Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L) is an ancient perennial plant species regarded as a multipurpose plant owing to its richness in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including α-linolenic acid (ALA). The extensive biochemical analysis of flaxseed resulted in the identification of its bioactive, i.e., lignans with potential application in the improvement of human health. Flaxseed oil, fibers, and lignans exert potential health benefits including reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders that have led to the diversification of flaxseed plant applications. This comprehensive review focuses on flaxseed oil as the major product of flaxseed with emphasis on the interrelationship between its chemical composition and biological effects. Effects reviewed include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anti-osteoporotic, cardioprotective, metabolic, and neuroprotective. This study provides an overview of flaxseed oil effects with the reported action mechanisms related to its phytochemical composition and in comparison, to other PUFA-rich oils. This study presents the most updated and comprehensive review summarizing flaxseed oil’s health benefits for the treatment of various diseases. Graphical Abstract

A new xanthone glycoside, 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C-4-β-d-glucopyranoside was isolated from the methanol extract of Mangifera indica leaves (Anacardiaceae) growing in Egypt. The structure was clarified by 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. The physicochemical properties of the compound such as lipophilicity, solubility, and formulation considerations were predicted via in silico ADMET technique using the SwissADME server. This technique provided Lipinski’s rule of five, such as GIT absorption, distribution, metabolism, and skin permeation. The in vitro inhibitory activities against aging-mediated enzymes such as collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase were assessed. The compound exhibited remarkable anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-hyaluronidase, and anti-tyrosinase effects with IC₅₀ values of 1.06, 419.10, 1.65, and 0.48 µg/mL, respectively, compared to the positive control. The compound showed promising predicted aqueous solubility and reasonable skin penetration suggesting the suitability of the compound for topical formulation as an anti-aging agent for cosmetic preparations.

Syzygium cumini L. is an evergreen tree belonging to family Myrtaceae, employed for different traditional uses like diabetes, inflammation, and fever. The current study aimed to compare the chemical compositions of the essential oils (EOs) isolated from different organs of Syzygium cumini (leaves (Scl), fruits (Scf), seeds (Scs), and bark (Scb)) using a GC/MS analysis. Also, a chemometric analysis was applied to explore the main similarities and differences among different organs using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA). Furthermore, in vitro antiaging activities were investigated via anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase assays. The GC-MS analysis revealed 82 compounds representing 92.13%, 99.42%, 100%, and 92.97% in Scl, Scf, Scs, and Scb, respectively. The predominant components were α-pinene, β-pinene, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and α-humulene epoxide II with variable percentages. All EOs were positioned on positive PC1, except for Scs, which was positioned on the negative side in a separate quadrant. The HCA dendrogram displayed the closeness of Scl and Scb, which was not clearly recognized in the PCA score plot. Moreover, the Scs oils were totally discriminated from other parts. The Scl and Scs oils showed superior anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities. Thus, S. cumini oils should be considered for cosmetic preparations to retard skin aging manifestations.

Objectives: The current study aimed at exploring the secondary metabolites content of Erythrina crista-galli aqueous methanol extract and assessing its phytoestrogenic and cytoprotective activities. Methods: Isolation of the compounds was carried out using conventional chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on the UV, NMR spectral data along with their mass-spectrometric analyses. The phytoestrogenic activity was evaluated in-silico and in vitro using the Arabidopsis thaliana pER8: GUS reporter assay and the proliferation-enhancing activity of MCF-7 cells. Key findings: Phytochemical investigation of E. crista-galli aqueous methanol extract resulted in the isolation and identification of five flavonoids. The plant extract and its fractions showed significant estrogenic activities compared to controls. Conclusion: Five flavonoids were identified from E. crista-galli aqueous methanol extract. To the best of our knowledge, among these flavonoids, apigenin-7-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from nature. Moreover, luteolin-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from this plant. The plant revealed promising phytoestrogenic activities. This gives rationale to some of its pharmacological properties and suggests additional phytoestrogenic effects, which have not been reported yet.

Tephrosia is widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and arid regions. This genus is known for several biological activities, including its anti-Candida activity, which is mainly attributed to prenylated flavonoids. The biological activities of most Tephrosia species have been studied, except T. apollinea. This study was conducted to investigate the underlying anti-Candida activity of T. apollinea, wildly grown in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The T. apollinea plant was collected, dried, and the leaves were separated. The leaves were ground and extracted. The dried extract was subjected to successive chromatography to identify unique phytochemicals with a special pharmacological activity. The activity of the compound was validated by homology modeling and molecular docking studies. A novel steroidal compound (ergosta-6, 8(14), 22, 24(28)-tetraen-3-one) was isolated and named TNS. In silico target identification of TNS revealed a high structural similarity with the Candida 14-α-demethylase enzyme substrate. The compound exhibited a significant anti-Candida activity, specifically against the multi-drug-resistant Candida auris at MIC₅₀, 16 times less than the previously reported prenylated flavonoids and 5 times less than the methanol extract of the plant. These findings were supported by homology modeling and molecular docking studies. TNS may represent a new class of Candida 14-α-demethylase inhibitors.

Mycetoma, a neglected infection of subcutaneous tissues, poses a significant health burden, especially in tropical regions. It is caused by fungal (eumycetoma) and bacterial (actinomycetoma) pathogens, with current treatments often providing unsatisfactory outcomes. This study aims to discover novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents to circumvent the lengthy and costly diagnostic procedures. Eight essential oils (EOs) from the roots and aerial parts of Geigeria alata, Lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myristica fragrans, Pimpinella anisum, Syzigum aromaticum, and Thymus vulgaris were prepared using steam distillation. The in vitro antimycetomal activity against Madurella mycetomatis and Actinomadura madurae strains was assessed using resazurin assays. The chemical compositions of the EOs were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Promising EOs underwent further in vivo toxicity and efficacy testing in Galleria mellonella larvae models. EOs of G. alata roots, M. fragrans, P. anisum, S. aromaticum, and T. vulgaris showed wide-spectrum dual in vitro antimycetomal activity against all tested strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.004 to 0.125% v/v. G. alata aerial parts and L. angustifolia EOs demonstrated activity predominantly against A. madurae, while M. alternifolia EO did not inhibit any tested strains. M. fragrans and P. anisum EOs significantly enhanced the survival of M. mycetomatis-infected larvae without inducing toxicity in uninfected larvae. Notably, P. anisum EO tended to enhance the survival of A. madurae-infected larvae, ranking it as the most promising EO among those tested. The investigated EOs, particularly P. anisum, exhibited promising broad-spectrum antimycetomal activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens responsible for mycetoma. These findings highlight the potential of essential oils as a basis for developing novel antimycetomal agents, offering hope for improved treatment strategies for this neglected disease.