Medicinal Value Research Articles

Neuroprotection and mechanisms of ginsenosides in nervous system diseases: Progress and perspectives.

Ginsenosides are the primary component discernible from ginseng, including Rb1, Rb2, Rd, Rg1, Rg2, and compound K, and so forth. They have been shown to have multiple pharmacological activities. In recent years, more and more studies have been devoted to the neuroprotection of various ginsenosides against neurological diseases and their potential mechanisms. This paper comprehensively summarizes and reviews the neuroprotective effects of various ginsenosides on neurological diseases, especially acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases, and their mechanisms, as well as their potential therapeutic applications to promote neuroprotection in disease prevention, treatment, and prognosis. Briefly, ginsenosides exert effective neuroprotective effects on neurological conditions, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain/spinal cord injuries through a variety of molecular mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic. Among them, some signaling pathways play important roles in related processes, such as PI3K/Akt, TLR4/NF-κB, ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3, HO-1/Nrf2, Wnt/β-catenin, and Ca2+ pathway. In conclusion, the present study reviews the research progress on the neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides in the last decade, with the aim of furnishing essential theoretical underpinning and effective references for further research and exploration of the multiple medicinal values of Chinese herbal medicines and their small molecule compounds, including ginseng and panax ginseng. Because there is less evidence in the existing clinical studies, future research should be focused on clinical trials in order to truly reflect the clinical value of various ginsenosides for the benefit of patients.

Discerning the Multi-dimensional Role of Salicin: Bioactive Glycoside Beyond Analgesic: Different Perspectives

: Salicin is a glycoside that can be found in several Salix and Populus species. Salicin is also connected to the glycoside populin, commonly known as benzoyl Salicin, in the Salicaceae tree barks. D-glucose is a component of the alcoholic glycoside Salicin (C13H18O7). The willow tree, as well as other trees like poplar and aspen, contains the natural chemical Salicin, which is a member of the salicylate family. Salicin is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic used in conventional medicine, and it served as the inspiration for the creation of aspirin. This molecule may have important human pharmacological actions that need to be considered in determining the efficacy and safety of willow herbal medicines. The extracts obtained from the bark of the tree, belonging to the Saliceae family in different solvents have been known for possessing many important medicinal values by potent pharmacological actions. The current effort deals with exquisite detailed aspects and concerns related to Salicin, which will be fruitful for the futuristic approaches to Salicin.

Microneedles as an Emerging Platform for Transdermal Delivery of Phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals, which are predominantly found in plants, hold substantial medicinal value. Despite their potential, challenges such as poor oral bioavailability and instability in the gastrointestinal tract have limited their therapeutic use. Traditional intra/transdermal drug delivery systems offer some advantages over oral administration but still suffer from issues such as limited penetration depth, slow drug release rates, and inconsistent drug absorption. In contrast, microneedles (MNs) represent a significant advancement in intra/transdermal drug delivery by providing precise control over phytochemical delivery and enhanced penetration capabilities. By circumventing skin barriers, MNs directly access dermal layers rich in blood vessels and lymphatics, thus facilitating efficient phytochemical delivery. This review extensively discusses the obstacles of traditional oral delivery and the benefits of intra/transdermal delivery routes with a particular focus on the transformative potential of MNs for phytochemical delivery. This review explores the complexities of delivering phytochemicals through intra/transdermal routes, the development and types of MNs as innovative delivery tools, and the optimal design and properties of MNs for effective phytochemical delivery. Additionally, this review examines the versatile applications of MN-mediated phytochemical delivery, including its role in administering phytophotosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, and concludes with insights into relevant patents and future perspectives.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling Analysis of the CCT Gene Family in Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum melongena

