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Gardeniae Fructus (GF), a traditional Chinese medicine rich in iridoids, has demonstrated skin-improving effects. However, its mechanisms for enhancing epidermal barrier function remain unclear. In this study, the iridoids in GF were characterized using UPLC-MS/MS. The improvement in the barrier function by GF was assessed through in vitro experiments and a human efficacy assessment. In addition, the potential targets were predicted through proteomics analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD), and verified in HaCaT cells and three-dimensional epidermal models. Nine iridoids were identified in GF. In vitro, GF effectively promoted cell migration and reduced cell damage and oxidative stress. Proteomics analysis combined with molecular docking and MD simulations predicted that the primary iridoids in GF ameliorate barrier function by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) with high affinity and stability. Subsequent validation demonstrated that GF significantly upregulated AHR, filaggrin (FLG), loricrin (LOR), and involucrin (IVL) mRNA and protein expression. A 28-day randomized double-blind human efficacy assessment in subjects with sensitive skin showed that the gel with GF increased stratum corneum hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and lowered erythema index and lactic acid tingling. These findings suggest that GF enhances the skin barrier via AHR activation-mediated upregulation of barrier proteins, supporting its cosmeceutical potential.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a versatile legume with diverse nutritional and nutraceutical properties that serve as a food security and medicinal crop for millions of households across Africa. An efficient protocol was developed to propagate shoot tip and cotyledonary node explants from six cowpea breeding accessions in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with either banana extract, coconut water, orange or tomato juice. Micropropagation performance was compared to MS medium supplemented with B5 vitamins. A total of 500 plantlets were obtained in vitro across treatments and MS basal media supplemented with tomato juice had the highest micropropagation performance (154 plantlets), followed by banana extract (112 plantlets), orange juice (107 plantlets), and coconut water (82 plantlets). Three accessions (AGRAC 216, TA, and Asontem) were found to be the most amenable to in vitro propagation using plant-derived extracts. Overall, this study successfully established that plant-derived extracts can support in vitro cowpea propagation in the absence of synthetic plant growth regulators.Key messagein vitro propagation of cowpea using plant fruit extracts as cheap substitutes for synthetic plant growth regulators allows for large scale production and transformation of cowpeas against environmental stress.

The increasing demand for sustainable agriculture has accelerated research into eco-friendly plant health management, particularly through natural substances rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, various substances, including essential oils, extracts from Aloe vera, artichoke and ornamental plants, by-products from beer and coffee processing, and selected commercial formulations including biostimulants and a plant strengthener, were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties and ability to trigger plant defenses. Notably, Agapanthus spp. exhibited strong antifungal activity against the fungus Botrytis cinerea (Bc), while thyme, tea tree, and lavender essential oils were effective against both Bc and the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). Greenhouse trials on tomato plants demonstrated the protective effects of A. vera gel and ornamental plant extracts against Bc and Potato virus Y (PVY), while coffee and artichoke extracts were effective against Pst. An alginate-based formulation containing thyme oil showed enhanced in planta efficacy against the three pathogens. Gene expression analyses revealed early upregulation of PR-1 and PR-4, especially with alginate treatments and A. vera gel at 12 h post-treatment (hpt) while coffee extract triggered the strongest late response at 72 hpt. These findings highlight the potential of plant-derived substances in promoting sustainable plant disease management through both direct antimicrobial action and immune system activation.

