Current Functional Foods - Volume 4, Issue 1, 2026

Cissus quadrangularis, a perennial plant from the Vitaceae family, is widely recognized for its extensive use in traditional medicine across tropical and subtropical regions. This review explores the phytochemical composition and pharmacological potential of Cissus quadrangularis, focusing on its application in herbal formulations. The plant exhibits a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenolic glycosides, found in various parts such as the stem, leaves, fruits, and roots. These phytochemicals contribute to its broad pharmacological activities, which include anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and bone-healing properties.

Significant attention is paid to the plant's potential in managing bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis and fractures, owing to its anabolic and mineral absorption-enhancing effects. Moreover, Cissus quadrangularis demonstrates promising anti-obesity effects, as evidenced by its ability to reduce body weight, waist circumference, and blood cholesterol levels. Its anti-ulcer activity is attributed to the enhancement of mucosal defense mechanisms and the reduction of gastric secretions. The review also highlights the plant's analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, showing substantial efficacy in various experimental models. Its anti-diabetic potential is confirmed through studies on alloxan and streptozotocin-induced diabetic models. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of Cissus quadrangularis, facilitated by its secondary metabolites, supports its use in combating oxidative stress-related conditions. Furthermore, the plant's central nervous system activities, including anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects, are discussed. The antimicrobial and anti-helmintic properties of the plant underline its therapeutic versatility. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, and potential synergistic effects of the plant's components, paving the way for its integration into modern pharmacological applications.

The incidence of Psoriasis has been recorded as around 125 million cases worldwide, which comprises of around 2-3% of the general population throughout the globe. Major complications coupled with the disease comprise of psoriatic arthritis, depression, and cardio syndrome, leading to compromised palliation of aggravated depreciation of Health. Contemporary strategies intervene only in symptomatic relief without complete cure and occasionally even lead to skin melanoma. Henceforth, this compilation reviews the diverse clinical features of this skin disease and discusses relevant therapeutic strategies and outcomes therein.

An accumulated amount of evidence was obtained via relevant keywords from authentic databases viz. Web of Science, Science direct, and Scopus. A comprehensive exploration unveiled an imperative role of plant-derived therapeutics in combating side effects related to synthetic drugs. The data also exhibited an association between synthetic and natural alternatives where the role of combination strategies is indispensable, deduced by both in vitro and in vivo research. The clinical trial data also appeared to be encouraging with respect to herb-induced treatment and prevention of Psoriasis.

Increased generation and accumulation of free radicals (reactive oxygen species) and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant systems can result in oxidative stress. In this study, we investigate the antioxidant properties of black seeds (Nigella sativa). To find pertinent papers, searches were conducted using reference lists, Web of Science, Medline/PMC/PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, among other web-based resources. Black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation has been demonstrated in several preclinical and clinical studies to decrease lipid peroxidation and raise levels of antioxidant enzymes. There are several ways in which black seeds (Nigella sativa) can exhibit antioxidant activity: they can do this by reducing oxidative stress and free radical formation, scavenging superoxide and other reactive oxygen species, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), upregulating genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, lowering malondialdehyde levels, elevating total antioxidant capacity levels, and enhancing antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, etc. For individuals suffering from chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cancer, etc., black seeds (Nigella sativa) may thus be used as an adjuvant therapy in addition to standard drugs.

