Innumerable plants have been used widely as integral medicinal sources since the start of human civilization. The demand for herbal medicines is constantly increasing with time overtime. Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra family Leguminosae) is one of the most used herbal plants in foods, in medicinal forms, and substantially researched on a worldwide scale. It was used as traditional and complementary medicine against innumerable ailments including allergies, liver toxicity, gastric ulcer, lung diseases, skin disorders, oral health problems including tooth decay, and inflammation. The constituents of licorice include various essential oils, sugars, inorganic salts, resins, amino acids, and nucleic acids. Biological activity has been observed to be portrayed by active compounds of licorice including triterpene, flavonoids, and saponins. In recent years, licorice has been widely researched to discover its benefits, constituents, and its mechanism of action. The review summarizes the therapeutic and pharmacological benefits of licorice and its uses in different health-related conditions along with its toxicity and maximum levels of licorice consumption.

Black pepper ( Piper nigrum L.) is a popular spice that is grown as tropical and subtropical plant throughout the world. The leaf, flower, fruit, and root are the most important elements of the plant. Asexual or vegetative propagation is becoming highly popular, although the sexual approach is still used for pepper vine cultivation. For mass production of the pepper plant, in vitro culture is also used. The bioactive components contained in them are extremely important because of their therapeutic potential against a number of diseases. They are usually classed as functional foods because, in addition to providing basic nutrition, provide physiological benefits and help to avoid chronic illness. The main component of black pepper is piperine. It has a complex phyto-chemistry includes: Volatile oil, alkaloids, and oleoresins. Because of its free-radical scavenging properties, black pepper and its active components can be prevention and control of tumor growth. Piperine, which can bind and inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the sickness, is present in black pepper and has antibacterial and antiviral effects. Piperine, a key alkaloid component of black pepper, it also helps to cognitive brain function, nutritional absorption, and gastrointestinal health. Black pepper is known as the “King of Spices” as well as the “King of Medicinal Agents,” since it includes a wide variety of bioactive compounds with nutraceutical and pharmacological applications. An overview of the most common applications for black pepper, along with a strong evidence is present in this review.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a condition where cholesterol levels in the body exceed the normal range. If the condition is longer, it can cause metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The therapy of synthetic drugs has side effects that can be fatal (rhabdomyolysis). Needed to find natural remedies with minimal side effects. There are many nutritional components contained in cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde. The cinnamaldehyde, a substance that is thought to affect cholesterol levels. The study aims to determine the efficacy of Cinnamomum burmannii in lowering total cholesterol levels of mice (Mus musculus) given high-fat feed. Methods: This is an experimental study with a pre-post control study design. The groupings were performed by a simple random sampling method. The male mice were divided into five groups (n=6/group): 1) negative control (aquadest); 2) positive control of high-fat containing food (HFC; quail yolk); 3) HFC + cinnamon extract (CE; dose 2mg/20g body weight (BW); 4) HFC + CE (dose 4mg/20gBW); 5) HFC + CE (dose 8mg/20gBW). The study was conducted for 28 days. Consumption of quail yolk as HFC to increasing cholesterol in mice. The intervention of CE started on day 15 and ended on day 28. Measurement of total cholesterol and BW of mice was performed on days 0, 14 and 28. Results: The comparison of total cholesterol levels in the K1 group (120.3 ± 5.53 mg/dl) to K2 (107.3 ± 3.61 mg/dl), K3 (106.8 ± 4.57 mg/dl) and K4 (106.7 ± 0.51 mg/dl) showed decreased significantly different (p = 0.001) in groups consuming CE. However, there was not a significant change between groups in mice BW (p = 0.419). Conclusions: The cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) proved can be lowering of total cholesterol levels for 14 days in mice compared without given cinnamon after consumption of high-fat containing foods.

Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) may serve as an alternative anti-dandruff treatment; however, its effects on Malassezia spp. remain unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of C. ternatea as an herbal-based anti-dandruff treatment on Malassezia spp. DNA expression, plakoglobin levels, IL-8 levels, sebum levels, dandruff severity scores, adverse effects, and patient satisfaction. An experimental study with a pretest-posttest control design was conducted at Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, Arifin Achmad Hospital, Pekanbaru, Indonesia, from November 2023 to January 2024. The flower of C. ternatea was used to formulate the shampoo. The study involved 70 female patients aged 18–25 with dandruff, who were divided into two groups: (a) experimental group using 20% C. ternatea shampoo; and (b) control group using 2% ketoconazole shampoo. The present study found that 2% ketoconazole shampoo significantly reduced Malassezia spp. DNA expression compared to 20% C. ternatea shampooo (Clitoria ternatea: ΔCq=1.76±3.18; ketoconazole: ΔCq=3.77±2.90; p=0.008). No significant difference was observed in plakoglobin levels (C. ternatea: ΔCq=1.98±3.63; ketoconazole: ΔCq=2.50±2.36; p=0.427) or IL-8 levels (C. ternatea: ΔCq=3.46±4.00; ketoconazole: ΔCq=4.16 ± 3.62; p=0.459). C. ternatea significantly reduced sebum levels more than ketoconazole (C. ternatea: 1.16±0.98%; ketoconazole: 0.22±0.38%; p<0.001). Dandruff scores and patient satisfaction were similar for both shampoos (p=0.115 and p=0.336, respectively). Adverse effects were more common in the 2% ketoconazole shampoo group, affecting 21.2% of the patients. In conclusion, 2% ketoconazole shampoo is more effective in reducing Malassezia spp. DNA expression, while 20% C. ternatea shampoo offers better sebum control. Both shampoos are similarly effective in ameliorating dandruff severity and are well-tolerated, with fewer adverse effects reported for C. ternatea.

The importance of nutrition and its impact on human well-being has increased interest in "functional foods." This has prompted a reevaluation of the practical advantages offered by various conventional food sources. it is the richest known source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), phytoestrogen lignans, and solubility fiber, flax continues to acquire popularity as a functional food and is currently gaining attention in the field of cardiovascular disease. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, a lignin derivative found in flaxseeds, is metabolized into mammalian lignans. Lignans have numerous biological effects. Flax lignans have an effect on the early warning indications of breast and colon carcinogenesis in animal models. Regular flaxseed consumption may affect total and lowdensity lipoprotein levels in the blood. Increase serum levels of the omega-3 fatty acids ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid, reduce inflammatory markers, and reduce postprandial glucose absorption. Flaxseed has demonstrated significant antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties in both animal and human research. In cases such as cardiovascular risk, certain types of cancer, and other metabolic disorders, a flaxseed supplement in the diet may be beneficial. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of fresh flaxseed and flaxseed-based baked goods for maintaining health and preventing disease. This article focuses on the 'nutraceutical' potential of 'flaxseed' and its function as a 'medicine food' that is both therapeutic and preventative.

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has highlighted an urgent need for alternative antibacterial therapies. Traditional herbal extracts offer potential as natural antimicrobial agents with fewer side effects compared to conventional antibiotics. This review examines the effectiveness of specific herbal extracts—Curcuma longa (turmeric), Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus), and Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed)—against MDR bacterial strains. Data from various studies indicate that these extracts, particularly in methanolic and aqueous forms, exhibit inhibitory effects on pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Notably, C. longa methanolic extracts showed the strongest antibacterial activity across strains, while O. ficus-indica extracts were effective in autoclaved forms against resistant strains. Comparatively, L. usitatissimum displayed minimal direct antibacterial action but may hold promise in combined therapies. This review also highlights synergistic effects observed when these herbal extracts are paired with conventional antibiotics, suggesting potential for reduced antibiotic dosages. Given the increasing antibiotic resistance, these findings support the integration of traditional herbal treatments as complementary options in antibacterial strategies. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction methods and evaluating the clinical applicability of these herbal alternatives in combating MDR pathogens.