Achillea filipendulina, a polyphenol-rich species, was used to establish in vitro shoot cultures and to compare their phytochemical and biological properties with those of field-grown material. In vitro shoots cultivated on agar medium (AFiv) and in Plantform bioreactors (AFB) were extracted with ethanol, 50% ethanol, or water and evaluated alongside extracts from field-grown plants (AFH). HPLC ESI QTOF MS/MS profiling revealed 37 phenolic constituents. At the same time, quantitative analysis by LC-MS confirmed that chlorogenic acid was the major compound, reaching the highest concentrations in AFH and AFB ethanol based extracts. In contrast, AFiv samples contained lower but consistently detectable levels. Similarly, p hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin, and rutin were quantified above LOQ in nearly all samples, with their highest amounts in AFH EtOH and 50% EtOH extracts and the lowest levels in AFiv H₂O extracts, demonstrating clear solvent and biomass dependent variation. AFH extracts showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 50% EtOH=30.1; TPC=1.32  mg GAE/g DW), while AFiv and AFB displayed lower TPC (0.36-0.38 and 0.19-0.30 mg GAE/g DW) and weaker activity (IC₅₀=254->1000µg/mL). In tyrosinase assays, AFiv extracts were the most potent, inhibiting murine tyrosinase by 56.8-62.8% and human tyrosinase by 17.6-29.9%, comparable to kojic acid, whereas AFH and AFB demonstrated weaker or selective inhibition. Cytotoxicity testing showed that AFH extracts reduced HaCaT viability by 25-38%, while AFiv and AFB were non-cytotoxic and exhibited reduced or no cytotoxicity toward melanoma cells. Moreover, technological validation of the most potent AFiv 50EtOH extract within model O/W and W/O emulsions demonstrated exceptional 30-day physicochemical stability and compatibility.

Herbal material and products (HMPs) have gained worldwide popularity in the past decades. Yet the efficacy and safety of HMPs are frequently compromised by economically motivated adulteration, species substitution, and mislabelling. Conventional authentication methods, relying on morphology and chemical profiling, often fail short when dealing with complex multi-ingredient mixtures or trace contaminants. DNA-based methods have been widely adopted by various pharmacopeia, and the rapid development of high throughput sequencing technology has shown promising identifying power in related fields. This review examines the transformative application of High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) in the authentication and quality control of herbal material and product, by exploring the advanced HTS techniques, including short-and long-read amplicon metabarcoding, shotgun metabarcoding, genome skimming, superbarcoding and target capture. These approaches offer unprecedented resolution, enabling simultaneous, multi-kingdom detection of prescribed species, adulterants, and contaminants, even in highly processed preparations. That said, HTS has challenges such as DNA degradation, extraction biases, and limitations in quantitative accuracy, integrating these genomic tools with orthogonal chemical analyses provides a rigorous, complementary framework. The transition toward multi-omics integration, portable sequencing applications, and artificial intelligence place HTS as a cornerstone for the future of authentication and quality control.

Biochemometrics has evolved as a powerful tool in natural product research that enables the simultaneous identification of reliable putative bioactive compounds, while offering insights into the chemical composition of complex natural product extracts. The approach has steadily evolved from its initial phase with the advent of sophisticated and highly sensitive MS- and NMR-based analytical techniques, and has greatly impacted natural product drug discovery pipelines by complementing bioassay-guided fractionation. It has proven effective in identifying active compounds within natural product mixtures and investigating synergistic effects among constituents. Integrating biochemometrics with dereplication and compound annotation approaches via GNPS-based molecular networking has accelerated the discovery of novel chemical scaffolds with biological potential. This review offers a chronological assessment of biochemometrics in natural product research, critically examining its evolution from the inception of the concept, development in the field, to its present applications in natural product research. It outlines its diverse applications across plant, microbial, and marine natural product sources, highlighting key case studies that demonstrate its utility across different natural product sources for the identification of bioactive compounds. By evaluating its strengths and limitations, this review underscores the critical importance of rigorous data acquisition and preprocessing as critical steps inherent to the success of biochemometric modeling. Model validation is considered equally important to ensure the robustness and accuracy of the derived projections. As omics continue to advance with sophisticated analytical and computational techniques, the review also identifies emerging opportunities for integrating biochemometrics with GNPS-based molecular networking, and employing dereplication via NP databases and artificial intelligence. These integrated approaches enhance predictive modeling and pattern recognition, enable dereplication with global natural product databases, and streamline prioritization of bioactive natural products. Together, the biochemometrics and its advancements will accelerate the discovery of novel bioactive natural products and support the development of next-generation natural product-based therapeutic drugs.

Forgetting and memory formation are 2 distinct processes, both essential for the survival of humans and other animals. The protein Musashi2 (MSI2) was recently discovered as a key regulator of forgetting in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, making it an attractive therapeutic target for drug discovery and development.

