Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a severe and escalating global health crisis, directly contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs due to fewer effective infection treatment options. Due to their wealth of bioactives, secondary metabolites, and natural products with antimicrobial properties, plants and fungi are considered some of the most promising yet underexplored candidates in the search for novel therapeutic strategies with compounds providing diverse mechanisms of action. Plant-derived compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, or fungal-derived bioactives such as polyketides, peptides, and oligo and polysaccharides, have demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi. The multitargeting mechanisms of action employed by these compounds can further improve their efficacy against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. In this review, the main AMR strategies utilised by multidrug-resistant bacteria have been narratively detailed, and the potential of nature-based (plants and fungi) antimicrobial compounds, particularly with a focus on their effectiveness against resistance strategies with regard to the latest advancements, have been critically reviewed and addressed. The gaps in current knowledge, particularly regarding the real-world applications of natural antimicrobials, have also been identified. This will facilitate further understanding of plant and fungi-derived antimicrobials and highlight their therapeutic potential in overcoming the global AMR crisis.
{"title":"Plant and fungal antimicrobials targeting antibacterial resistance: a review","authors":"Erfan Bagherzadehsurbagh , Gulsum Cankiran , Neslihan Ceylan , Reha Onur Azizoglu","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a severe and escalating global health crisis, directly contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs due to fewer effective infection treatment options. Due to their wealth of bioactives, secondary metabolites, and natural products with antimicrobial properties, plants and fungi are considered some of the most promising yet underexplored candidates in the search for novel therapeutic strategies with compounds providing diverse mechanisms of action. Plant-derived compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, or fungal-derived bioactives such as polyketides, peptides, and oligo and polysaccharides, have demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi. The multitargeting mechanisms of action employed by these compounds can further improve their efficacy against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. In this review, the main AMR strategies utilised by multidrug-resistant bacteria have been narratively detailed, and the potential of nature-based (plants and fungi) antimicrobial compounds, particularly with a focus on their effectiveness against resistance strategies with regard to the latest advancements, have been critically reviewed and addressed. The gaps in current knowledge, particularly regarding the real-world applications of natural antimicrobials, have also been identified. This will facilitate further understanding of plant and fungi-derived antimicrobials and highlight their therapeutic potential in overcoming the global AMR crisis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101071"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-25DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101070
Xiaoming Gao , Chao Lin , Weimin Ren , Yanming Hao , Yiran Lu , Guoning Zhang , Nuo Chen , Qingsong Zou , Xiaoxiao Li , Qian Cheng
Introduction
Cornus officinalis is a commonly used herbal for osteoporosis. We aimed to explore the potential mechanism of Cornus officinalis in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis using network pharmacology.
Methods
The active ingredients and targets of Cornus officinalis were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and Uniprot database, and the predictive targets of postmenopausal osteoporosis were screened through the GeneCards database. The intersected targets of Cornus officinalis and disease were then obtained. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct a traditional Chinese medicine-component-disease-target regulatory network. The DAVID database was used to analyze the gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation. The effect and mechanism of potential active ingredients of Cornus officinalis on postmenopausal osteoporosis were verified by cell experiments in vitro.
Results
Twelve active ingredients of Cornus officinalis and 30 effective targets in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis were screened out. Among them, PTGS2, PTGS1 and ADRB2 might play a crucial role. Experiments have shown that beta-sitosterol increases the expression levels of OPN and RUNX2 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. PTGS2 and TNF-α are two of the 30 potential target genes, and beta-sitosterol can decrease the expression of PTGS2 and TNF-α. Additionally, beta-sitosterol can increase the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and mineralisation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).
Conclusion
The mechanism by which Cornus officinalis treats postmenopausal osteoporosis may involve active ingredients like beta-sitosterol acting on PTGS2 and TNF-α. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further research into the complex anti-osteoporosis mechanisms of Cornus officinalis.
