South African Journal of Botany最新文献

{"title":"Mechanistic insights into the anticancer effects of Lavandula stoechas L. via apoptosis and autophagy regulation","authors":"Ummugulsum Tukenmez Emre ,&nbsp;Serap Nigdelioglu Dolanbay ,&nbsp;Seda Sirin ,&nbsp;Belma Aslim","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant, genotoxic, antigenotoxic, and anticancer properties of the methanolic extract of <em>Lavandula stoechas</em> L. (LSME). Total flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically, and total phenolic content was measured using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. The phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, metal chelation, and plasma lipid peroxidation assays. Genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity was evaluated using the comet assay, and cytotoxicity was determined using the MTT assay in MCF-7, SK-BR-3, and MCF-12A cell lines. Gene expression related to apoptosis, autophagy, and the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Phytochemical analysis revealed that LSME is rich in phenolics (294.6 mg/g) and flavonoids (7.50 mg/g). HPLC profiling identified 23 phenolic constituents, with rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and luteolin as the predominant compounds. LSME exhibited strong antioxidant activity in all assays. Genotoxicity assays showed no significant DNA damage, while antigenotoxicity assays demonstrated a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes. <em>In vitro</em> cytotoxicity assays revealed dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells, without cytotoxicity toward normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-12A). Molecular analyses indicated activation of intrinsic apoptotic and autophagic pathways and modulation of the AMPK/mTOR signaling axis. Molecular docking supported interactions between major phenolic compounds and key target proteins. These findings demonstrating that LSME exerts selective anticancer effects in HER2+ and HER2- breast cancer cells and highlighting its potential as a plant-based therapeutic candidate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 346-365"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In Vitro evaluation of chlorhexidine and oleuropein: Antibacterial activity and effects on gingival mesenchymal stem cell viability","authors":"Ali Batuhan Bayırlı ,&nbsp;Mehmetcan Uytun ,&nbsp;Bora Ekinci ,&nbsp;Deniz Genç","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a commonly used antiseptic in oral healthcare, but its cytotoxic effects on host cells remain a significant concern. Oleuropein (OLE), a bioactive compound derived from olive leaves, has shown antimicrobial and cytoprotective properties. However, its potential to modulate CHX-induced toxicity and enhance antimicrobial efficacy remains largely unexplored.</div><div>This study investigated the antibacterial effects of CHX and OLE against resistant and susceptible bacterial strains and evaluated their effects on the viability and cell cycle of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CHX and OLE were determined by evaluating 16 bacterial species. Checkerboard assays were used to assess their combined effects using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution of GMSCs were analysed using flow cytometry. CHX exhibited strong antibacterial activity (MIC: 0.5–16 µg/mL), whereas OLE showed moderate effects (MIC: 256–2048 µg/mL). Checkerboard assays indicated a significant 64-fold reduction in the MIC of OLE, whereas the CHX MIC either increased or remained unchanged. Partial synergy was observed against only one isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa (FIC index = 0.53125), whereas 11 strains showed indifference (1 ≤ FIC index &lt;4) and remaining 4 of 16 isolates had possible antagonism (FIC index ≥ 4). OLE did not inhibit the bactericidal effect of CHX. However, it mitigated the CHX-induced dose-dependent reduction in GMSC viability by reducing necrosis, G0/G1 phase arrest, and enhancing DNA synthesis. CHX and OLE possess antibacterial potential, and OLE mitigates CHX-induced cytotoxicity in GMSCs. When combined, these two compounds offer considerable therapeutic benefits, particularly in dentistry. Further research is needed to optimise the concentration ratios for enhanced synergy and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 338-345"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing LED light in controlled environments to enhance yield and nutritional quality of basil microgreens","authors":"Mohammad Vahid Arab Bafrani ,&nbsp;Mahboobeh Zare Mehrjerdi ,&nbsp;Sasan Aliniaeifard ,&nbsp;Mehdi Seif","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sweet basil (<em>Ocimum basilicum</em>) microgreens are nutrient-dense functional foods, rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. Their growth and phytochemical composition are highly responsive to light conditions, particularly in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems. This study evaluated the effects of red–blue LED light spectra (R50:B50, R70:B30, R90:B10) and two light intensities (110 and 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, protein, soluble carbohydrates, antioxidant activity, and overall nutritional quality of green and purple basil microgreens. Morphological traits such as cotyledon area