Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are common and severe after cardiothoracic surgery, leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased medical burden, and elevated mortality. Driven by patient-related, surgery-related, and perioperative factors, PPCs are characterized by a pathophysiology involving inflammation, oxidative stress, alveolar injury, and airway obstruction. This review aims to systematically summarize PPCs' risk factors, pathogenesis, and the role of botanical drugs, providing a scientific basis for clinical decision-making. Relevant literature published from 2010 to 2025 were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library using keywords such as "Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs)", "Botanical drugs", "Pathogenesis", "Risk factors", and "Cardiothoracic surgery". Eligible English studies [randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, systematic reviews, etc.] were included, with low-quality studies and those unrelated to cardiothoracic surgery excluded. Quality assessment was performed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2), and 55 studies were finally included for data extraction and synthesis. Key PPCs risk factors include patient-related [age ≥65 years, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking history], surgery-related [extensive resection, prolonged one-lung ventilation (OLV)], and perioperative factors (inadequate analgesia, prolonged bed rest). Core pathophysiological mechanisms involve Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway-mediated inflammation, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress, alveolar type II cell dysfunction, and airway obstruction. Botanical drugs (e.g., Huanglian Jiedu Decoction, andrographolide, and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract) exert protective effects against PPCs by modulating inflammatory pathways, scavenging free radicals, and preserving the pulmonary barrier; however, relevant studies are limited by small sample sizes and single-center study designs. PPCs' pathogenesis is complex, and clarifying their risk factors and mechanisms provides clinical intervention targets. Botanical drugs, with multi-target effects, serve as valuable supplements to modern medicine for PPCs management. Future research should focus on large-sample, multicenter RCTs to validate botanical drugs' efficacy and safety, and explore integrated Chinese-Western medicine strategies to optimize postoperative recovery.
Honey is a complex biological matrix containing plant-derived, microbial, and viral components that reflect both environmental and hive-associated processes. Traditional methods for determining botanical origin, such as melissopalynology, have limitations in resolution and scope. In this context, untargeted shotgun metagenomics emerges as a promising integrative approach for comprehensive honey characterization. This pilot study explored the feasibility of applying an untargeted shotgun metagenomic approach to honey samples from Necochea, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Two honey samples and a pollen control sample from Rosa chinensis were subjected to DNA extraction, shotgun library preparation, and sequencing on an Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. The control sample showed exclusive assignment to Rosa chinensis, supporting the validity of the analytical workflow. In both honey samples, plant-derived sequences were predominantly assigned to Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) and Eucalyptus grandis (rose gum), consistent with the regional flora. Key bacterial taxa included Paenibacillus larvae in one sample, Acinetobacter johnsonii in the other, and Apilactobacillus kunkeei, Bradyrhizobium sp., Sphingobium yanoikuyae, and Stutzerimonas stutzeri in both. Apis mellifera filamentous virus was detected in both samples. Given the limited sample size, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Nevertheless, this proof-of-concept supports the potential of untargeted metagenomics as an integrated tool for the simultaneous characterization of botanical origin, microbial communities, and viral content in honey, offering advantages over targeted amplicon-based approaches. Future studies with larger and systematically designed cohorts will be necessary to validate and extend these observations.
Development of resistance and the accumulation of pesticide residues in food and the environment are the main obstacles to the overuse of synthetic insecticides. In this context, the insecticidal activity of environmentally sustainable and nontoxic essential oils (EO), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) evaluated against second and fourth instars of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and third instar of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry used to determine the chemical composition of the EO. After 24 h of exposure, the most larvicidal potency and developmental inhibition were achieved by clove, wherein the LC50s were 3.62% and 3.82% against second and fourth instars of S. littoralis, respectively, and 2.33% against S. frugiperda. Then followed by lemongrass with LC50 of 6.38 and 12.03% against the second and fourth instars of S. littoralis, respectively, while citronella showed LC50 of 4.76% against S. frugiperda. Biochemical assays indicated that AChE activity differed according to oil type and tested instar. GST and alpha-esterase activities were slightly inhibited in all treatments. The oils significantly inhibited amylase activity. Eucalyptus and lemongrass stimulated lipase activity, while clove and citronella oils demonstrated the lowest activity. Molecular docking studies illustrated the mode of action of the tested oils against S. littoralis and S. frugiperda. The EOs had significant insecticidal and biochemical effects against the examined lepidopterans; therefore, they may be used as a botanical alternative for controlling these pests.
