In recent years, nanotechnology has made remarkable progress in the fight against infectious diseases. However, the development of safe and effective antiviral drugs remains a challenge, as viruses rely on host cells for replication. Plant-derived, environmentally friendly nanoparticles have gained significant attention due to their low toxicity, which enables them to target viruses without damaging host cells. In this study, we describe the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract and explore their potential antiviral activity. The uva-ursi AgNPs were initially characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We then optimized two different gellan gum/alginate film formulations (1.6:0.4 and 1.2:0.8) as delivery matrices for the AgNPs and assessed Ag[+] skin permeation using a Franz diffusion cell system. The antiviral potential of the uva-ursi AgNPs-both alone and incorporated into the films-was tested against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Our findings indicate that uva-ursi AgNPs may directly interact with the viral envelope, disrupting the lipid membrane and/or interfering with viral surface proteins. Overall, green-synthesized uva-ursi AgNPs may represent a natural, cost-effective, and safe alternative strategy for managing herpetic infections.

The interest in the use of phytochemicals and herbal medicines for the treatment of acne vulgaris has grown steadily over recent decades. The research on the secondary metabolites and biological properties of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) has been intensified in recent years, but the range of bacterial strains tested, many of which are highly relevant to human health, remains very limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanolic bearberry leaf extracts. Compared with the ethanolic extract, the water extract was characterized by higher concentrations of arbutin, hydroquinone, corilagin, and hyperoside and the absence of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. However, it exhibited lower total phenolic content and reduced levels of penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG). The ethanolic extract of bearberry leaves showed higher antioxidant activity and the most favorable overall biological properties. The therapeutic index (TI) values for the water and ethanolic extracts, respectively, were as follows: Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 11827 (10.70; 21.57), Propionibacterium acnes PCM 2334 (10.70; 43.13), P. acnes PCM (5.33; 21.57), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (10.70; 21.57), and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 (5.33; 10.78). The present findings further support the medicinal and cosmetic use of A. uva-ursi and highlight its potential as a source of natural antibacterial agents for acne treatment.

Most Germans consider herbal medicinal products (HMPs) to be an important supplement to conventional medicine. Despite existing clinical evidence for safety and efficacy, they are still not sufficiently integrated into drug therapy of gynaecological complaints in everyday practice. By analysing patient-reported outcomes (PROs), this gap in medical care can be closed. Real-world data was extracted from the pharmaco-epidemiological database PhytoVIS. We analysed a sample (n = 1658) containing PROs from women who utilised HMPs to treat their gynaecological complaints applying descriptive and non-parametric bivariate statistical tests. Perceived effectiveness and tolerability of HMPs was rated as very good. For the treatment of menstrual complaints, Vitex agnus-castus L. was primarily used, and Actaea racemosa L. for menopausal complaints. Various herbal drugs were applied for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs), but mainly Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Regarding the pharmaceutical form, herbal teas were preferred for the treatment of uUTIs or by very young or elderly women. All other pharmaceutical forms were favoured for menstrual and menopausal complaints or middle-aged women. The pharmaceutical form did not impact the perceived therapeutic effectiveness. Our results provide valuable insights into patient preferences and show options for their integration into existing treatment strategies. By identifying the most popular and efficacious plants for certain gynaecological ailments, we support healthcare providers to better address the growing demand for complementary treatment options. This knowledge helps in tailoring healthcare to meet patient needs and to ensure the safety and efficacy of HMPs.

Most polyphenols (and tannins in their composition), secondary plant metabolites with positive effects on the human body, are soluble in water, which makes them environmentally friendly and the most accessible solvent in everyday life. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of water extraction methods, hot water extraction and maceration, on the amounts of these compounds isolated from plants, compared with ultrasonic extraction, which is not readily available. Seven Ericaceae and four Rosaceae species were selected for study, whose leaves are used in folk and/or official medicine to make herbal teas. Total polyphenolics were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method spectrophotometrically and total tannins by calculating the difference between the total and remaining polyphenolic content after tannin precipitation. The results demonstrated that ultrasound was not the most effective method for extracting polyphenols: it yielded the highest polyphenol amounts only from two Rosaceae species, Potentilla anserina and Alchemilla vulgaris. The hot water extraction of polyphenols was more effective than maceration. Hot water was more effective in extracting polyphenols from evergreen plants. Regardless of the extraction method, most of the polyphenols were extracted with water from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and tannins from Rhododendron tomentosum leaves. The studied Ericaceae species accumulate higher-polarity tannins than the studied Rosaceae representatives.

The use of medicinal plants by diabetic patients dates back to ancient times. In recent years, numerous reports have been published on the efficacy and safety of many medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes through various mechanisms. This review highlights the up-to-date proposed mechanisms of action of the most common antidiabetic herbs used in Persian medicine, comprising Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Urtica dioica, Nigella sativa, Citrullus colocynthis, Silybum marianum, Zingiber officinale, Punica granatum, Salvia officinalis, Vaccinium arctostaphylos, and Momordica charantia, with support from clinical and experimental studies. Clinical research has shown significant reductions in blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, as well as improvements in diabetes-related symptoms, including digestive disorders and lipid dysregulation, accompanied by negligible adverse effects. Continuing to study how these plants work and how effectively they treat diabetes is important for using these natural treatments in modern medicine, offering affordable and safe options for diabetes patients.

