South African Journal of Botany最新文献

{"title":"Biological screening of medicinal plants used by SCD patients in the eastern part of Madagascar for their anti-sickling and analgesic activities","authors":"Zoarilala Rinah Razafindrakoto ,&nbsp;Nantenaina Tombozara ,&nbsp;Fenitriniaina Judith Elyna Mahitasoa ,&nbsp;Marcellin Solofoniaina ,&nbsp;Edith Tolonjanahary Tatafasa ,&nbsp;Charles Andrianjara ,&nbsp;David Ramanitrahasimbola","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Madagascar is one of the Southern African countries where the prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD), particularly among children younger than five years, is worrying. Malagasy SCD patients use several plant-based remedies to treat SCD and its symptoms. This study, which is a logical continuation of our previous field investigation, aims to screen the ethanol and/or aqueous extracts of some potential plant species cited by these patients for their analgesic and anti-sickling activities in order to demonstrate their efficacy in preventing SCD crisis and its symptoms. The anti-polymerization activity of the extracts was evaluated <em>in vitro</em> using sodium metabisulfite deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin (HbS) from SCD patients. The analgesic activity of the extracts was evaluated <em>in vivo</em> using acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. 73 ethanol extracts and 73 aqueous extracts from 72 plant species were prepared for the biological screening. Among them, 15.1% (22) of the extracts showed good anti-polymerization activity at 1000 µg/mL where the ethanol extracts of <em>Sigesbeckia orientalis</em> (91.19%) and <em>Mollugo nudicaulis</em> (90.08%) demonstrated the highest activity. In addition, 69.9% (102) of the extracts at the oral dose of 200 mg/kg body weight (<em>b.w.</em>) showed good analgesic activity by inhibiting the experimental pain model where 22.6% (33) showed similar analgesic effect to that of paracetamol (150 mg/kg <em>b.w.</em>). <em>Cassia alata</em> and <em>Gynochtodes retusa</em> ethanol extracts showed the highest analgesic activity (92.73% and 91.87%, respectively). <em>Mimosa pudica</em> and <em>Stenocline inuloides</em> are the most promising species, as they demonstrated potent anti-polymerization (78.08% and 88.84%, respectively) and analgesic (88.44% and 79.71%, respectively) activities. These results show that these plants are good sources of anti-sicking and analgesic compounds that confirm the therapeutic virtues claimed by Malagasy SCD patients and traditional practitioners in the treatment of SCD and its symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 11-20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980698","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":"Long-term stability of bioactive compounds in Moringa oleifera leaf of north India: A shelf-life evaluation","authors":"Sudhanshu Shahi,&nbsp;Tara Singh Farswan,&nbsp;Madan Mohan Pandey","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Moringa oleifera</em> Lam., of the family Moringaceae is a well-known genus commonly known as the drumstick tree. It is a drought-tolerant species valued for its extensive medicinal and nutritional properties. Its leaves are particularly rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which are responsible for their renowned antioxidant, anti-hyperglycaemic and neuroprotective effects. However, these phytochemicals that confer the health benefits are often prone to degradation after harvesting during storage. This poses a significant challenge for the commercial viability and therapeutic efficacy of <em>Moringa</em>-based products, emphasizing the critical need for effective shelf-life studies. The current study was therefore designed to conduct a comprehensive 36-month stability assessment of <em>Moringa oleifera</em> leaf powder stored under ambient conditions, analysing changes in its phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities. The findings revealed a significant decline in both total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) over the storage period. The most pronounced losses, ranging from 40% to 62.8%, were observed between 18 and 24 months. Methanolic extracts showed consistently higher antioxidant capacity as compared to aqueous extracts, which degraded rapidly, which may be due to accelerated hydrolysis and oxidation processes. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis revealed further insight into compound-specific degradation patterns. For instance, quercetin showed greater stability with a 13.9% loss, compared to the more significant degradation of chlorogenic acid (35.2%), gallic acid (39.2%) and rutin (38.1%), emphasizing the influence of molecular structure on preservation. A strong positive correlation (<em>r</em> = 0.89 - 0.93) was established between the reduction in TPC/TFC and in antioxidant activity decline, suggesting the possible role of phenolic compounds in maintaining functional efficacy. These findings will provide and suggest practical strategies to enhance the shelf life of <em>M. oleifera</em> products, thereby ensuring their practicability and uses as herbal medicines and nutraceutical products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 42-50"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980690","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":"Ellagitannin-rich Epilobium hirsutum extract promotes wound closure through dual Nrf2/NF-κB modulation: An integrated In vitro and in silico study","authors":"Serhat Karaman ,&nbsp;Yakup Budak ,&nbsp;Elif Aktürk Bozdemir","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic wounds represent a significant clinical challenge, with impaired healing processes linked to oxidative stress and persistent inflammation. <em>Epilobium hirsutum</em> is a medicinal plant traditionally used for wound treatment and has shown promise due to its ellagitannin-rich composition. This study comprehensively investigated the phytochemical profile, biological activities, and molecular mechanisms underlying the wound-healing potential of <em>E. hirsutum</em> extracts prepared with solvents of varying polarities (water, methanol, ethanol, and n-hexane) from samples collected in the Tokat region, Turkey. LC-MS/MS analyses, validated according to ICH guidelines, confirmed the presence of ellagitannins (vescalagin, castalagin, oenothein B), phenolic acids (gallic acid, ellagic acid), and flavonoids. The ethanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (305±3.2 mg GAE/g) and superior antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀: 12.8 ± 0.7 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀: 14.5 ± 0.5 µg/mL; FRAP: 485 ± 25 µmol Fe(II)/g). In cell-based wound healing assays, the ethanol extract significantly promoted scratch closure in HaCaT keratinocytes (87.3 ± 3.2% <em>vs.</em> 52.1 ± 2.7% in controls at 24 h, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). Mechanistic studies revealed that the extract enhanced cellular antioxidant defense by increasing Nrf2 nuclear translocation (3.2 ± 0.3-fold) and downstream target expression (HO-1: 2.8 ± 0.2-fold; NQO1: 2.5 ± 0.2-fold), while simultaneously suppressing NF-κB p65 phosphorylation by 68.5 ± 3.5% in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Molecular docking studies showed strong binding affinities of vescalagin to Nrf2-Keap1 (-10.8 kcal/mol) and oenothein B to NF-κB p65 (-9.5 kcal/mol), with molecular dynamics simulations confirming interaction stability. Additionally, the extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against wound-associated pathogens (S. aureus MIC: 125 µg/mL) through membrane disruption, as evidenced by propidium iodide uptake (62.5 ± 3.2%), extracellular ATP release (a 3.8 ± 0.4-fold increase), and potassium ion leakage (a 2.9 ± 0.3-fold increase). These findings establish that <em>E. hirsutum</em> ethanol extract promotes <em>İn vitro</em> wound closure through the coordinated activation of Nrf2 and the inhibition of NF-κB, supporting its development as a natural therapeutic agent for chronic wound management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 21-41"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980699","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 and computational investigation of the antidiabetogenic pharmacological bioactivities of Gigartina polycarpa (Kützing) Setchell & N.L. Gardner 1933 red seaweed","authors":"S’thandiwe Nozibusiso Magwaza ,&nbsp;Kolawole Ayodapo Olofinsan ,&nbsp;Md.Shahidul Islam","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rising rates of obesity and diabetes worldwide, coupled with the unavoidable side effects of existing clinically approved drugs for their management, have necessitated the search for cost-effective therapeutic alternatives. For the first time, this study investigated the potential of <em>Gigartina polycarpa</em> (Kützing) Setchell &amp; N.L. Gardner 1933 seaweed extracts in managing obesity and diabetes by assessing their inhibitory effects on key digestive enzymes, inflammation, glucose absorption, and oxidative stress in rat tissues. Aqueous and ethanol crude extracts of <em>G. polycarpa</em> were analyzed for enzyme inhibition, skeletal muscle glucose uptake, and antioxidant activity using <em>in vitro</em> assays. The extracts inhibited pancreatic lipase, cholesterol esterase, and α-glucosidase while increasing skeletal muscle glucose uptake in rats. The seaweed extracts suppressed lipoxygenase and trypsin activities in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced the level and activities of