This study explores the anticancer, antioxidant, and phytochemical activities of Laurus nobilis L. ethanolic leaf extract. The extract demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines, showing strong cytotoxic effect against ovarian (ES2), head and neck (SAS), and colorectal (HT-29) cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.8 ± 0.3 to 4.4 ± 0.6 µg/mL. Notably, it exhibited only moderate inhibition of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line (IC₅₀ = 18.5 ± 0.8 µg/mL), possibly reflecting intrinsic differences in cell line sensitivity. Importantly, the extract showed low toxicity toward normal human fibroblasts (HDF), with an IC₅₀ value exceeding 100 µg/mL, indicating a favorable selectivity profile. The flow cytometry analysis showed that the extract caused cell death and stopped the cell cycle in both SAS and ES2 cancer cell lines. In SAS cells, extract treatment significantly increased apoptotic cells (21.1% ± 0.3%) compared to the control (6.3% ± 0.4%), along with G2 phase accumulation, indicating G2 arrest. Similarly, in ES2 cells, apoptosis increased (16.2% ± 1.3% vs. control 8.1% ± 1.0%), and a significant cell accumulation in the S phase was observed, suggesting disruption of cell cycle progression. Antioxidant screenings showed impressive dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity (25–2000 µg/mL), although less potent than ascorbic acid (2.6 µg/mL). UPLC-QTOF/MS phytochemical analysis revealed various phenolic constituents, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, and an inferred association with the recorded bioactivities. This preliminary work indicates that L. nobilis extracts may act as natural anticancer and antioxidant agents; however, it was limited to in vitro testing with non-standardized samples, underscoring the need for further research to validate and extend these findings for future applications.

Conventionally, diseases involving the selective loss of neurons are referred to as neurodegenerative diseases. Traditional and more recent compounds have been explored, but they only provide symptomatic benefits and have a large number of negative effects. It will be regarded as a modern vision if stronger molecules are found that can stop the pathophysiology of these diseases. In order to replace existing medications, natural compounds are being developed from plants and other sources. Natural products, including alkaloids that originate from plants, have emerged as potential protective agents against neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), psychiatric conditions, and many more. They provided unique lead compounds for medicine. Alkaloids could be exploited as starting materials for novel drug synthesis or, to a lesser extent, used to manage neurodegenerative-related complications due to their diverse mechanistic effects. This chapter aims to highlight the importance of alkaloids as new leads for the development of potential clinical drug candidates for the management and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) impacts a significant group of individuals today as a result of changing lifestyles. Over the past decade, there has been a revival of interest in the study of medicinal plants as a source of potential herbal medicine. Herbal medicine could become a new phase in the medical system for human disease management within the next few decades. In fact, a number of studies strongly suggest using medicinal herbs as one of the anti-nephrolithiatic treatments. Different bioactive substances found in plants, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, furanochromones, alkaloids, and terpenoids, may be useful in halting the development of stones. These natural resources do in fact contain bioactive compounds of many types, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which have recently been shown to have potent anti-nephrolithiatic properties. However, the outcomes of the experiments that have been conducted with these natural substances are still in the preclinical stages. Future research on clinical applications may therefore be a fruitful way to confirm the clinical utility of these medications.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Fabaceae) aqueous seed extract on milk production in rats and to assess its phytoconstituents. Method: Three groups of six lactating rats were used. Each lactating rat and her six pups were kept apart. From lactation day 3 to 17, each group received a daily single oral dose of distilled water, metoclopramide (5 mg/kg), or aqueous seed extract of fenugreek (200 mg/kg). Three groups of six virgin rats also received the same treatment for 14 days. An indirect technique of daily milk produced for weight gain of pups was used to assess milk production. Serum prolactin levels in virgin rats were determined on days 1, 7 and 14. Bioactive compounds of fenugreek seed extract were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Results: On day 14, fenugreek seed extract and metoclopramide significantly increased prolactin levels in virgin rats (p ˂ 0.01, p ˂ 0.001), but only metoclopramide significantly increased milk production and pup weight gain (p ˂ 0.05). Chromatographic analysis revealed diverse phytoconstituents of flavonoids, carbohydrates and amino acids. Conclusion: Fenugreek seed extract significantly influences serum prolactin levels in virgin rats but does not affect the milk production of lactating rats.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of caraway seed aqueous extract on milk production in female rats and elucidate its bioactive components. We used three groups of six virgin rats and three groups of six lactating rats. We kept each mother rat and her six pups apart. From the third to the seventeenth day of breastfeeding, these groups of animals received distilled water, metoclopramide (5 mg/kg), and aqueous extracts of caraway seed (200 mg/kg) daily by mouth. We used the indirect method, which established a link between the amount of milk nursing rats produced and the weight gain of pups who received no food. We also measure the prolactin levels of female rats who have never been pregnant on specific days. On Day 14, the groups that received caraway seed fluid extracts (200 mg/kg) or metoclopramide (5 mg/kg) showed significantly higher prolactin levels (P > 0.01 and P > 0.001, respectively). Studies have shown that caraway seed significantly increases prolactin levels (P> 0.05) as early as Day 7. Only with (5 mg/kg) of metoclopramide did milk production and pup weight gain go up significantly (P > 0.05). An extract of caraway seed affects prolactin levels in rats, but it does not affect milk production. Further research is necessary to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of caraway seed.