{"title":"Network pharmacology-based analysis of Cornus officinalis for anti-osteoporosis property and experimental validation of its active component beta-sitosterol","authors":"Xiaoming Gao , Chao Lin , Weimin Ren , Yanming Hao , Yiran Lu , Guoning Zhang , Nuo Chen , Qingsong Zou , Xiaoxiao Li , Qian Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>Cornus officinalis</em> is a commonly used herbal for osteoporosis. We aimed to explore the potential mechanism of <em>Cornus officinalis</em> in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis using network pharmacology.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The active ingredients and targets of <em>Cornus officinalis</em> were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and Uniprot database, and the predictive targets of postmenopausal osteoporosis were screened through the GeneCards database. The intersected targets of <em>Cornus officinalis</em> and disease were then obtained. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct a traditional Chinese medicine-component-disease-target regulatory network. The DAVID database was used to analyze the gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation. The effect and mechanism of potential active ingredients of <em>Cornus officinalis</em> on postmenopausal osteoporosis were verified by cell experiments <em>in vitro</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twelve active ingredients of <em>Cornus officinalis</em> and 30 effective targets in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis were screened out. Among them, PTGS2, PTGS1 and ADRB2 might play a crucial role. Experiments have shown that beta-sitosterol increases the expression levels of OPN and RUNX2 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. PTGS2 and TNF-α are two of the 30 potential target genes, and beta-sitosterol can decrease the expression of PTGS2 and TNF-α. Additionally, beta-sitosterol can increase the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and mineralisation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The mechanism by which <em>Cornus officinalis</em> treats postmenopausal osteoporosis may involve active ingredients like beta-sitosterol acting on PTGS2 and TNF-α. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further research into the complex anti-osteoporosis mechanisms of <em>Cornus officinalis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101070"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101066
Hina Hameed , Hazir Rahman , Tabassum Tabassum , Saghir Ahmad , Abdul Tawab , Khalid J. Alzahrani , Khalaf F. Alsharif , Fuad M. Alzahrani
Introduction
Plants have an important role in therapeutic medicines due to the presence of metabolites. Gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions of Solanum nigrum berry ethanol extracts were evaluated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for potential druggable molecules.
Methods
Solanum nigrum berry ethanol extracts and HPLC fractions were processed for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, ADMET, and docking analysis.
Results
Ethanol extracts of Solanum nigrum exhibited anti-MRSA and anti-MRSE activity. The active extracts were further subjected to gradient HPLC. Among the collected HPLC fractions (n = 37), F3 of the ethanol extract showed inhibitory activity against MRSA (15 ± 0.152 mm) and MRSE (17 ± 0.404 mm) and was processed for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Seven compounds, including meglutol, quinic acid, D-gluconic acid, malic acid, cis-4-coumeric acid, chlorogenic acid, and hexose polymer, were identified. The meglutol, quinic acid, and D-gluconic acid were for the first time reported in Solanum nigrum. ADMET analysis revealed meglutol, quinic acid, and D-gluconic acid as highly water-soluble molecules along with feasible pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness characteristics. Molecular docking showed that meglutol formed an association via THR-600, LYS-406, ASN-464, and quinic acid with ILE-427, GLY-429, and D-gluconic acid with GLU-447, THR-600, TYR-446 residues of MecA-PBP2 transpeptidase of MRSA and MRSE.
Conclusion
Solanum nigrum berries ethanol fraction (F3) exhibited anti-MRSA and anti-MRSE activity. Three compounds, including meglutol, quinic acid, and D-gluconic acid, displayed likely druggable characteristics and putative MecA-PBP2 inhibitors of MRSA and MRSE. Further validation of the identified compounds may help to characterise these compounds as therapeutic molecules.
