Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) play a significant role in modern medicine, with their size, shape, and surface chemistry strongly influencing their biological performance. Smaller nanoparticles (1-100 nm) can penetrate cells more easily, while different shapes such as spheres, rods, cubes, triangles, wires, and stars impact their antimicrobial activity and drug delivery efficiency. This review highlights the importance of precise control over these properties during synthesis to optimize their therapeutic potential. Green synthesis methods, including plant-based and microbial approaches, are presented as safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemical processes. The review also discusses surface functionalization strategies such as biodegradable coatings, targeting ligands, and hybrid structures that enhance nanoparticle stability, reduce toxicity, and enable selective delivery to sites like tumors or infected tissues. As highlighted in the review, Ag NPs hold great promise in antimicrobial therapy, targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, stem cell support, and cancer treatment. Emerging research also indicates potential benefits in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Despite these advances, key challenges remain, including low synthesis yields, poor reproducibility, scale-up difficulties, potential toxicity, uncertain biological mechanisms, and a lack of regulatory clarity. The review indicates the urgent need for improved synthesis control and rigorous safety evaluations to support the clinical translation of Ag NP-based technologies.

Peptic ulcer disease remains a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. Current treatments often have limitations, sparking interest in alternative therapies from medicinal plants. This review examines the gastroprotective potential of 54 North African medicinal plants against peptic ulcers. An extensive literature search was conducted, focusing on plants with preclinical and clinical evidence of anti‐ulcer efficacy and documented use in North African traditional medicine. The review identified several promising plant species, such as licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ), chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla ), olive ( Olea europaea ), pomegranate ( Punica granatum ), Aloe vera, and black seed ( Nigella sativa ), along with their bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit gastroprotective properties through multiple mechanisms, such as enhancing the gastric mucosal barrier, inhibiting acid secretion, displaying antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects, promoting ulcer healing, and combating Helicobacter pylori infection. The evidence presented includes in vitro assays, animal models, and some clinical studies. While many of the 53 plants reviewed demonstrated significant anti‐ulcer effects compared to standard drugs, further clinical research is needed to establish efficacy and safety in humans. The synergistic actions of phytochemical mixtures in medicinal plant extracts likely contribute to their therapeutic potential. This review highlights the role these North African medicinal plants may play in the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcers and identifies promising candidates for further research and development of evidence‐based botanical therapies.

This study reports the biochemical profile and in vitro biological activities of the aerial part of two shrubs: Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda fruticosa, a halophytes species native to saline habitats. The biomass was evaluated by determining its physiological properties and approximate composition. Hydro-methanolic extracts from Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda fruticosa have been investigated for the inhibition of bacterial growth, the protection of proteins (albumin) from denaturation, and cytotoxicity to hepatocellular carcinomas (Huh-7 and HepG2). Their antioxidant activity was evaluated by five tests, including one that examined their ability to inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced hemolysis. The profile of their phenolic compounds was also determined. These two euhalophytes had a high moisture content, high levels of photosynthetic pigments, elevated levels of ash and protein, low oxidative damage indices, MDA (Malondialdehyde) and proline, and low lipids levels. Their content was also characterized by a moderate acidity with good electrical conductivity. They contained abundant levels of phytochemicals and varied phenolic contents. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, and quercetin in both plant extracts. On the pharmaceutical level, the two euhalophytes had anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties, and therefore it was recommended to isolate and identify biologically active compounds from these plants and evaluate them in vivo.