CCT family genes play crucial roles in photoperiodic flowering and environmental stress response; however, there are limited reports in Solanum species with considerable edible and medicinal value. In this study, we conducted genome-wide characterization and expression profiling analysis of the CCT gene family in two Solanum species: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). A total of 27 SlCCT and 29 SmCCT genes were identified in the tomato and eggplant genomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the CCT gene family could be divided into six subgroups (COL I, COL II, COL III, PRR, CMF I, and CMF II) in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana. The similarity in the distribution of exon–intron structures and conserved motifs within the same subgroup indicated the conservation of SlCCT and SmCCT genes during evolution. Intraspecies collinearity analysis revealed that six pairs of SlCCT genes and seven pairs of SmCCT genes showed collinear relationships, suggesting that segmental duplication played a vital role in the expansion of the SlCCT and SmCCT family genes. Cis-acting element prediction indicated that SlCCT and SmCCT were likely to be involved in multiple responses stimulated by light, phytohormones, and abiotic stress. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that SmCCT15, SlCCT6/SlCCT14, and SlCCT23/SmCCT9 responded significantly to salt, drought, and cold stress, respectively. Our comprehensive analysis of the CCT gene family in tomato and eggplant provides a basis for further studies on its molecular role in regulating flowering and resistance to abiotic stress, and provides valuable candidate gene resources for tomato and eggplant molecular breeding.

Unravelling The Bioactivities of Acmella paniculata Extract-Mediated Green Deep Eutectic Solvent of Citric Acid Monohydrate and Glycerol

Plants are important sources of underlying medicinal value properties. The extraction of bioactive compounds from botanical sources using green solvents has gained interest due to its environmental sustainability. This study highlighted the bioactivities potential of Acmella paniculata extract mediated by green deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of the citric acid monohydrate and glycerol. Acmella paniculata, a local flowering shrub was selected due to its rich medicinal value compounds. The synergistic effect between plant’s bioactive compounds and DES is capable of enhancing bioactivity, making DES a promising plant solvent extractor candidate. The plant extracts were prepared in leaf and flower parts using the centrifugation method. The phytochemical screening for both extracts showed the presence of terpenoids and steroid constituents which have valuable bioactivity functions. The antibacterial activity assessed by disc diffusion assay exhibited higher susceptible bacterial response of E. coli, Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium and S. aureus against the flower extract compared to the leaf extract. The DPPH assay was conducted to assess free radical scavenging activity. The flower extract demonstrated radical scavenging activity (RSA) of 75%-77% while the leaf extract demonstrated 65%-69%. The flower extract results showed higher RSA emphasizing its potential as a natural antioxidant. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by egg albumin denaturation assay, which showed a greater inhibition rate in flower extract than the leaf extract which was up to 95% and 89% respectively. Thus, both extracts possess an in vitro anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusively, flower extract exhibited better bioactivities value than leaf extract in a green DES. Hence, offering a new insight into its application as an effective alternative in natural product-based therapeutics.

Phytochemical composition, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in silico docking properties of Tamarix tetragyna L.

Tamarix tetragyna is a plant grows in Mediterranean area and some Arab countries. It possesses numerous medicinal values. Purpose of our study is to explore biological activity of tamarix tetragyna extracts of both leaves and stem with investigating their phytochemical composition. The investigated extracts’ phyto-constituent composition was determined using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method. In addition, in vitro cytoxicity activity versus cancer cell lines such MCF-7, HepG-2, HCT-116, and A-549 was examined by MTT assay method, together with exploring its apoptosis effect by flow cytometry and western blot analysis techniques. Moreover, some phytochemical compounds were identified, and in-silico evaluated against anticancer molecular targets. Plant extracts showed good cytotoxic activity against both A-549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines. With an IC50 value of 23.90 µg/ml that led to apoptosis and G2/M-phase arrest in A-549 cells, cytotoxicity data demonstrate leaves’ extract effectiveness against these cells. Upon GC-MS analysis, it revealed presence of some bioactive components such as Stigmast-5-en-3-ol and 2-methoxy-4-vinyl phenol, which are known for their cytotoxic activity. Our findings suggest that methanolic extracts of Tamarix tetragyna parts may have potential therapeutic uses as anticancer against A-549 cells, which opens up further avenues for investigation into its industrial applications.

First Report of Colletotrichum spaethianum Causing Anthracnose on Jiaotou (Allium chinense G. Don) in China.

