Hibiscus is a charismatic genus of the Malvaceae family that is noted for its diversity, lacking identifiable characteristics for distinguishing its various species. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop authentication methods for genus delimitation and species delineation. The present study aims to discern the taxonomic relationships between the well-known, globally familiar, and economically important five Hibiscus species, namely: H. × rosa-sinensis, H. sabdariffa, H. schizopetalus, H. syriacus and H. tiliaceus based on traditional morphological and anatomical characteristics compared to the contemporary chemotaxonomy. In this context, the leaf-based methanolic extracts of the studied species were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) to estimate their secondary metabolites similarity. In addition, selected qualitative morphological and anatomical traits including leaf venation patterns, epidermal micromorphology, stomata types and trichomes diversity, petiole serial sectioning (outline, adaxial groove features, vasculature traces arrangement), and midrib characteristics of the studied species were investigated. The results of both chemotaxonomy and traditional taxonomy exhibited a remarkable agreement in the delineation of the five studied species. Specifically, the chemotaxonomy-based dendrogram separates the studied species into two main clusters with the H. sabdariffa as an outlier species in a single cluster and the remaining four species as another cluster with variant distances in its similarity indices. Similarly, the traditional morphological and anatomical characteristics revealed distinct traits for H. sabdariffa compared to the remaining four species. The findings of this study highlight the significance of integrating the structural features with phytochemicals profiling as a potential approach that could be harnessed for the delineation of the taxonomically challenging Hibiscus genus.

The antiviral properties of the flowering aerial extracts of Ruellia tuberosa and Ruellia patula were investigated through phytochemical profiling via LC-MS/MS and HPLC techniques. Qualitative LC-MS/MS analyses identified seventy-seven metabolites from both Ruellia species. R. tuberosa had the highest phenolic content (49.3%), whereas R. patula had the highest flavonoid content (57.8%). Additionally, quantitative HPLC investigations of the compounds identified by LC-MS/MS were performed using the available standard compounds. The main constituents in the R. tuberosa extract was found to be catechin (5321.63 µg/g), gallic acid (2878.71 µg/g), and ellagic acid (2530.79 µg/g), whereas the major compounds in the R. patula extract was found to be rutin (11,074.19 µg/g) and chlorogenic acid (3157.35 µg/g). Furthermore, the antiviral activities of both Ruellia species against HAdV-40, herpes simplex type 2 and H1N1 were evaluated. These findings demonstrated that R. tuberosa was more active than R. patula against all tested viruses, except for the HSV-2 virus, against which R. patula showed greater activity than R. tuberosa, with IC50 values of 20, 65, 22.59, and 13.13 µg/ml for R. tuberosa flowering aerial parts and 32.26, 11.66, and 23.03 µg/ml for R. patula flowering aerial parts, respectively for HAdV-40, herpes simplex type 2, and H1N1. Additionally, computational docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to assess the molecular interactions between the bioactive compounds and specific viral targets. The combined findings from the in-vitro and in-silico experiments comprehensively evaluated the antiviral activities of both Ruellia species extracts.

