Phytochemistry Reviews

Medicinal plants have remained a promising panacea for various health problems since ancient times. Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Family: Aizoaceae) is a small, diffused, annual and branched weed native to South Africa and also distributed in America, Baluchistan, India and West Asia. It is one of the significant medicinal herbs used for a variety of culinary and healthcare practices all over the world. Traditionally, it was used for the treatment of jaundice, asthma, throat infections and rheumatism. It is also helpful in treating alcohol poisoning. Its fleshy leaves are used for wound healing. The medicinal herb is a rich reservoir of therapeutically useful bioactive constituents, viz. flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides and phenols. This plant possesses several pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-pyretic, anticancer, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective. The present review is an effort to consolidate the available information on its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions with possible mechanisms of action, toxicological studies, and recent advances. The phytotoxic potential of this weed has also been highlighted which may serve as a source for developing potent herbicides. The findings of this article may provide useful leads for pharmaceutical scientists, food scientists and herbal health practitioners to search for new drugs. The findings may also be beneficial for preparing a monograph of plants for future research aspects. Further comprehensive research is needed to evaluate molecular modes of action and ascertain efficacious doses of T. portulacastrum. Graphical abstract

The increasing demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics raises new challenges for the characterization of highly complex natural extracts and the production of standardized extracts. Metabolomics has spread in a variety of research areas with great success for metabolite identification, product discrimination, and the control of quality, authenticity and adulteration. This review aims to present recent trends in the development of metabolomics tools and their potential to address new issues in natural cosmetics for more effective selection and control of natural ingredients. The current sources of natural ingredients used in skincare products are summarized. The actual metabolomics approaches are delineated, encompassing the pivotal steps of metabolomic workflow from sample extraction and metabolite identification to data mining and statistical analysis. Outlined are diverse cosmeceutical activities, ranging from antioxidant effectiveness and anti-inflammatory potential to rejuvenating properties, ultraviolet radiation protection, and the brightening attributes inherent in natural extracts. Finally, we presented the contributions of metabolomics to the quality assessment of natural cosmetics ingredients by identification of bioactive compounds, dereplication of bio-sourced ingredients, quality and safety assessment of extracts, authentication, and traceability, and the detection of adulteration. This review presents systematic approaches to studying the complex phytochemical mixtures found in natural ingredients, linking analytical techniques to biological assay systems, and thereby opening new opportunities for discovering active principles and assisting in the production of standardized compositions.

Recently, microalgae have attracted attention as a natural source of healthier bioactive molecules, especially carotenoids, because human bodies lack the ability to synthesize them, and their intake is necessary for human nutrition. Microalgae can produce various classes of these natural products, distinguished by their health benefits. In food sectors, microalgae are available as whole cells or as a source for extracting a specific carotenoid. This review summarizes recent knowledge of the biosynthesis pathway and the factors affecting carotenoid content, as well as strategies for increasing microalgae synthesis of various carotenoids. New uses of carotenoid-rich microalgae in food are highlighted, along with the main challenges and suggested solutions for using microalgal-carotenoids in the foodstuff. Carotenoids, particularly β-carotene and astaxanthin, face significant challenges in terms of bioavailability and stability when included in foods. Although many solutions were proposed, more research is required to determine the stability of other carotenoids under various food processing techniques. Furthermore, future studies should focus on improving bioavailability and accessibility after digestion in order to benefit from all added carotenoids. Modern technology and a fast-paced lifestyle necessitate the inclusion and acceptance of microalgal carotenoids, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, children, and pregnant women.

