Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 16, Issue 1, 2026

Surgery can lead to local and systemic activation of oxidative and inflammatory systems. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of silymarin on the levels of liver enzymes and hematological parameters after inguinal hernia repair.

In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 60 patients who were referred for hernia repair were included and randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group was given silymarin three times a day, and the control group received a placebo. The patient's vital signs, hepatic enzymes, blood, and coagulation parameters were recorded before and after surgery. Data were analyzed by SPSSv18.

Hernia repair caused significant increases in the level of liver enzymes, White Blood Cells (WBC), Platelet Count (PLT), and Poly Morphonuclear Neutrophils (PMN) (p<0.05), but did not cause significant alteration in the level of coagulation factors, hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HB) (p>0.05). Supplementation of silymarin in patients significantly decreased the level of hepatic enzymes, WBC, PMN, LYMPH, and PLT (p<0.05). Furthermore, the results for vital signs, including Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), and PR were not changed after silymarin administration (p>0.05). Postoperative PTT levels in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (p=0.023). Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the International Normalized Ratio (INR) of the two groups after surgery (p=0.039).

Silymarin supplementation has the ability to attenuate hepatotoxicity induced by surgery; however, further studies are needed to determine its exact mechanism of action.

1394-01-89-2449.

Stimulation of the sensory nerves in the trigeminal ganglion triggers CGRP as well as nitric oxide release, leading to dilation of the cranial blood vessels and causing neurogenic inflammation. The release of these mediators is associated with several neuroinflammatory disorders. It is suggested that neuroinflammation can be alleviated by inhibiting the release of these inflammatory mediators.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of α-Phellandrene in LPS-induced Zebrafish larvae.

Neurogenic inflammation refers to localized inflammation within the peripheral and central nervous systems, which can lead to various neuroinflammatory disorders, such as headache, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. This condition is triggered by neuronal activation, releasing neuropeptides, inflammatory mediators, cytokines, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor-α. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of α-Phellandrene by in-vivo experiment. The development of a drug to treat neurogenic inflammation is a prime task for managing the condition. Hence, this study was undertaken to find out a CGRP antagonist from a natural source to alleviate the neuro inflammatory disorders.

This study investigated the release of inflammatory mediators induced by lipopolysaccharides and the inhibitory effects of α-Phellandrene in zebrafish larvae. The inhibitory effect of α-Phellandrene on nitric acid production in larval fish homogenates was assessed using the Griess assay. Additionally, the mRNA expression of TNF-α was quantified using RT-PCR.

The result of the behavioral study showed that treatment with α-Phellandrene (10 μg/mL) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the behavioral abnormalities as compared to LPS-treated animals. In addition, α-Phellandrene-treated animals exhibited better nitric oxide inhibition activity as compared to the LPS-treated group. Further, the molecular analysis revealed that the α-Phellandrene treatment significantly (p<0.05) reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α as compared to LPS-treated group.

The results of behavioral study, nitric oxide inhibition assay, and molecular analysis suggest that α-Phellandrene prevents neuroinflammation in LPS-treated animals. It was concluded from the study that α-Phellandrene is used to treat neuroinflammation, and it indicates that it possesses neuroprotective activity.

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. has been traditionally utilized as an ethnomedicinal agent for managing various ailments, including diabetes, jaundice, and rheumatic issues. This investigation aimed to evaluate the oral hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Cuscuta reflexa (HAECR) in rats with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). Additionally, the study sought to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects in Cuscuta reflexa.

To date, only a few attempts have been made to isolate the lead bioactive compound from Cuscuta reflexa, highlighting the need for further exploration of this herb through bioactivity-guided fractionation. The isolation and characterization of the responsible lead molecules could pave the way for developing a new, safer therapeutic option compared to conventionally used drugs.

The study aims to evaluate the oral hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Cuscuta reflexa (HAECR) in a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats, along with elucidating the responsible bioactive compounds of Cuscuta reflexa.

The hydroalcoholic plant extract was standardized by marker calibration by HPLC and, subsequently, phytochemical screening by LC-MS. Column chromatography was adopted to isolate bioactive compounds from the extract, which NMR, FT-IR, and MS spectroscopy subsequently characterized. Oral antihyperglycemic activity and toxicity studies were performed, and antioxidant activities were studied.

No deaths or behavioural changes were observed during the toxicity study up to 2000 mg/kg oral dosing. Other toxicological parameters, such as deviations in organ weights, and haematological, and histological parameters, were also not observed. 250 mg/kg dose of HAECR exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity (56.9% reduction in blood glucose level) in diabetic rats. In the HAECR-treated groups, significant reductions were observed compared to the control group, with cholesterol levels decreasing by 57%, triglycerides by 50%, SGPT by 50%, and SGOT by 30%. Considering the extensive analytical spectroscopy interpretation results, Quercetin and Stigmasterol are the two possible isolated compounds from our extract.