endogenous antioxidant proteins in rats’ adipose tissue exposed to Fe²⁺-induced oxidative stress. Amongst compounds including viniferol D, osthole, fucosterol, margaspidin and fusaric acid annotated in the seaweed extracts, while viniferol D had the strongest binding affinities with the tested inflammatory and digestive enzyme protein targets compared to others. Although these findings suggest that <em>G. polycarpa</em> may be a potential natural option for managing inflammation, oxidative stress, and the dysfunctional utilization of energy molecules in these disease conditions, further work is still required to isolate the actual pharmacological molecules responsible for these activities from this plant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 51-60"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980691","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":"Allelopathic and antioxidant potentials associated with major secondary metabolites of Canna x generalis L.H. Bailey & E.Z. Bailey and Equisetum giganteum L","authors":"Leticia. Z.S. Caputo ,&nbsp;Jéssica. S.N. Lima ,&nbsp;Nathália S. Rocha ,&nbsp;Bruno A. Caputo ,&nbsp;Karen. M. Takahashi ,&nbsp;Valéria S. Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Ana Carina S.C. Seron ,&nbsp;Nídia C. Yoshida ,&nbsp;Marize Terezinha L.P. Peres ,&nbsp;Paula L. Paulo","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.026","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plants play fundamental roles in nature that inspire various biotechnological applications, especially those related to allelopathic and antioxidant activities mediated by secondary metabolites. This study evaluated the allelopathic and antioxidant potentials of extracts from <em>Canna</em> x <em>generalis</em> (canna lily) and <em>Equisetum giganteum</em> (giant horsetail), as well as to identify their major secondary metabolites. Allelopathic activities were assessed through germination and growth bioassays using <em>Lactuca sativa</em> and <em>Allium cepa</em> as target species. Antioxidant potential was determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging potential. Secondary metabolites were identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and validated by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. The extract from the underground parts of <em>C. x generalis</em> exhibited significant efficacy in inhibiting the germination and growth of L. <em>sativa</em>. In contrast, the foliar extract from both species inhibited the germination of <em>A. cepa</em>. The underground extract of <em>C. x generalis</em> exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (99.21 % DPPH inhibition). Flavonoids were identified as the main contributors to the allelopathic activity, while quercetin and salvianolic acid B were the principal antioxidant agents. The results indicate that these species have potential for biotechnological applications, especially in biological control and environmental remediation, and can potentially facilitate the development of effective measures to control the growth of unwanted plant species in agricultural fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929304","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 acaulescent and pseudoacaulescent perennial Arctotis species (Asteraceae, Arctotideae, Arctotidinae)","authors":"Robert J. McKenzie","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A taxonomic revision of the southern African genus <em>Arctotis</em> (Asteraceae, Arctotideae) is ongoing. <em>Arctotis acaulis</em> is distributed predominantly in the Western Cape province of South Africa and is among the most common <em>Arctotis</em> species in fynbos and renosterveld. Here, I present a revised taxonomy for <em>Arctotis acaulis</em> and allied species (perennial, non-shrubby species that share a similar distinctive cypsela morphology with <em>A. acaulis</em>) and pseudoacaulescent perennial species that may be confusable with <em>A. acaulis</em>. Twelve species are treated, distinguishable by the root system, caulescence, leaf, involucral bract and cypsela morphology, and pubescence. Four species are newly described: <em>Arctotis convallis, Arctotis diversicolor, Arctotis olifanta</em> and <em>Arctotis sunae</em>. The <em>nomen novum Arctotis madida</em> is proposed for the species described under the nomenclaturally illegitimate name <em>Arctotis undulata</em> Jacq. <em>Arctotis tricolor</em> Jacq. is lectotypified and synonymised with <em>A. acaulis</em>. Full descriptive accounts and a key for identification of the treated species are presented.