UNASSIGNED: Cubeb, Piper cubeba L., has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and culinary practices, with a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities.
UNASSIGNED: Herein, we determined the phytochemical profile, mineral, fatty acids, and amino acid contents of P. cubeba berries and assessed the dermacosmeceutical properties of their water extract and essential oil (EO). These included assessing their antioxidant and antibacterial activities as well as their in vitro inhibitory activities against tyrosinase and elastase enzymes. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies were performed on the major identified compounds of the EO.
UNASSIGNED: A total of forty-three compounds belonging to organic acids, phenolic acids and flavonoids were found in the water extract, while 36 volatile compounds were identified in the EO with Z-isoeugenol, dihydroeugenol, β-pinene, E-caryophyllene, and 1,8-cineole as major constituents. The berries were found to be rich in sodium and iron, have moderate zinc content along with low contents of total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Amino acid analysis revealed a considerable concentration of isoleucine and phenylalanine, whereas 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid and linoleic acid were identified as the major fatty acids. In the DPPH and FRAP assays, the water extract elicited considerable antioxidant activity compared to the reference compounds. Enzyme inhibitory assays revealed that the EO had a potential to inhibit tyrosinase and elastase enzymes with IC50 values of 340.56 and 86.04 μg/mL, respectively. The water extract and EO completely inhibited the bacterial growth at MIC of 50 mg/mL and 20%, respectively. At sub-MIC concentrations, the extract and the EO substantially reduced the biofilm formation by up to 26.63 and 77.77%, respectively, as well as the swimming and swarming motilities in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics showed that the five main components of P. cubeba EO could be the major contributors to the elastase and tyrosinase inhibitory effect.
UNASSIGNED: This study emphasizes the promising potential of P. cubeba as a valuable source of natural compounds that can be utilized for the development of innovative pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and dermacosmeceutical agents.

Phytochemical profiling followed by antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity evaluation of the Australian plant Geijera parviflora, known for its customary use in Indigenous Australian ceremonies and bush medicine, was performed. In the present study, seven previously reported compounds were isolated including auraptene, 6\'-dehydromarmin, geiparvarin, marmin acetonide, flindersine, and two flindersine derivatives from the bark and leaves, together with a new compound, chlorogeiparvarin, formed as an artefact during the isolation procedure and isolated as a mixture with geiparvarin. Chemical profiling allowed for a qualitative and quantitative comparison of the compounds in the leaves, bark, flowers, and fruit of this plant. Subsequently, a subset of these compounds as well as crude extracts from the plant were evaluated for their antimicrobial and anthelmintic activities. Anthelmintic activity assays showed that two of the isolated compounds, auraptene and flindersine, as well as the dichloromethane and methanol crude extracts of G. parviflora, displayed significant activity against a parasitic nematode (Haemonchus contortus). This is the first report of the anthelmintic activity associated with these compounds and indicates the importance of such fundamental explorations for the discovery of bioactive phytochemicals for therapeutic application(s).

A response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) was developed to predict and apply the best ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions, including the extraction time, the composition of aqueous-ethanolic extractants, and the solvent-to-plant-material ratio, for obtaining the highest yields of different types of polyphenolic components from the dried flower buds of Magnolia × soulangeana Soul.-Bod. var. \'Lennei\' (MSL). The novel approach in the RSM procedure resulted from the simultaneous optimisation of UAE conditions to obtain extracts with the highest antioxidant and antiradical potential (examined as dependent variables), using appropriate spectrophotometric assays, with Folin-Ciocâlteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagents, respectively. The use of 66.8% (V/V) ethanol as the extraction solvent during the 55.2 min extraction protocol and the ratio of extractant volume to herbal substance of 46.8 mL/g gave the highest total yield of bioactive antioxidant phenolics in the extract obtained. For this herbal preparation, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed using combined chromatographic (LC), spectroscopic (PDA), and tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-QToF-MS/MS) techniques. A detailed phytochemical profiling, conducted for the first time, documented substantial amounts of various polyphenolic antioxidants, especially phenylethanoids and flavonoids, in the MSL flower buds. Their average total content exceeded 30.3 and 36.5 mg/g dry weight, respectively.