Coptis teeta, Andrographis paniculata, and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis are widely used in herbal remedies for the treatment of various diseases in Southeast Asia. In Arunachal Pradesh, India, these plants are combined by traditional healers to treat malaria. The study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial potential of the traditionally used polyherbal combination through in vitro screening against chloroquine-sensitive (Pf3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (PfRKL9) strains of Plasmodium falciparum, and in vivo antimalarial activity against the P. berghei ANKA strain. The study also aimed to study the molecular interactions of putatively detected phytocompounds against P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (PfDHFR-TS) using molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Taxonomic identification was carried out at the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Shillong. The cold maceration technique was used to prepare different combinations in different ratios for in-vitro antimalarial screening. Using two concentrations, a preliminary in vitro antimalarial screening was conducted to identify the most potent polyherbal combination. Following this, the most potent combination was subjected to in vitro antimalarial studies, cytotoxicity studies, a blood hemolysis assay, and in vivo studies in P. berghei-infected mice. Liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was performed on the individual extracts to detect putative phytocompounds. In silico studies were done to study the molecular interactions of the putatively identified phytocompounds with PfDHFR-TS. A combination of powdered rhizomes of C. teeta, leaves of N. arbor-tristis, and aerial parts (leaves and young shoots) of A. paniculata in the ratio 5:2:3 was identified as the most potent polyherbal combination against P. falciparum. The cytotoxicity and blood hemolysis assays confirmed that the combination has negligible toxicity and has no hemolytic effect. Acute toxicity studies showed that the LD50 of the polyherbal combination was greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight. The in-vivo antimalarial study revealed that the polyherbal combination exhibits greater parasite-suppressive activity than the individual extracts but could not outperform the standard drugs. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed that the LC-HRMS-detected compounds (specifically, PubChem CIDs 23786445, 23874507, 38360299, 332427, and 38361380) exhibited stable interactions with PfDHFR-TS and may be one of the contributing factors to the observed antimalarial activity. This study reveals that the traditional practice of using polyherbal combinations rather than individual plants yields greater antimalarial activity. The findings of the study encourage the development of an antimalarial polyherbal formulation after performing pharmacokinetic profiling of these specific computational candidates and extended toxicity studies of the combined polyherbal extract.
The Warburg effect in tumor cells is characterized by increased glucose uptake, enhanced glycolytic flux, and the conversion of pyruvate to lactate for energy generation, rather than its utilization in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), even under aerobic conditions. This metabolic reprogramming, coupled with OXPHOS dysfunction, is closely correlated with the initiation, invasion, metastasis, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) and gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, modulating the glycolytic and OXPHOS-related signaling pathways intertwined with microbial regulation presents a novel therapeutic strategy for GPL and GC treatment. Plant metabolites and TCM formulas exhibit potential advantages in regulating GPL and GC metabolism because they may modulate multiple steps of glycolysis and influence OXPHOS-related abnormalities in preclinical models, thereby contributing to restoration of mitochondrial functional homeostasis. However, these effects should generally be interpreted as metabolic modulation observed in experimental systems rather than definitive evidence of direct molecular targeting. We found that botanical drugs and plant metabolites were frequently associated with changes in GPL and GC metabolism through signaling networks involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), Hippo, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, c-Myc, and non-coding RNAs. These regulatory effects were accompanied by modulation of glycolysis- and OXPHOS-related enzymes and markers, and were often linked to reduced proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance in GPL and GC models. Nevertheless, for many pathways, the available evidence remains correlative rather than demonstrating direct target engagement. Plant metabolites and TCM formulas exhibit distinct advantages in regulating GPL and GC metabolism, as they can modulate multiple steps of glycolysis and modulate dysregulated OXPHOS pathways in GPL and GC cells to restore mitochondrial functional homeostasis. This process involves the transient