Alnus glutinosa (namely black alder or European alder) is a tree of the Betulaceae family widely spread through Europe, Southeastern Asia, the Caucasus mountains, and Western Siberia. Its bark is traditionally used for medicinal purposes as an astringent, cathartic, febrifuge, emetic, hemostatic, and tonic, suggesting that it may contain bioactive compounds useful to counteract inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of A. glutinosa stem bark extract (AGE) by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis and to validate some biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties by in vitro and in vivo models (chick chorioallantoic membranes and zebrafish embryos), that can justify its use against inflammatory-based diseases. The AGE showed a high total phenols content expressed as gallic acid equivalents (0.71 g GAE/g of AGE). Diarylheptanoids have been identified as the predominant compounds (0.65 g/g of AGE) with oregonin, which alone constitutes 74.67% of the AGE. The AGE showed a strong and concentration-dependent antioxidant (IC₅₀ 0.15–12.21 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (IC₅₀ 5.47–12.97 µg/mL) activity. Furthermore, it showed promising anti-angiogenic activity, inhibiting both the vessel growth (IC₅₀ 23.39 µg/egg) and the release of an endogenous phosphatase alkaline enzyme (IC₅₀ 44.24 µg/embryo). In conclusion, AGE is a promising source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and angio-modulator compounds.

Transition metal complexes have continued to constitute an appealing class of medicinal compounds since the exceptional discovery of cisplatin in the late 1960s. Pt(II)-based complexes are endowed with a broad range of biological properties, which are mainly exerted by targeting DNA. In this study, we report a significant biological investigation into and computation analyses of four Pt(II)-complexes, namely, LDP-1–4, synthesized and characterized according to previously reported procedures. Molecular-modelling studies highlighted that the top two LDP compounds (i.e., LDP-1 and LDP-4) might bind to both matched and mismatched base pair sites of the oligonucleotide 5′-(dCGGAAATTACCG)₂-3′, supporting their anticancer potential. These two complexes displayed noteworthy cytotoxicity in vitro (sub-micromolar–micromolar range) against two leukaemia cell lines, i.e., CCRF-CEM and its multi-drug-resistant counterpart CEM/ADR5000, and remarkable anti-angiogenic properties (in the sub-micromolar range) evaluated in an in vivo model, i.e., a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.

Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. cardunculus (Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lam.) Fiori), the wild cardoon, is known for its culinary applications and potential health benefits. Due to this, and given the growing interest in circular economies, deepening our under-standing of the effects of wild cardoon leaf waste on angiogenesis and collagenase activity represents a valuable opportunity to valorise agricultural byproducts as health-promoting ingredients. In this study, the waste product of wild cardoon leaves was extracted to examine its chemical composition and biological activities. Analytical techniques identified several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids such as dicaffeoyl-succinoylquinic acids, and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside. In vivo tests in zebrafish embryos and the chick chorioallantoic membrane demonstrated dose-dependent antiangiogenic effects, particularly enhanced by the complexation with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). Considering the link between angiogenesis and collagenase, the potential effects of the extract on collagenase activity was investigated. The extract alone inhibited collagenase with an IC₅₀ value comparable to that of the standard inhibitor while its complexed form exhibited a 4.5-fold greater inhibitory activity. A molecular docking study examined the interaction between the main compounds and collagenase. In conclusion, wild cardoon leaves can represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds. This study demonstrated that the complexation of the extract with cyclodextrin determines an increase in its biological activity.

Crataegus L. (Rosaceae) comprises several species rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds with nutraceutical relevance. The present study aimed to investigate the polyphenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and in vitro antihyperglycemic-related activity of fruits from 11 Crataegus taxa collected in Western Sicily, a region characterized by a high diversity of this genus. Total polyphenol quantification indicated that, among the tested extracts, Crataegus laciniata exhibited the highest content (25.54 mg GAE/g). Using high-resolution Orbitrap Q-Exactive PLUS ESI-MS instrument (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), a comprehensive phytochemical characterization was performed. Hyperoside quantification revealed that Crataegus aff. insengae, Crataegus zichichii, and Crataegus drepanensis are rich in this bioactive compound (1.47, 1.22, 1.22 mg/g DW). Multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA), highlighted hyperoside and vitexin as the main contributors to sample differentiation. Additionally, Crataegus laciniata, Crataegus drepanensis, and Crataegus aff. insengae showed the highest antioxidant activity in chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) and in Caco-2 and H9c2 cell models through the modulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Regarding antihyperglycemic-related activity, Crataegus laciniata, Crataegus azarolus var. azarolus, and Crataegus drepanensis extracts showed the best inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Overall, the study highlights the value of Crataegus fruits as sources of bioactive compounds for food and nutraceutical research and supports their further valorization.