Avoiding the probable dangerous side effects of synthetic drugs, this study aims the identification of natural antioxidant and antitumor agents from J. integerrima leaf and floral extracts. A highly efficient and fast UPLC/ESI-qTOF-HRMS/MS screening has led to characterization of 30 flavonoids, i.e. 12 flavonols, 6 flavones, 3 dihydroflavonols, 4 anthocyanins (flower), 2 dihydroflavonols, and 3 isoflavones from both J. integerrima extracts. In addition, six major polyphenols were identified for the first time from leaf extract, and their structures were established as apigenin 7-O-β-d-neohesperidoside (rhoifolin, 1), apigenin 8-C-β-D-4C1-glucopyranoside (vitexin, 2), luteolin 6-C-β-D-4C1-glucopyranoside (isoorientin, 3), 6,6″-di-C-β-D-4C1-glucopyranosyl-methylene-biapigenin (Jatrophenol-I, 4), (E)-p-coumaric acid methyl ester (5), and (E)-ferulic acid methyl ester (6) with HRESI-MS and NMR analyses. The in vitro antioxidant activity of both extracts and major pure isolates was decided using DPPH, reducing power capability, FRAP, and ABTS radical scavenging assays, and their in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EACC), as well.The flower extract and compound 3 have shown the strongest antioxidant and cytotoxic effects. At low concentrations (25 µg/mL), they showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability (79.63 ± 0.42 and 76.20 ± 0.35%) regarding BHA (91.44 ± 0.29% at 100 µg/mL). In the parameter of absorbance, they exhibited higher reducing power ability (1.402 ± 0.025 and 1.178 ± 0.019%) than that of BHA (0.975 ± 0.013 at 100 µg/mL). Similarly, they proved superior FRAP (1427 ± 9.61 and 1377 ± 13.61 µmol Trolox/ 100 g) and highest ABTS activity (80.19 ± 0.55 and 68.38 ± 0.19%), which are higher activities compared to BHA (88.42 ± 0.24% at 100 µg/mL). Furthermore, all samples gave noticeable cytotoxicity at the same concentration (100 µg/mL), especially the flower extract and compound 3 which showed a relatively high effect on the viability of EACC (81.12 ± 0.24 and 77.21 ± 0.76 %, respectively) relative to vincristine reference drug (90.64 ± 0.39 %). Based on the findings, the extracts and isolates can be considered as potent antioxidant and cytotoxic natural agents, especially flower extract and isoorientin (3), which may supply novel insight into their likely application in pharmaceutical industries.

Loranthus micranthus Linn. (Loranthaceae) is a botanically significant hemiparasite that grows on tree branches or trunks and is used in traditional medicine. This study compares the antioxidant activity and qualitative phytochemical screening of Nigerian and South Africa Loranthus micranthus Linn. Standard techniques for phytochemical screening were deployed while thin layer chromatography (TLC) bio-autography was utilized to analyze antioxidants qualitatively. Quantitative antioxidant analysis was performed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) free-radical scavenging; and ferric chloride reducing power. The results of qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids; glycosides; saponins; phenolic compounds; phlobatannins; tannins; and terpenoids. As for the antioxidant potentials of the four extracts-i.e., Nigerian dichloromethane (NGDCM); South African dichloromethane (SADCM); Nigerian methanol (NGMeOH); and South African methanol (SAMeOH)-the SADCM extract had more creamy bands compared to the Nigerian, thus indicating potentially more antioxidant compounds. A better complementary antioxidant potential was observed for the Nigerian methanol extracts over their South African counterparts. The DPPH quantitative analyses underpin that the SADCM exhibited greater scavenging activity compared to the NGDCM, but this was less than the gallic acid control, with the highest activity at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively. However, as the concentration increased from 0.6 to 1.0 mg/mL, the SADCM again dominated in its antioxidant potential over all the analytes. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values obtained were [SADCM = 0.31 mg/mL, NGDCM = 0.51 mg/mL, SAMeOH = 0.51 mg/mL, NGMeO = 0.17, gallic acid = 1.17 mg/mL, and BHT = 1.47 Mg/mL)]. Both the H2O2 scavenging and the Fe3+ to Fe2+ reduction assays mirrored a similar trend in the antioxidant potentials of all the analytes except for the BHT, which performed better in the ferric chloride reduction assay at a concentration of 0.2-06 mg/mL. Based on the facts gathered, it can be inferred that the South African and Nigerian Loranthus micranthus Linn. are chemically equivalent. This is in support of their similar morphology and taxonomical classification, notwithstanding the environmental, biological, and edaphic impacts experienced by each plant.

