This study aims to investigate the vegetative buds from Picea abies (spruce), naturally found in a central region of Romania, through a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition to identify bioactive compounds responsible for pharmacological properties. Using HPLC/derivatization technique of GC-MS and quantitative spectrophotometric assays, the phenolic profile, and main components of an ethanolic extract from the buds were investigated. The essential oil was characterized by GC-MS. Moreover, the antioxidant activity with the DPPH method, and the antimicrobial activity were tested. Heavy metal detection was performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The main components of the alcoholic extract were astragalin, quercetin, kaempferol, shikimic acid, and quinic acid. A total content of 25.32 ± 2.65 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry plant (mg GAE/g DW) and of 10.54 ± 0.083 mg rutin equivalents/g of dry plant (mg RE/g DW) were found. The essential oil had D-limonene, α-cadinol, δ-cadinene, 13-epimanool, and δ-3-carene as predominant components. The spruce vegetative buds exhibited significant antioxidant activity (IC50 of 53 μg/mL) and antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, concentrations of heavy metals Pb and Cd were below detection limits, suggesting that the material was free from potentially harmful contaminants. The results confirmed the potential of this indigenous species to be used as a source of compounds with pharmacological utilities.

Background/Objectives: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment strategies and drug development, survival rates remain low and the adverse effects of conventional therapies severely impact patients’ quality of life. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of plant-derived extracts in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, with a focus on minimizing side effects while enhancing efficacy. Methods: This research investigates the in vitro synergistic effect of silver bio-nanoparticles synthesized from Clematis vitalba, Melissa officinalis, and Taraxacum officinale extracts (Clematis vitalbae extractum—CVE, Melissae extractum—ME, Taraxaci extractum—TE) in combination with liver cancer drugs, sunitinib (SNTB) and imatinib (IMTB), on HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial) cell lines. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antitumor effects were evaluated through cell viability assays after 24 and 48 h of exposure, with additional cytotoxicity tests on HUVEC cells. Results: Results indicated that Melissa officinalis-derived silver nanoparticles (ME AgNPs) and Clematis vitalba extract with silver nanoparticles (CVE AgNPs) significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability. Their efficacy improved when combined with conventional therapies (SNTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs. SNTB: 20.01% vs. 25.73%, p = 0.002; IMTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs. IMTB: 17.80% vs. 18.08%, p = 0.036; SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs. SNTB: 18.73% vs. 25.73%, p = 0.000; SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:2 vs. SNTB: 26.62% vs. 41.00%, p = 0.018; IMTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs. IMTB: 12.99% vs. 18.08%, p = 0.001). Taraxacum extract exhibited similar cytotoxicity to its nanoparticle formulation but did not exceed the efficacy of the extract alone at 24 h. Selectivity index assessments confirmed that AgNPs-based formulations significantly improve cytotoxicity and selectivity to HepG2 cells. Among the tested extracts, CVE demonstrated the strongest antitumor effect, enhancing the efficacy of synthetic drugs (CI < 1). SNTB + TE AgNPs (5% EtOH) also demonstrated consistent synergy at high doses, while SNTB + CVE AgNPs provided broad-range synergy, making it suitable for dose-escalation strategies. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of nanoparticle-based formulations in combination therapies with targeted kinase inhibitors such as sunitinib and imatinib. Future research should focus on in vivo validation and clinical trials to confirm these findings.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and despite significant advances in treatment plans and drug development, survival prospects are still low, and treatment side effects are life altering. This article examines plant-derived extracts and their therapeutic potential against various types of hepatocellular carcinoma as a means of inducing fewer side effects compared to existing treatments. The focus is on the in vitro synergistic effect of silver bio-nanoparticles obtained from Clematis vitalba, Melissa officinalis, and Taraxacum officinale extracts (Clematis vitalbae extractum—CVE, Melissae extractum—ME, Taraxaci extractum—TE), alongside important drugs employed in liver cancer treatments (sunitinib—SNTB and imatinib—IMTB), and their effect on HepG2 cell lines (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and normal HUVEC cell lines (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). The nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized in terms of their dimensions, maximum absorption, and stability in solutions using techniques such as UV-Vis, DLS, zeta potential, and SEM. Meanwhile, antitumor effect was determined based on the viability of the HepG2 cells after 24 and 48 hours of treatment with each extract, mixtures of extracts with nanoparticles, and combinations of the extracts with antitumor drugs. Tests were repeated on the HUVEC cell line to determine normal cell toxicity. M. officinalis-derived silver nanoparticles (ME AgNPs) and the Clematis vitalba extract with silver nanoparticles (CVE AgNPs) significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability, enhancing efficacy when combined with conventional therapies ( SNTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs SNTB: 20.01% vs 25.73% (p = 0.002), IMTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs IMTB: 17.80% vs 18.08% (p = 0.036); SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs SNTB: 18.73% vs 25.73% (p = 0.000), SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:2 vs SNTB: 26.62% vs 41.00% (p = 0.018), IMTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs IMTB: 12.99% vs 18.08% (p = 0.001)) . In contrast, the Taraxacum extract showed comparable cytotoxicity to its silver nanoparticles but did not exceed the efficacy of the extract alone after 24 hours. Of the three extracts, CVE demonstrated the most potent antitumor effect, resulting in an increase in the anticancer efficacy of the synthetic drug with remarkable therapeutic benefits in the fight against cancer. The findings of this study highlight the promising potential of plant-derived silver bio-nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of conventional liver cancer treatments, paving the way for future research into more effective and less toxic therapeutic options.