This review examines recent advancements in nanoparticle-based delivery systems for phytochemicals, focusing on their role in overcoming multidrug resistance, improving therapeutic efficacy, and facilitating clinical translation. This review highlights recent advances in nanoparticle-enabled phytochemical delivery to enhance bioavailability, improve therapeutic outcomes, and enable targeted applications. By comparing various nanoparticle systems, formulation methods, and efficacy data, it identifies gaps in current research and guides the development of more effective, next-generation phytochemical-loaded nanocarriers. A systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Articles focusing on nanoparticle-based phytochemical delivery in cancer therapy were included. Compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, and epigallocatechin gallate demonstrate enhanced anti-cancer efficacy when encapsulated in nanoparticles, leading to improved bioavailability, increased tumor cell targeting, and reduced toxicity. Clinical trials indicate tumor regression and fewer adverse effects. Emerging approaches-such as nanogels, hybrid nanoparticles, and combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors-further refine treatment efficacy. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems significantly improve the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals, making them promising candidates for safer, more effective cancer treatments. However, challenges related to regulatory guidelines, scalability, and long-term safety must be addressed to fully realize their clinical potential.

Terfezia claveryi truffles are known for their nutritional value and have been considered among traditional treatments for ophthalmic infections and ailments. We sought to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of several T. claveryi extracts from Saudi Arabia. Certain pathogenic fungi and gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria were included. Dry extracts were prepared using methanol, ethyl acetate, and distilled water, while the latter was used for preparing fresh extracts. The extracts were microbiologically evaluated through the disc-diffusion agar method; the zones of inhibition of microbial growth were measured post-incubation. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined in Müller-Hinton Broth through the microdilution susceptibility method. anti-biofilm activity was assessed for potent extracts. Dry extracts showed potent activity (>16-mm inhibition zones) against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis IFO3007 and Staphylococcus aureus IFO3060) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa IFO3448 and Escherichia coli IFO3301) bacteria. The activity against fungi was moderate (12–16-mm inhibition zones) for both Aspergillus oryzae IFO4177 and Candida albicans IFO0583; there was no activity against Aspergillus niger IFO4414 growth. Methanolic extract had the lowest MIC and MBC, exhibiting remarkable activity against B. subtilis growth. Fresh extract showed moderate activity against bacterial growth and inactivity against fungal growth. Methanolic extract showed potent anti-biofilm activity (IC₅₀, 2.0 ± 0.18 mg/mL) against S. aureus. T. claveryi extracts showed antibacterial effects potentially suitable for clinical application, which warrants further in-depth analysis of their individual isolated compounds.

Wound healing is a critical process essential for the body’s recovery from injuries, often complicated by bacterial infections. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained attention due to their antibacterial and tissue-regenerative properties. However, conventional chemical synthesis methods for AgNPs pose environmental risks. This study utilizes Ziziphus spina-christi (ZSC) extract for the eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs, evaluating their antibacterial and wound-healing capabilities. The AgNPs-ZSC showed an absorption maximum at λ _max of 460 nm, a particle size of 111.2 ± 1.09 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.38 ± 0.006, and a zeta potential of −27.0 ± 0.231 mV. The synthesized AgNPs-ZSC were spherical, non-aggregated, and exhibited potent antibacterial activity superior to chloramphenicol. Furthermore, the AgNPs-ZSC cream significantly promoted wound closure, epithelial tissue proliferation, and granulation tissue formation in rats, showing no signs of toxicity or adverse reactions. In conclusion, AgNPs-ZSC cream demonstrates excellent antibacterial and wound-healing properties, presenting a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical methods for AgNP synthesis.

Chemical investigation of the total extract of the Egyptian soft coral Heteroxenia fuscescens, led to the isolation of eight compounds, including two new metabolites, sesquiterpene fusceterpene A (1) and a sterol fuscesterol A (4), along with six known compounds. The structures of 1–8 were elucidated via intensive studies of their 1D, 2D-NMR, and HR-MS analyses, as well as a comparison of their spectral data with those mentioned in the literature. Subsequent comprehensive in-silico-based investigations against almost all viral proteins, including those of the new variants, e.g., Omicron, revealed the most probable target for these isolated compounds, which was found to be M^pro. Additionally, the dynamic modes of interaction of the putatively active compounds were highlighted, depending on 50-ns-long MDS. In conclusion, the structural information provided in the current investigation highlights the antiviral potential of H. fuscescens metabolites with 3β,5α,6β-trihydroxy steroids with different nuclei against SARS-CoV-2, including newly widespread variants.

The leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.) Willd contain several compounds exhibiting different pharmacologic activities. However, studies on the cytotoxic activity of these compounds are limited. We aimed to investigate and isolate cytotoxic compounds with selective antitumor effects from the leaves of Z. spina-christi using bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract. Powdered, dried leaves were subjected to methanol extraction and fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Fractions with positive cytotoxicity against HeLa and THP-1 cell lines were further fractionated and eluted using various concentrations of organic solvents. Active compounds were isolated using different chromatographic methods and their chemical structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic methods, such as 1D NMR (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and DEPT), 2D NMR (COSY, HMBC, and HMQC), HRFAB-MS, and IR. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated against 62 tumor cell lines (including HeLa and THP-1) in addition to normal bone marrow cells. The chloroform and aqueous methanol fractions of the leaves showed cytotoxic activity. Two compounds were successfully isolated and named “sidrin” (13-β-hydroxy-lup-20(30)-ene-2,3-β-epoxy-28-carboxylate) and “sidroside” (3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1–3)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-jujubogenin-20-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside). Sidrin exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human leukemia (Hl-60, RPMI-8226), lung cancer (A549, EKVX), breast cancer (BT-549, MDA-MB-231/ATCC), colon cancer (KM12), melanoma (M14, SK-MEL-5), and central nervous system (CNS) cancer (SF-295) cell lines, and selectivity was observed against the Hl-60, EKVX, BT-549, KM12, and SF-295 cell lines. In addition, sidrin was more active than sidroside and doxorubicin against the Hl-60 and EKVX cell lines. In contrast, sidrin had a similar effect to doxorubicin against the BT-549 and renal cancer (UO-31) cell lines. Sidroside was more selective against the leukemia (CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4), lung cancer (HOP-92, NCI-H322M), breast cancer (MDA-MB-468), melanoma (LOX IMVI), CNS cancer (SNB-19), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-8), renal cancer (UO-31, RXF 393), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cell lines. Both compounds exhibited similar activity against the breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, T-47D), colon cancer (HCC-2998, HCT-116), ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3), renal cancer (UO-31, 786–0, and SN 12C) cell lines. Normal bone marrow cells were unaffected at the same concentrations of sidrin and sidroside applied to tumor cells. These results suggest tumor-selective cytotoxicity of sidrin and sidroside.

Acetaminophen overdose can cause liver damage, and represents the second most prevalent indication for liver transplantation on a global scale. This study evaluates the hepatoprotective potential of the crude extract from Cynanchum radians aerial parts against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity in mice using in vivo model. Phytochemical profiling was conducted using HPLC and GC-MS. The extract reduced ALT and AST levels in groups treated with C. radians in comparison with positive control and demonstrated marked liver protection via histological examinations. It contained 54.74 ± 0.92 mg GAE/g of flavonoids and 37.97 ± 0.12 mg QE/g of phenolics. Analysis revealed eight phenolic compounds, three flavonoids, three fatty acids, and one each of nitrogenous and cyclic hydrocarbons. The hepatoprotective effect may be attributed to the synergistic activity of phenolics and flavonoids, suggesting that C. radians may offer effective natural protection against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.