Lichens are natural products distributed in a variety of environments, including rocks, trees, soil, human structures, forests, mountains, and even in deserts and polar regions. In their quest to unravel the intricacies of lichen chemistry, most scientists have delved into the study of these organisms, finding a source of several distinctive and unique secondary metabolites, such as depsides, depsidones, dibenzofurans, anthraquinones and pulvinic acid derivatives. Hovewer, the fact that these organisms can also biosynthesise molecules such as terpenoids and sterols has been overlooked, since they are poorly studied in these organisms. To fill this knowledge gap, a comprehensive review of terpenoids and sterols reported up to 2023 has been carried out in the present study. A total of 177 lichen terpenoid compounds have been reported, and divided into 2 sesquiterpenes, 19 diterpenes, 5 sesterterpenes, 110 triterpenes, 8 rare terpenes and 33 sterols. These compounds have been described in different lichen species, where only a few compounds have been studied for their biological properties. Thus, we review lichen-derived terpenoids with an emphasis on their sources of origin to provide an impetus for future research. Graphical abstract

The importance of microbes in helping plants deal with unfavorable environmental conditions is currently receiving a lot of attention. Still, how plants and microbes communicate on a chemical level warrants a deeper understanding. Both plants and microbes exude specialized metabolites (SMs) into the rhizosphere, and the exudate profiles drastically change under sub-optimal conditions such as drought. Yet, it remains unclear what the ecophysiological functions of these exuded compounds are and whether common underlying patterns exist across different plant species. The complexity of chemical mixtures in the rhizosphere, the diversity of microbial communities, and dissimilar experimental conditions are impeding progress in this field. With this article, we aim to link plant-derived SMs under normal and stressful conditions to their signaling effect on soil microbial communities and vice versa while pointing out the newest developments and bottlenecks of getting to the function of root exudate composition. Additionally, we provide some best practices for increasing comparability and reproducibility among experiments.

Diabetes and its associated comorbidities have garnered significant attention in recent decades, leading to continuous exploration of diagnostic and treatment options. Urotensin II (U-II), a cyclic peptide amino acid, is notable for its potent vasoconstrictive properties and its direct association with diabetes. Concurrently, silymarin, a potent antioxidant, is frequently utilized for hepatoprotection. Prior research has indicated that silymarin possesses antagonistic properties against U-II. Given these findings, our study aims to investigate the potential of silymarin as a modulator of U-II to address type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and mitigate the early onset of associated comorbidities. This study adopts a comprehensive approach, reviewing existing literature to assess the effects of silymarin on U-II and glucose metabolism, as well as its potential therapeutic implications for T2DM and related comorbidities. Both animal and clinical studies are examined to elucidate the pharmacokinetic properties of silymarin and its efficacy in managing cardiovascular complications, atherosclerosis, diabetes, renal dysfunction, and obesity. Specifically, silymarin shows promise in addressing cardiovascular issues, atherosclerosis, renal dysfunction, obesity, PCOS, and gestational T2DM through its antagonistic effects on U-II and modulation of glucose metabolism. Silymarin's ability to modulate U-II levels and its favorable pharmacokinetic profile make it a promising candidate for further investigation and potential clinical use.

The Chinese date or Ziziphus jujuba, is a drupe fruit that depending on the cultivar, can be round, elongated, cherry or plum-sized. The little shrub known as the jujube tree produces the jujube fruits. As a specie of the genus Ziziphus belonging to the Rhamnaceae family of buckthorn plants, this tree is linked to a wide variety of other plants, including those that are used medicinally. In technical terms, the fruits that are produced by the Ziziphus jujuba plant are classified as stone fruits or drupes. Up to 400 varieties of this fruit are thought to exist. China is home to the jujube tree, and jujube fruits have been grown there for more than 2500 years (As long as 4000 years, according to certain documents). These days, China, Korea, India, Japan, and the Middle East are the regions where they are most popular. The major varieties for Z. jujuba are ‘Jinsixiaozao’, ‘Junzao’, ‘Dongzao’, ‘Lingzao’, ‘Jianzao’, ‘Xuezao’, ‘Sanbianhongzao’, ‘Fangchuizao’, ‘Budaizao’, etc. Some varieties are suitable for fresh use, while some are better for processing as dried jujube. China produces about 90% of the world’s jujubes for food and pharmaceutical applications little wonder then they are also referred to as Chinese dates. Its names of Korean and red dates are also quite frequently used. In conventional medicine, mental health conditions like anxiety and insomnia have been treated using jujube fruits, seeds, and bark. Additionally useful the fruit is an appetite enhancer and a digestive aid. The fruit also helps support healthy digestion. This study’s primary objective is to identify the key physico-chemical properties of jujube fruits, including their sugar and organic acid profiles, protein, mineral elements, to bring to light its pharmacological properties, traditional and industrial applications. Research articles used for this review were retrieved from the following databases: “Science Direct (https://www.sciencedirect.com/), “SPIE Digital Library (https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/?SSO=1), ACS publications (https://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag), SETAC Journals (https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/). Using the keywords: “Ziziphus jujube,” “Biological properties of jujube,” “ industrial applications of jujube”. “Applications of jujube in TCM”, and other similar and related keywords. The biological properties of jujube have been investigated and the fruit has been found to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, anticancer, neuroprotective antiepileptic, sedative effects among others due to the organic acid, terpenoid, flavonoid, alkaloid content. Conventional medicine, have thus employed jujube fruits, seeds and tree bark for managing mental health conditions like anxiety and insomnia. Jujube fruit is also useful as an appetite enhancer and a digestive aid. This review has considered the jujube fruit, its nutritional composition namely; organic acids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fiber e.t.c, its biological properties namely; anti-oxidation, wound healing, antimicrobial, neuro-protection, antiulcer, anticancer, anti-inflammation e.t.c as well as the industrial applications of this fruit and its products in food, agricultural, pharmaceutical and other industries. More research is however this needed to elucidate the relationship between jujube’s biological operations and molecular mechanisms and the content of its active ingredients. In addendum, a more secure, robust, and scientific theoretical foundation for using jujubes as functional foods will be provided by more research. Graphical abstract