This study investigates the anticancer efficacy of phytofabricated silver nanoparticles (VACAgNPs) derived from Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. (VAC) against molecularly distinct breast cancer subtypes (MCF-7: hormone-responsive; 4T1/MDA-MB-231: triple-negative). Hydroalcoholic VAC fruit extract, characterized by LC-ESI/MS (71 phenolic compounds, including quercetin-3,7-diglucoside and kaempferol galloylglucoside) and GC-MS (methyl 3,5-bis(ethylamino)benzoate, 26.71%), served as a dual reducing-capping agent for green nanoparticle synthesis. FE-SEM and DLS confirmed spherical VACAgNPs (mean size: 124.67 nm; zeta potential: -6.32 mV) with 66.82 wt% Ag content. In vitro assays revealed dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, with 100 μM VACAgNPs reducing viability to 41.0% ± 6.1% (MCF-7), 39.3% ± 6.1% (4T1), and 30.6% ± 5.6% (MDA-MB-231) at 48 h, outperforming cisplatin in caspase-3-deficient MCF-7 cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated ROS-mediated apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 ratio modulation (14.0-fold increase in MDA-MB-231) and Caspase-3 activation (3.91-fold), alongside oxidative stress regulation: FRAP increased to 6.42 ± 0.81 μmol/mL (49.6% above control), while MDA and NO decreased by 59.2% and 31.5%, respectively. The nanoparticles' bioactivity correlated with VAC's antioxidant profile (TPC: 91.06 ± 9.16 mg GAE/g; FRAP: 9520.12 ± 56.46 mmol Fe2+/mg), overcoming phytochemical bioavailability limitations through enhanced targeting. These findings establish VACAgNPs as a sustainable therapeutic candidate, offering subtype-agnostic efficacy via dual apoptosis induction and redox modulation, while mitigating chemotherapy-associated toxicity. The study provides critical preclinical evidence for advancing plant-nanoparticle synergism in precision oncology.

Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. (V. arctostaphylos) is an herb renowned in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic applications, including the treatment of skin ulcers, hyperlipidemia, liver diseases, and gastrointestinal issues. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review of the botanical, phytochemical, and therapeutic effects of V. arctostaphylos to provide researchers with insights into its potential use in treating various disorders. Employing systematic review methods with keywords such as "Vaccinium arctostaphylos," "Clinical trial," "Therapeutic properties," and "Animal studies," we analyzed 225 articles extracted from databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, SID, and Google without time constraints. Following rigorous title and abstract screening, 60 articles were selected for analysis. Volatile compound analysis revealed a rich array present in both the fruit and leaves, suggesting applications across diverse fields. Nutritional analysis underscored significant protein, sugar, fat, and fiber contents, alongside essential minerals and vitamins. Pharmacologically, V. arctostaphylos demonstrated a range of beneficial properties, including antihypertensive, anti-obesity, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, anti-cancer, and antibacterial effects. Clinical trials supported its efficacy in reducing blood pressure, improving lipid profiles, and managing diabetes. Mechanistic insights highlighted its action through various pathways, including modulation of glucose metabolism, inhibition of inflammatory mediators, and enhancement of antioxidant defenses. Furthermore, V. arctostaphylos showed promise in addressing cardiovascular health, diabetes, male reproductive system issues, and neurological disorders. Its antimicrobial potential against various pathogens suggests utility in infection management. This comprehensive overview underscores the multifaceted therapeutic potential of V. arctostaphylos, affirming its importance in both medicinal and nutritional contexts.

Wildfires can lower soil carbon (C) stocks directly through combustion, but also indirectly during post-fire recovery if microbial C demands outpace photosynthetic C inputs. However, how much C is respired by soil microorganisms post-fire may depend on wildfire effects on particulate organic carbon (POC; mostly plant material accessible to microbes) and/or mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC; considered C protected by minerals from decomposers), meaning assessment of wildfire impacts on these pools is necessary to predict microbial decomposition rates and, thus, the fate of soil C. Here, we measured POC, MAOC, pyrogenic organic matter C, plant cover, extracellular enzyme activity (EEA), and microbial community abundance and composition 17 days, and 1, 3, and 4 years after the Holy Fire burned 94 km[2] of fire-adapted chaparral. The wildfire immediately decreased POC by 50% (from 51 ± 21 to 26 ± 6 g C kg[-1]) and MAOC by 33% (from 9.3 ± 0.9 to 6.3 ± 0.9 g C kg[-1]), consistent with MAOC being less vulnerable to loss than POC. POC decreased by another 38% 1 year post-fire, consistent with increases in microbial abundance and EEA suggesting increased microbial decomposition. Between 1 and 4 years after the fire, cover of the dominant shrub (Arctostaphylos glandulosa) increased from 3.9% ± 1.6% to 16% ± 5.4% (compared to 58% ± 4.6% in unburned plots), marking the end of net soil C losses. Still, soil C did not increase between 1 and 4 years post-fire, suggesting plant C inputs did not outpace microbial respiration, a finding consistent with isotopically heavier C from microorganisms raising bulk soil δ[13]C values. As global changes favor increases in wildfire frequency and severity, C losses via combustion and decomposition may outpace plant C inputs during the first 4 years post-fire in chaparral, slowing the replenishment of soil C stocks.

