Current Bioactive Compounds - Volume 21, Issue 7, 2025

To provide a comprehensive, detailed review of the pharmacological benefits of cinnamaldehyde (CA) and its derivatives. Cinnamon is one such medicinally important spice that finds space in all Indian kitchens due to its myriad health benefits. This review aims to compile the scientific literature and provide a comprehensive analysis of pharmacological properties and cellular signalling pathways inhibited by CA. For collecting the literature, databases like PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords “cinnamaldehyde”, “cinnamic acid”, “molecular targets”, and “pharmacological activities”. Further screening was performed manually by thoroughly reading the abstract or full copy. CA has proven its pharmacological activity against different illnesses/diseases such as cancer, inflammation, bacteria, and fungi, where scientific validations and molecular insights have been made for its targeted signalling pathways. Researchers have synthesized several novel derivatives of CA that highlight, either alone or in synergism, the enhanced effectiveness. However, there is a need to develop a cost-effective and economical approach to produce CA derivatives on a large scale. Research aimed at turning CA into a therapeutic will be beneficial and open the door for other phytoactive compounds as well. CA has a wealth of medicinal potential.

Psidium guajava or guava is a plant that contains a variety of bioactive compounds that have been used to treat oral and dental issues. The plant is unique and traditional, with a wide range of therapeutic uses. Guava's healing and medicinal effects have been reported through clinical trials, laboratory studies, and surveys. Over 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from oral disorders, such as dental caries, periodontal disease, plague, gum inflammation, toothache, tooth loss, and oral cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly oral hygiene products to combat the high cost of treatment for oral illnesses. Guava tree parts, including roots, leaves, bark, stem, and fruits, are used to treat dental ailments, like halitosis, bleeding gums, gingivitis, periodontal conditions, dental caries, toothache, and mouth cancers. Phytochemicals, with their properties, have been proven effective in treating and managing systemic and dental diseases. Guava, a rich source of varied phyto-constituents, effectively combats oxidative stress, thereby preventing the deterioration of oral health. The translation of Psidium guajava from traditional medicine to modern medicine can be a boon to cost-effective and potent treatment in managing oral health and dental disorders.

Medicinal hemp or Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the earliest herbs widely used in traditional medicine by human beings for millions of years. This species was originally thought to be endemic to Asian countries but has now grown worldwide. It is a dioecious and annual plant that belongs to the Cannabaceae family. It has a long history of cultivation for food, intoxicants, hemp medicine, rope, paper, fiber, and oil extraction. Due to its diverse therapeutic properties, it is legalized in over 50 countries and cultivated as a medicinal and recreational crop. This review was aimed at collecting information about medicinal cannabis, ranging from traditional use to commercial utilization. This review article is based on gathering scientific literature from Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Taylor Francis, and Springer with 137 documents, including original articles, review articles, books, and thesis from 1973 to 2024. So far, more than 500 phytochemicals have been identified. Phytocannabinoids are thought to be the main bioactive ingredients that produce therapeutic benefits. These are mostly produced or synthesized in secretary cells located inside of glandular trichomes that are found in the female inflorescence or flowers of hemp crop. Cannabidiol (CBD) has strong therapeutic potential and is used to cure many fatal diseases. A thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of medicinal hemp is vital for tailoring treatment approaches and minimizing adverse effects. The effect and severity of Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are determined by the route of application and their dose. It can be concluded that much of the work needs to be done for the validation of ethnobotanical claims by conducting detailed studies on exploring various phytocannabinoids regarding medicinal use through in vitro and in vivo activities and the way forward for its commercial utilization.

Worldwide, more than 44 million individuals are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD), making it the most common type of dementia. Because neuroinflammation is so important in the development of AD, anti-inflammatory tactics may be a promising avenue for treatment. Searches were conducted in Scopus, the Web of Science, and PubMed using the following keywords: phytoconstituents, AD, traditional medicine, and Chinese herbs. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarise the known phytochemistry and current state of the chosen plant species. However, there has been limited effectiveness in clinical trials for AD with currently available anti-inflammatory medicines. This study brings together the latest findings in the treatment of AD using natural substances, specifically phytochemicals, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective characteristics. Although there has been little success with existing anti-inflammatory medications, there is hope for targeting molecular pathways associated with AD, including Aβ overproduction, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, through the use of natural bioactive chemicals such alkaloids, polyphenols, and terpenes. The promise of natural compounds as safer alternatives or supplementary therapies to current treatments for Alzheimer's disease is highlighted in this study, which focuses on their ability to alleviate major pathogenic processes in the disease. Their medicinal potential and effectiveness can be enhanced with additional research.

Marine sources, such as phytoplankton and zooplankton from seas or oceans that correspond to various marine ecosystems, are the sources of marine pharmaceuticals. These medications have been utilized as active ingredients in cosmeceutical formulas to treat a range of skin conditions. Cosmeceuticals, or cosmetic products with an active pharmaceutical ingredient that imparts therapeutic efficacy or has benefits similar to those of medicine for skin health, are characterized as cosmetics plus medicines. Algae, fungi, sea cucumbers, seaweed, corals, prawns, and other marine organisms can all produce medicinal components that effectively treat wrinkles, blemishes, aging, hyperpigmentation, and oxidation. Because these medications and sources are natural, they have few or no negative effects on the skin. The skin is the site of action for the topical distribution of marine medicines and cosmeceuticals to treat this condition. This study investigates a viable nano-delivery method for marine medications in cosmetics, providing long-term and practical means of improving skin health and treating dermatological issues. The focus of this review is on marine medications, their chemical components, cosmeceutical usage, and the pathophysiology of various dermatological conditions. Additionally, raw ingredients used as excipients in cosmeceutical formulations can be sourced from marine species. Because of massive industrialization, unsustainability has become a major research topic. Marine chemicals, on the other hand, are highly eco-friendly and sustainable. A thorough analysis of the literature in this area focuses on the effects of different marine chemicals on the skin, as well as on the physicochemical parameters and post-formulation evaluations. As far as current research and prospects go, the cosmetics and cosmeceuticals sector is a better fit for marine pharmaceuticals when treating skin conditions.

Heterocyclic compounds are fundamental in natural products and pharmaceuticals. The triazole nucleus, in particular, is a versatile structure present in numerous bioactive molecules. 7-chloroquinoline is historically significant for its antimalarial properties and exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review aimed to compile and discuss 69 biologically active 1,2,3-triazole hybrids derived from 7-chloroquinoline, highlighting their enhanced bioactivity when combined with 4,7-dichloroquinoline. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to identify and analyze the synthesis and biological activities of triazole hybrids originating from 4,7-dichloroquinoline and 7-chloroquinoline. It was found that the 4,7-dichloroquinoline scaffold, when coupled with triazole derivatives, exhibited enhanced bioactivity, including antimicrobial, antimalarial, and anticancer effects. This synergy between the two structures underscores their potential therapeutic applications. The insights provided in this review will serve as a valuable resource for medicinal chemists exploring triazoles derived from 4,7-dichloroquinoline and 7-chloroquinoline. The enhanced bioactivity of these hybrids highlights their significance in the development of new therapeutic agents.