Melons exhibit broad phenotypic variation, with fruits undergoing both climacteric and non-climacteric maturation patterns that directly impact the texture of the endocarp. The loss of fruit firmness is intricately linked to the degradation of cell wall components, mainly cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins. The cell wall serves multiple functions, including providing mechanical resistance, regulating osmotic pressure, acting as a diffusion barrier, controlling cell adhesion and expansion, and protecting the plasma membrane from damage and pathogens. The biochemical changes influencing the physical properties of the wall are orchestrated by gene expression and interactions with epigenetic and hormonal factors. Establishing knowledge of these interactions and understanding the structural changes that occur during maturation are essential for elucidating the primary causes of firmness loss in melon fruits. In this review we summarize knowledge on the expression of cell wall genes in melon and how they contribute to the synthesis, loosening, and depolymerization of the cell wall during maturation. Such information provides a valuable foundation for advanced postharvest management strategies and future physiological and molecular studies to enhance fruit quality and extend shelf life.

Structure complexed flavonoid glycosides are phytochemicals important for plant defense against environmental stresses as well as human health. Biotechnology production of valuable flavonoid glycosides meets the necessity of higher yield and purity than plant extraction. The huge gene families of plant UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) contribute to the complex structures and the diverse bioactivities of flavonoid glycosides, and they play important roles in heterologous production of these compounds. However, it is difficult to find suitable UGTs to introduce into bioengineering pathway. In recent years, many plant UGTs with specific functions were identified based on the development of multi-omics technology, which paved the way to metabolic engineering in microorganisms for industrial production of valuable flavonoid glycosides. This review summarizes the diversity of flavonoid glycosides, functionally identified UGTs, and mechanism of substrate recognition, especially multi-glycosylated flavonoids and their branch-forming UGTs. Finally, we proposed a vision in which the functional diverse plant UGTs as an important gene bank for producing high value flavonoid glycosides with synthetic biotechnology.

