The aril and seed of nutmeg, Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae), hold significant value in various industries globally. Our preliminary research found two morphological variations: a globose shape and an oval shape. Due to these different characteristics, the safety of consumers is of primary concern. Thus, authentication and comparative pharmacological and toxicity analyses are necessary. In this study, pharmacognostic and advanced phytochemical analyses, DNA barcoding, cytotoxicity, and the anti-nitric oxide production of commercial Thai nutmeg were examined. Via morphologic examinations and TLC fingerprinting, all the sampled aril and seed were categorized into globose and oval-shaped groups. The results of HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS experiments revealed distinct differences between these groups. The DNA barcoding of the trnH-psbA region using the BLAST method and neighbor-joining tree analyses confirmed the globose nutmeg as M. fragrans and the oval-shaped variant as M. argentea. A comparison was then carried out between the potential toxicity and anti-inflammatory capabilities of M. fragrans and M. argentea. Cytotoxicity tests on HaCaT, 3T3-L1, Caco-2, HEK293, and RAW264.7 were performed using both methanolic extracts and volatile oil from the arils and seeds of both species. This study concludes that blending or substituting these two species maintains their therapeutic integrity without posing safety concerns.

Particulate matter (PM), particularly fine (PM_2.5) and ultrafine (PM_0.1) particles, originates from both natural and anthropogenic sources, such as biomass burning and vehicle emissions. These particles contain harmful compounds that pose significant health risks. Upon inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact, PM can penetrate biological systems, inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage, which contribute to a range of health complications. This review comprehensively examines the protective potential of natural products against PM-induced health issues across various physiological systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, skin, neurological, gastrointestinal, and ocular systems. It provides valuable insights into the health risks associated with PM exposure and highlights the therapeutic promise of herbal medicines by focusing on the natural products that have demonstrated protective properties in both in vitro and in vivo PM_2.5-induced models. Numerous herbal medicines and phytochemicals have shown efficacy in mitigating PM-induced cellular damage through their ability to counteract oxidative stress, suppress pro-inflammatory responses, and enhance cellular defense mechanisms. These combined actions collectively protect tissues from PM-related damage and dysfunction. This review establishes a foundation for future research and the development of effective interventions to combat PM-related health issues. However, further studies, including in vivo and clinical trials, are essential to evaluate the safety, optimal dosages, and long-term effectiveness of herbal treatments for patients under chronic PM exposure.

White Kwao Krua, a crucial Thai medicinal plant, contains various phytoestrogen substances used to alleviate menopausal symptoms in estrogen-deficient women. It originates from two species, namely Pueraria candollei Wall. ex Benth. and P. mirifica Airy Shaw & Suvat. However, there exists morphological variation, and the taxonomic status between both species is ambiguous, making discrimination challenging. In this study, we aim to clarify and differentiate the morphological characteristics, palynology, and DNA barcoding of both species. The morphological results showed the stipule size is a phenotypic marker for the differentiation of both species during the vegetative stage. The palynological results, however, exhibited similarity. Through an examination of nucleotide sequences and neighbor-joining tree analysis, it was determined that the DNA barcoding of the matK region has the capability to distinguish between P. candollei and P. mirifica at nucleotide position 702. Specifically, P. candollei manifested a G base, contrasting with the C base observed in P. mirifica. This study concludes that stipule size and the matK gene in DNA barcoding serve as a distinctive characteristic for distinguishing between P. candollei and P. mirifica. These methodologies prove valuable for ensuring the accurate identification of white Kwao Krua for horticulturists.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) has gained increasing global attention due to its traditional use, psychoactive properties, and emerging therapeutic potential; however, concerns regarding adulteration, substitution, and inconsistent quality of commercial products necessitate robust authentication strategies. This study aimed to integrate DNA barcoding and comprehensive chemical profiling to authenticate kratom variants and discriminate them from closely allied Mitragyna species for quality control and forensic applications. Nine DNA barcoding regions were analyzed, alongside chemical characterization using UHPLC, GC–MS, and LC–MS/QTOF. Among the tested loci, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and ITS2 regions exhibited the highest interspecific variation and effectively distinguished kratom from allied species. UHPLC and GC–MS analyses confirmed that mitragynine was exclusively detected in kratom variants, with Kan Khiao exhibiting the highest content (94.33 ± 0.14 mg/g) when quantified against the mitragynine standard using UHPLC analysis. LC–MS/QTOF profiling revealed an alkaloid-rich chemotype in kratom dominated by mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, whereas M. diversifolia, M. hirsuta, and M. rotundifolia showed distinct profiles enriched in phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides. Multivariate analyses further identified procyanidin B1, datiscetin-3-O-rutinoside, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine as key discriminatory markers. Overall, the combined molecular and chemical workflow provides a robust framework for kratom authentication, supporting regulatory monitoring, quality assurance, and forensic identification of kratom materials.