The advancement in nanotechnology is the trigger for exploring the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their use in biomedicine. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize selenium nanoparticles using M. oleifera as a reducing agent and evaluate their antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. Our result demonstrated a change in the color of the mixture from yellow to red, and UV-Vis spectrometry of the suspension solution confirmed the formation of MO-SeNPs with a single absorbance peak in the range of 240–560 nm wavelength. FTIR analysis revealed several bioactive compounds, such as phenols and amines, that could possibly be responsible for the reduction and stabilization of the MO-SeNPs. FESEM + EDX analysis revealed that the amorphous MO-SeNPs are of high purity, have a spherical shape, and have a size of 20–250 nm in diameter, as determined by HRTEM. MO-SeNPs also exhibit the highest DPPH scavenging activity of 84% at 1000 μg/mL with an IC50 of 454.1 μg/mL and noteworthy reducing ability by reducing power assay. Furthermore, MO-SeNPs showed promising antidiabetic properties with dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylase (26.7% to 44.53%) and α-glucosidase enzyme (4.73% to 19.26%). Hence, these results demonstrated that M. oleifera plant extract possesses the potential to reduce selenium ions to SeNPs under optimized conditions with notable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.

2-phenylchromen-4-one, commonly known as flavone, plays multifaceted roles in biological response that can be abundantly present in natural sources. The methoxy group in naturally occurring flavones promotes cytotoxic activity in various cancer cell lines by targeting protein markers, in facilitating ligand–protein binding mechanisms and activating cascading downstream signaling pathways leading to cell death. However, the lipophilic nature of these analogs is a key concern as it impacts drug membrane transfer. While lipophilicity is crucial for drug efficacy, the excessive lipophilic effects in flavonoids can reduce water solubility and hinder drug transport to target sites. Recent in vitro studies suggest that the incorporation of polar hydroxyl groups which can form hydrogen bonds and stabilize free radicals may help overcome the challenges associated with methoxy groups while maintaining their essential lipophilic properties. Naturally coexisting with methoxyflavones, this review explores the synergistic role of hydroxy and methoxy moieties through hydrogen bonding capacity in maximizing cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. The physicochemical analysis revealed the potential intramolecular interaction and favorable electron delocalization region between both moieties to improve cytotoxicity levels. Together, the analysis provides a useful strategy for the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of flavonoid analogs in distinct protein markers, suggesting optimal functional group positioning to achieve balanced lipophilicity, effective hydrogen bonding, and simultaneously minimized steric hindrance in targeting specific cancer cell types.

The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway regulates cell metabolism, inflammation and the immune response. This signalling pathway is essential for maintaining reproductive homeostasis and influencing steroidogenesis, implantation, and embryonic development. The central sensor, AMPK, regulates cell function in response to metabolic stress. The dysregulation of AMPK signalling has been implicated in several female reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, infertility, and reproductive ageing. This review provides an overview of the role of AMPK in reproductive function and disorders, as well as potential therapeutic targets to restore balance in this signalling pathway. It discusses AMPK signalling in folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, pregnancy maintenance, pre-eclampsia (PE) pathogenesis, PCOS, preterm birth, endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea and other disorders related to female reproduction. A deeper understanding of AMPK signalling in these contexts could provide new insights for the development of therapeutic interventions for reproductive health.

This review aims to gather and summarize up-to-date information on the potential health benefits of Nigella sativa (NS) on diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications from different animal models, clinical trials and in vitro studies. DM is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders resulting from chronic hyperglycaemia due to problems in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. It affects people regardless of age, gender and race. The main consequence of DM development is the metabolic dysregulation of glucose homeostasis. Current treatments for DM include pharmacological therapy, insulin and diabetic therapy targeting β cells. Some of these therapeutic approaches are promising; however, their safety and effectiveness remain elusive. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used and proven effective against diseases. These plants are believed to be effective and benefit physiological and pathological processes, as they can be used to prevent, reduce or treat multiple diseases. Nigella sativa Linn. is an annual indigenous herbaceous plant belonging to Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family. NS exhibits multifactorial activities; it could ameliorate oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic and insulinotropic effects and inhibit carbohydrate digestive enzymes. Thus, this review demonstrates the therapeutic potential of NS that could be used as a complement or adjuvant for the management of DM and its complications. However, future research should be able to replicate and fill in the gaps of the study conducted to introduce NS safely to patients with DM.

Background/Objectives: This review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the current evidence on Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) and its potential therapeutic role in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. CNS disorders encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord, leading to various neurological, cognitive and psychiatric impairments. In recent years, natural products have emerged as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of CNS disorders due to their outstanding bioactivity and favourable safety profile. One such plant is A. officinarum, also known as lesser galangal, a perennial herb from the Zingiberaceae family. Its phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids and phenols have been documented to have a powerful antioxidants effect, capable of scavenging free radicals and preventing oxidative damage. Methods: In this review, we critically evaluate the in vitro and in vivo studies and examine the mechanisms by which A. officinarum exerts its neuroprotective effect. Results: Several studies have confirmed that A. officinarum exerts its neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, promoting neurite outgrowth, and modulating neurotransmitter levels and signalling pathways. Conclusions: Although previous studies have shown promising results in various models of neurological disorders, the underlying mechanisms of A. officinarum in Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are still poorly understood. Further studies on brain tissue and cognitive and motor functions in animal models of AD and PD are needed to validate the results observed in in vitro studies. In addition, further clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of A. officinarum in CNS disorders.

A Thai-native herbal species, Kaempferia parviflora (K. parviflora) is a dark purple, stemless rhizome that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family with historical medicinal benefits. The rhizome has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, allergic, and pain relief for centuries, which gave rise to its discovery as an anti-inflammatory agent. Phytochemical investigations of K. parviflora extract (KPE) showed flavones as a major compound in the crude extract, with multiple methoxy functional groups in its chemical structure known as polymethoxyflavones (PMFs). To date, 15 PMFs with methoxy-group varied from 1 to 5 have been discovered. Furthermore, the hydroxylation of PMFs compounds further expands its promising bioactivities. The PMFs in crude extract constitute numerous biological activities, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant , antimicrobial, and more, despite its high lipophilic character and low water solubility reported that hindered its maximum potential in drug discovery. Nonetheless, the mechanism induced by the specific PMFs from crude KPE has yet to be thoroughly discussed. Thus, we aim to discuss the major biological activities of the crude KPE and its isolated PMFs, together with the mechanism of action for the respective compound. Furthermore, the phytochemical investigations and structure–activity relationship of PMFs were reviewed to provide additional evidence of the chemistry of PMFs and their reported biological activities. In addition, the toxicology reports of crude extract and PMFs were summarized to determine the optimal dosage for future studies. Therefore, this article includes advanced strategies of the crude KPE and PMFs to improve drug delivery and bioavailability through structural modification, transport vehicle, microencapsulation, nanosuspension, metal nanoparticles, and self-micro and -nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS & SNEDDS). Overall, the reviews provide a comprehensive analysis of the current therapeutics’ potential of PMFs and crude KPE, besides its obstacles and several strategies for potential applications in future studies.