Overweight and obesity are global health challenges associated with an increased risk of life-threatening comorbidities. Whereas a healthy diet and a lifestyle with a sufficient amount of exercise is the first recommendation to avert complications arising from overweight, a variety of prescription medicines is recognised as potential aids in weight loss. However, concerns about adverse effects of many prescription weight-loss agents has made that may drugs are now prohibited in some countries, though not in all countries. This has given rise to a clandestine market which has made proper monitoring of safety of products on sale increasingly complex. In addition to pharmaceutical products, a wide range of food substitutes or food supplements that are marketed as aids in weight loss is available. Regulation of food ingredients is considerably less stringent than regulation for pharmaceutical products; whereas pharmaceutical companies need to provide evidence of safety and efficacy before they are allowed marketing of any products, manufacturers of herbal and dietary supplements are just expected to ensure safety of their products. A sustainable reduction in food intake can be a major challenge, and people on weight-loss programmes have to fight cravings and hunger pangs. Appetite suppression-based therapies are the novel and promising treatments to control obesity. Recently, the peptide Semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®) has emerged as a very popular appetite suppressing prescription drug, which is administered by injection, though oral formulations have been developed too. Appetite suppressing herbal supplements have often been used traditionally since ages and are therefore generally regarded as safe. The aim of present review is to reflect on the most popular herbal supplements that are currently marketed as appetite suppressants, and that are widely promoted as aids in weight loss exercises. Notably, members of the family Apocynaceae, e.g. Caralluma spp. and Hoodia spp. contain pregnane glycosides that have been shown to restore sensitivity to the appetite suppressant hormone leptin in obese mice. The anti-obesity effect of Garcinia spp. (Clusiaceae) has been attributed to the presence of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which inhibits fatty acid and triglyceride biosynthesis. In addition, HCA administration has been shown to increase serotonin levels, which in turn results in reduced appetite. A similar mechanism of action is seen with extracts of Griffonia simplicifolia (Fabaceae) that are particularly rich in the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan. A third mechanism of action is seen in Gymnema sylvestre (Apocynaceae) which contains gymnemic acids that selectively inhibit oral sweet taste sensation in humans, thus lessening the appeal of sweets and pastries.

Anabasis salsa has been used to treat various diseases in kazakh folk medicine. Petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts were subjected to GC–MS analysis, and valuable bioactive compounds were identified from the chromatograms. Additionally, butanol extract was subjected to HPLC–UV analysis and it was confirmed the presence of gallic acid. Overall, results confirmed the presence of overall 108 various compounds from different chemical classes: fatty acids and derivatives, steroidal compounds, phenolic compounds and minor group compounds. In this study, A. salsa was preliminarily subjected to extraction, and the resultant extracts were then evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials. The antioxidant activity results of A. salsa demonstrated that the dichloromethane extract exhibited higher activity compared to the butanol and petroleum ether extracts in both methods (DPPH: 503.12 ± 8.34 mg/g and ABTS: 119.51 ± 6.23 mg/g). Moreover, the dichloromethane extract of A. salsa was found to be more effective against all tested microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1.250 mg/ml for S. aureus, 0.312 mg/ml for E. faecalis, 0.156 mg/ml for E. coli, 0.039 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa, and 0.009 mg/ml for C. albicans. As a result, A. salsa shows promise as a therapeutic alternative and deserves additional investigation for its possible biological advantages. Beyond its use in separating pure responsible components, this plant may hold additional applications in the field of medicine and research. For example, chemical composition analysis has shown the presence of different biologically active compounds with a broad spectrum of applications in pharmacology. Hence, further investigations are needed to uncover its full range of biological potentials.

Bisindole alkaloids represent a notable class of natural compounds distinguished by their characteristic bisindole structure and recognized for their anticancer potential. Over the past nine decades, a plethora of bisindole alkaloids have been isolated from plants. The chemical compositions and cytotoxicity of these plant-derived bisindole alkaloids (PDBAs) have been elucidated. Currently, 735 PDBAs have been documented. Predominantly sourced from plants within the Apocynaceae family, these compounds demonstrate formidable cytotoxicity against various tumor types, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. This review comprehensively examines the sources, phytochemistry, and cytotoxicity of these compounds. Furthermore, it provides a summary of the structure–activity relationship (SAR) and the mechanisms through which PDBAs exert their cytotoxicity. In summary, the aim of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of the advancements in the investigation of PDBAs for their continued development and utilization. Graphical abstract

Lignin, a polymer of hydroxycinnamyl alcohols and related monomers, is found in great abundance in the plant vasculature, where it confers mechanical strength and facilitates water transport. Lignin is also found in many other plant organs, including roots, flowers, fruits, and abscission zones. While in these organs impregnation of lignin is usually limited to a thin layer of cells, or just a few cells, this thin lignin linin often fulfills important physiological functions related to reproduction and plant fitness. In this perspective review, we focused on the lignin of flowers and fruits. After a brief introduction on the anatomy and morphology of these organs, we provided an overview of the molecular mechanisms governing the spatial and temporal regulation of lignin synthesis. We further described the consequences that perturbations of these processes have on the biochemical structure of lignin polymers, plant reproduction, and fitness. Recent discoveries on the chemical composition of seed coat lignin and the formation of the petal abscission zone are also discussed. With this Perspective review, we hope to bring the topic of lignin in reproductive organs to a wider audience, while highlighting the impact that future research could have on breeding and agriculture.

