Jul 2026· AJARCDE | Asian Journal of Applied Research for Community Development and Empowerment· 0 citations
TL;DR
The reviewed literature indicates that the leaves are rich in monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids, which should emphasize raw material standardization, extraction optimization, toxicological evaluation, and preclinical and clinical validation to facilitate the development of safe, effective, standardized, and sustainable products.
Abstract
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. leaves represent a promising natural resource for the development of food and non-food products owing to their diverse bioactive constituents. This review aimed to synthesize current knowledge on the morphology, phytochemical profile, biological activities, and development prospects of A. scholaris leaves. A narrative literature review was conducted using publications retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Scopus, focusing on studies published between 2015 and 2025. The reviewed literature indicates that the leaves are rich in monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids. Experimental studies have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, antifungal, and renoprotective activities against diabetic nephropathy. Direct applications have primarily been limited to herbal tea, antioxidant gel formulations, and the exploration of bioactive compounds as pharmaceutical candidates, whereas their utilization as functional foods, nutraceuticals, herbal cosmetics, and natural preservatives remains largely prospective. Future research should emphasize raw material standardization, extraction optimization, toxicological evaluation, and preclinical and clinical validation to facilitate the development of safe, effective, standardized, and sustainable products.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Abstract Morinda citrifolia L., commonly known as noni, has attracted increasing scientific and industrial attention due to its complex phytochemical composition and the wide range of biological activities associated with its bioactive constituents. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines with the aim of compiling and critically analyzing current scientific evidence regarding the chemical composition, biological activities, technological applications, and safety aspects of Morinda citrifolia. The literature search included studies published between 2014 and 2024 and was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SciELO databases. After the stages of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion, twenty-nine original studies involving different experimental models were selected for analysis. The reviewed publications demonstrate that M. citrifolia contains a diverse array of secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids, iridoids, phenolic acids, and related phytochemicals, which are frequently associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. In the food sector, extracts obtained from different parts of the plant have been incorporated into functional formulations, fermented beverages, and nutraceutical supplements. These applications demonstrate promising technological potential, including improved oxidative stability, enhanced microbiological preservation, and increased shelf life of food products. In addition, recent experimental evidence suggests that compounds present in M. citrifolia may influence molecular pathways related to gene expression and cellular protection mechanisms, including DNA repair and oxidative stress modulation, highlighting its relevance in food biotechnology and nutraceutical research. Despite the numerous beneficial effects reported in the literature, toxicological findings indicate that high concentrations of extracts may induce adverse physiological responses in certain experimental models. These observations reinforce the importance of establishing standardized extraction methods, safe dosage parameters, and comprehensive toxicological evaluations to ensure the safe application of this species in food and pharmaceutical systems. Overall, the available scientific evidence supports the recognition of Morinda citrifolia L. as a sustainable and multifunctional source of bioactive compounds with promising potential for the development of innovative functional foods and biotechnological applications. Nevertheless, further investigations focusing on extract standardization, clinical validation, and industrial scalability remain essential for consolidating its safe and effective use.
F. B. Araújo, G. Soares, W. B. Rodrigues et al.· Brazilian Journal of Biology· 0 citations
Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (chayote), a neglected and underutilized Cucurbitaceae crop widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, has drawn growing interest as a source of health-promoting food components. This review critically synthesizes studies published between 2000 and 2026 on its botanical features, genome characterization, nutritional value, phytochemistry, bioactivities, safety, and food-industry applications, based on literature retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Different plant parts (fruits, leaves, seeds, tuberous roots, and peels) contain diverse bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, cucurbitacins, pectin polysaccharides, and carotenoids. Reported bioactivities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, antiproliferative, and geroprotective effects, mediated in part through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling and sirtuin (SIRT1/3/5/6) upregulation. Notably, a systematic meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in serum glucose (MD = −20.56; 95% CI: −29.35 to −11.77) and HbA1c following three months of chayote intake in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Industrially, chayote has been developed into fermented products, starch- and peel-derived bioactive films, ultrasound-extracted pectin, α-amylase inhibitory seed protein isolates, and probiotic encapsulation systems. Recent genomic work has further revealed a chromosome-level genome assembly, whole-genome duplication events, and a domestication history tracing to Mexico’s Oaxaca region. Collectively, this evidence positions chayote as a promising underutilized resource for food, nutraceutical, and biomedical use, while highlighting key gaps: the need for standardized clinical trials, bioavailability studies, and comprehensive safety evaluation.
Muhammad Bilal, Asad Abbas, Ralf Weiskirchen et al.· Foods· 0 citations
The family Orchidaceae is one of the most taxonomically diverse groups of angiosperms, recognized for their ornamental significance and their content of pharmacologically relevant secondary metabolites. This review critically evaluates the phytochemical diversity, bioactivities, and potential of Orchidaceae species as natural sources for the development of functional food products. This review is based on a comprehensive literature survey of 32 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus and PubMed through April 2025, which reports the presence of diverse bioactive compounds-mainly phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and anthocyanins in various orchid species and plant tissues. These compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidants, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-aging, photoprotective, and neuropharmacological effects. The concentration and composition of these metabolites depend on species differences, plant organ specificity, and extraction methods. Cumulative evidence underscores the underutilized potential of orchids as phytochemical reservoirs for nutraceutical applications. However, further translational research on bioavailability, safety, and functional stability in complex food systems is essential to enable their practical application in consumer health products. This review advocates intensive multidisciplinary research on Orchidaceae to open up new opportunities in the functional food and health-promoting bioactive industries.