Elaeocarpus ganitrus, popularly known as Rudraksha, is of immense holistic importance in traditional Indian culture with spiritual and medicinal benefits. The present study aims to characterize and explore the cytotoxic and tumor inhibitory potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Rudraksha beads in preclinical models. Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from powdered Rudraksha beads and was characterized through qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, FT-IR, and LC-MS/MS analysis. In vitro cytotoxic activity of Rudraksha bead extract was evaluated in PC3, U87MG, A549, HCT116, FaDu, MCF-7, and LLC1 cell lines by MTT assay. Apoptotic activity was assessed by Western blot analysis of Bax, Caspase-3, and Cleaved Caspase-3 proteins in the HCT116 cell line. In vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated in the LLC1 allograft and HCT116 xenograft mouse model. Hydroalcoholic extract of Rudraksha bead showed abundance of polyphenolic compounds and their subtypes like phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in different analytical techniques. Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract elicited a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability in all the tested cell lines, with the best response in HCT116 (CC50 = 47.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 42.75 - 49.06 µg/mL), with upregulated expression of pro-apoptotic markers, Caspase-3 (1.53-fold), Cleaved Caspase-3 (1.47-fold), and Bax (6.4-fold). Treatment with 500 mg/kg of Rudraksha extract in the LLC1 tumor allograft model (QD × 9 days) and HCT116 xenograft model (QD × 21 days) demonstrated significantly reduced tumor volume in comparison to the vehicle control. Hydroalcoholic extract of Rudraksha demonstrated a promising tumor inhibition response in preclinical settings, therefore making it a potential therapeutic candidate for cancer treatment.

Infectious diseases caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria continue to pose significant challenges to public health globally. In this context, the Ibero-American Program of Science and Technology for Development (CYTED) Network, "Potential Antimicrobial Agents Present in Plant Foods of Regional Interest" (REDALIM-MIC), aims to detect antimicrobial compounds in edible plants from Ibero-American countries and to promote collaborative research on their potential applications in health and nutrition. This report summarizes the main discussions and key outcomes of expert meetings conducted within the REDALIM-MIC Network, underscoring the importance of integrated and interdisciplinary research, with particular emphasis on the potential of edible plants as innovative and sustainable sources of bioactive compounds for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Key outcomes included the identification of promising plant species and, the prioritization of bioactive extracts for further phytochemical characterization and pharmacological evaluation. The potential application of these findings in the development of functional foods and novel therapeutics, as well as the importance of strengthening regional collaboration, were also recognized. The REDALIM-MIC Network focuses on detecting antimicrobial compounds in edible plant species, evaluating their immunomodulatory properties, assessing their nutritional and health value, and fostering collaboration among Ibero-American institutions to support innovative, food-based approaches for preventing and managing infectious diseases. During the meetings, key topics such as regulatory frameworks, analytical techniques, quality control and methodologies and cell-based assays for the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity were discussed. In addition, good agricultural practices and biotechnological tools for sustainable production were addressed.

Helicobacter pylori infection is related to several gastric pathologies, including gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Substances capable of eradicating H. pylori have been subject to the attention of researchers. This study evaluated a fully characterized ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF), obtained from the rhizomes of L. brasiliense and its microparticulate pharmaceutical form (mpEAF) against H. pylori, and in addition for potential immunomodulatory and antitumor activities associated with H. pylori infection. UHPLC analysis of EAF indicated the presence of samaragenins A and B beside gallic acid, (epi)gallocatechin, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate. Antioxidant activity showed IC50 values of 5.7 (95% CI: 5.21-6.83), 31.9 (95% CI: 19.57-51.99), and 33.1 (95% CI: 24.4-44.73) µg/mL for HOCl, O2•- and NO, respectively. EAF exerts MIC values of 1024 and 128 µg/mL against the H. pylori (ATCC 43504, clinical isolate P7). In vivo treatments in mice with EAF and mpEAF (100 mg/kg, in single daily doses for 20 consecutive days) improved gastric pathology in infected animals reducing urease positivity (14,3% vs. 54,5% in untreated controls), reducing inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 reduced, p < 0.05) and morphological damage compared with the untreated control group. Helicobacter pylori urease was inhibited with IC50 of 521.6 µg/mL (95% CI: 419.2-649.0). In addition, EAF showed antiproliferative activity against gastric adenocarcinoma cells (CC50 of 21.7, 95% CI: 18.1-26.04). In LPS-stimulated macrophages, EAF reduced the TNF-α and IL-6 production by 16% and 35%, respectively. These results indicate the potential of L. brasiliense as a source of compounds capable of attenuating gastric diseases related to H. pylori infection.

Phytochemical study of Cedrus atlantica aerial parts apolar extract led to the isolation of a new abietane diterpene (1:), an abietane diterpene reported for the first time as a genuine natural product (2:), 2 new megastigmane glycosides (3: -4:), and 9 known compounds (5: -13:), including 7 abietanes. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HRMS experiments. The crude extract was then evaluated through a broad screening against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the only affected microorganism. In a next step, a selection of pure compounds was also investigated, and the diterpene 15-hydroxydehydroabietic acid (15-HDAA) (11:) was shown to exhibit detectable antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis. Growth kinetics analysis revealed a clear modulation of bacterial growth at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), indicating a measurable physiological impact on the bacterium. This effect, when combined, allows a significant reduction in the effective concentration of ampicillin.