Epimedium is a traditional Chinese tonic in Chinese medicine, which is often used to treat bone diseases and strengthen the kidney. The 2020 edition of 'Chinese Pharmacopoeia' includes five kinds of medicinal Epimedium, including Epimedium brevicornu Maxim, Epimedium pubescens Maxim, Epimedium koreanum Nakai, Epimedium sagittatum Maxim and Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying. Modern studies have found that it contains a series of compounds, such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, organic acids, etc. Flavonoids, in particular, have been extensively studied and are considered the main active ingredients. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that these constituents possess a range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour, anti-hepatic injury, immunomodulatory, and hypoglycaemic effects. Therefore, it is a traditional Chinese medicine with significant clinical value. This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of its traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological effects. Special emphasis is placed on the mechanism of action of the main active components in Epimedium and its future development direction. The goal is to lay a foundation for further research and utilization of Epimedium resources.

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease that manifests with a malignancy of the mammary gland. Globally, the year 2020 witnessed 2.3 million diagnosis cases and 685,000 deaths due to breast cancer. Therefore, there is a dire need for the development of new anticancer drugs for BC. Traditional herbal medicine offers a rich source in the prospect of new drug discovery. In this pursuit, this review covers the discovery of compounds against breast cancer with the possible mechanisms of action, which can assist the development of novel phytomedicines in the drug discovery process. Specifically, the bioactives against breast cancer developed from 1999 to 2023 were categorized based on their chemical class based on a systematic search on PubMed and Embase. Over 70 + natural products belonging to different chemical classes and their mechanisms of action for anticancer activity with commonly used drugs in clinical practice are summarized for a simple understanding of the experimental data. The review draws attention to the vital need to isolate novel bioactive constituents and to develop new drugs based on these isolated bioactives using novel drug delivery systems, so as to increase the target specificity and thereby reduce the adverse effects.Finally, we highlighted the natural bioactives undergoing preclinical and clinical trials to determine their potential for use in the treatment of BC, which could pave the way towards new target-specific drugs against breast cancer.

The idea that food and medicine are similar has a long history, many substances have also been used both as food and traditional treatment remedies. Several plant-based therapeutic substances including those obtained from plants like Chrysanthemum morifolium, Lonicera japonica, Crocus sativus, and Lonicera macranthoides, are homologous for use both as medicines and food. These plants mostly consist of flavonoids, organic acids, terpenoids, and other active substances that have a range of medical benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant properties as well as a wide range of nutritional and physiological impacts on the human body. Thus, they are used in functional foods and medicinal formulations. Furthermore, scientists have discovered credible ways by which naturally occurring substances that affect immunological responses including n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, D, and E, conjugated linoleic acid and ascorbic acid can be obtained from diets. Such diets both provide the essential nutrients required by the body and generally impact the immune system. In this regards, the gut is considered to be the “largest immune organ” since it contains more than 65% of all the body’s immune cells. Dietary immunomodulation techniques focus primarily on immunological proteins of the non-specific immune system that are located in the gut. On this note, increasing people’s understanding of the importance of a balanced nutritional intake is crucial and this review intends to do so. The review further discusses the structural elucidations of the homology of drug and food components, as well as their effects on nutrition and immunology.