and biomass remained largely stable, while seedling height, yield, and phytochemical accumulation displayed cultivar-specific responses. Purple basil achieved maximum nutritional value under balanced light (R50:B50 at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹), whereas green basil performed best under a red-dominant spectrum (R70:B30 at 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). High light intensity enhanced chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamin C, protein, and antioxidant activity, while blue light proportion regulated phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin synthesis. Correlation analyses revealed contrasting resource allocation strategies between cultivars, highlighting the importance of tailored lighting regimes in CEA. The integrated nutritional quality index (NQI) indicated up to a 2.7-fold difference in nutritional potential across treatments, emphasizing the critical role of optimized light management. These findings provide practical insights for vertical farming and controlled-environment production, supporting strategies to maximize both yield and nutraceutical value in basil microgreens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 262-275"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cultivation of basil (Ocimum basilicum) in a compact hydroponic system and essential oil chemical characterization by FTIR-ATR, GC-MS, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR","authors":"Maria Amélia Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Gabriela Lafayne Okonski dos Santos ,&nbsp;Ágatha Milena Rebelato Corsino ,&nbsp;José Eduardo Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Juliana Cristina Castro ,&nbsp;Regina Aparecida Correia Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Arildo José Braz de Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Basil (<em>Ocimum</em> spp.), a plant of Asian origin widely cultivated in Brazil, stands out for its medicinal applications, being rich in bioactive compounds such as eugenol. In view of the challenges of conventional cultivation, this study proposed the hydroponic cultivation of the species in a compact system type Nutrition Film Technique (NFT) using a nutrient solution containing 13.2 g of a mixed mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (Hidrogood®), 9,9 g of calcium nitrate, and 0.6 g of iron. The seedlings, obtained from commercial sources in Maringá-PR, Brazil, were cultivated for 60 days, reaching an average height of 63.8 cm and a moisture content of 92.12 %. The leaves were collected, dried, and subjected to essential oil (EO) extraction by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, yielding an average of 0.44 %. Chemical characterization was performed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). GCMS– analysis of the EO identified 12 compounds, with τ-cadinol (31 %), eugenol (23.14 %), and linalool (9.71 %) as the major constituents. FTIR revealed characteristic absorption bands of functional groups such as O<img>H, C=C<img>H, C<img>H, C=C, and C<img>O. ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis indicated signals corresponding to aromatic compounds and both saturated and unsaturated terpenoids. Hydroponic cultivation proved to be suitable and efficient, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enabling the production of essential oils containing metabolites of pharmacological interest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 329-337"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Woody plant naturalisations from South African arboreta","authors":"M.D. Cheek ,&nbsp;J.R.U. Wilson ,&nbsp;D.M. Richardson ,&nbsp;Ş. Procheş","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arboreta and botanical gardens are useful testing grounds and monitoring sites for plant invasions. A recent survey of trees planted in arboreta across South Africa found 1332 alien tree species, including over a quarter of all the plant taxa listed under South Africa’s invasive species regulations. Here we report that 24 of these tree species were found outside of cultivation within or near the arboreta. This includes the first record of naturalisation in South Africa for nine species, two of which we believe are the first global records of naturalisation [<em>Elaeocarpus grandis</em> (Elaeocarpaceae) and <em>Ocotea porosa</em> (Lauraceae)]. Importantly, only six of the 24 species are currently regulated as invasive species in South Africa. We investigated three of these species [<em>Bischofia javanica</em> (Phyllanthaceae)<em>, Flindersia brayelyana</em> (Rutaceae)<em>,</em> and <em>Fraxinus ornus</em> (Oleaceae)] in depth by combining the results of field observations, impact assessments, and species distribution models in a risk analysis framework. <em>Bischofia javanica</em> (at the colonising stage with a population of 1523 plants over an area of 2.5 ha) is the only taxon for which regulation appears warranted at present (the recommendation is to attempt nation-wide eradication). <em>Flindersia brayleyana</em> was classed at the casual stage with a population of 221 plants over 1 ha, while <em>F. ornus</em> is considered at the reproducing stage with a population of 553 plants over 0.7 ha. We conclude with a basic protocol for assessing naturalisations at arboreta.