Jiaotou (Allium chinense G. Don) is a culinary and aromatic herb belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae. It is native to China and cultivated for its culinary uses in many other countries, which also possess high medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine (Rhetso et al. 2020). In March 2023, a disease resembling anthracnose was detected in the fields of Changde city, Hunan Province, China. The symptoms manifested as yellow to brown necrotic spots located at the tip or middle of the blade. The lesions tended to wrinkle, leading to leaf distortion, thinning, and wilting. This disease has a high incidence rate of approximately 50% in an area of nearly 20 hectares. Ten symptomatic plants were collected for pathogen isolation. The leaf tissues were surface sterilized using 70% ethyl alcohol and 2% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed with sterile distilled water, and then transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 26°C in the dark. Ten colonies with similar cultural morphology were selected from the 10 affected plant samples. The fungal strains produced densely aerial mycelium on PDA, displaying off-white to gray-brown coloration. Conidia were hyaline, curved or slightly curved, aseptate, with a rounded apex and truncate base, contained oil globules, and measuring 21.0 to 29.0 × 4.1 to 5.3 μm (n = 50. Appressoria were dark brown, irregular in shape, partially lobed, and measured 6.5 to 15.5 µm long × 5.0 to 10.5 µm wide. Setae were straight, dark brown, with two- to three-septate, 78.5 to 155.4 μm long (n = 50). These morphological characteristics were similar to Colletotrichum spaethianum (Damm et al. 2009). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, actin (ACT), chitin synthase (CHS-1) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes of three representative strains, JT-1, JT-2 and JT-3, were amplified and sequenced as described in Weir et al. (2012). These sequences were 99 to 100% identical to corresponding sequences of C. spaethianum strains (565/569 bp, MN396364.1 for ITS; 565/569 bp, MN433299.1 for ACT; 262/263 bp, MN433298.1 for GAPDH; 272/272 bp, MH020773 for CHS-1, respectively) (Zhong et al. 2020; Liu et al. 2020; Sun et al. 2020). A concatenated phylogenetic tree showed that all three strains were clustered within the C. spaethianum clade. The sequences of isolate JT-1 were deposited in GenBank (accession nos. PP911453, PP911607, PP911605, and PP911606 for ITS, ACT, GAPDH and CHS-1, respectively). For pathogenicity assays, 1-month-old seedings of A. chinense in plots were inoculated by spraying with a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/ml) until runoff. Control plants were sprayed with sterilized water. All the inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse at 25°C with a 12-h/12-h light/dark cycle. The experiment was conducted twice with three replications each. After 7 days, symptoms similar to those observed in the field developed on leaves of the inoculated plants, whereas the control plants remained asymptomatic C. spaethianum was specifically reisolated and identified from the symptomatic leaves, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Colletotrichum spaethianum has been recorded as a pathogen fungus on many medicinal plants, such as Peucedanum praeruptorum (Guo et al. 2013), Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Okorley et al. 2019), and Paris polyphylla (Zhong et al. 2020). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. spaethianum causing anthracnose on Jiaotou in China. Effective control measures should be implemented to mitigate potential further damage to Jiaotou cultivation.

High-quality genome of black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum Murr.) provides insights into the genetics of anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation

Abstract Black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum Murr.) is an important plant for ecological preservation. In addition, its fruits are rich in anthocyanins and have important edible and medicinal value. However, a high quality chromosome-level genome for this species is not yet available, and the regulatory mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins are unclear. In this study, haploid material was used to assemble a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of Lycium ruthenicum, resulting in a genome size of 2,272 Mb with contig N50 of 92.64 Mb, and 38,993 annotated gene models. In addition, the evolution of this genome and large-scale variations compared with the Ningxia wolfberry Lycium barbarum were determined. Importantly, homology annotation identified 86 genes involved in the regulatory pathway of anthocyanin biosynthesis, five of which [LrCHS1 (evm.TU.Chr05.295), LrCHS2 (evm.TU.Chr09.488), LrAOMT (evm.TU.Chr09.809), LrF3'5'H (evm.TU.Chr06.177) and LrAN2.1 (evm.TU.Chr05.2618)] were screened by differential expression analysis and correlation analysis using a combination of transcriptome and metabolome testing. Overexpression of these genes could significantly up- or downregulate anthocyanin-related metabolites. These results will help accelerate the functional genomic research of L. ruthenicum, and the elucidation of the genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis will be beneficial for breeding new varieties and further exploring its ecological conservation potential.

