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The Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus is one of the anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic ethnomedicine. Therefore the formulation of this plant as nanoparticles will be fruitful anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic as compared to conventional extract. In the current study, the aqueous kernel extract from Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus was subjected to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and explored their anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic potentials. The results indicate that the aqueous kernel extract effectively produced IONPs, which were verified using standard analytical methods. UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis was used to check the formation of IONPs. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to check numerous functional groups from the valuable phytochemicals present in the extract. These functional groups play crucial roles as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents during the synthesis of IONPs. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to investigate the surface characteristics of the nanoparticles. Notably, the IONPs fabricated from the extract demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting Human RBC by 79% and Heat Induced Hemolysis by 72%, as well as showing anti-diabetic potential with 60% inhibition of yeast glucose uptake and 72% inhibition of α-amylase activity, all at a concentration of 100 μg mL-1. These effects were partly comparable to standard drugs with anti-inflammatory activity of 85% inhibition of Human RBC and 78% inhibition of Heat Induced Hemolysis, and anti-diabetic activity of 67% inhibition of yeast glucose uptake and 78% inhibition of alpha amylase.

The Tabuk region is located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, and it has an area of 117,000 km2 between longitudes 26° N and 29° N and latitudes 34° E and 38° E. King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) is the largest natural reserve in Saudi Arabia and covers about 130,700 km2. It represents a new tourist attraction area in the Tabuk region. Human activities around the lake may lead to changes in water quality, with subsequent changes in microenvironment components, including microbial diversity. The current study was designed to assess possible changes in bacterial communities of the water sediment at some natural lakes and artificial waterpoints of KSRNR. Water samples were collected from ten different locations within KSRNR: W1, W2, W3 (at the border of the royal reserve); W4, W5, W6, W7 (at the middle); and W8, W9, and W10 (artificial waterpoints). The total DNA of the samples was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis; also, the environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) were recorded for all locations. Metagenomic sequencing yielded a total of 24,696 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were subsequently annotated to 193 phyla, 215 classes, 445 orders, 947 families, and 3960 genera. At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota dominated the microbial communities across all samples. At the class level, Gammaproteobacteria, Clostridia, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Betaproteobacteria were the most prevalent. The dominant families included Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Clostridiaceae, Comamonadaceae, and Moraxellaceae. At the genus level, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Acinetobacter, Paenibacillus, and Acidovorax exhibited the highest relative abundances. The most abundant species were Hungatella xylanolytica, Pseudescherichia vulneris, Pseudorhizobium tarimense, Paenibacillus sp. Yn15, and Enterobacter sp. Sa187. The observed species richness revealed substantial heterogeneity across samples using species richness estimators, Chao1 and ACE, indicating particularly high diversity in samples W3, W5, and W6. Current study results help in recognizing the structure of bacterial communities at the Tubaiq area in relation to their surroundings for planning for environmental protection and future restoration of affected ecosystems. The findings highlight the dominance of various bacterial phyla, classes, families, and genera, with remarkable species richness in some areas. These results underscore the influence of human activities on microbial diversity, as well as the significance of monitoring and conserving the reserve’s natural ecosystems.

Pistacia chinensis is locally practiced for treating diabetes, pain, inflammation, and erectile dysfunction. Therefore, the current studies subjected the crude extract/fractions and the isolated compound (2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one) to α‐glucosidase inhibitor and anti-glycation activities. The development of long-term complications associated with diabetes is primarily caused by chronic hyperglycemia. Regarding α‐glucosidase, the most significant inhibitory effect was observed with compound 1 (93.09%), followed by the methanolic extract (80.87%) with IC50 values of 45.86 and 86.32 μM. The maximum anti-glycation potential was shown by an isolated compound 1 followed by methanolic extract with effect inhibition of 90.12 and 72.09, respectively. Compound 1 is expected to have the highest gastrointestinal absorption rate, with a predicted absorption rate of 86.156%. This indicates oral suitability. The compound 1 is expected to have no harmful effects on the liver. In addition, our docking results suggest that alpha-glucosidase and isolated compounds showed strong interaction with ILE821, GLN900, and ALA901 residues, along with a −11.95 docking score.

In this work, we investigated Diospyros kaki extract and an isolated compound for their potential as xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors, a target enzyme involved in inflammatory disorders. The prepared extract was subjected to column chromatography, and dinaphthodiospyrol S was isolated. Then XO inhibitory properties were assessed using a spectrophotometry microplate reader. DMSO was taken as a negative control, and allopurinol was used as a standard drug. The molecular docking study of the isolated compound to the XO active site was performed, followed by visualization and protein–ligand interaction. The defatted chloroform extract showed the highest inhibitory effect, followed by the chloroform extract and the isolated compound. The isolated compound exhibited significant inhibitory activity against XO with an IC50 value of 1.09 µM. Molecular docking studies showed that the compound strongly interacts with XO, forming hydrogen bond interactions with Arg149 and Cys113 and H-pi interactions with Cys116 and Leu147. The binding score of −7.678 kcal/mol further supported the potential of the isolated compound as an XO inhibitor. The quantum chemical procedures were used to study the electronic behavior of dinaphthodiospyrol S isolated from D. kaki. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis was performed to understand the distribution of electronic density, highest occupied molecular orbital HOMO, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital LUMO, and energy gaps. The values of HOMO, LUMO, and energy gap were found to be −6.39, −3.51 and 2.88 eV respectively. The FMO results indicated the intramolecular charge transfer. Moreover, reactivity descriptors were also determined to confirm the stability of the compound. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) investigation was done to analyze the electrophilic and nucleophilic sites within a molecule. The oxygen atoms in the compound exhibited negative potential, indicating that they are favorable sites for electrophilic attacks. The results indicate its potential as a therapeutic agent for related disorders. Further studies are needed to investigate this compound's in vivo efficacy and safety as a potential drug candidate.

