This study investigates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) and Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood) extracts, along with their role in the green synthesis of gold (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Bioreduction was achieved using aqueous and ethanolic extracts (100 mg/mL), enabling solvent-dependent comparisons. Nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and zeta potential analysis. Each technique revealed complementary aspects of nanoparticle morphology, size, and stability, with UV–Vis indicating aggregation states and DLS confirming solvent-related size variation even at 3–5% ethanol. Gold nanoparticles synthesized from Dandelion showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while silver nanoparticles from both plants were effective against Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that silver nanoparticles obtained from ethanolic Dandelion extract containing 3% ethanol in aqueous solution (AgNPsE_ETOH3%-D) significantly reduced LoVo (p = 4.58 × 10⁻³) and MDA-MB-231 (p = 7.20 × 10⁻⁵) cell viability, with high selectivity indices (SI), suggesting low toxicity toward normal cells. Gold nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous Dandelion extract (AuNPsEaq-D) also showed favorable SI values (2.16 for LoVo and 8.41 for MDA-MB-231). Although some formulations demonstrated lower selectivity (SI < 1.5), the findings support the therapeutic potential of these biogenic nanoparticles. Further in vivo studies and pharmacokinetic evaluations are required to validate their clinical applicability.

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.

The primary objective of this investigation is to uncover notable interactions between dietary supplements and the pharmaceutical agent Binimetinib with the CYP3A4 receptor, employing the HEX 8.0 docking program. Binding energy is utilized as a critical measure to assess the strength and stability of these interactions. Our analysis reveals a robust binding affinity between Binimetinib and CYP3A4. However, when associated with Naringin and Naringenin, an increase in binding energy is observed, indicating a slightly lower drug metabolism in the presence of these supplements. These findings underscore the critical importance of understanding food-drug interactions and the potential alterations in systemic bioavailability and drug pharmacokinetics that may result. Interactions with CYP3A4 significantly affect treatment efficacy and safety. Dietary habits and supplement intake can influence these interactions. Therefore, a thorough understanding and vigilant monitoring of these dynamics are imperative to ensure the appropriateness and safety of therapeutic regimens.

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.

In the conducted study, we investigated the total phenolic content of the alcoholic extracts from various vegetative organs of two plants of Romanian wild flora, Oltenia region: Dipsacus laciniatus and Armoracia rusticana. The antioxidant activities were determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging methods. We also determined total polyphenol and flavonoid content. The results showed significant differences among plant various vegetative organs, the highest content of polyphenols being found for the leaves extract of Dipsacus laciniatus species, followed by Armoracia rusticana leaves. The highest antioxidant reducing power was obtained for the Armoracia leaf extract (IC50= 101.94 µg/ml), followed by the leaves of Dipsacus (IC50= 77.86 µg/ml).