Screening of the Candidate Metabolite to Evaluate the Mycelium Physiological Maturation of Lyophyllum decastes Based on Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis

Lyophyllum decastes is a commercially cultivated rare edible mushroom with high dietary and medicinal value. The mycelium physiological maturation was an important factor to the yield and quality of mushrooms obtained. However, it was impossible to obtain discriminative characteristics represented the maturity level of the mycelia from morphological features. In this article, we screened a candidate metabolite for evaluating the mycelium physiological maturation by metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis during mycelial vegetative growth stages of L. decastes. The results showed that mycelial vegetative growth 55 d had reached to physiological maturation according to the yield and quality of L. decastes, which the single bottle yield (307 g/bottle), the contents of flavonoids (2.94 mg/g dry weight), and 5 flavor amino acids (glutamate 177.90 μg/g, aspartate 95.74 μg/g, phenylalanine 31.68 μg/g, tyrosine 13.79 μg/g, and alanine 10.99 μg/g) were the highest. In addition, the metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis results showed that biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and amino acid had significant different during mycelial vegetative growth stages, and glutamine may be a candidate indicator to evaluate the mycelial physiological maturation. These findings contribute to improve our knowledge of mycelium physiological maturation and it will be used to increase mushroom yield and quality.

New Occurrence of Nigrospora oryzae Causing Leaf Blight in Ginkgo biloba in China and Biocontrol Screening of Endophytic Bacteria

Ginkgo biloba is a multifunctional composite tree species that has important ornamental, economic, medicinal, and scientific research value. In October 2023, the foliage of G. biloba on the campus of Nanjing Forestry University exhibited leaf blight. Black-brown necrotic spots were observed on a large number of leaves, with a disease incidence of 86%. After isolating a fungus from symptomatic leaves, pathogenicity was tested to satisfy Koch’s postulates. Using morphological features and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of an internal transcribed spacer (ITS), elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), and beta-tubulin (β-tub), the isolates YKB1-1 and YKB1-2 were identified as Nigrospora oryzae. N. oryzae was previously reported as an endophyte of G. biloba. However, this study shows it to be pathogenic to G. biloba, causing leaf spots. Two endophytic bacteria were isolated from asymptomatic leaves of diseased G. biloba trees, and their molecular identification was performed using 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA). GBB1-2 was identified as Bacillus altitudinis, while GBB1-5 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The screening and verification of endophytic bacteria provide a new strategy for the control of N. oryzae.

Zaluzanin-D enriched Vernonia arborea extract mediated copper oxide nanoparticles synthesis and their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and DNA methylation altering properties.

Metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized with the aid of medicinal plant extracts are showing potential as treatment options for inflammatory diseases. Two key benefits of this synthesis method is: the synthesis process is environmentally benign and the utilization of medicinal plant-derived extracts adds to the medicinal value of the synthesized nanoparticle. Earlier, sesquiterpene lactone zaluzanin-D (ZD) has been isolated from leaves of Vernonia arborea. ZD showed ability to reduce inflammation in activated monocytes. Copper oxide nanoparticles (bCuO-NPs) were synthesized using ZD-enriched leaf extract of V. arborea and characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, particle size analyzer, and TEM. Synthesized bCuO-NPs did not show significant toxicity to human monocytic cell lines (THP-1) at the tested concentrations. The bCuO-NPs showed radical scavenging ability indicating anti-oxidant properties. Flow cytometry experiments proved the capability of bCuO-NPs to reduce intracellular ROS in peroxide-activated THP-1 cells. The NPs also showed a significant ability to reduce inflammatory adhesion in PMA-activated THP-1 cells. In the DNA methylation studies, bCuO-NPs behaved similarly to ZD and prevented DNA hypomethylation at the MMP-9 promoter region. These properties strongly indicate the ability of bCuO-NPs to reduce inflammation in the activated monocytes. Furthermore, in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, the developmental toxicity of bCuO-NPs was assessed. The studies indicated the reduced toxicity and compatibility of the NPs with biological organisms. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the bCuO-NPs produced from ZD-enriched leaf extract have significant anti-oxidant capabilities and the ability to reduce inflammation in monocytic cell lines. Overall, reduced in vitro and in vivo toxicity, along with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, makes bCuO-NPs a potential candidate for anti-inflammatory drugs.