Syntiya Inanda Khoidir, Deksa Aldebaran, Nur Aniza Aprilia et al.· Current Applied Science and...· 0 citations
Callistemon citrinus (Myrtaceae), a traditional medicinal herb, has been
used to treat various disorders associated with metabolism, digestion, inflammation, and respiration.
Recent discoveries in pharmacology, together with the herb's diverse phytochemistry, have raised
the possibility of multiple targets for medicinal interventions. This review attempts to critically analyse
the phytochemical profile and pharmacology of C. citrinus.
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases were used to do a systematic
literature search until 2025. PRISMA-based guidelines were used to screen and analyze
peer-reviewed research, including in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies. Information on biological
activity, mechanisms, safety profiles, and phytochemistry was retrieved.
Flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and sterols are just a few of the many bioactive
components found in C. citrinus. Pharmacological research demonstrates the antioxidant, antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties.
While other activities remain restricted to experimental models with inconsistent methodological
quality, antioxidant and antibacterial benefits are supported by rather consistent preclinical data.
Mechanistically, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, and metabolic pathways are all modulated.
However, there is little experimental confirmation; new in silico research points to multi-target
interactions. In acute and subacute models, toxicological research shows a favourable safety profile.
C. citrinus has various pharmacological properties due to its unique phytochemistry.
Although there is substantial research on its antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, all the information
is based on experimental data. There is a need for clinical trials to prove its potential therapeutic
benefits.
Although C. citrinus has remarkable therapeutic promise, the paucity of clinical studies
and pharmacokinetic data, and the lack of standardization hinder its clinical translation. Welldesigned
clinical trials, bioavailability improvement, and mechanistic validation should be the top
priorities for future research.
Shankul Kumar, Vedant Kumar Prajapati, A. Patel et al.· Current Chemical Biology· 0 citations
Wild edible plants such as Landolphia buchananii (Hallier f.) Stapf provide dietary diversity, thereby enhancing overall health and nutrition of local communities. The present study was aimed at reviewing the nutritional, medicinal, and ethnopharmacological properties of L. buchananii. This study is based on literature obtained from scientific databases such as SpringerLink, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and SciELO, as well as literature obtained from pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, and other scientific publications obtained from the university library. This research showed that the fruit pulp of L. buchananii is a good source of energy, classic nutrients, minerals and nutritionally important amino acids. The species is also characterized by alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids. The bark, roots and leaves of L. buchananii are used as molluscicides and traditional medicine against bilharzia, malaria, stomach problems, andrological disorders, backache, gastro-intestinal diseases, gonorrhoea, gynaecological disorders, hernia, joint pain, urinogenital disorders and wounds. The fruit and stem bark extracts of L. buchananii demonstrated antinociceptive, antioxidant, antipyretic, and cytotoxicity activities. Landolphia buchananii has the potential to enhance nutrition and primary healthcare of local communities in tropical Africa. Future research on L. buchananii should focus on detailed nutritional, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluations of the species.
A. Maroyi· Student's Journal of Health...· 0 citations
As interest in health functional foods increases, research on plant-derived bioactive raw materials has expanded. Among Allium species, Allium fistulosum L. (green onion) remains relatively underexplored compared with Allium sativum L. (garlic), despite its historical prominence in East Asian food cultures and traditional medicine. Specifically, the Donguibogam—a traditional Korean medical text—records the therapeutic efficacy of its bulb, referred to as “Chongbaek.” This scoping review aimed to summarize the reported biological mechanisms, health effects, and bioactive components of A. fistulosum, highlighting its cultural and medicinal value. The literature searches were conducted using three electronic databases—PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science—to identify articles published from January 2005 to June 2025, in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, evaluating various plant parts—including leaves, leaf sheath (stem), bulbs, roots, and seeds—comprehensively utilized in Asian culinary practices. fistulosum. The available evidence indicates that A. fistulosum is associated with biological activities related to immune modulation (regulation of cytokine signaling and activation of antioxidant enzymes), metabolic regulation (improvement in serum lipid and glucose levels), and bone growth (activation of growth factors). The major bioactive constituents identified across studies include organosulfur compounds (alliin, allicin, and L-alliin), polyphenols (ferulic acid, quercetin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, rutin, coumaric acid, and anthocyanins), and steroidal glycosides (saponins). This scoping review provides a structured synthesis of the current evidence base, scientifically validating the traditional ethnic uses of A. fistulosum and informing its future development as a health functional food ingredient or pharmaceutical material.
You‐Jin Kim, Do-yeon Kim, Seong-In Cheong· Journal of Ethnic Foods· 0 citations
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