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"189 ","pages":"Pages 620-653"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925030","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":"Geraniin as an antiviral agent: Chemistry and biological profiles, preventive and therapeutic effects on various viruses and associated molecular mechanisms","authors":"Qi Wei Tan ,&nbsp;Michelle Felicia Lee ,&nbsp;Yuan Seng Wu ,&nbsp;Sheryar Afzal ,&nbsp;Appalaraju Velaga ,&nbsp;Mahendran Sekar ,&nbsp;Neeraj Kumar Fuloria ,&nbsp;Shivkanya Fuloria ,&nbsp;Md Moklesur Rahman Sarker ,&nbsp;Rhanye Mac Guad ,&nbsp;Ali Attiq ,&nbsp;Vetriselvan Subramaniyan ,&nbsp;Subash C.B. Gopinath ,&nbsp;Ker Woon Choy","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Considering the skyrocketing global emergence and spread of viral infections, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for effective antiviral strategies. Conventional antiviral therapies are often limited by adverse effects and accessibility issues, highlighting the importance of exploring natural products as alternative therapeutics. Numerous plant extracts have been examined for their antiviral potential. Tannins, the significant component of these extracts, have been discovered to efficiently suppress viral replication by inhibiting targets responsible for distinct phases of the viral replication process. Among these tannins, multiple studies have demonstrated the potential of geraniin’s relevance in preventing and combating a wide range of viral illnesses. This review aims to evaluate the antiviral potential of geraniin, a hydrolyzable tannin, across a range of viral infections. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted, examining <em>in vitro, in vivo</em>, and <em>in silico</em> studies that investigated geraniin’s antiviral activity against dengue virus, Ebola virus, Enterovirus 71, human immunodeficiency virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza virus, hepatitis viruses, and herpes simplex virus. Geraniin demonstrated inhibitory effects at multiple stages of viral replications, including viral entry, enzyme activity, and viral protein expression, and also exhibited immunomodulatory properties. These findings suggest that geraniin is a promising candidate for the development of plant-based antiviral therapies. Future studies are warranted to clarify its pharmacokinetic properties, bioavailability, and clinical efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"189 ","pages":"Pages 604-619"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925141","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":"Chemical characterization, toxicity and involvement of calmodulin in the antithrombotic activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil","authors":"Kalynca Kayla Viana Aragão ,&nbsp;Railson Pereira Souza ,&nbsp;Silvia Letícia Maciel Barbosa ,&nbsp;Enedina Rodrigues da Silva Neta ,&nbsp;Lorranya Éveli Pereira Feitosa Araújo ,&nbsp;Alyne Pereira Lopes ,&nbsp;Heron Silva Soares ,&nbsp;Emerson Portela Sena ,&nbsp;Pedro Simão da Silva Azevedo ,&nbsp;Benedito Pereira de Sousa Neto ,&nbsp;Daniel Fernando Pereira Vasconcelos ,&nbsp;Maria José dos Santos Soares ,&nbsp;Sidney Gonçalo de Lima ,&nbsp;Paulo Michel Pinheiro Ferreira ,&nbsp;Aldeídia Pereira de Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of global mortality and are consistently associated with thrombotic events. The essential oil of <em>Rosmarinus officinalis</em> L. (EORO), rich in monoterpenes such as camphor and α-pinene, has been investigated for its antithrombotic properties, offering a potential alternative to conventional drugs, which often present significant adverse effects.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To evaluate the chemical profile, toxicity, and anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of EORO, aiming to elucidate its mechanisms of action and safety.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>EORO was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify its constituents. Toxicity was assessed using <em>Artemia salina</em> nauplii, L929 cells (MTT assay), and human erythrocytes. Anticoagulant activity was evaluated in Wistar rats (PT, aPTT, INR), while antiplatelet activity was analyzed both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> using ADP as an inducer. Additionally, biochemical and histopathological parameters were investigated to assess the compound’s safety.