Flavonoids, a ubiquitous class of plant secondary metabolites, are increasingly pivotal as chemical markers for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines (HMs). Their broad distribution, biological activities, and detectability make them ideal for this role. This comprehensive review critically examines current trends and analytical perspectives regarding flavonoids in HM quality control. We first explore advanced quality control strategies that move beyond single-compound quantification, including chemical fingerprinting, metabolomics, network pharmacology, and the innovative concept of Q-markers. The review then provides an in-depth analysis of the analytical techniques central to flavonoid analysis, from the routine use of HPTLC and HPLC-UV to advanced hyphenated systems like UHPLC-QTOF-MS, highlighting their applications in authentication, standardization, and adulteration detection. Furthermore, we emphasize the growing importance of modern data analysis workflows, particularly the integration of chemometrics and molecular networking, for interpreting complex datasets and identifying robust, bioactivity-relevant markers. By synthesizing recent research (2017–2024), this work underscores a paradigm shift towards holistic, multi-marker approaches and data-driven methodologies. It concludes that the synergistic application of advanced analytical techniques with sophisticated data modeling is essential for the future of HM quality control, ensuring reliable and standardized herbal products for global consumers.

In recent years, research and development in the field of green extraction of bioactive compounds from plants has intensified. This increased focus is driven by market trends, environmental concerns, and consumers’ growing interest in natural and healthy ingredients, as well as bioactive compounds. This development aligns with a global trend toward more sustainable use of natural resources. In this context, macroalgae have been recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with various health benefits. These molecules include proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and pigments. Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are pigments and metabolites of particular interest that can be extracted from microalgae. This group of colored proteins, mainly present in cyanobacteria and red algae, is known to have a wide range of potential applications. However, conventional methods for extracting PBPs, such as homogenization, maceration, and freezing, are time-consuming and energy-intensive, often producing unsatisfactory yields. As a result, new extraction technologies have been developed, including ultrasound-assisted extraction, ionic liquid extraction methods, and the use of natural deep eutectic solvents. This review summarizes existing green processes for extracting and purifying PBPs, with the aim of enabling feasible and sustainable valorization of algae. Specifically, it covers various extraction and purification techniques of PBPs, as well as the effects of environmental growth conditions on the production of these metabolites. It also highlights the biological and pharmacological activities of PBPs and explores their potential applications in the food, cosmetic, and biomedical sectors.

Introduction: A proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) fail to restore their CD4 count or their CD4/CD8 ratio despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). PLWH with immune non‐response (INR) are at a higher risk of both AIDS and non‐AIDS events. The underlying mechanisms of INR remain unclear. Objectives: This review aims to explore the potential mechanisms of INR, focusing on the production, maturation and early destruction of CD4 cells. Additional factors such as age, proinflammatory environment or persistent viral infections like HIV or CMV may also contribute to INR. Biomarkers, such as microRNA, IL‐6, soluble CD14 and soluble GP120, may help better characterize INR in PLWH. Despite various therapeutic attempts ‐ including ART intensification and IL‐2 or IL‐7 administration ‐ no strategy has yet succeeded in restoring effective CD4 T‐cell recovery in INR. Conclusion: A lack of consensus on the definition and classification of INR limits research comparability and therapeutic progress. A standardized framework would facilitate mechanistic insights and guide the development of targeted treatments, including IL‐7 therapy. In this review, we examine the putative mechanisms underlying INR in PLWH, prognostic markers and the therapeutic strategies that have been evaluated, albeit with limited success.

Manihot esculenta (cassava) roots is a major food crop for its energy content. Leaves contain nutrients and demonstrate biological properties but remain undervalorized. In order to develop a bioguided optimization of cassava nutrition–health properties, we compared the phytochemistry and bioactive potential of cassava root flour extract (CF) with cassava flour extract enriched with 30% leaves powder (CFL). Cassava flour supplementation impact was explored on flour composition (starch, fiber, carotenoids, phenolic compounds), in vivo glycemic index, and bioactivity potential using macrophage cells. We assessed the impact of cassava flour supplementation on free radicals scavenging and cellular production of pro-inflammatory mediators. CFL showed higher levels of fiber, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and lower glycemic index. Significantly higher bioactive properties (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) were recorded, and inhibition of cytokines production has been demonstrated as a function of extract concentration. Overall, our results indicate that enrichment of cassava flour with leaves significantly enhances its nutrition–health and bioactive potential. This bioguided matrix recombination approach may be of interest to provide prophylactic and therapeutic dietary strategy to manage malnutrition and associated chronic non-communicable diseases characterized by low-grade inflammation and unbalanced redox status. It would also promote a more efficient use of available food resources.

In this present study, the efficiency of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in increasing the yields of extraction of starch and polyphenols from Canna indica L. (Canna) rhizomes were analyzed, along with its influence on the physiochemical properties of the extracted compounds. Extraction parameters (temperature, time, and solid-to-liquid ratio) were optimized through Box–Behnken response surface design (BBD). The physiochemical and functional properties of starch and polyphenols were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the swelling and solubility index, oil and water absorption index, total polyphenol yield, and antioxidant activity assays (DPPH and ORAC). The starch yield obtained from Canna at the optimum extraction conditions (temperature 40 °C, time 10 min, and solid-to-liquid ratio 1:30 g/mL) was 19.81%. The obtained starch yield was found to be significantly higher than the yield attained through the conventional extraction method without adverse changes in the physicochemical and functional properties. The total polyphenol extraction yield from the Canna rhizome, through UAE, was significantly higher (1061.72 mg GAE/100 g) than that of the conventional method. The antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds was proportional to the attained polyphenol yield. Our results suggest that UAE optimized conditions efficiently and improved Canna starch and polyphenol extraction yields while preserving their functional properties.

Despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy, immune nonresponders (INR) among people living with HIV (PLWH) still have a higher risk of developing AIDS‐related and non‐AIDS‐related complications. Our study aimed to investigate the phenotype and functions of Natural Killer (NK) cells in INR, to better understand underlying mechanisms of immune nonresponse. Our cross‐sectional study included PLWH aged over 45 with an undetectable HIV viral load sustained for at least 2 years. Participant CD4 ⁺ T‐cell counts exceeded 500 cells/mm ³ for IR or below 350 cells/mm ³ for INR. We characterized NK cell subsets, performed natural cytotoxicity and ADCC assays, and phenotyped NK cells before and after functional assays. Median CD4 levels were 247.5 (IQR, 208.8–286.3) cells/mm ³ and 768.5 (IQR, 673.3–957.8) cells/mm ³ in the INR ( n = 20) and IR ( n = 40), respectively. NK cell counts were lower in INR ( p = 0.00066), but the percentages were similar between IR and INR. NKG2A was the only differentially expressed marker between groups, showing higher expression in INR. Additionally, NK cell natural cytotoxicity was elevated in the INR group. Multivariate analyses associated CD4 nadir and low NK cell count with immune nonresponse. Our results do not indicate a clear role for NK‐mediated ADCC in immune nonresponse. We did not objectify an association between CD8 hyperactivation and INR.