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 253-261"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Taxonomic revision of Aspalathus subgen. Sericea (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae)","authors":"L.K. Madika ,&nbsp;C.H. Stirton ,&nbsp;R.J. Sebola ,&nbsp;D.A. Zhigila ,&nbsp;B.D. Williams ,&nbsp;A.M. Muasya","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dahlgren’s informal Group 1 “Sericeae” represents one of the most morphologically distinctive lineages within <em>Aspalathus</em>, characterised by flat, often sericeous leaflets, terminal inflorescences, and silky-hairy floral parts. Despite this morphological coherence, the group has long been taxonomically unstable, largely due to the application of broad species concepts, resulting in extensive synonymy and poorly resolved infraspecific limits. To address these uncertainties, a comprehensive taxonomic revision was undertaken based on extensive herbarium study and field observations, integrating quantitative morphometric analyses, micromorphological observations, life-history traits, and ecological data. Phenetic analyses identify vegetative characters and floral dimensions as primary axes of morphological differentiation, while fire-response strategy and substrate association provide additional, independent resolution. Marked ecological differentiation is evident across the group, with approximately half of the taxa regenerating exclusively as reseeders after fire and the remainder persisting as resprouters. On the basis of these combined lines of evidence, the Sericeae group is here formally recognised at subgeneric rank as <em>Aspalathus</em> subgen. <em>Sericea</em> Madika, comprising 35 taxa, including 32 species and three subspecies. Several taxonomic changes are proposed, including the reinstatement of <em>A. lagopus</em> at species rank, the elevation of <em>A. quinquefolia</em> subsp. <em>virgata</em> to <em>A. virgata</em>, and the recognition of <em>A. staurantha</em> as a distinct species. In contrast, the <em>A. radiata</em> complex exhibits strong infraspecific cohesion and is retained at subspecific rank, while relationships within the <em>A. rotunda</em> complex remain provisionally unresolved pending further evidence. Extensive locality data further enable preliminary conservation assessments, identifying four narrow-range endemics (<em>A. albicephala, A. lagopus, A. radiata</em> subsp. <em>pseudosericea</em>, and <em>A. staurantha</em>) as taxa of conservation concern, and two species known only from historical type collections (<em>A. incana</em>, and <em>A. singuliflora</em>) that may already be extinct. This study resolves long-standing taxonomic uncertainty surrounding the Sericeae group, formalises its rank within <em>Aspalathus</em>, and provides a stable and evolutionarily informed framework for future systematic, ecological, and conservation research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 276-328"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomics must catch up with medicinal and aromatic plants: From neglect to equity in natural product research","authors":"Swati Tyagi","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) underpin a global industry valued at over $60 billion and have contributed directly or indirectly to many widely used pharmaceuticals. Despite this importance, they remain strikingly underrepresented in plant genomic databases. This gap cannot be explained by technical limitations alone. Instead, it reflects deeper structural issues, including funding priorities, institutional incentives, and long-standing imbalances in how plant research is organized and valued. As a result, genomics efforts have disproportionately focused on a small number of crop and model species, leaving much of the world’s medicinal plant diversity genomically unexplored. In this review, I argue that the current trajectory of plant genomics risks reinforcing historical patterns of extractive research, where biological resources and traditional knowledge from biodiversity-rich regions are separated from scientific leadership and long-term benefits. This imbalance constrains our ability to respond to emerging health challenges, conserve medicinal biodiversity, and fully realize the potential of natural products. Addressing this issue will require a shift toward more equitable, community-centred genomic research models that treat medicinal plant genomes as shared scientific infrastructure and recognize their importance for global health, conservation, and innovation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 234-240"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unlocking anti-scabies potential of amaryllidaceae alkaloids through integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation","authors":"Shaymaa M. Mohamed ,&nbsp;Soad A.L. Bayoumi ,&nbsp;Salwa F. Farag ,&nbsp;Mahmoud A. Ramadan ,&nbsp;Sara A.A. Mohamed ,&nbsp;Asmaa A.E. Nasr ,&nbsp;Islam M. Abdel-Rahman ,&nbsp;Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human scabies, a highly contagious parasitic skin infestation caused by <em>Sarcoptes scabiei</em> var. hominis mites, spreads rapidly through interpersonal contact. This study employed an integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking approach to identify shared therapeutic targets of seven structurally diverse Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>7</strong>) and