Phytochrome interacting factor 3 mediates low light signaling to regulate isorhynchophylline biosynthesis in Uncaria rhynchophylla

Phytochrome interacting factors (PIFs) serve as crucial regulators in the light signal transduction pathway and also mediate light signals to regulate secondary metabolite synthesis in plants. However, the regulator role of PIFs in secondary metabolites often varies among different plants. Isorhynchophylline (IRN), an iconic secondary metabolite of Uncaria rhynchophylla, holds significant medicinal value. Low light induces the synthesis of IRN in previous research, but PIFs in U. rhynchophylla have not been studied to date. Building on this, we identified a PIF protein, UrPIF3, which possesses the typical conserved domains of the PIFs and is localized in the nucleus. Moreover, the expression level of UrPIF3 is consistently positively correlated with the expression of two key enzyme genes (UrSGD and UrSTR) in the IRN biosynthesis pathway, regardless of whether under low light or restoring light conditions. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays further demonstrated that UrPIF3 can directly upregulate UrSGD. Conversely, silencing UrPIF3 inhibits IRN synthesis, and significantly reduces the expression levels of UrSGD and UrSTR. In summary, our results suggest that under low light conditions, UrPIF3 can directly upregulate UrSGD and indirectly upregulate UrSTR, thereby promoting the synthesis of IRN.

Determining the geographical origins of goji berries using the Twin-Tower model for Multi-Feature

Gogi berry products, known for their medicinal value, are exclusively available in the Ningxia region of China. However, the nutritional components, active ingredients, and economic value of these berries vary considerably among different cultivation zones in Ningxia. Accurate geographical traceability is essential not only for fostering the sustainable growth of the goji berry industry but also to ensure consumer safety, safeguard regional brands, and prevent fraudulent labelling practices that can erode market confidence and disrupt economic stability. Consequently, identification of the precise geographical origin of goji berries in Ningxia has emerged as a focal point in the progression of the industry. In this study, the Twin-Tower Model (TTM) was employed in conjunction with hyperspectral spectral and image data to establish a classification model for determining the proximate geographical origins of goji berries in Ningxia, including the regions of Zhongning, Guyuan, Tongxin, and Huinong. The results show that the graph-based training method built on TTM improves the accuracy by 3.7% compared to traditional data fusion methods. Notably, it attained a flawless 100% recognition rate for the highest quality Zhongning goji berries. These findings highlight that the implementation of the TTM method for multitask learning signifies a novel direction for transforming the conventional data fusion paradigm. Furthermore, it provides an essential technological means for the robust development of the goji berry industry.

Mitochondrial genome insights into the spatio-temporal distribution and genetic diversity of Dendrobium hancockii Rolfe (Orchidaceae)

IntroductionWith its distinctive evolutionary rate and inheritance patterns separate from the nuclear genome, mitochondrial genome analysis has become a prominent focus of current research. Dendrobium hancockii Rolfe, a species of orchid with both medicinal and horticultural value, will benefit from the application of the fully assembled and annotated mitochondrial genome. This will aid in elucidating its phylogenetic relationships, comparative genomics, and population genetic diversity.MethodsBased on sequencing results from Illumina combined with PacBio and Nanopore, the mitochondrial genome map of D. hancockii was constructed. Comparative analysis was conducted from the perspectives of phylogeny across multiple species, selection pressure on protein-coding genes, and homologous segments. The population diversity of D. hancockii was analyzed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from the mitochondrial genome and single-copy nuclear genes.Results and discussionThis research constructed a circular mitochondrial map for D. hancockii, spanning 523,952 bp, containing 40 unique protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genes from 26 land plants revealed a conserved gene cluster, "rpl16-ccmFn-rps3-rps19," particularly within the Dendrobium genus. The mitochondrial genome of D. hancockii exhibits a lower point mutation rate but significant structural variation. Analysis of 103 resequencing samples identified 19,101 SNP sites, dividing D. hancockii into two major groups with limited gene flow between them, as supported by population diversity, genetic structure analysis, principal component analysis, and phylogenetic trees. The geographical distribution and genetic differentiation of D. hancockii into two major groups suggest a clear phytogeographical division, likely driven by ancient geological or climatic events. The close alignment of mitochondrial data with nuclear gene data highlights the potential of the mitochondrial genome for future studies on genetic evolution in this species.