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>EORO’s major components were camphor (24.58 %), α-pinene (20.39 %), and 1.8-cineole (18.5 %). It exhibited high toxicity in A<em>. salina</em> (LC₅₀ = 9.3 µg/mL), but demonstrated low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells (IC₅₀ = 612.7 µg/mL) and caused hemolysis only at higher concentrations (500 µg/mL). <em>In vivo</em>, EORO significantly prolonged PT and increased INR, without altering aPTT and <em>in vitro</em> tests revealed 98 % of platelet aggregation inhibition, although this effect was not replicated <em>in vivo</em>. No hepatic or renal toxicity was observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>EORO exhibits promising anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects with a favorable <em>in vitro</em> safety profile. Its selective action on the extrinsic coagulation pathway and modulation of calmodulin underscore its therapeutic potential, although challenges related to bioavailability must still be addressed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"189 ","pages":"Pages 590-603"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925142","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":"Metabolic profiling of crude and refined Hura crepitans L. Seed oil in rats: Evidence for nutritional safety and functional tissue adaptation","authors":"Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Ugwor ,&nbsp;Adewale Segun James ,&nbsp;Rebecca Titilayo Oniyiku ,&nbsp;Christiana Oluwakunmisola Igbin ,&nbsp;Samuel okikijesu Ashaolu ,&nbsp;Aniekan Ime Ubi-Abai ,&nbsp;Omowunmi Eunice Babalola ,&nbsp;Marvelous Damilola Omotosho ,&nbsp;Hassanot Ayobami Sanusi ,&nbsp;Oreoluwapo Iyanuoluwa Osikanlu ,&nbsp;Ebozue Chukwuemeka Collins ,&nbsp;Regina Ngozi Ugbaja","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Hura crepitans</em> L. seed oil (HCSO) is an underutilized tropical oil with emerging dietary and industrial relevance. This study investigates the metabolic responses to dietary crude and refined HCSO in rats, comparing their effects with canola oil. Physicochemical analysis showed that refinement significantly improved oil quality, lowering acid value and increasing iodine value. GC/MS revealed that refinement enhanced the proportion of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, like linoleic acid, while preserving minor bioactives like squalene. Rats fed crude HCSO showed reduced body weight and feed intake, while refined oil preserved energy balance without compromising feed efficiency. Organ-specific analyses revealed significant increases in brain weight and reductions in kidney weight, accompanied by tissue-specific lipid redistribution. Crude HCSO markedly altered brain lipid composition, reducing triglycerides and increasing cholesterol. These changes were supported by transcriptional evidence showing downregulation of <em>Fasn</em> (fatty acid synthase) and upregulation of <em>Acat</em> (acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase) in the brain, suggesting enhanced cholesterol processing and reduced lipogenesis. In the kidney, refined oil reduced free fatty acids and suppressed <em>Fasn</em> and <em>Lcat</em> (lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase) expression, indicating coordinated metabolic downregulation. Serum lipid parameters and protein levels remained largely stable across groups. Overall, refined HCSO demonstrated a metabolically safe profile and organ-specific effects, supporting its potential as a sustainable, functional dietary oil. These findings provide a foundation for further studies on the nutritional and neurobiological impacts of HCSO.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"189 ","pages":"Pages 579-589"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925144","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":"Pistacia lentiscus pomace valorization: from waste to potent animal feed","authors":"Faten Mezni,&nbsp;Abdelhamid Khaldi","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.12.021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The disposal of <em>Pistacia lentiscus</em> pomace, a by-product of seed oil extraction, represents both a challenge and an opportunity for sustainable livestock feed production. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional composition of lentisk pomace and evaluate its potential as a feed ingredient. Samples were collected after oil extraction from mature fruits harvested in North West (Béja) and North (Bizerte) Tunisia. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, mineral contents (Ca, Cu, P), vitamin E, and aflatoxins were analyzed using ISO standard methods and HPLC, while fatty acid profiles were determined by GC-FID. Results showed moisture content around 44–45%, crude protein 4.4–4.7%, and crude fat 7.0–7.6%, with ash and insoluble ash around 1.7% and 0.06–0.07%, respectively. The lipid fraction contained eight fatty acids, dominated by oleic (46–47%), palmitic (21–24%), and linoleic acids (21–22%). These findings indicate that lentisk pomace, due to its favorable lipid and protein composition, has promising potential as a supplementary ingredient in livestock feed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"189 ","pages":"Pages 574-578"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925143","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}