Aug 2026· Pharmaceuticals· Vol 19, pp. 1258· 0 citations· 163 references
Medicine
TL;DR
Overall, R. communis emerges as a chemically versatile species with significant therapeutic and industrial potential, warranting further research into cultivar-specific chemistry, standardization of extraction and testing methods, and safe value-adding applications.
Abstract
This review consolidates current knowledge on the phytochemical composition, traditional uses, pharmacological properties, and industrial application of Ricinus communis L. This plant belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is a globally distributed plant of considerable medicinal and industrial importance. It is rich in bioactive compounds, notably ricinoleic acid as the dominant fatty acid in seed oil, as well as ricin, ricinine, phenolic acids and flavonoids distributed across different plant parts. Variations in phytochemical profiles among cultivars and tissues are influenced by genetic and environmental influences. Traditional medicinal uses of the leaves, roots, seeds, and oil, particularly for inflammatory conditions, pain, infections, wound healing, and gastrointestinal disorders, are critically examined in relation to experimental pharmacological evidence. Castor oil extracted from the R. communis plant remains central to the plant’s industrial value, serving as a renewable feedstock for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, polymers, lubricants, and biofuels due to the unique hydroxyl functionality of ricinoleic acid. However, the presence of the highly toxic protein ricin in unprocessed seeds necessitates strict processing and safety controls. Overall, R. communis emerges as a chemically versatile species with significant therapeutic and industrial potential, warranting further research into cultivar-specific chemistry, standardization of extraction and testing methods, and safe value-adding applications.
BACKGROUND
Cannabis sativa is among the earliest domesticated plants and has been widely utilized for nutritional, industrial, and medicinal purposes. While its aerial parts, particularly the leaves and inflorescences, have been extensively studied due to their recreational and therapeutic applications, the roots remain comparatively neglected, despite their long-standing use in traditional medicine for treating wounds, burns, and inflammation.
AIM
This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the phytochemical composition and biological activities of C. sativa roots, with emphasis on their pharmacological potential. RESULTS: The roots of C. sativa contain a diverse spectrum of secondary metabolites, including phytosterols, alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds. These bioactive constituents have been reported to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. In vivo studies further demonstrate nociceptive and antispasmodic effects, with no evidence of cytotoxicity.
CONCLUSION
C. sativa roots represent an underexplored pharmacognostic resource with significant potential for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. Their chemical diversity and biological activities provide a strong rationale for renewed scientific attention, supporting future research into this underestimated part of a species of growing medical and economic relevance.
Tiago Antônio Heringer, Chana de Medeiros da Silva, D. Ramos et al.· Journal of Cannabis Research· 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
Calendula officinalis L. (pot marigold) is a medicinal and edible plant used as a source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in functional foods. This review brings together current data on the phytochemical profile, biological activity, agronomic factors, and food applications of C. officinalis, based on 76 publications. More than 500 secondary metabolites have been reported in this species, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, coumarins, and essential-oil components. Reported levels depend strongly on cultivar, growing conditions, plant part, and analytical method. Total flavonoid content in dried flowers ranges from 0.21 to 0.68% across 20 European cultivars, with up to 1.7% in selected Estonian-grown cultivars such as ‘Radio’. Reported total carotenoid values cover almost two orders of magnitude (about 48 to 3510 mg/100 g of dried material), reflecting differences in plant part, colour variant, and method (spectrophotometric sum vs. HPLC). Dried flowers contain up to 62.33 g/100 g of total dietary fibre (mostly insoluble). The associated activities are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, regenerative, cytotoxic, and neuroprotective. Recent food-application studies show useful effects in yogurt (0.25 g lyophilized extract/100 g), wheat bread (10–15% of formulation water replaced with aqueous extract), and fresh pasta (5% flower powder substitution), with notable increases in antioxidant capacity and acceptable sensory scores. The number of full food-product trials is still small, and this review identifies the processing variables and the research gaps that determine whether C. officinalis can be used as a standard functional-food ingredient.
Anna Owczarek, J. Harasym· Applied Sciences· 0 citations
Lupins have been cultivated since ancient times. Poland ranks second in the world in terms of lupin cultivation area (second only to Australia), particularly for narrow-leaved lupin. It is used in various industries. The purpose of this review is to analyze data on the chemical composition of narrow-leaved lupin in comparison with other species of this genus, as well as to identify its potential applications. The literature data characterize narrow-leaved lupin in terms of its content of protein, lectins, fat, carotenoids, phytosterols, fiber, sugars, alkaloids, vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, volatile organic compounds, and micro- and macronutrients. Due to its interesting qualitative and quantitative composition, this species may play a significant role in human nutrition—not only as an alternative source of protein, but above all as a source of health-promoting compounds. Studies conducted on humans and animals have demonstrated a wide range of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects. In addition, in vitro studies suggest anticancer effects. Among the tangible outcomes of research and commercialization efforts is the availability on the consumer market of food and cosmetic products containing lupin. Due to its properties, this species has a wide range of applications. However, to meet the requirements of various industrial sectors, a collaborative approach is necessary among plant breeders, scientists, and industry representatives working to improve this species. Only through joint efforts can the use of narrow-leaved lupin be expanded.
Maciej Jakobina, R. Galek, Marta Preisner· Molecules· 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
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to examine M. pubescens's pharmacological, phytochemical, and toxicological properties. Furthermore, the study intends to explore and disseminate all relevant facts and information regarding this species' chemical compounds and medicinal uses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This investigation was conducted using a range of scholarly resources, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Plantlist.org was used to verify the correct plant names. The bibliographic material retrieved was used to interpret, analyze, and document the findings of this inquiry.
RESULTS
This plant is commonly used in conventional medicine due to its high content of phytochemicals. These chemical compounds, known as secondary metabolites, include phenols, flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids, and tannins, and are associated with medicinal properties. These chemicals are ideal for modern medicinal use because of their antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities. As our scientific understanding of their biological properties deepens, plant secondary metabolites are increasingly being used as medicines and food additives for flavoring and cooking.
DISCUSSION
This study provides a thorough analysis of the pharmacological and medicinal properties of M. pubescens. Despite this, studies in the literature have shown that M. pubescens is a valuable medicinal resource with a range of pharmacological properties. It is a strong candidate for research and the development of new therapeutic treatments because it has demonstrated a variety of pharmacological traits that support its traditional use.
CONCLUSION
This review focuses on the distribution, chemistry, and principal applications of M. pubescens, identifying potential research and the exploration of medicinal uses through clinical trials.
Smail Amtaghri, C. R. Ngnameko, M. Matsabisa· Endocrine, Metabolic & Immun...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