Phytochemistry of Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss, Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. and Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees & C. H. Eberm. and in silico studies of the role of their bioactive components against cancer

Phytochemical profiling using reliable equipment and validated methods helps us know the medicinal value of the plants. Since natural compounds have fewer side effects, they can serve as replacements for synthetic drugs that are being used in the treatment of challenging chronic diseases like cancer. The present study focuses on the bioactive phytochemical profiling of Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss, Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng., and Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees & C. H. Eberm. and in silico studies to check the anticancer potential of their bioactive components. In thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plate analysis, it was found that the methanolic extracts of plants contained the maximum number of components. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the methanolic extracts of plants showed the presence of 22 bioactive components. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the extracts of these plants showed the important chromatographic peak, apigenin. In silico studies showed the binding efficacy of selected bioactive components observed in the analysis of plant extracts. Amongst them, apigenin was found to be most effective at binding to the receptors of targeted cancer cells, viz., hepatocellular carcinoma, lung, and breast cancer. After the analysis of the study, it was arrived at the conclusion that the plants, viz., P. crispum, M. koenigii, and C. tamala, possess various bioactive components, and some of these components have anticancer potential. Therefore, in vivo and in vitro studies should be essentially conducted for the development of cancer-preventive drugs.

Phytochemical profiling from Dioscorea bulbifera L. bulbils using LC-MS, proximate analysis and antidiabetic activity: in vitro and in silico approaches

ABSTRACT The nutritional value and medicinal properties of highly edible Bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L are still unexplored. This study reported the nutritional and medicinal values by In vitro, and In silico studies along with chemical profiling using LC-MS. The proximate analysis was conducted by the AOAC method. The antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were assessed using DPPH and α- α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay. Molecular docking was used to do an In silico examination of the identified molecules, and ADMET analysis of the hit candidate was also performed. The result showed that bulbils of D. bulbifera were found to have a higher percentage of protein (8.83%), fat (0.96%), and fiber (5.40%). It exhibited significant levels of phenolic and flavonoid content 106.93 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g and 11.51 ± 0.02 mg QE/g, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction of D. bulbifera showed potent antioxidants with an IC 50 = 13.75 ± 0.6 μg/mL. Furthermore, the methanol extract showed more than 50 % inhibition activity with IC 50 values of 26.29 ± 0.6 μg/mL and 191.2 ± 0.7 μg/mL against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed higher α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity with an IC 50 of 14.42 ± 0.4 μg/mL and 171.5 ± 0.4 μg/mL, respectively, compared to the standard acarbose (p < 0.05). Chemical profiling of most bio-active ethyl acetate fraction was done using LC-MS analysis, where eleven compounds were annotated. In conclusion, bulbils of D. bulbifera demonstrate promising anti-diabetic activity through In vitro and In silico studies.

Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Klilde, a sacred tree: its nutritional value, elemental composition and anti-nutritional content

The sacred Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Klilde tree holds significant medicinal value and is utilized in ayurvedic preparations to treat various health conditions. This research investigated the nutritional, elemental and anti-nutritional properties of S. asoca leaves and flowers. The nutritional qualities of the tree parts were examined using the muffle furnace and micro-Kjeldahl techniques. Titration techniques were used to assess the anti-nutritional content of plants, whereas EDX (Energy dispersive X-ray) was used to determine the mineral content. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, phenols and flavonoids, along with antioxidant properties that could neutralize free radicals generated by metabolic processes in the body. Nutritional analysis indicated that the floral parts of S. asoca had higher moisture, carbohydrate and crude fat content than the leaves. Conversely, the leaves had elevated ash levels, crude fiber and protein. Leaf samples showed higher concentrations of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iodine, iron and manganese compared to the floral samples. In contrast, flower samples exhibited higher potassium, copper, silicon and zinc levels. These findings highlight the rich nutritional profile, abundant phytochemicals and essential minerals in both tree parts, with low anti-nutrient content. This information could be instrumental in developing phytopharmaceuticals and nutritious food products. Additionally, utilizing these tree parts could offer a cost-effective way to enhance nutrient intake and address nutritional deficiencies in humans and animals.