{"title":"Solanum nigrum berries HPLC fraction: compounds identification, ADMET analysis, and docking with MecA-PBP2 transpeptidase of methicillin-resistant Staphylococci","authors":"Hina Hameed , Hazir Rahman , Tabassum Tabassum , Saghir Ahmad , Abdul Tawab , Khalid J. Alzahrani , Khalaf F. Alsharif , Fuad M. Alzahrani","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101066","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101066","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Plants have an important role in therapeutic medicines due to the presence of metabolites. Gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions of <em>Solanum nigrum</em> berry ethanol extracts were evaluated against methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em> (MRSE) and methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA) for potential druggable molecules.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><em>Solanum nigrum</em> berry ethanol extracts and HPLC fractions were processed for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, ADMET, and docking analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ethanol extracts of <em>Solanum nigrum</em> exhibited anti-MRSA and anti-MRSE activity. The active extracts were further subjected to gradient HPLC. Among the collected HPLC fractions (n = 37), F3 of the ethanol extract showed inhibitory activity against MRSA (15 ± 0.152 mm) and MRSE (17 ± 0.404 mm) and was processed for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Seven compounds, including meglutol, quinic acid, D-gluconic acid, malic acid, cis-4-coumeric acid, chlorogenic acid, and hexose polymer, were identified. The meglutol, quinic acid, and D-gluconic acid were for the first time reported in <em>Solanum nigrum</em>. ADMET analysis revealed meglutol, quinic acid, and D-gluconic acid as highly water-soluble molecules along with feasible pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness characteristics. Molecular docking showed that meglutol formed an association via THR-600, LYS-406, ASN-464, and quinic acid with ILE-427, GLY-429, and D-gluconic acid with GLU-447, THR-600, TYR-446 residues of MecA-PBP2 transpeptidase of MRSA and MRSE.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Solanum nigrum</em> berries ethanol fraction (F3) exhibited anti-MRSA and anti-MRSE activity. Three compounds, including meglutol, quinic acid, and D-gluconic acid, displayed likely druggable characteristics and putative MecA-PBP2 inhibitors of MRSA and MRSE. Further validation of the identified compounds may help to characterise these compounds as therapeutic molecules.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101066"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145467014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, and despite the current therapeutics, patient survival remains unsatisfactory. Furthermore, due to the side effects of these traditional treatments (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), there is an urgent need for innovative strategies in the treatment of breast cancer. Green-synthesised nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most promising new approaches. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to describe the biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Betula pendula Roth leaf extract (Bp.E) and evaluate their selective biological effects on MCF-7 and MCF-12A cell lines.
Methods
The purity, size, and shape of biosynthesized AgNPs with Bp.E were characterised using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The selective anticancer potential of AgNPs was detected using the XTT assay.
Results
The anticancer activity of nanoparticles containing aromatic (CC, –CH) and plant-derived phenolic –OH groups and characterised as having a spherical structure with an average size of 32 nm was evaluated by the XTT method. The synthesised AgNPs exhibited a higher cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 than Bp.E. Furthermore, the synthesised AgNPs were determined to show selective cytotoxic activity against cancer cells compared to healthy cells.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the synthesised AgNPs represent a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biomaterial candidate, with clear potential for evaluation as an anticancer agent. Moreover, the findings will highlight further studies using various cancer cell lines and in vivo models of the therapeutic potential and safety of this biomaterial.
{"title":"Green synthesis of Betula pendula Roth. mediated silver nanoparticles and their cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and MCF-12A cell lines","authors":"Nurgül KOÇAK , Ramazan CEYLAN , Emine ARSLAN , Büşra ÖZÇAY EKŞİ , Gözde KOYGUN","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101068","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101068","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, and despite the current therapeutics, patient survival remains unsatisfactory. Furthermore, due to the side effects of these traditional treatments (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), there is an urgent need for innovative strategies in the treatment of breast cancer. Green-synthesised nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most promising new approaches. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to describe the biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using <em>Betula pendula</em> Roth leaf extract (Bp.E) and evaluate their selective biological effects on MCF-7 and MCF-12A cell lines.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The purity, size, and shape of biosynthesized AgNPs with Bp.E were characterised using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The selective anticancer potential of AgNPs was detected using the XTT assay.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The anticancer activity of nanoparticles containing aromatic (C<img>C, –CH) and plant-derived phenolic –OH groups and characterised as having a spherical structure with an average size of 32 nm was evaluated by the XTT method. The synthesised AgNPs exhibited a higher cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 than Bp.E. Furthermore, the synthesised AgNPs were determined to show selective cytotoxic activity against cancer cells compared to healthy cells.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, the synthesised AgNPs represent a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biomaterial candidate, with clear potential for evaluation as an anticancer agent. Moreover, the findings will highlight further studies using various cancer cell lines and <em>in vivo</em> models of the therapeutic potential and safety of this biomaterial.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101068"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101064
Sultan Pekacar , Imge Ece Göçmen İlhan , Mine Kürkçüoğlu , Berrin Özçelik , Didem Deliorman Orhan
Introduction
Tea tree oil (TTO), mainly derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, is widely used in herbal medicine for its antimicrobial effects, particularly in treating acne and dermatophytic infections. With increasing clinical use, ensuring TTO quality is essential for efficacy and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and antimicrobial, anti-acne, and antidermatophytic activities of commercially available TTO.
Methods
Twelve commercial TTO obtained from pharmacies, herbal stores, and health product retailers, along with one organic pure TTO reference, were analyzed following the European Pharmacopoeia 8.0 monograph criteria. Quality assessments included visual inspection, solubility and staining tests, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activities were tested against Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 6919 and dermatophyte strains Trichophyton rubrum RSKK 486, Epidermophyton floccosum RSKK 3027, and Microsporum gypseum NCPF 580 using standard microbiological methods.
