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The study determined the cytotoxicity and teratogenicity of 28 species of medicinal plants. The phytochemical properties and antioxidant activity were also evaluated. Plant materials were extracted using ethanol as solvent. Brine shrimp assay was performed for cytotoxicity test and zebra fish embryo-based teratogenicity testing. The phytochemical constituents were detected using thin-layer chromatography, while the total phenolics and antioxidant activity were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH free radical scavenging assay, respectively. Results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of 12 phytochemicals in the selected medicinal plants, which include essential oils, triterpenes, phenols, fatty acids, sugar, anthraquinones, coumarins, anthrone, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids. Total phenolic content which ranges from 125.45 to 568.99 GAE/g and antioxidant activity of 40.25%-82.56% were recorded from M. calabura and Z. americana, respectively. For the cytotoxicity test, M. paniculata registered the least LC₅₀ of 1157.42 ppm, while C. asiatica has the highest LC₅₀ at 33,252.69 ppm. Meanwhile, for the teratogenicity testing, various morphological abnormalities and teratogenic effects were observed in different developmental stages of zebrafish, which are lethal and sublethal, such as coagulation, yolk sac, and pericardial edema, and malformations (head, spines, and tail), growth retardation, restricted movement, and pigmentation. The LC₅₀ values for teratogenicity suggest low to nonteratogenicity of the plant extracts with values ranging from 324 ppm in A. brasiliana to 11,933 ppm in P. cablin.

Substantial amounts of waste and by-products are generated annually from the fruit processing industry - an issue with detrimental environmental, socioeconomic and health impacts. Concerted efforts are currently geared towards curtailing this canker, particularly waste valorisation into eco-friendly, economical and sustainable biopolymers such as pectin. This study focused on the extraction and comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties of pectin from four fruit wastes: Mangifera indica L. (Keitt variety), Carica papaya (Solo variety), Ananas comosus (MD2 variety) and Citrus limon (Eureka variety). Pectin was extracted using the conventional citric acid and NaOH processes. Subsequently, the yield, proximate contents and physicochemical properties of the extracted pectins were analysed and compared. The orthogonal data transformation tool, principal component analysis (PCA), was used to highlight relationships between the extracted pectins. Rapid-setting high methoxyl (DE > 72%) and pharmaceutical-grade pectins were extracted (yield ranging from 6.72% to 26.60%) irrespective of the extraction method. All the pectins conformed to high-quality standards (anhydrouronic acid content > 60%, ash content < 2% and moisture content < 5%). FT-IR analysis revealed that the primary structure of pectin was maintained in all samples. Moreover, all the pectins were sparingly soluble in water (25°C) and exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.0001) variations in the swelling and water-holding properties. PCA demonstrated the clustering of pectins from the same sources despite extraction techniques, highlighting that despite the variations, pectins from the same source exhibit some degree of similarity. The present study presents alternative high-quality pectins with good physicochemical properties that can be utilised in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Alternative medicine is pursued as a preference to conventional medicine due to growing resistance to antimicrobial medications. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the antifungal activity and phytochemical content of Aloe vera growing in the Palestinian region, with a particular emphasis on the bioactive potentials of this plant against Candida albicans. Extracts from whole leaves and gel were evaluated against C. albicans using MIC and broth microdilution methods. Findings revealed that the whole leaf extract demonstrated superior antifungal activity compared to the gel, with maximum efficiencies of 35.17% and 8.57%, respectively. Notably, the MIC50 values for whole leaf and gel extracts were approximately 75.42 mg/mL and 184.93 mg/mL, respectively. Phytochemical analysis exhibited considerable levels of bioactive proteins, sugars, and starch in whole leaf extracts, regardless of the extraction method, whereas gel extracts displayed lower quantities of these substances. The total phenol content was 1.278% in the entire leaf extract and 1.015% in the gel, while total flavonoid content was measured at 0.238% in the whole leaf extract compared to 0.1875% in the gel. The presence of phenols effective against C. albicans indicates its potential utility in alternative medicine for treating diseases caused by this fungus. Our study demonstrated that A. vera grown in the Palestinian region has significant levels of bioactive content, highlighting the importance of investigating distinct parts of A. vera for their antifungal therapeutic attributes. While many of these plants have been studied globally, a localized inquiry is necessary due to their unique qualities and potential differences within the Palestinian context. Climate, soil, and ecological conditions can influence a plant's extract chemical composition and potency, leading to various therapeutic or pharmacological effects.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Thai plant extracts (PEs) and essential oils (EOs) against reference and clinical isolate strains of Candida albicans, focusing on their ability to inhibit biofilm formation, cell adhesion to denture acrylic, and germ tube formation. The minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) and the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were determined. The impact on adhesion to denture acrylic was determined by XTT assay, and germ tube inhibition was evaluated using the counting chamber. The results revealed that cinnamon bark oil exhibited the lowest MBIC₉₀ and MBEC₉₀ values (0.156 mg/mL and 0.313 mg/mL, respectively) against both C. albicans strains, followed by lemongrass oil, clove bud oil, Alpinia galanga extract, and Piper betle extract. A similar inhibitory trend was observed for cell adhesion to denture acrylic and germ tube formation. In particular, A. galanga extract (2.50 mg/mL) significantly reduced C. albicans adhesion to denture acrylic by over 80%. Additionally, cinnamon bark oil, lemongrass oil, and A. galanga extract could inhibit the germination of C. albicans at 0.5×MIC. In conclusion, this study indicates that all tested agents possessed anti-C. albicans biofilm activity through decreasing adhesion and yeast-hyphae transition of C. albicans cells. Therefore, these EO and PE could serve as alternative antifungals for treating oral candidiasis.