Kalaharia uncinata (Schinz) Moldenke, is a tropical erect bushy shrub or subshrub of the Lamiaceae family. It is an endemic plant species of Southern Africa, widely used in the pharmacopoeia against upper respiratory tract infections. A previously conducted ethnobotanical survey revealed that it is believed to contain bioactive substances. However, no relevant phytochemical information was available. This study aimed to perform a phytochemical characterization of K. uncinata and also to discuss the potential bioactivity of the identified phytochemical constituents based on documented data. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) was used for profiling and identification of the main phytochemical constituents from leaf extracts (MeOH 90 %, DCM, AcOEt, BuOH, hexane and residue) of K.uncinata. Twenty-four constituents, representing mainly flavonoids (14), followed by phenylethanoid glycosides (7), phenolic acids (2), and an iridoid glycoside (1) were tentatively identified. Most of the identified compounds are documented to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, which could possibly be the rationale behind the use of K. uncinata against upper respiratory tract infections.

Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don is the most widely studied plant because of its high pharmacological value. In vitro culture uses various plant parts such as leaves, nodes, internodes and roots for inducing callus and subsequent plant regeneration in C. roseus. However, till now, little work has been conducted on anther tissue using plant tissue culture techniques. Therefore, the aim of this work is to establish a protocol for in vitro induction of callus by utilizing anthers as explants in MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium fortified with different concentrations and combinations of PGRs. The best callusing medium contains high α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and low kinetin (Kn) concentrations showing a callusing frequency of 86.6%. SEM-EDX analysis was carried out to compare the elemental distribution on the surfaces of anther and anther-derived calli, and the two were noted to be nearly identical in their elemental composition. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of methanol extracts of anther and anther-derived calli was conducted, which revealed the presence of a wide range of phytocompounds. Some of them are ajmalicine, vindolinine, coronaridine, squalene, pleiocarpamine, stigmasterol, etc. More importantly, about 17 compounds are exclusively present in anther-derived callus (not in anther) of Catharanthus. The ploidy status of anther-derived callus was examined via flow cytometry (FCM), and it was estimated to be 0.76 pg, showing the haploid nature of callus. The present work therefore represents an efficient way to produce high-value medicinal compounds from anther callus in a lesser period of time on a larger scale.

Mycoses or fungal infections are a general health problem that often occurs in healthy and immunocompromised people in the community. The development of resistant strains in Fungi and the incidence of azole antibiotic resistance in the Asia Pacific which reached 83% become a critical problem nowadays. To control fungal infections, substances and extracts isolated from natural resources, especially in the form of plants as the main sources of drug molecules today, are needed. Especially from Piperaceae, which have long been used in India, China, and Korea to treat human ailments in traditional medicine. The purpose of this review is to describe the antifungal mechanism action from Piper crocatum and its phytochemical profiling against lanosterol 14a demethylase CYP51. The methods used to search databases from Google Scholar to find the appropriate databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Flow Diagram as a clinical information retrieval method. From 1.150.000 results searched by database, there is 73 final results article to review. The review shows that P. crocatum contains flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, polyphenols, eugenol, alkaloids, quinones, chavibetol acetate, glycosides, triterpenoids or steroids, hydroxychavikol, phenolics, glucosides, isoprenoids, and non-protein amino acids. Its antifungal mechanisms in fungal cells occur due to ergosterol, especially lanosterol 14a demethylase (CYP51) inhibition, which is one of the main target sites for antifungal activity because it functions to maintain the integrity and function of cell membranes in Candida. P. crocatum has an antifungal activity through its phytochemical profiling against fungal by inhibiting the lanosterol 14a demethylase, make damaging cell membranes, fungal growth inhibition, and fungal cell lysis.