modulation of specific OXPHOS complexes to correct abnormal mitochondrial energy metabolism and achieve the net restoration of ATP balance. Leveraging plant metabolites and TCM formulas to modulate these metabolic processes thus represents a promising therapeutic approach for GPL and GC management. This review summarized the research progress on the intervention effects of botanical drugs and plant metabolites on GPL and GC metabolic reprogramming, based on relevant studies retrieved from Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP) and English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase) from the establishment of each database to October 2025, using a combination of subject terms and free words (including "gastric cancer, gastric precancerous lesions, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, OXPHOS, botanical drug, plant metabolite, TCM formula" and their corresponding Chinese translations) restricted to the title, abstract, and keyword fields. We found that botanical drugs and plant metabolites primarily regulated GPL and GC metabolism by modulating key signaling pathways, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), Hippo, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, c-Myc, and non-coding RNAs. These regulatory effects further modulated the activity of enzymes associated with glycolysis and OXPHOS, ultimately inhibiting the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of GPL and GC cells while enhancing their chemosensitivity. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of botanical drugs and plant metabolites on GPL and GC metabolic reprogramming, including glycolysis and OXPHOS, not only helped clarify the therapeutic basis of plant metabolites and TCM formulas against GPL and GC but also provided a theoretical foundation for the development of novel anti-GC strategies.
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High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is an exacerbation of acute mountain sickness, but also a distinct disease characterized by vasogenic and cytotoxic brain edema. Exploring alternative therapies, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Tibetan medicine (TM), is important. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing research on the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM and TM, encompassing herbal formulations, single botanical drugs, and their bioactive metabolites. We employed keywords such as "TCM," "TM," "Botanical drug," "HACE," and "Hypoxia" to systematically retrieve studies on the therapeutic use of TCM and TM for HACE published up to May 2025, in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data. We conducted analysis of 97 research articles, encompassing the latest advancements in the treatment of HACE using 4 TCM formulations, 12 single botanical drugs of TCM, 3 TM formulations, and five single botanical drugs of TM. Sources, effects, and molecular mechanisms of the TCM and TM were summarized. We report the progress of traditional botanical drugs and their formulations derived from TCM and TM in the management of HACE, based on the medical practices and materia medica from the high mountain regions in Eastern Asia. We provide a foundation for the clinical application and further development of these medicinal resources.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), the world's most widely cultivated perennial forage crop, is valued for its high-quality feed and broad environmental adaptability. However, soil alkalization poses a major constraint to its productivity in marginal lands, with the genetic basis of alkali tolerance remaining largely unexplored. This study identified a lead SNP (Chr7-16,804,032) via a genome-wide association study (GWAS), where the T/T genotype was strongly associated with enhanced alkali tolerance. Physiological analyses revealed that lines carrying the T/T genotype maintained higher chlorophyll and soluble protein content, lower malondialdehyde levels, elevated antioxidant enzyme activities, and better Na+/K+ homeostasis under alkali stress. Functional validation across five alfalfa cultivars, supported by field trials in natural saline-alkali soils, confirmed that the T/T genotype consistently promoted biomass accumulation. Within a 14.4 Kb region flanking Chr7-16,804,032, we identified MsFAI (F-box Associated Interaction domain), a gene specifically induced under alkali stress. Overexpression of MsFAI in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly improved alkali tolerance. Further transcriptomic profiling highlighted MsCDPK (Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase) and MsPCO (Plant Cysteine Oxidase) as alkali-responsive genes, and their heterologous expression in A. thaliana likewise conferred alkali tolerance. Taken together, our work delineates a major genetic locus (Chr7-16,804,032) and key candidate genes (MsFAI, MsCDPK, and MsPCO) governing alkali tolerance in alfalfa. These findings provide important candidate loci and genes for future research on alkali tolerance mechanisms and may facilitate molecular breeding of alfalfa after further functional validation.