Thus, this study suggested the antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activity of HAECR, which may be attributed to phytomolecules such as Stigmasterol and Quercetin. Therefore, our findings from the investigated part of the herb could be regarded as an adjunctive agent for treating diabetes mellitus.

Pourouma guianensis (Urticaceae) is widespread throughout Brazil and is commonly known as “mapati”. Terpenes are common in Urticaceae species. However, few studies have reported the isolation and characterisation of these compounds in Pourouma genus.

The aim of this study was to separate substances from stem barks of P. guianensis using a high-performance countercurrent chromatography gradient elution method. The dichloromethane extract of the P. guianensis stem bark was submitted to silica gel column chromatography, yielding three fractions. Fraction 3 was submitted to a gradient elution system in high-performance countercurrent chromatography using two solvent systems, hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:2:x:1, x=1.0 and 1.5). Six compounds were isolated.

A new megastigmane nor-sesquiterpene named 2-acetyl-4,7-epoxy-3-oxy-5,5,9-trimethylhexahydrocoumaran (1) was obtained together with five known terpenes: vomifoliol (2), 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 3-β-D-arabinopyranoside-19-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (4), arjunolic acid (5), and tormentic acid (6). Fractions 1 and 2 were purified by binary gradient elution from hexane to ethyl acetate.

This process isolated three known compounds: friedelin (7) and 3β-friedelanol (8) from fraction 1, and β-sitosterol (9) from fraction 2. Gradient elution in countercurrent chromatography was a suitable alternative, exploiting variations in the partition coefficient between substances with small structural differences.

To evaluate the anti-oxidative and radioprotective role of Pontibacter indicus SCG24 pigment during radiation exposure.

Radiation-induced cytotoxicity is quite common during cancer therapy. There is a need for naturally derived therapeutic molecules that can scavenge free radicals. They may act as substitutes for synthetic molecules. Hence, there is a need for urgent evaluation of these potent compounds before therapeutic application.

The objective of this study is to examine the anti-oxidative and radioprotective role of P. indicus SCG24 pigment, specifically to evaluate free radical scavenging X-ray irradiated HDF cells.

A radiotoleraent pigment-producing P. indicus SCG24 was isolated from pharmaceutical effluent. Chloroform was used as a primary solvent for pigment extraction. GCMS/MS analysed initial pigment composition. Various in-vitro antioxidant assays were performed using ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine the rate of scavenging activity of pigment in HDF cells.

The GCMS/MS profile of the chloroform extract revealed twenty-two compounds. Furthermore, based on the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay, the pigment was found to have significant antioxidant properties. The flow cytometry results indicate that the pigment possesses radioprotectant activity by neutralizing ROS species in HDF cells when exposed to X-ray radiation.

These observations on P. indicus SCG24 pigment suggested that the pigment may have potential therapeutic importance.

The Chinese medicine, Kanglao concoction has been used clinically to treat tuberculosis. However, its constituents and anti-inflammatory activity have not been fully understood.

In this study, HPLC-MS² has been employed to determine the main constituents in the concoction. The anti-inflammatory activity has been investigated by ELISA and Western Blot techniques.

The MS analysis revealed that tigogenin and afzelin were two main constituents in Kanglao concoction. Moreover, the result of ELISA experiments showed that Kanglao concoction significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β at 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL to inhibit inflammation.

The expression of Notch pathway-related proteins in A549 cells increased under the stimulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and decreased dose-dependently upon the treatment of Kanglao concoction, which was deduced to inhibit Notch pathway expression to impose anti-inflammatory activity.

Combining multiple natural extracts may provide an additive and/or synergistic effect, increasing the anti-cancer potential of the formulation while aiding in the search for targeted chemical compounds for cancer treatment.

Here, we confirmed the individual in vitro anti-proliferation effect of Apis mellifera syriaca bee venom (BV) and Jania rubens red algae polysaccharide extract (PE) on HCT-116 and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines and explored the synergistic effect of these two natural extracts, aiming to develop a new mixture with promising potential against colorectal cancer.

Given that the synergy between BV and algal PE was evaluated using concentrations of 5 and 250 μg/mL, respectively, a significant combined effect was noted, leading to at least a 20% more reduction in cell viability than with either extract alone. Additionally, the combination therapy significantly reduced cell migration more than either extract achieved on its own, exhibiting increased anti-migratory capability in a time-dependent manner.

This synergy indicates the potential of enhanced anti-cancer efficacy in formulations based on combinations of natural components.

Three novel macrolactams, FW8-1 (1), FW8-4 (2), and FW60-20 (3), were isolated from a culture of Micromonospora sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using Mass Spectrometry (MS) and comprehensive Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses.

The relative configurations of compounds 1-3 were assigned through theoretical calculations of their NMR spectra.

The isolation and determination of the relative configurations of these macrolactams have provided fresh perspectives on the biosynthetic pathways, leading to the formation of polyene macrolactams.

Further, virtual screening and bioactivity predictions have suggested compounds 1-3 to possess potential anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.