For centuries, plants and their components have been harnessed for therapeutic purposes, with Ammi visnaga L. (Khella) being no exception to this rich tradition. While existing studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of seed extracts, there remains a noticeable gap in research about the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential of root extracts. This study seeks to address this gap by systematically examining methanol extracts derived from the roots of A. visnaga L. and comparing their effects with those of seed extracts specifically against breast cancer cells. Notably, absent from previous investigations, this study focuses on the comparative analysis of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of both root and seed extracts. The methanol extract obtained from A. visnaga L. seeds demonstrated a notably higher level of total phenolic content (TPC) than its root counterpart, measuring 366.57 ± 2.86 and 270.78 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g dry weight of the dry extract, respectively. In the evaluation of antioxidant activities using the DPPH method, the IC₅₀ values for root and seed extracts were determined to be 193.46 ± 17.13 μg/mL and 227.19 ± 1.48 μg/mL, respectively. Turning our attention to cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), both root and seed extracts displayed similar cytotoxic activities, with IC₅₀ values of 92.45 ± 2.14 μg/mL and 75.43 ± 2.32 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both root and seed extracts exhibited a noteworthy modulation of gene expression, upregulating the expression of caspase and Bax mRNA levels while concurrently suppressing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2), thereby reinforcing their potential as anticancer agents. A. visnaga L. seed extract outperforms the root extract in antimicrobial activities, exhibiting lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 3.81 ± 0.24 to 125 ± 7.63 μg/mL. This highlights the seeds’ potential as potent antibacterial agents, expanding their role in disease prevention. Overall, this study underscores the diverse therapeutic potentials of A. visnaga L. roots and seeds, contributing to the understanding of plant-derived extracts in mitigating disease risks.

Artemisia absinthium L., is a plant with established pharmacological properties, but the A. absinthium root extract (AARE) remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition of AARE and assess its biological activity, which included antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. GC-MS was used to analyze the chemical components. The antioxidant activity of the total phenolic and flavonoid content was evaluated. Antibacterial activity and cytotoxic effects were identified. Enzyme inhibition experiments were performed to determine its antidiabetic potential. Molecular docking was utilized to evaluate the potential antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities of the compounds from AARE using Maestro 11.5 from the Schrödinger suite. AARE exhibited moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC₅₀: 172.41 ± 3.15 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC₅₀: 378.94 ± 2.18 μg/mL) assays. Cytotoxicity tests on MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells demonstrated significant anticancer effects, with IC₅₀ values of 150.12 ± 0.74 μg/mL and 137.11 ± 1.33 μg/mL, respectively. Apoptotic studies indicated an upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (caspase-3, 8, 9, Bax) and a downregulation of anti-apoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl). AARE also inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects, with IC₅₀ values of 224.12 ± 1.17 μg/mL and 243.35 ± 1.51 μg/mL. Antibacterial assays revealed strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic analysis identified promising inhibitory effects of key AARE compounds on NADPH oxidase, E. coli Gyrase B, and Topoisomerase IIα, with favorable drug-like properties. These findings suggest AARE’s potential in treating cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections, warranting further in vivo and clinical studies.

Background: Tribulus terrestris is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat certain illnesses. Though past efforts mostly focused on the fruits and roots, current research examined the phytochemical composition and bioactivity of leaf extract (LE) and seed extract (SE). Methods: GC-MS compared phytochemical profiles, and total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined. The extracts were tested for antibacterial activity (disc diffusion, MIC/MBC), antioxidant potential (DPPH, ABTS⁺), cytotoxicity (MTT assay in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells), and anti-diabetic activity (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition). Expression of apoptotic genes was also investigated. Results: The LE had a superior phytochemical composition, with greater phenolic and flavonoid levels. Compared to SE, it exhibited considerably higher antibacterial activity (MIC = 6.25–25 μg/mL), antioxidant potential (IC₅₀ = 90.71–113.41 μg/mL), cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 105.12–126.14 μg/mL), and enzyme inhibition (IC₅₀ = 84–96.62 μg/mL). The LE also drastically reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in cancer cells. T. terrestris LE has significantly higher bioactive potential than SE in a range of pharmacological arenas due to its superior phytochemically complete profile. Conclusions: The findings indicate the LE as a promising candidate for the development of standardized phytotherapeutically active compounds.