Results
Only the organic TTO complied with the compositional requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) monograph, based on GC-MS analysis. Commercial samples showed significant deviations in chemical composition and physicochemical properties, exhibiting markedly lower antimicrobial and antidermatophytic activities compared to the organic reference.
Conclusion
This study shows only the organic TTO fulfilled ISO standards and EP compositional requirements, with notably higher antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes and C. acnes. These findings reveal concerns about the quality and potential adulteration of commercial TTO products. Ensuring product authenticity and adherence to standards is critical for their safe and effective use in managing acne and dermatophytosis. Strengthened quality control and regulatory measures are necessary to protect public health and support therapeutic applications.
{"title":"GC-MS based comparative phytochemical profiling with anti-acne and antidermatophytic activities of commercial and organic tea tree oils","authors":"Sultan Pekacar , Imge Ece Göçmen İlhan , Mine Kürkçüoğlu , Berrin Özçelik , Didem Deliorman Orhan","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101064","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101064","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Tea tree oil (TTO), mainly derived from <em>Melaleuca alternifolia</em>, is widely used in herbal medicine for its antimicrobial effects, particularly in treating acne and dermatophytic infections. With increasing clinical use, ensuring TTO quality is essential for efficacy and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and antimicrobial, anti-acne, and antidermatophytic activities of commercially available TTO.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twelve commercial TTO obtained from pharmacies, herbal stores, and health product retailers, along with one organic pure TTO reference, were analyzed following the European Pharmacopoeia 8.0 monograph criteria. Quality assessments included visual inspection, solubility and staining tests, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activities were tested against <em>Cutibacterium acnes</em> ATCC 6919 and dermatophyte strains <em>Trichophyton rubrum</em> RSKK 486, <em>Epidermophyton floccosum</em> RSKK 3027, and <em>Microsporum gypseum</em> NCPF 580 using standard microbiological methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Only the organic TTO complied with the compositional requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) monograph, based on GC-MS analysis. Commercial samples showed significant deviations in chemical composition and physicochemical properties, exhibiting markedly lower antimicrobial and antidermatophytic activities compared to the organic reference.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study shows only the organic TTO fulfilled ISO standards and EP compositional requirements, with notably higher antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes and <em>C. acnes.</em> These findings reveal concerns about the quality and potential adulteration of commercial TTO products. Ensuring product authenticity and adherence to standards is critical for their safe and effective use in managing acne and dermatophytosis. Strengthened quality control and regulatory measures are necessary to protect public health and support therapeutic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101064"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101062
Nopparat Buddhakala , Butsara Yongkhamcha
Introduction
This study was aimed to determine phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf extracts from Pandanus amaryllifolius and verify whether extracting solvents and concentrations, and age of leaves influence phytochemicals and activities of the extracts.
Methods
Mature leaves were extracted with 50% or 95% ethanol. Young, medium, and mature leaves were extracted with 80 °C or 100 °C distilled water. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) and phytochemical screening, evaluation of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) along with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (radical scavenging assay) (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (radical cation assay) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays, and Griess assay were employed for determination of phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively.
Results
LC-MS analysis revealed 61 compounds in 50% ethanol extract and 94 compounds in the 95% ethanol extract. Quercetin 3-galactoside was the most predominant compound in the 50% ethanol extract, and saponarin in the 95% ethanol extract. The 95% ethanol extract possessed higher antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities than the 50% ethanol extract. The water extracts contained phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins. The mature leaves extracted with 80 °C water exhibited the highest antidiabetic activity, in comparing to others.
Conclusions
The extracting solvents and concentrations as well as the leaf ages significantly influence the phytochemical constituents and the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts. The findings support the potential development of P. amaryllifolius extracts as functional ingredients for managing diseases related to oxidative stress, diabetes, and inflammation.