Boesenbergia is a genus in the ginger family comprising approximately 97 species, primarily found in tropical Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. These plants are known for their large, fleshy rhizomes, which are widely used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, and respiratory infections. Despite the genus's diversity, only a few species, notably B. pandurata and its synonym B. rotunda, have been extensively studied. These species are rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, chalcones, and diterpenes, and have shown significant bioactivities such as anticancer, anti-HIV-1, anti-dengue, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. However, there are still significant gaps in understanding the full therapeutic potential of Boesenbergia species. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical constituents and biological activities of Boesenbergia species, highlighting their potential therapeutic applications, significance in traditional medicine, and ethnomedicinal value. Further research is essential to fully explore and harness the medicinal potential of this genus.

Euphorbiaceae is one of the largest families of angiosperms, distributed globally. Several Euphorbiaceae species produce essential oils, which are characterized by different chemical profiles and biological properties, as reported in previous literature. This review covers articles published between 2012 and 2023 that describe essential oils extracted from species of different Euphorbiaceae genera. In traditional medicine, plants belonging to the Euphorbia and Croton genera are commonly used to treat distinct pathologies, including gastric disorders, inflammatory diseases, and respiratory diseases. Terpenoids, such as 1,8-cineol and limonene, and sesquiterpenes, including germacrene D and caryophyllene, are abundant in essential oils extracted from the plants of this family. Analysis of their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic activities have been reported to show promising results. A literature search indicated that the majority of studies on the essential oils extracted from Euphorbiaceae plants were focused on species belonging to the Croton genus, which consists of the largest number of aromatic plants within this family.

Identifying chemical entities in complex mixtures is crucial for advancing research in natural products and metabolomics. This enables the discovery of unique structures and bioactive compounds. Dereplication analysis streamlines this process by rapidly identifying known compounds, reducing redundant efforts, and accelerating the exploration of bioactive entities. NMR is the most effective technique for the identification of small organic molecules due to its robust structural elucidation capabilities. However, challenges such as low sensitivity and complex sample matrices often lead to overlapping NMR signals and spectral ambiguities. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially deep learning, has revolutionized dereplication by significantly enhancing pattern recognition in applications ranging from regression and classification to clustering. This review explores the origins, development, and principles of dereplication techniques, as well as the features of mass spectrometry and NMR. It also delves into the advancements in AI-enhanced NMR dereplication, elucidating the principles for various models and the key issues they address during the dereplication process. Furthermore, it covers the methods for constructing reference databases, and the usability and accessibility of these models. These insights can assist researchers, including those new to AI algorithms, in rapidly adopting and implementing these advanced methods. Moreover, this review highlights the broader utility of dereplication methods in fields such as the detection of illegal additives in cosmetics, emphasizing their potential applications in a wider range of fields.

The wine industry is responsible for a considerable amount of waste produced by agricultural activities worldwide, which impacts both the economic sector and the environment through pollution and ecosystem imbalance. There are several examples of by-products generated during the winemaking process, such as grape pomace, vine leaves, grape stalks, or wine lees. These can be recovered and reused by the cosmetic industry, which is actively seeking natural and greener products. There are active ingredients that come from by-products that have relevant bioactive properties such as antioxidant, antiaging, anti-hyperpigmentation, or cellular protection. Therefore, the use of by-products from the wine industry as a source of active ingredients for topical application has attracted attention from the scientific community, overcoming some of the drawbacks of the winemaking process. Further research into extraction processes and methods is essential, as they directly influence the quality and quantity of recovered active ingredients. While current cosmetic products on the market undergo safety and cytotoxicity testing, it is important to evaluate the effects of pesticide treatments applied before pruning and the toxicity of the by-products to ensure the safety of future formulations. This review addresses a critical discussion on this subject, assessing the potential benefits of their use in topical formulations. Graphical Abstract

Plant metabolomics, a rapidly advancing field within plant biology, is dedicated to comprehensively exploring the intricate array of small molecules in plant systems. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the analytical methodologies utilized in plant metabolomics research. It elucidates both targeted and untargeted approaches, emphasizing various databases, pre-processing, annotation, and post-processing software tools and their practical applications. The targeted strategy involves precise quantification and identification of specific metabolites, employing sophisticated techniques such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS), Capillary Electrophoresis Mass Spectrometry (CE-MS), and Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry (IMS). These methodologies enable accurate measurement and validation of known metabolites, facilitating the elucidation of specific pathways and their regulatory mechanisms within plant systems. Conversely, untargeted metabolomics utilizes high-throughput techniques to profile a broader spectrum of metabolites, including both known and unknown compounds. This review explores the challenges and methodologies associated with untargeted approaches, underscoring their significance in unraveling the complex metabolic landscapes of plants.

