The COVID-19 pandemic has intensively disrupted global health, economics, and well-being. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees has been used as a complementary treatment for COVID-19 in several Asian countries. This review aimed to summarize the information available regarding A. paniculata and its constituents, to provide critical points relating to its pharmacological properties, safety, and efficacy, revealing its potential to serve as a source of lead compounds for COVID-19 drug discovery. A. paniculata and its active compounds possess favorable antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antipyretic activities that could be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment. Interestingly, recent in silico and in vitro studies have revealed that the active ingredients in A. paniculata showed promising activities against 3CLpro and its virus-specific target protein, human hACE2 protein; they also inhibit infectious virion production. Moreover, existing publications regarding randomized controlled trials demonstrated that the use of A. paniculata alone or in combination was superior to the placebo in reducing the severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) manifestations, especially as part of early treatment, without serious side effects. Taken together, its chemical and biological properties, especially its antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2, clinical trials on URTI, and the safety of A. paniculata, as discussed in this review, support the argument that A. paniculata is a promising natural source for drug discovery regarding COVID-19 post-infectious treatment, rather than prophylaxis.

Menopause is characterized by a decline in estrogen levels, leading to symptoms such as vasomotor instability, osteoporosis, and increased cardiovascular and cognitive risk. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the gold standard for managing menopausal symptoms; however, concerns regarding its long-term safety, including elevated risks of cancer and cardiovascular events, have prompted interest in alternative therapies. Phytoestrogens, particularly the isoflavones daidzein and genistein, are plant-derived compounds structurally similar to 17β-estradiol (E2) and capable of binding estrogen receptors. Found abundantly in soybeans and red clover, these compounds exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)-like activity, favoring ERβ over ERα, which underlies their tissue-specific effects. In vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies demonstrate their ability to modulate estrogenic pathways, inhibit oxidative stress, and influence reproductive and neurological function. Clinical trials show that daidzein and genistein, especially in equol-producing individuals, can reduce vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. While results across studies vary, consistent findings support their safety and modest efficacy, particularly for women unable or unwilling to use HRT. Pharmacokinetic studies reveal moderate bioavailability and interindividual variability due to gut microbiota metabolism. At dietary levels, these compounds are generally safe, although high-dose supplementation is discouraged in individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers. Emerging evidence suggests lifelong consumption of soy-based foods may reduce cancer risk. In conclusion, daidzein and genistein represent promising, well-tolerated natural alternatives to conventional HRT, offering symptom relief and additional health benefits. Further research is warranted to optimize dosing, improve clinical outcomes, and clarify long-term safety in diverse populations, particularly with genetic variations in isoflavone metabolism.

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) is a traditional medicinal plant rich in bioactive alkaloids and phenolics, known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This study aimed to develop nanoparticle-based topical gels from ethanolic extracts of four kratom varieties, including Kan Daeng (KD), Hang Kang (HK), Tai Bai-yao (KY), and Kan Keaw (KG). Kratom NPs were prepared using a solvent displacement method. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited sizes of 201.9–256.2 nm, polydispersity indices (PDI) below 0.3, and a zeta potential between −22.6 and −29.6 mV. The phytochemical analysis revealed that KG and KY extracts contained the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), which were mostly retained after NP formulation. The HPLC analysis confirmed HK as the richest source of mitragynine (9.97 ± 0.10% w/w), while NP formulations displayed slightly reduced levels. Antioxidant activities assessed by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays revealed enhanced radical scavenging in nanoparticle formulations, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 151.23 to 199.87 µg/mL (DPPH) and 207.37 to 272.83 µg/mL (ABTS). All formulations exhibited a significant inhibition of collagenase (80.56 ± 1.60 to 97.23 ± 0.29%), elastase (45.46 ± 6.53 to 52.19 ± 1.20%), and hyaluronidase (83.23 ± 2.34 to 91.67 ± 3.56%), with nanoparticle forms showing superior enzyme inhibition. Notably, nanoparticle formulations exhibited superior inhibitory effects compared to crude extracts. HaCaT cytotoxicity tests confirmed high biocompatibility (IC₅₀ > 700 µg/mL), especially for KD and KG NPs. The NP-loaded gels demonstrated acceptable physicochemical stability after heating/cooling cycle testing, with pH (7.27 to 7.88), viscosity (10.719 to 12.602 Pa·s), and favorable visual and textural properties. In summary, KG and KY cultivars emerged as the most promising cosmeceutical candidates due to their superior phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, enzyme-inhibitory activities, and formulation performance. These findings support the potential use of KG NP and KY NP-loaded gels as multifunctional cosmeceutical agents for antioxidant protection, anti-aging, and skin rejuvenation.