Background: Gastrointestinal parasites, being members of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), infect over one billion individuals, about 24% of the global population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the deworming potential of Piper nigrum, Albizia ferruginea, and Guarea cedrata against Caenorhabditis elegans and Heligmosomoides polygyrus and to recommend their use in traditional medicine for the treatment of helminth infections.

Methods: The anthelmintic properties of the extracts were investigated in two nematode strains, Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Caenorhabditis elegans. The fresh coprocultured H. polygyrus L3 larvae and C. elegans L4 larvae bleached from adult worms were used to investigate the properties. Larval movement was monitored using a worm microtracker in a 96-well microplate to quantify the anthelmintic action of the extracts. The extracts were screened at varying concentrations, with distilled water being the negative control and albendazole being the positive control. Percent inhibition of larval motility was calculated. Molecular docking studies were also carried out using the Glide module of Schrodinger Maestro software, and the results ranked and distinguished based on the software's scoring function.

Results: The most active extract against H. polygyrus was the ethanolic extract of Piper nigrum (IC₅₀:0.04 mg/mL) followed by the aqueous extract of Piper nigrum (IC₅₀:0.08 mg/mL). Aqueous and ethanoic extracts of Piper nigrum were active against Caenorhabditis elegans L4 larvae with IC₅₀s of 7.850 and 16.17 µg/mL, respectively, while aqueous extracts of Guarea cedrata and Albizia ferruginea were highly active with IC₅₀s of 3.235 and 4.729 μg/mL, respectively. Leucokinin III, Leucokinin I, Leucokinin VIII, Leucokinin II, and Rebaudioside C from Albizia ferruginea are the most potent compounds against succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and β-tubulin. Each of these constituents exhibited a more pronounced effect compared to the positive control, albendazole. Tricholein, isopiperolein B, pipercyclobutanamide, piperettine, and piperine from Piper nigrum are the most potent compounds against SDH and β-tubulin.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated in vitro and in silico the effectiveness of Piper nigrum, Albizia ferruginea, and Guarea cedrata toward helminthiasis. To validate this scientific investigation, more research is required, particularly on the acute toxicity and in vivo anthelmintic efficacy.

This article analyzes the traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge of medicinal plants among the Bikheii, Korosh, and Achomi tribes in Fars, Iran. Ethnoveterinary data collected from 200 informants in 27 local communities were analyzed using the ethnobotanyR package. The analysis identified 31 plant species from 21 families used in ethnoveterinary practices. The most commonly used plant families were Rosaceae and Fabaceae. Ferula assa-foetida and Astragalus fasciculifolius had the highest use reports (URs) and were noted as having particular importance in the daily lives of tribal people in the south of Fars in Iran. A key focus of this study is a regional comparison with other documented ethnoveterinary practices, primarily within Iran, to identify conserved knowledge and novel findings. This study contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge, which has previously been limited to herders and aged community members. The findings also provide a basis for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies to validate the efficacy of these medicinal plants for veterinary purposes.

Sustainable potato cultivation in hot, high-light regions such as Southern Punjab, Pakistan, requires identifying genotypes with efficient photosynthetic systems. High temperatures and irradiance often reduce productivity by triggering oxidative stress and limiting photosynthesis. This study evaluated growth, photosynthesis, yield, and biochemical responses in 15 advanced potato genotypes under such conditions. Genotype BD1310-1 showed greater performance with the highest plant height (51.5 cm), leaf area index (1.47), crop growth rate (0.43 g m^-2 day^-1), quantum yield of Photosystem II (Φ_II; 0.75), and tuber yield (21.5 t ha^-1), along with the lowest oxidative stress indicators. BD1319-2 had the highest number of stems plant^-1 (5.3), BD1311-4 showed maximum photosynthetically active radiation absorption (430 μmol m^-2 s^-1), and BD1335-4 had the highest linear electron flow (209 μmol electrons m^-2 s^-1). Principal component analysis grouped traits into positively and negatively correlated clusters. Traits such as LAI, Φ_II, crop growth rate, and tuber yield were positively associated with photosynthetic efficiency, whereas oxidative stress markers were negatively correlated. The findings suggest that oxidative markers reflect stress, not yield potential. In conclusion, BD1310-1, BD1319-2, BD1311-4, and BD1335-4 demonstrated potential as climate-resilient cultivars suitable for high-temperature (> 40°C) and high-irradiance (> 2000 μmol m^-2 s^-1) environments.