Kurarinone (KRN) is a major prenylated flavanone isolated from Sophora flavescens, widely recognized for its diverse pharmacological activities and growing therapeutic relevance. This review provides a comprehensive and updated overview of KRN, encompassing its botanical occurrence, phytochemical characteristics, structural elucidation, and biotransformation pathways, alongside in-depth analyses of its pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms, and pharmacokinetic behavior across experimental models. A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords "Kurarinone," "Sophora flavescens flavonoids," "prenylated flavanones," and related terms. Studies reporting natural occurrence, chemical isolation, biotransformation, physicochemical properties, pharmacological mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity were included. In vitro and in vivo experimental studies and clinical disease models were prioritized, while non-primary sources and incomplete reports were excluded. KRN exhibited a broad pharmacological profile, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and organ-protective effects, driven by its capacity to orchestrate multiple signaling networks. Mechanistically, KRN regulated pivotal molecular pathways, such as NF-κB, MAPK, JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt, Nrf2/HO-1, and caspase-dependent apoptosis, thereby modulating inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. Biotransformation studies reveal rapid conversion into glucuronide and hydroxyl conjugates. pharmacokinetic evidence indicated poor oral bioavailability (less than 50%), extensive Phase II metabolism, and tissue-specific accumulation, particularly in hepatic compartments. While these characteristics may contribute to therapeutic action, dose-dependent hepatotoxicity has been reported, highlighting critical translational challenges and the need for formulation advances and safety optimization. Future research should emphasize pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling, nano-delivery systems, toxicity profiling, and well-designed clinical studies to support its translational development.
Kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa ) is a psychoactive botanical with a long history of use in Southeast Asia and growing uptake in the United States for its analgesic, stimulant, and mood-altering properties. The evidence base remains limited, and retail products vary widely in composition and potency. This narrative review highlights what is known about kratom's pharmacology and suggests a practical research and regulatory path toward evaluating its potential therapeutic applications within current regulatory frameworks, based on lessons from cannabis. A central distinction is between whole leaf products and those that are enriched in active constituents or that include semisynthetic derivatives. Because these categories differ in chemistry, pharmacology, and expected risk, they require different evidence standards. Priorities include development of chemically defined botanical preparations, validated analytical methods, and human studies that link exposure to effect through pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling, abuse liability assessment, and cognitive and behavioral testing. The regulatory framework for kratom should consider a dual track. This includes enhanced standards for product quality, including composition, purity, labeling, and safety surveillance for botanical products, and conventional drug development pathways for enriched or semisynthetic constituents that include toxicology and human abuse potential studies. Coordinated federal support is urgently needed to align product standardization, early phase trials, and comparative evaluations across product classes. With this structure, kratom's possible therapeutic applications can be examined while safeguarding public health.
Pueraria candollei var. mirifica (Airy Shaw and Suvat.) Niyomdham (Pueraria mirifica), locally known as "White Kwao Krua" or "white kudzu", is a renowned medicinal botanical drug indigenous to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Myanmar. It has long been utilized in ethnomedicine for estrogen-related conditions and age-associated functional decline. This review critically evaluates the nexus between its botanical characteristics, traditional ethnopharmacological uses, and contemporary evidence regarding its therapeutic potential. A structured literature search was conducted across multiple international and Chinese databases up to 2025, with screening based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on botanical identity, chemical composition, pharmacological activity, toxicological evidence, and clinical findings. Taxonomic validity and geographic distribution were verified using Plants of the World Online (POWO) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The names and chemical formulas of secondary metabolites were verified using the PubChem database, and the structures were drawn using ChemDraw 22.2. Phytochemical studies on the rhizomes of P. mirifica showed that it contains 106 kinds of secondary metabolites, including benzopyrans, isoflavones and their glycosides, coumarins, steroids, fatty acids and their derivatives, and other metabolites. Pharmacological evidence demonstrates that P. mirifica exhibits potent estrogenic, anti-osteoporotic, and antioxidant activities, alongside neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects. Clinical data suggest that its high concentration of potent phytoestrogens effectively mitigates vasomotor symptoms and urogenital syndromes in menopausal women, while positively influencing lipid metabolism and bone mineral density. P. mirifica represents a high-potency phytoestrogenic candidate for menopause management. Nevertheless, the translation from traditional use to clinical standardization is hindered by a lack of rigorous pharmacokinetic data and inconsistent quality control of metabolites. Future research should move beyond descriptive summaries toward mechanistic studies that define long-term safety margins and standardized dose-response relationships in order to ensure therapeutic reliability.
Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem.& Schult.) T.D. Penn, also popularly known as 'quixabeira', is a medicinal species characterized by thorny deciduous vegetation, a short trunk, whitish flowers with a sweet aroma, glabrous leaves, and succulent fruits with seeds. The objectives of this review were to compile and evaluate the literature on quixabeira published over the last fifteen years and to explore the potential applications of each part of the tree. The results of these studies are promising. Studies have shown that the chemical composition of S. obtusifolium extracts varies depending on the plant part and the solvent used, with maceration and immersion being the most common techniques, especially for leaves. Methanol and ethanol are the most commonly used solvents to identify compounds such as phenolics, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and glycolipids. The biological activity of the polyphenols present in the leaf extracts demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antinociceptive, and antimicrobial properties in vitro. In the fruits, extraction is still limited. However, it allows for the identification of carotenoids (47.21 μg/g of β-carotene), flavonoids (55.99 mg of quercetin/100 g), and anthocyanins (58.68 mg/100 g), all of which have nutritional and technological potential. Ethnopharmacological studies indicate that the species is recognized by rural communities, which utilize various parts of the plant for food, medicinal, veterinary, technological, and construction purposes. However, further studies on physicochemical, nutritional, toxicological, and pharmacological composition are needed to ensure safety and validate its biological properties.
Chronic noninfectious diarrhea remains a clinically important but often underrecognized complication in patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although modern human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) treatment has transformed survival, gastrointestinal adverse effects can impair adherence, quality of life, nutrition, social functioning, and treatment satisfaction. Crofelemer is an oral, plant-derived botanical drug developed as a non-systemic antisecretory therapy for noninfectious diarrhea in adults with HIV/AIDS receiving ART. This review evaluates crofelemer as a plant-derived pharmacotherapy for chronic noninfectious diarrhea. It discusses the clinical need, limitations of current antidiarrheal approaches, botanical origin, chloride-channel mechanism, pharmacology, clinical efficacy evidence, safety and tolerability, practical prescribing considerations, real-world positioning, and investigational expansion into cancer therapy-related diarrhea and rare intestinal-failure disorders. Crofelemer offers a mechanistically distinct option for selected patients with chronic watery, noninfectious diarrhea whose symptoms remain burdensome despite appropriate clinical evaluation and supportive care. However, its use should be guided by realistic expectations, careful patient selection, and recognition that response is not universal. Future clinical value will depend on phenotype-based prescribing, real-world effectiveness data, comparative studies, affordability, and patient-reported outcomes.
Background Chronic pain, including low back pain (LBP), represents a major global public health issue and significantly affects quality of life. Low back pain is a highly prevalent condition worldwide and remains a growing public health concern.​​​​​​ Current conventional management includes pharmacological approaches such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and muscle relaxants, as well as non-pharmacological interventions including physical therapy and physiotherapy. Nutraceuticals are increasingly used as an adjunctive strategy, particularly in patients intolerant to conventional pharmacological treatments or requiring long-term management. Although some evidence supports their potential benefit, the overall quality of clinical data remains heterogeneous, and further well-designed studies are needed to establish efficacy and optimal use. Among these, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and botanical extracts such as Acmella oleracea have been individually investigated; however, evidence regarding their combined use remains limited and insufficiently explored.  Methods This pilot, open-label clinical trial evaluated the effects of a novel nutraceutical combination containing PEA and Acmella oleracea extract in subjects with low back pain with sciatica over a 4-week period. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), while pain characteristics were evaluated using the validated Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire. The impact on daily living activities, as well as safety and tolerability, was also investigated. Results Sixty participants were recruited. Baseline NRS score was 5.12±0.79 and showed a significant reduction as early as 3 days after supplementation, with continued improvement throughout the study period, reaching 1.65 ± 0.66 at the end of the study (p<0.001). DN4 scores also decreased significantly over time, with reductions observed across most neuropathic pain descriptors. Improvements in daily functioning were similarly significant. The nutraceutical combination was well tolerated, with no relevant adverse events reported. Conclusions Although preliminary, these findings suggest that the investigated nutraceutical combination may represent a safe and potentially effective approach with a relatively rapid onset of action for the management of chronic low back pain with neuropathic features, including sciatica. Further randomized, controlled studies are warranted to confirm these results and to better define the clinical role of this approach.