Plants have long been valued for their medicinal and nutritional contributions to human life. Anacyclus pyrethrum, a member of the Asteraceae family, has attracted increasing attention as a source of natural products with diverse applications. In this study, we explored the toxicity and pharmacological properties of the aqueous extract of A. pyrethrum (AEAP). The acute toxicity study involved groups of mice subjected to oral administration of varying doses of AEAP, with immediate post-administration observations to detect any signs of toxicity or mortality. Comprehensive biochemical and hematological analyses encompassed assessments of renal function. The pharmacological profile was assessed by evaluating antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects, which were measured using the hot plate test, elevated plus maze, open field test, and forced swim test, respectively. Different doses (100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) were administered to rats via gavage for this assessment. The results revealed that the acute toxicity demonstrated the safety of AEAP at the tested doses, with no observed mortality or significant alterations. Moreover, it revealed that AEAP possesses an LD50 value greater than 5000 mg/kg. The pharmacological properties of AEAP demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant activities at a dose of 200 mg/kg, while no antinociceptive effect was observed. These findings underscore the potential of A. pyrethrum as a natural source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications. Further research is needed to explore long-term and chronic effects for a comprehensive assessment.

The antiviral efficacy of cell-extracts (CEs) derived from cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl., C. obtusa) and cedar (Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex. L.) D.Don, C. japonica) was assessed using phi6 and MS2 bacteriophages, which are widely accepted surrogate models for enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, in order to verify their potential use as antiviral agents. Our results indicate that CEs derived from C. obtusa are dominantly composed of terpinen-4-ol (18.0%), α-terpinyl acetate (10.1%), bornyl acetate (9.7%), limonene (7.1%), and γ-terpinene (6.7%), while CEs derived from C. japonica are dominantly composed of terpinen-4-ol (48.0%) and α-pinene (15.9%), which exhibited robust antiviral activity against phi6 bacteriophage. Both CEs successfully inactivated the phi6 bacteriophage below the detection limit (10 PFU/mL) within a short exposure time of 30 s (log reduction value, LRV > 4). Through exposure experiments utilizing CEs with content ratios prepared via 2-fold serial dilutions (ranging from 3.13% to 100%), we demonstrated that the antiviral effect could be sustained up to a concentration of 25% (C. obtusa LRV = 3.8, C. japonica LRV > 4.3 at a 25% CE content ratio for each species). However, CEs with content ratios below 12.5% did not produce a significant reduction in bacteriophage concentration and consequently lost their antiviral effects. Conversely, both CEs did not exhibit antiviral activity against MS2 bacteriophage, a non-enveloped virus. Our findings reveal for the first time the potential of CEs derived from C. obtusa and C. japonica for use as antiviral agents specifically targeting enveloped viruses.

Background/Objectives: There is a growing interest in plant-derived antioxidants as functional food ingredients, given their potential to address oxidative stress-related diseases, notably neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant properties of medicinal plants that have been approved by the Thai FDA for dietary supplementation, with the goal of further utilizing them as food-functional ingredients to prevent neurodegenerative conditions. Methods: A systematic review-based methodology was employed on a list of 211 medicinal plants, and 21 medicinal plants were chosen based on their documented antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity. The 21 commercially available standardized extracts were subjected to evaluation for their phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as their antioxidant activities utilizing metal-chelating activity, DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and superoxide anion scavenging techniques. Results: Among the 21, six extracts—Bacopa monnieri, Camellia sinensis, Coffea arabica, Curcuma longa, Tagetes erecta, and Terminalia chebula—emerged as the most promising. These extracts exhibited elevated levels of phenolic (up to 1378.19 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram) and flavonoids, with Coffea arabica and Curcuma longa showing the strongest antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities, indicating their potential for use in functional foods aimed at delaying neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusions: Due to their high levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, along with strong metal-chelating abilities and significant free radical scavenging activities, these standardized extracts show potential for functional food applications that may help delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

ABSTRACT Grey hair, a common ageing‐associated phenomenon in humans, is mainly attributed to the damage of melanocytes and the absence of melanin. Grey hair has long been treated with traditional medicine, and new research has shown that various plant‐derived monomers can increase tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis, indicating that they may have therapeutic value in curing grey hair. In this study, we outlined the role of melanin and pigmentation during hair growth and collected various medicinal plant monomers with the potential value of grey hair reversal. Many active ingredients from medicinal plants, such as fraxinol, tribuloside, morin and naringenin, can upregulate melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity through different signalling pathways. Some of them can promote melanosome quantity, maturation and transportation as well. Monomers isolated from medicinal plants may act as stimulators of melanogenesis. Many plant‐derived monomers perform as activators that upregulate melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity through different signalling pathways. They are of great research value for the treatment of hair greying. Moreover, to further improve experimental effect, safety and reliability, a systematic and comprehensive evaluation system needs to be established in the future before studying their clinical efficacy.