Heavy metal pollution from industrial and sewage waste in Egypt's Bahr Al-Baqar drain threatens ecosystems and human health. This study analyzed metal accumulation (Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Zn) in water, soil, and vegetation, assessing associated risks. Mn in drain water ranged 0.12-0.63 mg L[-1], peaking at the endpoint. Hazard quotients (HQ) for Mn and Fe were < 1, indicating low immediate risk. Soil metal concentrations exceeded background levels: Co (1.18×), Cr (2.63×), Ni (1.15×), and Mn (1.03×), with contamination factors (CF >1) confirming moderate pollution. The soil hazard index (HI) for ingestion was 0.944, below risk thresholds. Medicinal plants exhibited high bioaccumulation: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi roots accumulated Cu (BF: 30.44) and Zn (20.59), while Rumex acetosa roots showed extreme Ni uptake (BF: 248.43). Transfer factors revealed Sonchus oleraceus translocated Cu efficiently, Triticum aestivum (wheat) transferred Fe, Ni, and Zn, and Urtica dioica (nettle) mobilized Mn. Consumption of crops/plants irrigated with drain water posed critical risks, with hazard indices (HI) reaching 7.5 (children) and 8.8 (adults), far exceeding safety limits. These results confirm the drain's water is unsafe for irrigation without treatment. Plants like Rumex acetosa and Triticum aestivum act as hazardous bioindicators due to excessive metal uptake, requiring strict monitoring. Immediate actions-including wastewater treatment, pollution control, and soil remediation-are vital to reduce health and environmental threats. The study highlights the need to regulate agricultural and medicinal use of plants from contaminated areas, as their metal accumulation poses direct exposure risks.

While investigating the potential for Arctostaphylos species to hybridize in the mixed populations of Point Sal and Burton Mesa in Santa Barbara County, California, we discovered that Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa (San Luis Obispo County), formerly considered a northern population of A.rudis, are genetically and morphologically distinct. We name this new taxon A.nipumu after the ytt (Northern Chumash language) word for the Nipomo Mesa region. For morphological and molecular analyses, we sampled 54 plants, focusing on A.purissima, A.rudis, and A.crustacea from multiple species and comparative single species populations. Parametric and nonparametric clustering analyses (STRUCTURE and PCA) of ddRADseq data show that Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa segregate from all other samples in the dataset. In mixed populations A.purissima and A.crustacea samples cluster with samples from other unmixed populations of the same species but A.rudis samples form two distinct clusters. One is composed of the mixed populations in Santa Barbara County, and the other consists of the Nipomo Mesa population. Additionally, the Santa Barbara County A.rudis samples are admixed in STRUCTURE analysis unlike the samples from the Nipomo Mesa. A principal component analysis of eight morphological characters shows that A.rudis individuals from Santa Barbara County tend to be phenotypically variable, occurring in a wide morphological cluster that overlaps with the tight clusters formed by A.purissima, A.crustacea, and Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa. Based on this evidence we describe the Nipomo Mesapopulation as a new species of Arctostaphylos. Given its limited and fragmented distribution we believe that A.nipumu is of critical conservation concern.

The main aim of this study was to determine the potential bioaccessibility of bearberry phytochemicals influenced by the type of herbal preparations. Herbal preparations-powdered plant materials and dry extracts obtained using various ethanol concentrations (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) were subjected to simulated gastric or gastrointestinal digestion for the evaluation of the bioaccessibility of the phytochemicals. The phytochemical characterization of the plant material, dry extracts, and potentially bioaccessible fractions was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric assays. The content of the main compounds, i.e., arbutin, hydroquinone, hyperoside, pentagalloylglucose, and picein, as well as the total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity through the ABTS•+-scavenging activity and Fe3+-reducing power were determined. The bioaccessibility of arbutin, i.e., the main compound in bearberry, was high, in most cases exceeding 95%, and was generally unaffected by the experimental factors; however, the changes in the content of the other compounds, the total phenolic content, and the antioxidant activity were more prominent and influenced by the type of the herbal preparation and the stage of digestion. Given the compromise between the abundance of the bearberry phytochemicals, the antioxidant activity, and the resulting potential bioaccessibility of these phytochemicals, the dry extracts prepared with 40% ethanol seem to be the most promising for phytopharmaceutical purposes and functional food applications.