{"title":"Phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts from Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.","authors":"Nopparat Buddhakala , Butsara Yongkhamcha","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101062","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101062","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study was aimed to determine phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf extracts from <em>Pandanus amaryllifolius</em> and verify whether extracting solvents and concentrations, and age of leaves influence phytochemicals and activities of the extracts.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Mature leaves were extracted with 50% or 95% ethanol. Young, medium, and mature leaves were extracted with 80<!--> <!-->°C or 100<!--> <!-->°C distilled water. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) and phytochemical screening, evaluation of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) along with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (radical scavenging assay) (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (radical cation assay) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays, and Griess assay were employed for determination of phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>LC-MS analysis revealed 61 compounds in 50% ethanol extract and 94 compounds in the 95% ethanol extract. Quercetin 3-galactoside was the most predominant compound in the 50% ethanol extract, and saponarin in the 95% ethanol extract. The 95% ethanol extract possessed higher antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities than the 50% ethanol extract. The water extracts contained phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins. The mature leaves extracted with 80<!--> <!-->°C water exhibited the highest antidiabetic activity, in comparing to others.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The extracting solvents and concentrations as well as the leaf ages significantly influence the phytochemical constituents and the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts. The findings support the potential development of <em>P. amaryllifolius</em> extracts as functional ingredients for managing diseases related to oxidative stress, diabetes, and inflammation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101062"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-22DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101061
Bhuvana K. , Revathy Praba L. , Jayanth Jeevanandam , Esackimuthu P. , Srikanth Raghavendran , Saraswathi N.T.
Introduction
Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a microvascular complication of diabetes leads to chronic kidney disease and end stage kidney disease. In this study, we aim to elucidate the major pathways and key targets involved in the therapeutic effect of Madhumega kudineer (MK-polyherbal formulation), used in the treatment of DN by network pharmacology.
Methods
The common gene-targets corresponding to MK-phytochemicals and DN were used for phytochemical-target network construction, gene-ontology enrichment, KEGG pathway enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. The major cellular pathways and the key-targets involved were further identified by KEGG enrichment. The interaction of identified key-targets with phytochemicals was investigated by in silico methods of molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and MM-PBSA.
Results
From the PPI network of common gene-targets, 23 core-targets with degree above mean (>83) were shortlisted and their KEGG pathway enrichment revealed AGE-RAGE complications, TNF signalling and IL-17 signalling to be the top pathways. From the cross-section of the above pathways, the key-targets identified includes AKT1, TNF-α and IL6. Based on the highest binding affinity, the key-target and the corresponding MK-phytochemical complex were AKT1-quercetin, TNF-α-andrographolide and IL6-andrographolide. Molecular dynamic simulations evaluated the conformational stability of these complexes. MM-PBSA binding energy calculations revealed that van der Waals interactions predominantly drive the binding of MK phytochemicals to AKT1, TNF-α and IL6, with energy contributions from the hydrophobic residues in their binding regions.
Conclusion
Our in-silico analysis suggests that the phytochemicals of Madhumega kudineer combats diabetic nephropathy by targeting AKT1, TNF-α and IL6 involved in inflammatory pathways.
{"title":"Investigation of the action mechanism of Madhumega kudineer formulation against diabetic nephropathy by network pharmacology, molecular docking and dynamics strategies","authors":"Bhuvana K. , Revathy Praba L. , Jayanth Jeevanandam , Esackimuthu P. , Srikanth Raghavendran , Saraswathi N.T.","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101061","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101061","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a microvascular complication of diabetes leads to chronic kidney disease and end stage kidney disease. In this study, we aim to elucidate the major pathways and key targets involved in the therapeutic effect of Madhumega kudineer (MK-polyherbal formulation), used in the treatment of DN by network pharmacology.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The common gene-targets corresponding to MK-phytochemicals and DN were used for phytochemical-target network construction, gene-ontology enrichment, KEGG pathway enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. The major cellular pathways and the key-targets involved were further identified by KEGG enrichment. The interaction of identified key-targets with phytochemicals was investigated by <em>in silico</em> methods of molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and MM-PBSA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>From the PPI network of common gene-targets, 23 core-targets with degree above mean (>83) were shortlisted and their KEGG pathway enrichment revealed AGE-RAGE complications, TNF signalling and IL-17 signalling to be the top pathways. From the cross-section of the above pathways, the key-targets identified includes AKT1, TNF-α and IL6. Based on the highest binding affinity, the key-target and the corresponding MK-phytochemical complex were AKT1-quercetin, TNF-α-andrographolide and IL6-andrographolide. Molecular dynamic simulations evaluated the conformational stability of these complexes. MM-PBSA binding energy calculations revealed that van der Waals interactions predominantly drive the binding of MK phytochemicals to AKT1, TNF-α and IL6, with energy contributions from the hydrophobic residues in their binding regions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our <em>in-silico</em> analysis suggests that the phytochemicals of Madhumega kudineer combats diabetic nephropathy by targeting AKT1, TNF-α and IL6 involved in inflammatory pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101061"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-19DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101058
Mehrdad Yazdi , Javad Akhtari , Ali Davoodi , Iman Haghani , Zahra Kiadehi , Hamid Reza Goli
Introduction
Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance rates, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal effect of the alcoholic extract, essential oil, and nanoemulsion prepared from Salvadora persica L. root.