Citrus fruits are subjected to a diversity of postharvest diseases caused by various pathogens during picking, packing, storage and transportation. Green and blue molds, caused by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum, respectively, are two major postharvest citrus diseases and cause significant economic losses during the commercialization phase. Currently, the control of postharvest citrus diseases relies mainly on the use of synthetic fungicides, which usually result in the resistance against fungal attack, environment pollution and health hazards. In recent years, much attention has been given to the preservation of citrus by naturally isolated edible plant extracts, medicinal plant extracts, Citrus extracts and volatiles, et al. Scientists worldwide devote their time and energy to discover the high effect, low toxicity, safety and inexpensive plant-derived fungicides. The current review will highlight plant-derived fungicides and chemical constituents that aim to inhibit P. digitatum and P. italicum in vitro and in vivo. Coatings enriched with plant extracts could be good alternative methods for Citrus fruits preservation. Problems and prospects of the research and development of plant-derived natural fungicides will also be discussed in this article.

ABSTRACT Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in dopamine deficiency and motor dysfunction. While levodopa (L‐DOPA) remains the gold standard for symptomatic treatment, its long‐term administration is associated with complications such as motor fluctuations, dyskinesia, and oxidative stress. Given these limitations, interest has grown in plant‐derived bioactive compounds for their potential neuroprotective and disease‐modifying effects. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, focusing on peer‐reviewed studies published between 2023 and March 2025. The inclusion criteria targeted in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies as well as clinical trials that directly compared levodopa with plant‐derived compounds in the context of PD. Key search terms included “Parkinson's disease,” “levodopa,” “phytochemicals,” and “plant‐based neuroprotection”. Results Recent studies have highlighted several classes of plant‐based compounds—including polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, EGCG), flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, naringenin), alkaloids (berberine, caffeine, L‐DOPA derived from Mucuna pruriens), and terpenoids (ginkgolide B, celastrol)—as potential neuroprotective agents. These compounds exert multiple actions, such as reducing oxidative stress, blocking neuroinflammation, preventing α‐synuclein aggregation, and protecting mitochondria. Although levodopa effectively addresses motor symptoms, these phytochemicals may complement conventional therapy by targeting underlying disease processes. Conclusions Although levodopa is indispensable for the symptomatic management of PD, emerging evidence supports the integration of plant‐derived bioactive compounds as adjunct therapies with disease‐modifying potential. Future research should prioritize improving bioavailability, developing standardized formulations, and conducting long‐term clinical trials to evaluate the translational applicability of these natural agents in Parkinson's disease therapy. Plant‐derived compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids exhibit neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory activities in Parkinson's disease models. Unlike levodopa, they provide disease‐modifying benefits by targeting α‐synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.

Genus Salvia , commonly known as sage, is the largest genus in the Lamiaceae family. It comprises many species traditionally used as brain-enhancing tonics. In vitro and animal studies have confirmed that several Salvia species contain a large array of active compounds that may enhance cognitive activity and protect against neurodegenerative disease. In this review, the active constituents in plants belonging to the genus Salvia are summarised, and their influence on pharmacodynamics pertinent to cognitive activity are detailed. In particular, the effects of plants belonging to the genus Salvia and their constituents on cognitive skills including memory, attention and learning are detailed. Their potential effects in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, are also examined. Completed human trials are summarised, and factors influencing the potency of Salvia plants are covered. Finally, directions for future research are proposed to enhance our understanding of the potential health benefits of Salvia plants.