Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 15, Issue 5, 2025

Bovine colostrum, also known as cow colostrum, is the first milk produced by cows after giving birth. It is packed with natural macro-micronutrients, immunoglobulins, peptides, and proteins and has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a range of illnesses and problems. Its therapeutic advantages are particularly significant in the treatment of respiratory problems, growth factor augmentation, and other conditions. Numerous preclinical and clinical research studies have demonstrated its therapeutic effects, including its ability to promote well-being, treat medical conditions, and support animal husbandry. Bovine colostrum may assist therapy against COVID-19 due to its potential antiviral properties, which can slow the course of the disease. Bovine colostrum contains bioactive components such as lactoferrin, which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Additionally, bovine colostrum may boost both the adaptive and innate immune systems of humans. Colostrum's chemical composition differs from milk, with higher concentrations of nutrients and physiologically active compounds such as enzymes, growth factors, immunoglobulins, and hormones. The colostrum is crucial for the development of a newborn calf's immune system, and the initial section of the colostrum has the highest concentration of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), which rapidly decline after that. While cow colostrum is generally considered safe when consumed orally, it should be noted that rectal administration can function as an enema, and consuming colostrum from infected cows can result in severe disorders such as bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE), also known as “mad cow disease” or other disorders. Therefore, it is crucial to use proper sanitation and dosage of cow/ bovine colostrum for food or medicinal usage to avoid potential adverse effects. This review article highlights the medical applications, constituents, and benefits of cow colostrum, showcasing its potential as a natural remedy for health and wellness. However, it is essential to exercise caution and obtain bovine colostrum from safe sources for optimal therapeutic benefits.

Many common herbal medicines, including astragalus, ginseng, and bupleurum, contain saponins, which are surface-active glycosides found in nature. Saponins have recently been proven to have potent anti-inflammatory properties and to produce immunological homeostasis in patients with a wide range of illnesses. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IIRI), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and radiation proctitis are all diseases of the digestive tract related to intestinal inflammation. Intestinal inflammation is another potential side effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. In addition to chronic diseases' emotional and physical burden on patients, they often exact a heavy financial burden on individual persons and the larger community. Because the causes of these diseases are so poorly known, there is a lack of information regarding the etiology of these conditions. On the other hand, saponins may help reduce this risk by lowering inflammation, enhancing the repair of the intestinal barrier, preserving the diversity of the intestinal flora, and maintaining the healthy and balanced state of the flora themselves. There is a correlation between inflammation of the intestines and an increased risk of colon cancer. In this article, we look at the most recent research regarding the effect that saponins have on diseases linked to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Tuberculosis (TB), which is caused primarily by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is the largest cause of death among all infectious diseases, accounting for more than two million fatalities each year. Marine natural products and some of their derivatives have been found to have potent anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium TB, and some of them have been chosen as prototype molecules for the development of novel anti-tubercular drugs. Because of their strong medicinal qualities, a variety of marine natural products such as terpenoids, alkaloids, pyrones, sterols, and quinones derived from marine sources have piqued interest in recent decades. In this review study, we present current discoveries on the anti-tubercular action of marine natural products, emphasizing their medicinal potential for the treatment of tuberculosis. Based on the research from the last decade, this review provides a full grasp of marine natural products as anti-tubercular agents, as well as a plausible mechanism of action.

Respiratory infections are a universal issue with high death rates caused by several pathogens. It makes it obligatory to explore novel antimicrobial drugs to cure lung infections. Phyto-chemicals, which are herbal compounds found in plants, exhibit antimicrobial properties and contain substances like tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, etc. Now, researchers have opted for novel strategies for drug invention through the screening of medicinal plants. These plants offer a lavish source of new structures and phyto moieties, making them precious in the development of effective treatments. Many current researchers recommend medicinal plant formulations to cure different respiratory disorders. Among these are Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers (T. cordifolia) shrubs. The plant T. cordifolia is mainly claimed for its antispasmodic, antipyretic, antineoplastic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunopotentiating, and hepatoprotective pharmacological properties. This review provides insight into T. cordifolia, which plays a significant role in combating infectious ailments and its significance in maintaining the health of mankind. This review article recapitulates the plant TC and specifies different bioactive components that showed antimicrobial action. The present study outlined various investigations that have been done on T. cordifolia, i.e., in-silico, toxicity, and antimicrobial, which will explore the opportunity in the development of novel medications against microbial infections. In addition, this study depicts the application of T. cordifolia in culinary, beverage and marketed products that were found helpful in the treatment of various disorders and also focuses on recent updates of T. cordifolia. The literature acknowledges that this natural antimicrobial plant will help to lay the foundation for upgrading exhaustive pharmacological and pharmaceutical studies to better understand the clinical relevance and application of T. cordifolia in the prevention and treatment of life-threatening respiratory infections.