Tansy oil, which is derived from the Tanacetum annuum plant, has shown great promise as a therapeutic agent in aromatherapy and skincare because of its many uses. This study thoroughly investigates the chemical makeup, extraction techniques, mechanisms of action, adjuvant qualities, and incorporation of blue tansy oil into skincare regimens. Blue tansy oil's chemical profile reveals the complexity of its composition, emphasizing important ingredients like myrcene, chamazulene, sabinene, camphor, and others, each of which has a unique skincare advantage. The extraction method of steam distillation is emphasized as a means of guaranteeing purity and potency. Differences in composition resulting from growth site and extraction methods are also discussed. Comprehensive knowledge of the therapeutic effects of blue tansy oil is made possible by insights into the ingredients' mechanisms of action. One of the main ingredients, chamazulene, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially helpful in lowering the redness and inflammation linked to acne. Beyond this, the oil's antibacterial, antioxidant, and analgesic qualities are enhanced by the presence of sabinene, camphor, and myrcene. Blue tansy oil has a broad range of adjuvant activities, from antioxidant and calming benefits to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Its potential is investigated, offering chances for its incorporation into many therapeutic methods, including support for skin health, stress relief, and scar reduction, among other benefits. The suggested uses of blue tansy oil for skincare regimens include face masks, spot treatments, dilution, and cleansing. It is important to conduct patch tests and follow recommended dosages to prevent negative reactions. Upcoming research opportunities provide pathways for investigating pharmacological impacts, safety characteristics, clinical effectiveness, formulation improvements, chemical analysis, and comparative evaluations with alternative natural therapies. These studies seek to advance our knowledge of the potential benefits of blue tansy oil and open the door for evidence-based skincare and medical applications.

Type II diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder characterized by pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. Administration of different classes of anti-diabetic drugs over the long term is essential to maintain normoglycemic levels in affected individuals. This study is focused on natural analogs as substitutes for the most marketed synthetic and semi-synthetic anti-diabetic drugs. This study aimed to review phytoconstituents with their mechanism of action, which are comparatively equivalent to that of the allopathic anti-diabetic marketed drugs, like biguanides, sulphonylurea, and thiazolidinediones. The methodology used for the review involved using the keywords collected from online sites, like PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. At present, different drugs are available for the treatment of diabetes and work with different mechanisms, like metformin induces the AMPK pathway in hepatocytes and muscle fibers with increased glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, whereas the phytoconstituents, like quercetin (flavonoid), mahanimbine, and koenidine (carbazole alkaloids) involve same mechanism as metformin. Sulfonylureas drugs bind to specific receptors in hepatocytes, resulting in glucose-independent insulin release. The phytomolecule amyrins (pentacyclic triterpenoid) and kaempferol (flavonoid) have similar effects as that of sulphonylureas. Thiazoglinediones target adipocytes and cause GLUT-4 translocation and up-regulation of PPAR and adiponectin gene expression. Phytoconstituents, like cyanidin-3-glucoside (anthocyanin) and protocatechuic acid (tannin), exhibit a similar mechanism of action to that of thiazolidinediones. In this review, it can be concluded that the selected compounds have the same antidiabetic activity as the synthetic drugs. In the future, a new polyherbal formulation can be developed with these selected molecules having the same mechanisms of action, with significant therapeutic value without side effects.

Trachyspermum ammi, commonly known as Ajwain or Carom seeds, is a versatile medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family, widely utilized in traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. This review consolidates the phytochemical composition, traditional applications, and pharmacological activities of T. ammi alongside its potential in modern therapeutics. A systematic methodology was employed to gather data, focusing on peer-reviewed articles, ethnobotanical reports, and experimental studies published in renowned databases. Specific search terms such as “Trachyspermum ammi,” “Ajwain pharmacology,” and “phytochemical analysis” were used to extract relevant information. Selection criteria included recent advancements in phytochemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic applications, ensuring a comprehensive synthesis of traditional knowledge and modern scientific evidence. Ajwain seeds, characterized by their bioactive components such as thymol and carvacrol, exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic effects. Emerging evidence highlights its role in combating neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Despite its established uses, further studies on the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and clinical efficacy are essential. Advanced drug delivery systems, such as nanoencapsulation and lipid-based formulations, are discussed as strategies to enhance the stability and bioavailability of Ajwain's active compounds. This review emphasizes integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches to unlock Ajwain’s full therapeutic potential, addressing existing limitations and paving the way for its incorporation into evidence-based healthcare practices. Future directions include comprehensive clinical trials, standardization of extracts, and exploration of its role in gut microbiota modulation and integrative medicine.