evaluate their anti-scabies potential. A scabies-associated protein network was constructed, revealing interleukin-6 as the highest-degree node and a pivotal therapeutic target, alongside caspase-3. Subsequent molecular docking analyses assessed the binding affinities and interaction stability of two promising alkaloids, narcissidine methyl ether (<strong>2</strong>) and crinine (<strong>3</strong>), with IL-6 and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Narcissidine methyl ether demonstrated the strongest binding affinity to IL-6 (ΔG = –4.618 kcal/mol), while both compounds exhibited notable interactions with GST (ΔG = –5.917 and −4.885 kcal/mol, respectively). Computational screening confirmed their adherence to Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules, indicating favorable druglikeness properties. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed significant acaricidal activity, with narcissidine methyl ether showing potent scabicidal effects. Histopathological evaluation of treated rabbit models demonstrated marked improvement in ear auricle skin architecture three weeks post-treatment, supporting the therapeutic efficacy of both compounds. These findings highlight narcissidine methyl ether and crinine as promising anti-scabietic drugs, offering a foundation for future preclinical studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 241-252"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegetation composition change on a small Mediterranean-type South African offshore island following control of invasive European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)","authors":"Thabisisani Ndhlovu ,&nbsp;Zivanai Tsvuura ,&nbsp;Karen J. Esler","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>European rabbits (<em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em>), thought to have been eradicated in 2019, have inhabited Robben Island for over 370 years, significantly altering vegetation through sustained herbivory. An attempted eradication in 2009–2010 provided an opportunity to assess vegetation recovery and the influence of rainfall and habitat heterogeneity on post-control dynamics. From 2010 to 2013, vegetation composition was monitored annually across strand, <em>Eucalyptus</em> plantation, and inland dune habitats. Community change was analysed using ordination and similarity measures. Following rabbit control, statistically significant vegetation change occurred at strand and inland dune sites, but not in <em>Eucalyptus</em> plantations. Increases in <em>Tetragonia fruticosa, Ehrharta longiflora, Cynodon dactylon</em>, and <em>Ehrharta villosa</em>—palatable species resilient to prolonged herbivory—coincided with declines in less palatable or unpalatable species and weaker competitors such as <em>Oncosiphon suffruticosum, Conicosia pugioniformis</em>, and <em>Bromus diandrus</em>. Interannual rainfall explained substantial background variation in community composition before statistical control, while soil depth modulated species-level responses. No herbivory-sensitive species (i.e., those lacking resistance or resilience to rabbit herbivory) re-established, suggesting losses from both standing vegetation and the propagule bank (seeds and vegetative propagules). Robben Island’s vegetation may have crossed a critical ecological threshold into a degraded state dominated by a narrow subset of herbivory-resilient and resistant species. Natural recovery to the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, the island’s reference ecosystem, now seems unlikely without active restoration, including reintroduction of extirpated herbivory-sensitive taxa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 222-233"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extraction, encapsulation, and the antiparasitic effect of Verbascum thapsus against Trichinella spiralis infected mice","authors":"Aml S. Saleh ,&nbsp;Heba M. Amer ,&nbsp;Mohamed E. Hassan ,&nbsp;Mona A. Farah","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effectiveness of encapsulated <em>Verbascum thapsus</em> extract against <em>Trichinella spiralis</em> larvae in mice. Thirty-six male Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups: negative control, positive control, mebendazole (MBZ), <em>V. thapsus</em>, alginate nanocarrier (Alg), and <em>V. thapsus</em>-Alg/NPs. After 36 days post-infection, the mice were sacrificed for various analyses. <em>V. thapsus</em>-Alg/NPs group showed the most significant results, achieving a 96 % reduction in larval count and nearly restoring normal diaphragmatic muscle fibers. This group also exhibited reduced inflammation, lower COX-2 expression, and decreased collagen type IV staining. In contrast, the MBZ, V. thapsus, and Alg/NPs groups caused moderate muscle damage, necrosis, and elevated COX-2 and collagen type IV levels. Biochemically, all treated groups showed reduced levels of AST, ALT, total protein, LDH, CPK, MDA, nitric oxide, and MMP-9, with the most pronounced improvements in the V. thapsus and <em>V. thapsus</em>-Alg/NPs groups. These findings suggested that Alg/NPs enhance the larvicidal activity of <em>V. thapsus</em>, indicating its potential as a therapeutic alternative for trichinellosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 207-221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}