Methods
Alcoholic extract of S. persica root and its essential oil were prepared by percolation and distillation methods, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the antimicrobials were determined against clinically significant bacteria and fungi.
Results
The alcoholic extract with a concentration of 6.25% inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. Meanwhile, the essential oil had a better inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus mutans. Also, nanoemulsion was able to inhibit most Gram-negative bacteria (0.09%). The minimum bactericidal concentration of the extract was not appropriate, but the essential oil was able to kill the tested Gram-positive bacteria (12.5%). Also, nanoemulsion was able to kill Gram-negative bacteria (0.39%), except P. aeruginosa. Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were the most sensitive fungi to root extract, while the essential oil was able to inhibit all fungi (1.56%). Nanoemulsion was also able to inhibit all fungi (0.09%), except Aspergillus niger. In addition, the antifungal compounds showed a low minimum fungicidal concentration.
Conclusion
The nanoemulsion prepared from the S. persica root had more pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effects than the alcoholic extract and essential oil. However, these agents may be effective as adjuvants in the prevention or treatment of infections.
{"title":"Antibacterial and antifungal effect of Salvadora persica L. root extract, essential oil, and nanoemulsion","authors":"Mehrdad Yazdi , Javad Akhtari , Ali Davoodi , Iman Haghani , Zahra Kiadehi , Hamid Reza Goli","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101058","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101058","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance rates, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal effect of the alcoholic extract, essential oil, and nanoemulsion prepared from <em>Salvadora persica</em> L. root.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Alcoholic extract of <em>S. persica</em> root and its essential oil were prepared by percolation and distillation methods, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the antimicrobials were determined against clinically significant bacteria and fungi.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The alcoholic extract with a concentration of 6.25% inhibited <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, and <em>Proteus mirabilis</em>. Meanwhile, the essential oil had a better inhibitory effect on <em>Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis</em>, and <em>Streptococcus mutans</em>. Also, nanoemulsion was able to inhibit most Gram-negative bacteria (0.09%). The minimum bactericidal concentration of the extract was not appropriate, but the essential oil was able to kill the tested Gram-positive bacteria (12.5%). Also, nanoemulsion was able to kill Gram-negative bacteria (0.39%), except <em>P. aeruginosa</em>. <em>Candida albicans</em> and <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> were the most sensitive fungi to root extract, while the essential oil was able to inhibit all fungi (1.56%). Nanoemulsion was also able to inhibit all fungi (0.09%), except <em>Aspergillus niger</em>. In addition, the antifungal compounds showed a low minimum fungicidal concentration.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The nanoemulsion prepared from the <em>S. persica</em> root had more pronounced antibacterial and antifungal effects than the alcoholic extract and essential oil. However, these agents may be effective as adjuvants in the prevention or treatment of infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101058"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145270239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-18DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101060
Amit Nakanekar , Yogita Pole , Payal Rathod , Shivray Amrit Patil , Manjiri Palnitkar
Background
Tuberculosis is a worldwide public health problem. Antitubercular regimens are widely used against it; however, antitubercular Therapy causes various adverse effects. Primarily, pyrazinamide and ethambutol cause Hyperuricemia, and uricosuric medicines are used to manage it, but they also have many adverse effects. This case report highlights the importance of Ayurvedic treatment in managing Hyperuricemia induced by antitubercular treatment.
Case presentation
A 24-year-old female patient with a known case of pulmonary tuberculosis on antitubercular treatment came for a follow-up of Antitubercular Therapy with complaints of bilateral shoulder joint pain, B/L Ankle joint pain, elbow joint pain, non-pitting edema over Ankle joint (Lt > Rt) and shoulder joint, difficulty in walking, redness over Ankle region, weakness, loss of appetite, burning sensation since 1–2 weeks. The patient was managed with oral Ayurvedic medicines and five sessions of Siravedha (∼Therapeutic bloodletting) without stopping conventional antitubercular treatment. The progressive improvement in Hyperuricemia induced by antitubercular Therapy was observed, with reduced swelling of joints, joint pain, and burning sensation. Uric acid was lowered from 8 to 3.1 mg/dl in 30 days.