This current study investigates the biological efficiency of essential oils extracted from Bistorta affinis and Malcolmia cabulica on human and foodborne pathogens as well as against insects and termites. The oils were obtained by steam distillation using a Clevenger-type system and analyzed for their constituents using GC-MS. Twenty compounds were identified, wherein carvacrol and thymol were the main constituents in both plants. Essential oils exhibited significant activity against all tested foodborne bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. In addition, essential oils from both plants have shown promising activity against all tested insects, which is a positive sign of being used as an insect repellent. In contrast, no activity was observed against termites. The bioactivities are mainly due to carvacrol and thymol’s levels in the essential oils that known for their effectiveness against foodborne pathogens and pests. The present study constitutes a basis for further investigation and development of bioactive compounds in Bistorta affinis and Malcolmia cabulica.

Congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus L., family Asteraceae) is found generally in agricultural and vacant lands across the globe. This study investigated the fatty acids and elemental profiles of different parts including roots, stem and leaves of P. hysterophorus in the response to seasonal variation. The elemental analysis and fatty acid were determined in both the winter and summer seasons. The root, stem, and leaves powder were subjected to extraction with acetone, water, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, and n-hexane to measure the extractive values. Among all the plant parts, leaves recorded the highest extractive value of 29%, and 28% with acetone and diethyl ether, respectively, while the root recorded the lowest (10.3%) extractive value with chloroform. Higher concentrations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were detected in all the plant parts in the winter collection than in the summer season. Parthenium hysterophorus is multi medicinal applications such as used for rheumatic pain, urinary tract infections, inflammation, diarrhea, neuralgia, and malaria. The study highlights the importance of collection time (seasons) of different parts of P. hysterophorus for the maximum extraction of both elements and fatty acids either saturated or unsaturated from the pharmacogenetic point of view.

Introduction: The genus Euphorbia is known to contain diterpenoids, and several isolated compounds which exhibited biological activities including significant multidrug resistance reversal effects. This work is focused on the isolation, in vitro and in silico studies of two natural bio-active flavonoids (1 & 2) isolated from Euphorbia pulcherrima bark for the very first time. Methods: The phytochemical investigation resulted in the identification of two flavonoids: 3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (1) and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (2), which were isolated for the first time from Euphorbia pulcherrima. Results: The chemical structures of the two isolated compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-HRMS spectral data. The Bioactivity activity of these compounds was evaluated; results revealed that compounds 1 & 2 exhibit promising urease inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 15.3 ± 2.13 μM and 19.0 ± 2.43 μM, respectively, whereas the positive control thiourea had an IC50 of 21.0 ± 0.23 μM. Similarly, these compounds were also evaluated against the tyrosinase enzyme; results showed that compound 1 displays significant inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 48.7 ± 2.19 μM, whereas compound 2 exhibited a moderate effect with an IC50 value of 74.8 ± 1.79 μM, when compared with the standard (alpha-kojic acid, IC50 = 47.6 ± 0.67 μM). Additionally, compounds 1 and 2 also exhibited anti-glycation and phosphodiesterase inhibitory activities. Conclusion: Studies dealing with the drug like properties such as in silico screening (docking study) was also carried out to discover the structural features of both compounds 1 and 2. Results indicated that the docking scores of compounds 1 and 2 are in agreement with their IC50 values. Key messages Isolation and characterization of two bioactive flavonoids (1 and 2) from Euphorbia pulcherrima. In silico and in vitro enzyme inhibition studies were conducted to identify the therapeutic potential of flavonoids 1 and 2. Drug-like properties were calculated to discover important pharmacophoric features.

Pistacia integerrima Stew ex Brandis is a valued medicinal plant used for curing various diseases such as diarrhea, fever, liver disorder, pain, asthma, and inflammation. The aim of this study was the isolation of bioactive leishmanicidal agents from the methanolic extract. The methanolic extract led to the isolation of flavonoids 3,5,7,4/-tetrahydroxy-flavanone (1). The extract and isolated compound 1 were tested for antileishmanial effect. The extract showed a percent effect of 63.09 with an IC50 value (49.32 µM). The isolated compound 1 was more leishmanicidal than the extract with a percent growth inhibition of 68.09. We have performed docking studies on two antileishmanial targets; homology modeled dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and pteridine reductase (PTR1) from Leishmania major (L. major). Interaction with important residues of the studied enzymes revealed the possible mechanism of in-vitro activity against promastigotes of L. major.

Lettuce is one of the most famous leafy vegetables worldwide with lots of applications from food to other specific uses. There are different types in the lettuce group for consumers to choose from. Additionally, lettuce is an excellent source of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and chlorophyll with related health benefits. At the same time, nutrient composition and antioxidant compounds are different between lettuce varieties, especially for green and red lettuce types. The benefit of lettuce consumption depends on its composition, particularly antioxidants, which can function as nutrients. The health benefits rely on their biochemical effect when reaching the bloodstream. Some components can be released from the food matrix and altered in the digestive system. Indeed, the bioaccessibility of lettuce is measuring the quantity of these compounds released from the food matrix during digestion, which is important for health-promoting features. Extraction of bioactive compounds is one of the new trends observed in lettuce and is necessarily used for several application fields. Therefore, this review aims to demonstrate the nutritional value of lettuce and its pharmacological properties. Due to their bioaccessibility and bioavailability, the consumer will be able to comprehensively understand choosing a healthier lettuce diet. The common utilization pattern of lettuce extracted nutrients will also be summarized for further direction.