This review highlights recent advancements in the development of environmentally sustainable and reliable methods for the bio-fabrication of binary metal oxide nanomaterials through plant extract-mediated green methods, with a particular emphasis on Moringa oleifera. Known for its rich profile of bioactive compounds, including vitamins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, it serves as a natural reducing, capping, and chelating agent, facilitating the formation of bimetallic oxide nanostructures (zinc cobalt, zinc iron, and zinc zirconate) through bio-fabrication processes. The plant-derived agents from M. oleifera enhance nanomaterial properties, including catalytic activity, stability, and surface area, making them highly suitable for diverse applications in environmental remediation, biomedicine, energy, and sensing technologies. The motivation for this strategy arises from the necessity for eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and scalable techniques that reduce toxicity and eliminate hazardous chemicals. The review elaborates on the mechanisms underlying the formation of bimetallic oxide nanostructures, specifically zinc cobalt (ZnCo₂O₄), zinc iron (ZnFe₂O₄), and zinc zirconate (ZnZrO₃), through chemical reactions between salt precursors and bioactive compounds extracted from M. oleifera plant natural extract. It emphasizes the principles of green synthesis that align with sustainable nanotechnology, promoting reduced toxicity and cost-effectiveness. This approach addresses the increasing demand for eco-friendly synthetic pathways utilizing plants like M. oleifera, microorganisms, and other biological sources, thereby advancing green chemistry and enabling the development of nanomaterials with enhanced functionalities for practical applications.

The growing resistance to first-line artemisinin-based therapies underscores the urgent need for novel antimalarial agents, with medicinal plants offering a promising source of candidates. Phikud Navakot formulation and its component plants are widely used in traditional medicine; however, their antimalarial properties remain underexplored. This study aimed to screen the Phikud Navakot formulation and its individual component plants for antiplasmodial activity and to further evaluate the most potent extract through in vivo efficacy testing, acute toxicity assessment, and phytochemical profiling. In vitro antiplasmodial activity was evaluated against a chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain, and in vivo efficacy was assessed using the standard 4-day suppressive test in P. berghei ANKA-infected mice. Acute oral toxicity was examined in mice at a limit dose of 2000 mg/kg. Among all crude extracts tested, the aqueous gall extract of Terminalia chebula exhibited potent in vitro antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ = 3.24 ± 0.83 μg/mL) without toxicity (CC₅₀ > 100 μg/mL) in Vero cells or hemolytic effects. In the 4-day suppressive test, mice treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg doses of the aqueous T. chebula gall extract showed significant, dose-dependent suppression of parasitemia (38.88%, 47.08% and 60.61%, respectively; p < 0.05). Furthermore, no signs of acute toxicity were observed at the 2000 mg/kg dose. Phytochemical profiling indicated that the aqueous T. chebula gall extract contains multiple bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the aqueous T. chebula gall extract possesses promising both in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activities, with an excellent safety profile. This provides scientific evidence supporting its potential as a plant-based candidate for antimalarial drug development. Further studies are warranted to isolate the active constituents, elucidate their mechanisms of action, and conduct subacute toxicity studies to extend the safety evaluation beyond the current findings.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), locally known as jowar, is a vital summer fodder crop in Pakistan, significantly contributing to livestock sustenance. However, drought stress poses a critical challenge by reducing plant biomass and elevating hydrogen cyanide (HCN) content, a toxic antiquality component that endangers livestock health. This study aimed to identify sorghum genotypes with improved fodder yield and reduced HCN content under drought stress. Seventy diverse genotypes were evaluated in a hydroponic system under three polyethylene glycol (PEG) levels (0%, 5%, and 10%) in a two-factor factorial experiment arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant (p < 0.05) genotype, treatment, and genotype × treatment interaction effects across all measured traits, indicating considerable genetic variability in drought responses. Drought stress significantly increased root length (RL) (3.2-13.2 cm) and decreased several morphological traits including shoot length (SL), shoot fresh and dry weights (SFW and SDW), and chlorophyll (23.4-42.8 μg cm^-2) and fodder quality traits including crude protein (CP) (15.4%-24.1%) and crude fiber (CF). Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 72.4% of the total variance in the first three components, identifying SDW, SFW, RL, and SL as key contributors to drought tolerance. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive and negative correlations among the traits under all normal and drought conditions. Despite these reductions, genotypes such as Sorg-60, Sorg-66, and Sorg-7 showed superior performance in both biomass and quality traits, while Sorg-53 and Sorg-56 exhibited high sensitivity to drought. Based on PCA biplot positioning and trait performance, 20 genotypes (10 highly tolerant and 10 highly sensitive) were selected for field evaluation under normal and drought conditions using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Morphological, physiological, and fodder quality traits showed comparatively low reduction under drought conditions in tolerant genotype compared to drought-sensitive genotypes. Statistical analyses supported the findings and highlighted promising genotypes for use in future sorghum breeding programs aimed at enhancing forage yield and nutritional safety under water-limited environments.