Phytochemicals that bind to cannabinoid receptors are known as phytocannabinoids. They have pharmacological properties like the plant Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae), which produces more than 100 structurally related phytocannabinoids with cannabidiol (1, CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (2, Δ9-THC or THC) being the two major ones. As phytocannabinoids have remarkable therapeutic and cosmeceutical values, the correct choice of a drying method for harvested C. sativa plant materials and an extraction method for extracting phytocannabinoids and other bioactive compounds is essential to maintain the quality of cannabis products. While microwave-assisted drying (MAD) has been found effective for quick drying of C. sativa for safe storage and further studies, one of the green extraction methods for selective extraction of various secondary metabolites, including phytocannabinoids from C. sativa, is the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method, which applies microwaves for heating the solvents and plant tissues in the extraction process. This extraction method increases the kinetics of extraction and offers a shorter extraction time, less solvent, higher extraction rate, and lower cost over the traditional extraction methods of phytocannabinoid extraction. This review article critically appraises microwave-assisted drying techniques and MAE methods of C. sativa based on the information available in the published literature.
Auraptene (7-geranyloxycoumarin), a prenyloxycoumarin primarily found in Citrus species, has garnered significant attention due to its diverse bioactivities and presence in natural products. Accurate analytical techniques are crucial for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of auraptene in plant materials and formulations. This review provides an exhaustive summary of the analytical methods applied to auraptene, encompassing classical extraction, chromatographic separation, spectroscopic identification, and advanced hyphenated techniques. Critical evaluations of sample preparation, detection modes, and method validation are presented, alongside a discussion on current challenges and future directions in auraptene analysis.
This study explores the use of medicinal plants from historical traditions within contemporary medical practice, highlighting their continued relevance across diverse cultures and healthcare systems. Indigenous populations and ancient civilizations employed botanical remedies to treat a wide spectrum of diseases, laying the foundation for traditional healing systems and contributing to empirical medical knowledge. To evaluate these practices in a modern context, a structured narrative review and data-driven synthesis were conducted. Data were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, prioritizing publications from 2000-2024 while including earlier works for historical context. Sources were classified according to cultural significance and pharmacological validation. The synthesis identifies medicinal plants that are both culturally significant and pharmacologically substantiated. The findings demonstrate the renewed relevance of herbal therapies in integrative healthcare and underscore the importance of preserving traditional knowledge while ensuring rigorous, evidence-based validation. Overall, this study advocates for a comprehensive framework that bridges cultural heritage and modern biomedical practice to address contemporary health challenges.
Adulteration is a critical issue that undermines the credibility and therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic medicine. Ensuring authenticity through scientific methods and regulatory oversight is essential to preserve the heritage and promote global acceptance of Ayurveda. With regards to above concern HPLC and HPTLC method has been established for identification of adulteration of Carica papaya seed in black pepper. The methanolic extracts of Carica papaya seeds, along with authenticated samples of Piper nigrum and an adulterated mixture, were simultaneously applied onto the TLC plate. After the development, the plates were scanned at a wavelength of 254 nm. The HPLC analysis showing specific Rt at 28.1 min. for the specific marker present in Carica papaya seeds and resulting chromatogram of HPTLC revealed a distinct Rf value of 0.69 in both the Carica papaya seed extract and the adulterated mixture track, thereby proving the presence of papaya seed in the adulterated sample. This method offers a reliable approach for rapid identification of Carica papaya seed adulteration in black pepper.
Standardisation is essential to ensure the quality, efficacy, and safety of basil oil products. Although Ocimum basilicum L. is the most widely traded species, other Ocimum species are often sold under the same name, increasing the risk of misidentification and adulteration. Intraspecific variation in morphology and chemical composition further complicates standardisation, highlighting the need for a comprehensive authentication strategy. This study evaluates genetic, chemical, and morphological methods for the authentication of commercial basil accessions to support accurate species identification and product standardisation. Samples were analysed using DNA barcoding (matK, trnH-psbA, rbcL, rpl16), GC-MS-based chemical profiling, and trichome characterisation via scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis placed all commercial samples within a broad clade encompassing O. basilicum, its hybrids, and related species. Species-specific single nucleotide variations in matK and trnH-psbA supported the identification of distinct accessions. Notably, liquorice basil showed genetic similarities to non-basilicum species, suggesting the need to revisit its classification. Chemical profiling revealed substantial variation in essential oil composition, with some samples dominated by linalool and eugenol, and others by methyl chavicol, raising potential safety concerns. Morphological analysis further highlighted differences in trichome density, particularly in the blue spice variety. The findings underscore the limitations of using a single method for basil authentication and advocate for an integrated approach. DNA barcoding supports species identification, while chemical profiling is essential for chemotype differentiation. Developing reliable DNA markers and incorporating combined analyses into routine quality control can strengthen industry standards for natural product authentication.
