabolic conservation forms a solid foundation for their potential use as substitutes, while their specialized metabolite enrichment opens avenues for developing targeted functional foods and regionally distinct medicinal products.

Comprehensive evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Cucurbita maxima leaf extract: LC-MS phytochemical profiling coupled with in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches.

Liver diseases comprise a spectrum of conditions that impair hepatic function and may be life-threatening. Medicinal plants represent an important source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential and comparatively fewer adverse effects than synthetic drugs. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Chamaecrista mimosoides in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed using standard laboratory methods. Hepatic injury was induced by paracetamol administration, followed by treatment with graded doses of the plant extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and a standard hepatoprotective drug. Serum liver function biomarkers and antioxidant parameters were assessed using established protocols. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, phenols, and terpenoids, with tannins showing the highest concentration (91.98 ± 0.81). Paracetamol administration resulted in significant elevations (P<0.05) of serum AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin in the induced control group compared with the normal control. Treatment with the extract, particularly at 400 mg/kg, significantly ameliorated these alterations, with AST and ALT levels comparable (P>0.05) to the normal control. Similarly, antioxidant enzyme activities, including glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, were significantly restored in extract-treated groups relative to the induced control. These findings demonstrate that C. mimosoides leaf methanol extract exhibits significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities, supporting its traditional use in the management of liver disorders.

Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Astragali Complanati Semen (Astragalus complanatus R. Br. seeds): An updated review.

Membrane-disrupting antibacterial activity of Artocarpus lacucha bark extract: a mechanistic study through experimental and computational approaches.

Polysaccharide from Campanumoea javanica Bl. accelerate wound healing via moderating TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways and promoting SIRT1-mediated macrophage polarization in rats.

Bupleurum chinense DC. reduces LPS-induced neuroinflammation in rats by activating CREB and suppressing NF-κB and TNF-α protein expression.

Cistus x incanus L. extract as a complex polyphenolic blend with retained anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory properties in a model of E. coli-induced UTI following simulated digestion.

Piper tuberculatum Jacq. essential oil and its impact on the control of Candida spp. and Pichia kudriavzevii: increased efficacy of fluconazole and inhibition of virulence.

Hibiscus syriacus L. Flower attenuates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer via modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1, AKT, and JNK pathways.

Gastroprotective effects of Heracleum persicum hydroethanolic extract against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats via suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Aqueous extract of Alstonia boonei de Wild. (Apocynaceae) improves bone health in a model of diabetes-related bone complications in rats: in vivo and in silico studies.

Gladiolus psittacinus, commonly known as Maid of the Mist, is a perennial bulb-bearing plant traditionally used for managing diabetes and oxidative stress-related disorders. Despite its ethnomedicinal relevance, its antioxidant potential remains underexplored. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous bulb extract of G. psittacinus. Fresh bulbs were obtained from Oja Oba Market, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, in September 2023, air-dried, powdered, and extracted with distilled water (1:10) for 48 hours. The extract was analyzed for its phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties using DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Quantitative analyses revealed high total phenolic (50.33 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (43.22 ± 0.03 mg QE/g) contents. The extract exhibited strong, concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity against DPPH (4.82 ± 0.01–8.38 ± 0.02), ABTS (0.29 ± 0.04–0.62 ± 0.01), hydroxyl radicals (4.94 ± 0.02–10.62 ± 0.01), and FRAP (45.86 ± 0.01–94.61 ± 0.33). These findings suggest that the antioxidant capacity of G. psittacinus bulb extract is linked to its abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The study provides scientific support for its traditional use and highlights its potential as a natural source of antioxidants for managing oxidative stress-related conditions.

Modulatory effects of lannea welwitschia on cadmium-induced reproductive and biochemical dysregulation via steroidogenic enzyme regulation in female rats.

Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff improves liver lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetic mice by activating mitophagy.

Essential oil from Chrysanthemi Flos alleviates the nitroglycerin-induced migraine in mice by regulating the vasoactive substances and the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.