Particulate matter (PM), particularly fine (PM_2.5) and ultrafine (PM_0.1) particles, originates from both natural and anthropogenic sources, such as biomass burning and vehicle emissions. These particles contain harmful compounds that pose significant health risks. Upon inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact, PM can penetrate biological systems, inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage, which contribute to a range of health complications. This review comprehensively examines the protective potential of natural products against PM-induced health issues across various physiological systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, skin, neurological, gastrointestinal, and ocular systems. It provides valuable insights into the health risks associated with PM exposure and highlights the therapeutic promise of herbal medicines by focusing on the natural products that have demonstrated protective properties in both in vitro and in vivo PM_2.5-induced models. Numerous herbal medicines and phytochemicals have shown efficacy in mitigating PM-induced cellular damage through their ability to counteract oxidative stress, suppress pro-inflammatory responses, and enhance cellular defense mechanisms. These combined actions collectively protect tissues from PM-related damage and dysfunction. This review establishes a foundation for future research and the development of effective interventions to combat PM-related health issues. However, further studies, including in vivo and clinical trials, are essential to evaluate the safety, optimal dosages, and long-term effectiveness of herbal treatments for patients under chronic PM exposure.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) has gained increasing global attention due to its traditional use, psychoactive properties, and emerging therapeutic potential; however, concerns regarding adulteration, substitution, and inconsistent quality of commercial products necessitate robust authentication strategies. This study aimed to integrate DNA barcoding and comprehensive chemical profiling to authenticate kratom variants and discriminate them from closely allied Mitragyna species for quality control and forensic applications. Nine DNA barcoding regions were analyzed, alongside chemical characterization using UHPLC, GC–MS, and LC–MS/QTOF. Among the tested loci, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and ITS2 regions exhibited the highest interspecific variation and effectively distinguished kratom from allied species. UHPLC and GC–MS analyses confirmed that mitragynine was exclusively detected in kratom variants, with Kan Khiao exhibiting the highest content (94.33 ± 0.14 mg/g) when quantified against the mitragynine standard using UHPLC analysis. LC–MS/QTOF profiling revealed an alkaloid-rich chemotype in kratom dominated by mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, whereas M. diversifolia, M. hirsuta, and M. rotundifolia showed distinct profiles enriched in phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides. Multivariate analyses further identified procyanidin B1, datiscetin-3-O-rutinoside, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine as key discriminatory markers. Overall, the combined molecular and chemical workflow provides a robust framework for kratom authentication, supporting regulatory monitoring, quality assurance, and forensic identification of kratom materials.

Ngueak Pla Mo is a Thai medicinal crude drug derived from the pharmacopoeial Acanthus species A. ebracteatus Vahl and A. ilicifolius L.; however, morphological similarity and the occurrence of non-pharmacopoeial substitutes such as A. montanus (Nees) T. Anderson may complicate authentication and quality control. This study aimed to develop an integrated molecular–chemical approach for differentiating pharmacopoeial Ngueak Pla Mo species from A. montanus. Twenty authenticated Acanthus samples were analyzed using ITS2 DNA barcoding, including nucleotide variation, pairwise genetic distance, barcode gap, haplotype network, phylogenetic analysis, and predicted ITS2 secondary structure. Representative samples were further examined by untargeted LC–QTOF/MS metabolite profiling combined with hierarchical clustering, PCA, PLS-DA, VIP analyses, fold-change evaluation, and specificity scoring. ITS2 analyses clearly separated A. montanus from A. ebracteatus and A. ilicifolius, supported by diagnostic sequence variation, positive barcode gaps, distinct haplotypes, phylogenetic clustering, and secondary-structure differences, whereas A. ebracteatus and A. ilicifolius could not be reliably differentiated from each other at the species level using ITS2. LC–QTOF/MS profiling revealed species-consistent metabolite patterns and prioritized gallic acid, catechol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, trigonelline, and ursolic acid as preliminary candidate markers for A. montanus discrimination. These results indicate that combining ITS2 barcoding with metabolite profiling provides complementary evidence for Ngueak Pla Mo authentication and supports future quality-control development.