This work initiates the original and updated literature review of the current state of research on the Saniculoideae subfamily, emphasizing the selected genera Saniculeae, namely Sanicula, Hacquetia, Astrantia, and Eryngium. Various parts of these plants, especially aerial parts and roots, have an immense range of medicinal uses in traditional medicine for a number of ailments. Phytochemical studies conducted on the Saniculeae species indicate that these plants synthesize metabolites belonging to diverse groups of compounds. These include triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, volatile organic compounds, polyacetylenes, ecdysteroids, phytosterols, lignans, betaines, carotenoids, and anthraquinones. Some of the structures of these compounds are rare in the plant kingdom. The pharmacological potential of the Saniculeae species as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antitumor, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, and neuroprotective agents has been explored in several studies. In addition, traditional medicinal uses have been discussed to provide a comprehensive picture of this subfamily. It is known that these plants have been used to treat dermatological diseases, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, inflammations, wound healing, and cancers. As far as the author is aware, this is the first study conducted on this subfamily. Therefore, this review paper is the first to examine the little-known Saniculeae genera regarding their phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics. Studies showed that Saniculeae genera synthesize distinct secondary metabolites. Therefore, further research should be conducted on the exploration of these metabolites. The pharmacological investigation should also validate their potential efficacy in treating specific ailments and support their inclusion in modern healthcare practices.

In-depth review of the complex chemistry and toxicity profiles of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OHMG), a psychoactive alkaloid and an oxidative derivative of mitragynine found to be present in the extracts of dried kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa). The chemistry of 7-OHMG is thoroughly covered in the study, with special attention paid to its importance as one of the primary psychoactive components found in kratom-based products and substances as well as its profound pharmacological and toxicological effects. Key structural and spectral signatures of 7-OHMG are revealed by spectroscopic investigations, which facilitate its identification and quantification in various matrices. The details on in-vitro and in-vivo research used to investigate the toxicity and safety profile of 7-OHMG were revealed in this review.

Abrus precatorius also known as Abrus pauciflorus or Abrus minor is a medicinal plant that has been widely used in indigenous medicine, belonging to the family Fabaceae, widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions like India and China, commonly Known as Rosary pea, Crabs eye, Gunja, Indian Liquorice etc. It has been extensively used to cure diseases like Cancer, Diabetes, inflammation, malaria, tuberculosis etc. Since the 1870s multiple studies on different parts of the plant has been performed. The presence of various secondary metabolites like Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Alkaloids, Steroids have developed interest among researchers for this plant. It has been reported for various pharmacological activities like Anticancer, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antitubercular, hair growth promoting etc. This review, aim to systematically summarize the traditional uses, phytoconstituents and activity reported. All the articles from databases like Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar have been considered since 1871. Articles are collected from these databases until October 2022. Articles in English is only considered. Publications from peer-reviewed journals were only selected. Keywords used for the search are Abrus precatorius, Pharmacology, Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, Rosary pea, and Crabs eye. This review aims to provide references for further studies by finding the research gaps.

Despite advances in cancer treatment, the disease remains a major global health challenge, requiring innovative approaches for prevention and therapy. Phytochemicals, encompassing a vast array of secondary metabolites with therapeutic potential, have been integral to traditional medicines globally and continue to serve as sources of modern pharmaceuticals. Anticancer phytochemicals derived from poisonous plants have offered promising avenues in cancer treatment, characterized by their ability to inhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosis, and modulate critical cancer pathways. This review focuses on cytotoxic phytochemicals identified from poisonous plants, highlighting their potential as novel anticancer agents. We also discuss the chemical structures and cytotoxic activities of representative phytochemicals from poisonous plants. Future research should focus on thorough phytochemical studies to discover new anticancer phytochemicals and investigate their synergistic effects with existing therapies, thereby enhancing the range of cancer treatment options available.