The potential of Terminalia chebula in alleviating mild cognitive impairment: a review

Terminalia chebula Retz. (T. Chebula, ཨ་རུ་ར།) is highly utilized in ethnic medicine. Its medicinal value is gradually being recognized and shows great potential in the improvement of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) disorders. Tibetan medicine theory classifies this type of disease as one of the “Jie Xie Syndrome (བརྗེད་བྱེད།).” The role of T. Chebula in such diseases has been increasingly studied. This work aimed to elucidate the research progress of T. Chebula in alleviating MCI. The review offers a critical update on the current understanding of the effect of T. Chebula on MCI and highlights new opportunities for exploring its therapeutic potential. This review discusses the role of T. Chebula in alleviating MCI and provides a comprehensive overview of the traditional medicinal uses, chemical composition, toxicology, and quality control aspects of T. Chebula. This review covers 171 chemical constituents and 11 active constituents targeting MCI, such as flavonoids, which can alleviate MCI, primarily through its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. T. Chebula shows potential as a natural medicine for the treatment and prevention of MCI. As an important part of ethnomedicinal resources, this work offers valuable insights for future research on T. Chebula-containing ethnomedicines. Research on traditional drug treatments, optimized treatment standards, improved societal knowledge about MCI, and development of an early detection system is essential to the diagnosis and treatment of MCI. These efforts will provide better treatment resources for patients with MCI.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino Affects Autophagy and Improves Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Through TXNIP-Mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

TXNIP is closely associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (GP), a perennial herb with five leaves, is considered to have medicinal values. However, it is unknown whether GP alleviates DPN by modulating TXNIP-mediated autophagy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GP on Schwann cell injury during DPN and to investigate the mechanism of GP in DPN for the first time. High-fat diet-fed GK rats and high-glucose-cultured RSC96 cells were used to establish DPN models. The effects of GP on DPN were investigated by blood glucose assay, neurological function assay, pathology assay, and immunohistochemistry. To investigate the effect of GP on autophagy and upstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in Schwann cells, Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were performed on RSC96 cells to detect the expression of beclin-1 and LC3. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, and RT-qPCR method and was used to detect the expression of PI3K. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The effects of TXNIP on the above indicators were also detected in RSC96 cells. Finally, the mechanism of GP regulation of autophagy and apoptosis in RSC96 cells was verified. GP reduced blood glucose level, attenuated peripheral nerve myelin damage, and improved nerve function in DPN rats. In addition, GP enhanced autophagy activity and reduced apoptosis in RSC96 cells. GP promoted autophagy by regulating TXNIP-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and GP reduced apoptosis in RSC96 cells by promoting cellular autophagy. GP attenuates DPN myelin damage in RSC96 cells by enhancing autophagy, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by up-regulating the expression of TXNIP.

Distributions of Lanostene-Derived Triterpenoids and Glucan Content in the Fruiting Bodies of the Australian Ganoderma Species.

Lanostene-derived triterpenoids and β-glucans are important metabolites in Ganoderma mushrooms associated with benefits to human health. The medicinal value of the Australian Ganoderma species remains unclear, with no data on triterpenoid distribution or glucan content. In the present study, 22 Australian Ganoderma specimens were analyzed for triterpenoid and glucan contents. Thirty-two triterpenoids were identified in the fruiting bodies of 19 of the specimens. Distinct patterns in triterpenoid distribution between laccate and matte fruiting bodies were observed, leading to the classification of four groups of Ganoderma. Most of the glucans in the Ganoderma fruiting bodies were β-glucans (~99%), with a nominal α-glucan content (~1%). The β-glucan content ranged from 19.5 to 43.5% (w/w). A range of antioxidant activities was observed for methanol extracts using the ABTS (1.8 to 8.4 mg GAE.g-1), DPPH (1.7 to 9.4 mg GAE/g-1) and FRAP (24.7 to 111.6 mmol FeSO4.g-1) assays, with four specimens presenting relatively high radical scavenging and reducing activities. For the first time, we demonstrated that Australian Ganoderma mushrooms contain medicinal triterpenoids, including ganoderic acid A, and we established a link between its distribution and the fruiting body morphology. However, further research is required to isolate diploid clones and determine factors that impact triterpenoid and glucan synthesis in these strains.