The growing urgency to reduce antimicrobial and antiparasitic use in livestock has renewed scientific interest in medicinal plants as sustainable components of veterinary healthcare. However, the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework for herbal veterinary medicinal products (HVMPs) in the European Union continues to hinder their wider application.

Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy) is an aromatic perennial plant extensively utilized in traditional medicine. Its therapeutic properties have been recorded in Europe since antiquity. Traditionally, it is still used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, liver/bile diseases, respiratory ailments, and skin disorders. This review presents, for the first time, an in-depth examination of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, botany, safety of use, biological activity, and non-medical aspects associated with ground ivy. The data were extracted through detailed probing of key databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SciFinder. In addition, books, papers from conference proceedings, and websites were used. This study reveals that compounds belonging to various classes, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have been identified. Crude extracts, fractions, and some individual compounds have shown various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and melanogenesis-modulating effects. Apart from its value in phytotherapy, G. hederacea also shows potential as a natural pesticide and stabilizing agent in the food industry. The traditional medicinal uses of the ground ivy, combined with modern scientific research, underscore its pharmacological potential. However, future studies should incorporate relevant animal experiments and clinical studies to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and bioavailability. Although there is a rich literature on secondary metabolites detected in G. hederacea, it seems right to fill in which compounds are determinants of a given activity. Finally, research on using G. hederacea as a natural pesticide, which could lead to its implementation, warrants further investigation.

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) is a psychoactive plant native to Southeastern Asia, belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Traditionally, its fresh leaves have been consumed in the region for centuries due to their therapeutic properties, including pain relief. The leaves contain a variety of phytochemicals with the alkaloids being the most biologically significant constituents. In the present study-the first investigation exploring sustainable extraction methods for kratom-47 natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) systems were screened. The most effective system demonstrated significantly higher extraction efficiency compared to commonly used organic solvents. The food-grade system, lactic acid : glucose was subsequently selected for optimization using a one-factor-at-a-time approach, and the optimal conditions were a molar ratio of 4 : 1 and a water content of 20%. Further optimization using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology identified the optimal extraction conditions as a solid-to-liquid ratio of 30 mg/mL, a temperature of 70 °C and an ultrasound treatment time of 12 min. Finally, three recovery methods were evaluated: solid phase extraction (including strong cation exchange and reversed-phase types), macroporous resins (six types), and acid-base extraction. The highest recovery yields were obtained with strong cation exchange solid phase extraction (95%) followed by the macroporous resins XAD 18 and XAD 1600 N (85%).

Curcumin is a versatile natural compound that has been extensively studied for its potential activity in cancer models. However, its clinical development faces challenges, including poor water solubility, chemical instability under physiological conditions, rapid metabolism, and limited systemic bioavailability. These issues have driven efforts to modify the curcumin structure to enhance stability, pharmacokinetics, and target interaction, while preserving or improving its antiproliferative effects. This review highlights key medicinal chemistry strategies for creating analogs beyond curcumin, including (i) monocarbonyl variants that replace the β-diketone group to improve stability, (ii) aromatic ring modifications that adjust electronic properties, lipophilicity, and cellular entry, (iii) prodrug designs that conceal phenolic groups to increase solubility or permeability, and (iv) hybrid molecules and conjugates for dual targeting or better delivery. Additionally, we discuss metal-curcumin(oid) complexes as promising options to modify stability, redox activity, and biological effects in cancer models. We also propose a basic evaluation toolkit to support more consistent comparisons among analogs, emphasizing the need to report chemical stability, microsomal metabolism, selectivity, and in vivo exposure, alongside in vitro viability/proliferation readouts and, where available, orthogonal cytotoxicity endpoints. Rather than treating beyond-curcumin chemistry as a catalog of potency-improving modifications, this review frames the major scaffold classes in terms of developability, evidentiary burden, and translational pragmatism. Overall, successful translation will depend less on isolated IC50 gains and more on standardized profiling and alignment of mechanism claims with achievable exposure.

Cultivated lichen mycobionts represent a valuable resource for obtaining unique natural compounds. Mycobionts of Astrothelium straminicolor and Nigrovothelium inspersotropicum, collected in Vietnam, were isolated, cultivated, and subjected to chemical investigation. Consequently, three new compounds, straminones A - B (A1: and A2:) and chlorosemivioxanthin (N1:), along with five known compounds, 3S,4R-(+)-4-hydroxymellein (A3:), 6-methoxymellein (A4:), vioxanthin (N2:), pigmentosin A (N3:), and semivioxanthin (N4:), were isolated and structurally elucidated. Straminones A and B represent the first examples of 3-methylhexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-1(3H)-one skeletons found in nature. The relative configuration of A1: was confirmed by DFT calculation. Compounds A3: and N4: demonstrated weak alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 314 and 366 µM, respectively. The other compounds showed no inhibition in the tested assay. Notably, compounds N1: -N3: showed significant inhibitory effects on NO production, with IC50 values ranging from 14 to 25 µM, compared with the positive control L-NMMA (IC50 = 49 µM). Further molecular docking clarified the inhibitory mechanism of the active compounds.