Conclusion
This case study focuses on the effect of the Ayurvedic treatment approach on controlling the adverse impacts of antitubercular Therapy. The role of Ayurveda in the management of adverse effects of antitubercular drugs (ATDs) is sporadic and primarily limited. As a worldwide public health crisis, it is highly recommended to carry out further clinical trials on Tuberculosis patients using Ayurvedic drugs and therapeutic regimens.
{"title":"Ayurvedic management of adverse effects of antitubercular treatment: a case report","authors":"Amit Nakanekar , Yogita Pole , Payal Rathod , Shivray Amrit Patil , Manjiri Palnitkar","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101060","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101060","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Tuberculosis is a worldwide public health problem. Antitubercular regimens are widely used against it; however, antitubercular Therapy causes various adverse effects. Primarily, pyrazinamide and ethambutol cause Hyperuricemia, and uricosuric medicines are used to manage it, but they also have many adverse effects. This case report highlights the importance of Ayurvedic treatment in managing Hyperuricemia induced by antitubercular treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 24-year-old female patient with a known case of pulmonary tuberculosis on antitubercular treatment came for a follow-up of Antitubercular Therapy with complaints of bilateral shoulder joint pain, B/L Ankle joint pain, elbow joint pain, non-pitting edema over Ankle joint (Lt > Rt) and shoulder joint, difficulty in walking, redness over Ankle region, weakness, loss of appetite, burning sensation since 1–2 weeks. The patient was managed with oral Ayurvedic medicines and five sessions of <em>Siravedha</em> (∼Therapeutic bloodletting) without stopping conventional antitubercular treatment. The progressive improvement in Hyperuricemia induced by antitubercular Therapy was observed, with reduced swelling of joints, joint pain, and burning sensation. Uric acid was lowered from 8 to 3.1 mg/dl in 30 days.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This case study focuses on the effect of the Ayurvedic treatment approach on controlling the adverse impacts of antitubercular Therapy. The role of Ayurveda in the management of adverse effects of antitubercular drugs (ATDs) is sporadic and primarily limited. As a worldwide public health crisis, it is highly recommended to carry out further clinical trials on Tuberculosis patients using Ayurvedic drugs and therapeutic regimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101060"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145270236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Post-infectious cough (PIC) is a common form of cough with a high incidence rate, accounting for approximately 48.4% of subacute cough cases. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence indicating that pharmacological treatments exert a significant therapeutic effect on PIC, and standardised treatment protocols have yet to be established. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of PIC, providing a reference for clinical practice.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating TCM interventions for PIC were retrieved, with the search covering all publications up to February 6, 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.
Results
A total of nine articles were included, comprising seven RCTs. The meta-analysis demonstrated that TCM was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing cough symptom scores, alleviating cough severity, lowering TCM syndrome scores, improving cough relief rate and resolution rate, and enhancing clinical efficacy rate. Moreover, no serious adverse events were reported. TCM may also contribute to shortening the time to cough relief and resolution. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in terms of quality of life improvement or recurrence rates of cough.
Conclusion
Compared with placebo, TCM treatment for PIC demonstrates superior clinical efficacy, improving cough symptoms and shortening the disease course, with good safety profiles.
{"title":"Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for post-infectious cough compared to placebo: a systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Xinyi Zhang , Xin Jin , Jianning Guo , Hongchun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Post-infectious cough (PIC) is a common form of cough with a high incidence rate, accounting for approximately 48.4% of subacute cough cases. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence indicating that pharmacological treatments exert a significant therapeutic effect on PIC, and standardised treatment protocols have yet to be established. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of PIC, providing a reference for clinical practice.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating TCM interventions for PIC were retrieved, with the search covering all publications up to February 6, 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of nine articles were included, comprising seven RCTs. The meta-analysis demonstrated that TCM was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing cough symptom scores, alleviating cough severity, lowering TCM syndrome scores, improving cough relief rate and resolution rate, and enhancing clinical efficacy rate. Moreover, no serious adverse events were reported. TCM may also contribute to shortening the time to cough relief and resolution. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in terms of quality of life improvement or recurrence rates of cough.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Compared with placebo, TCM treatment for PIC demonstrates superior clinical efficacy, improving cough symptoms and shortening the disease course, with good safety profiles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101059"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145270235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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