Africa possesses exceptional botanical diversity and longstanding ethnomedical traditions, yet contributes minimally to global natural products research and development. This narrative review synthesises published literature, policy sources, and case studies on African-led bioprospecting, with attention to key institutions, regional initiatives, and projects. Persistent challenges include inadequate research infrastructure, limited investment in pharmacognosy and drug development, weak regulatory implementation, and fragmented traditional knowledge systems. Case studies from Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, and West Africa illustrate both the promise and the constraints of translating indigenous knowledge into validated therapeutic agents. The review also examines enabling opportunities, including regional regulatory coordination, open science platforms, digital compound libraries, and fair benefit-sharing models. For Africa to move from a source of raw materials to an innovator in drug discovery, coordinated investment in institutional capacity, ethical frameworks, and research infrastructure is required. A sustainable bioprospecting framework that balances validation, equitable access, and conservation priorities is essential.
Interest in phytotherapy and phytogenic additives in veterinary medicine and animal production has increased considerably, driven by the search for functional alternatives to extensive antimicrobial use and the growing emphasis on food safety. In this context, Curcuma longa L. and its main bioactive compound, curcumin, have attracted attention because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the use of C. longa and curcumin in veterinary medicine, with emphasis on the botanical and phytochemical basis of the plant, the main biological mechanisms involved, and reported applications in poultry, swine, ruminants, aquaculture, and companion animals. It further highlights that the interpretation of findings is strongly influenced by botanical identity, phytochemical variability, product type, standardization, dose and route of administration. Available evidence indicates promising effects on antioxidant status, intestinal health, productive performance and hepatic protection in selected experimental models. However, translation into practice remains constrained by the low oral bioavailability of curcumin, formulation heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting. Overall, C. longa represents a promising phytogenic resource, but robust veterinary recommendations require studies in target species, better characterized products and standardized experimental protocols for application.
The state of Ceará is classified into 11 phytoecological units, one of which is the Coastal Zone Vegetation Complex, which comprises the vegetation of the São Gonçalo do Amarante Botanical Garden. Considering the scarcity of phenological studies in the region and the environmental threats faced, it is essential to understand the behavior of the local flora. Given the above, the objective was to characterize the reproductive phenological patterns of the São Gonçalo do Amarante Botanical Garden. To analyze the reproductive phenological patterns, circular histograms were prepared in the ORIANA 4 software with the data obtained from herbaria, and the Spearman correlation test (rs) was performed to verify the correlation between the meteorological variables and the phenophases. A total of 245 herbarium specimens of 150 species collected between 2015 and 2019 were recorded and made available in the herbarium of the Ceará Natural History Museum Prof. Dias da Rocha and on the SpeciesLink platform. The Rayleigh test indicated seasonality for flowering (r = 0.946) and fruiting (r = 0.985) with the average dates occurring, respectively, in March and February, that is, in these months there is a greater probability of finding phenophases. Due to the observed seasonality, there was no record of reproductive phenological events in some months of the year. Neither reproductive phenophase showed any correlation with the meteorological variables of precipitation and temperature. A monthly calendar was prepared with data from the herbaria with the respective species, their popular names, flowering and fruiting periods, allowing to assist in future research with collection of reproductive material.
Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is a chronic immune-mediated thyroid disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration, follicular epithelial injury, autoantibody production, and variable progression to thyroid dysfunction. Because current management is largely supportive or replacement based, there is growing interest in interventions that might modify inflammatory and immune processes before irreversible tissue damage develops. This narrative review critically evaluates the potential, but not yet established, role of Artemisia-derived and artemisinin-related compounds in AIT. The analysis focuses on chemokine-receptor networks, spatial organization of thyroid inflammation, and molecular mechanisms linking endoperoxide/redox chemistry, innate immune signaling, and immune-cell trafficking. Evidence was identified through targeted, non-systematic searches of PubMed and Google Scholar, supported by backward and forward citation tracking. Thyroid-specific evidence remains limited and predominantly preclinical. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been reported to attenuate experimental autoimmune thyroiditis by reducing inflammatory infiltration, thyroid autoantibodies, Th1/Th17-associated responses, CXCL10/CXCR3-linked signaling, and oxidative stress. Evidence from non-thyroid autoimmune and inflammatory models suggests additional effects on NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, TLR/MyD88, NRF2/GPX4-related redox responses, inflammasome activity, regulatory T-cell balance, and possible epigenetic remodeling; however, these findings should be treated as mechanistic context rather than direct evidence for human AIT. Most available studies involve purified or semi-synthetic compounds rather than standardized botanical preparations, and robust clinical validation is absent. Artemisinin-related compounds are therefore framed as hypothesis-driven immunomodulatory candidates that require thyroid-specific replication, target validation, comparative pharmacology, safety assessment, formulation standardization, and carefully designed translational studies before clinical application can be considered.
Gynaecological disorders, including abnormal vaginal discharge, vulvovaginal infections and chronic vulvovaginal inflammation, are common clinical problems for which locally acting therapies are particularly relevant. Triphala, a classical polyherbal formulation composed of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Phyllanthus emblica, has been traditionally used for mucosal and gynaecological conditions and is supported by experimental evidence suggesting antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound-healing activities. This structured narrative review aimed at synthesising and critically evaluating the available evidence on the topical use of Triphala in gynaecological disorders, with an emphasis on pharmacological mechanisms, formulation strategies and reported clinical applications. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and selected traditional medicine databases to identify English-language publications published between 2011 and December 2025. Experimental studies, clinical trials, and observational or clinical reports describing topical or locally applied Triphala formulations in gynaecological conditions or mechanistically relevant models were considered for qualitative synthesis. The reviewed literature suggests that Triphala-based topical formulations, including vaginal washes, intravaginal pessaries, tampon-based applications, medicated ghee preparations and semi-solid gels, may exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound-healing properties at the vulvovaginal and cervical epithelium through modulation of inflammatory pathways, reduction of microbial burden, protection against oxidative stress and support of epithelial repair processes. However, the currently available evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, and further well-designed clinical investigations are required to clarify the therapeutic potential, safety and clinical applicability of Triphala as a topical botanical intervention in gynaecological practice.
Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC. (C. japonicum) is a medicinal and edible plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, with its applications historically documented in ancient Chinese medical texts. It is traditionally recognized for its effects in cooling the blood to arrest bleeding, dissipating blood stasis, and detoxifying to reduce swelling, and is commonly employed in the treatment of hemorrhagic conditions, sores, and abscesses. This article aims to provide a review of ethnomedicine, botany phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of C. japonicum. A literature search on C. japonicum was conducted based on classical Chinese pharmacopoeia texts and multiple electronic databases (including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and CNKI). Botanical studies have characterized C. japonicum as a perennial herbaceous species within the genus Cirsium of the Asteraceae family. Phytochemical investigations have demonstrated that the plant contains a diverse array of structurally varied natural products, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, and other compound classes. To date, a total of 116 compounds have been isolated and identified from C. japonicum, many of which exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and anticancer effects. This article comprehensively reviews the latest research advances in the Ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, and pharmacokinetics of C. japonicum aiming to provide comprehensive reference materials to support in-depth research on its active components and their potential development as modern therapeutic drugs or functional products.