Pajanelia longifolia (Willd.) K. Schum., a medicinal plant traditionally used in India, exhibits significant therapeutic potential and has long been employed in the treatment of various ailments. In this study, a target-based in silico strategy was applied to explore the interaction of metabolites from the bark of P. longifolia with two key proteins, EGFR and TGFβRI, identified through network pharmacology. These proteins are crucial regulators in the development and progression of various cancers. Alongside computational analysis, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and metabolite profiling were performed on P. longifolia bark extract with different types of solvents. The GC-MS analysis was conducted on the methanolic extract of the plant and GC-MS-identified metabolites, along with compounds previously documented in literature, were subjected to molecular docking analysis against the selected target proteins. Several metabolites demonstrated prominent MolDock scores than the standard reference inhibitors against targets. These phytocompounds, such as Lindleyin, Pheophorbide a, irinotecan, silandrin and rescinnamine emerging as the most promising docking results with respect to their positive control against targets. Rescinnamine appears to be the most suitable and potentially bioactive compound from the methanolic extract of this plant. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical evaluation further indicated that these bioactive molecules possess favorable drug-like properties, suggesting their potential as leads for novel therapeutic agents against cancer. The findings emphasize the importance of P. longifolia as a valuable source of anticancer metabolites. Future work should include molecular dynamics simulations to confirm binding stability, followed by in vitro and in vivo validation to assess biological efficacy and safety. These steps may ultimately support the development of plant-derived therapeutic agents for the management of various cancers.
Nigella sativa L. (black cumin) is an annual herb of the Ranunculaceae family, traditionally used in Middle Eastern and Asian medicine for the management of various health conditions. Its seeds and oils are rich in bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, essential fatty acids, nigellone, saponins, and thymoquinone (TQ), which contribute to diverse pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, oils obtained from Turkish and Syrian N. sativa seeds through cold pressing were investigated. Phytochemical composition was characterized using Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), with particular focus on fatty acid profiles and TQ content. Additionally, tyrosinase inhibitory activities of the fixed oils and TQ were evaluated. It was noted that variations in the composition of seed samples originating from different countries influence the phytochemical features of the plant materials. Accordingly, maintaining genetic diversity and implementing appropriate cultivation strategies are essential for the sustainability of agricultural production.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), also known as Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), is a modern spectroscopic technique that is used for the analysis of materials with unpaired electrons. EPR spectroscopy, focusing on electron spins, uses magnetic fields and microwaves to obtain chemical and structural information about the environment around an unpaired electron, providing detailed information on the structure and bonding of paramagnetic species. This spectroscopic technique has been used in the study of natural products, especially for evaluating free-radical-scavenging properties. EPR spectroscopy is expected to continue providing unique and complementary information about natural products, enhancing insights into their chemical properties, biological activities, and potential therapeutic applications. This review article critically evaluates recently published literature on the application of EPR in the assessment of antioxidant properties of various natural products, by retrieving relevant information from online databases, e.g., Google Scholar, Web of Science and PubMed.
The chemistry of natural products has undergone a major transformation in the last twenty years, largely due to the development of powerful coupling techniques such as LC-HRMS/MS. These techniques, combined with supervised and unsupervised multivariate statistical analyses, are used for untargeted metabolomic studies for a wide range of applications. They have also enabled the development of dereplication approaches, thus accelerating often lengthy purification processes by focusing on biologically active metabolites of unknown structure. These dereplication approaches have been further strengthened in recent years by the development of molecular networks, based on the principle of grouping compounds according to their fragmentation profile in mass spectrometry. One of the current challenges remains the annotation of a large number of variables with a high degree of confidence. This will require enriching existing databases, and more recently, leveraging artificial intelligence. The latter, integrating in-silico virtual screening and chemoinformatic approaches, is now emerging as a powerful tool for predicting biological activity.