Background/Objectives: Vitex agnus-castus L. is a well-known medicinal herb shown to be effective in treating gynecological disorders. However, no systematic comparative studies have been conducted between V. agnus-castus leaf extract (VACLE) and Vitex agnus-castus seed extract (VACSE). We performed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of VACLE and VACSE and measured total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Methods: The bioactivity testing included antioxidants, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. Results: A total of 55 GC–MS compounds were identified in VACLE and 34 in VACSE; isoamyl formate (27.96%) and a pyranone derivative (14.11%) were detected exclusively in VACLE, whereas cis-linoleic acid (40.58%) and palmitic acid (21.87%) predominated in VACSE. VACLE showed significantly higher TPC (94.12 vs. 54.12 mg GAE/g DW) and TFC (82.00 vs. 42.00 mg QE/g DW). The VACLE demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity and generally stronger bioactivity than VACSE, as evidenced by its lower ABTS⁺ radical scavenging IC₅₀ value (55 vs. 70 μg/mL), antibacterial activity (MIC: 6.25–50 vs. 12.5–100 μg/mL), anticancer activity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀: 93.2 vs. 247.5 μg/mL), and antidiabetic activity through α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀: 28.7 vs. 70.1 μg/mL). VACSE exhibited greater antifungal activity than VACLE against all tested Candida strains, with the highest activity observed against C. parapsilosis (MIC: 6.25 ± 2.26 μg/mL). VACLE induced transcriptional changes consistent with caspase-mediated apoptosis, characterized by increased expression of caspase-8, caspase-9, and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, pending protein-level confirmation. Conclusions: In conclusion, VACLE exhibits notable antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties, whereas VACSE shows greater antifungal activity. These findings highlight tissue-specific differences in phytochemical composition and in vitro biological activities and provide a basis for future studies involving compound isolation, mechanistic validation, toxicity assessment, and in vivo evaluation.

Dengue fever represents a significant public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, yet comprehensive molecular characterization of circulating serotypes remains limited. This study combines epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses to understand dengue virus (DENV) dynamics in the Kingdom. A systematic review and meta-analysis of dengue epidemiological data from Saudi Arabia (1992–2026) was the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All available DENV envelope (E) gene sequences from Saudi human cases (1992–2023) were retrieved from GenBank and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum likelihood with 1000 bootstrap replicates and best-fit models. Selection pressure was analyzed using SLAC, FEL, FUBAR, and MEME methods, while glycosylation sites were predicted with NetNGlyc and NetOGlyc. The pooled seroprevalence from 25 studies (n = 32,393) was 40.71% (95% CI: 26.96–56.10%). DENV-2 predominated (80.25%), followed by DENV-1 and DENV-3, with DENV-4 remaining rare (0.42%). Males (67–78%) and adults aged 25–44 years were most affected. Phylogenetic analysis of 50 Saudi isolates showed DENV-1 strains clustered within American–African (1994) and Asian (2004–2011) genotypes, all DENV-2 within the Cosmopolitan genotype, and all DENV-3 within Genotype III (bootstrap support 99–100%). Selection pressure analysis indicated pervasive positive selection in DENV-2, episodic selection across serotypes, and strong purifying selection in the E gene. Several amino acid substitutions with potential functional importance were identified. No DENV-4 E gene sequences from Saudi Arabia are publicly available. Dengue in western Saudi Arabia is characterized by DENV-2 predominance, co-circulation of three serotypes, and multiple introductions. The absence of DENV-4 sequences highlights critical surveillance gaps. Sustained molecular surveillance, expanded genomic sequencing, and data sharing are essential for effective prevention and vaccine preparedness.

Background/Objectives: The increasing global prevalence of chronic diseases has intensified the search for potential natural therapeutic agents. Fagonia arabica is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine; however, comparative information on the phytochemical composition and biological activities of its leaves and seeds remains limited. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comparative investigation of the phytochemical profiles and bioactivities of methanolic leaf (FALE) and seed (FASE) extracts of F. arabica collected from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Methanolic extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities were evaluated using standard in vitro assays. Results: GC–MS analysis identified 60 and 68 compounds in FALE and FASE, respectively, with (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol, and (1R,3aR,5aR,5bR,7aR,9S,11aR,11bR,13aR,13bR)-3a,5a,5b,8,8,11a-Hexamethyl-1-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol as major constituents. FASE exhibited higher TPC and TFC values (104.13 mg GAE/g and 62.16 mg QE/g, respectively) than FALE. Both extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity, with FASE showing greater potency against DPPH and ABTS radicals (IC₅₀ = 63.3 and 42.4 μg/mL, respectively). FASE also displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 7.81 μg/mL). Furthermore, FASE exhibited stronger concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 106.8 and 89.5 μg/mL, respectively, compared with 112.5 and 103.1 μg/mL for FALE. Apoptosis induction in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells was associated with upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and Bax, alongside downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In addition, FASE exhibited potent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ = 61.62 and 67.38 μg/mL, respectively), comparable to acarbose. Conclusions: These findings highlight F. arabica seed extract as a promising source of multifunctional bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical application.