Propolis is a bee product with a complex chemical composition that exhibits remarkable antifungal activity against C. albicans and can inhibit resistant biofilms thanks to its content of compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Its efficacy varies depending on its geographic origin: European propolis inhibits the initial formation of biofilms, while Brazilian propolis is superior at inhibiting mature biofilms. This product also possesses fungicidal and fungistatic properties comparable in efficacy to conventional drugs, such as nystatin, fluconazole, and chlorhexidine. The use of nanotechnology, such as nanoparticles or nanorods, has overcome the low solubility of propolis compounds, improving their bioavailability and reducing cell adhesion and hyphal formation. Moreover, the integration of propolis into dental materials demonstrate its versatility for preventing recurrent infections. The study of isolated compounds such as pinocembrin, galangin, and chrysin has facilitated the identification of specific mechanisms of action, and the application of molecules such as guttiferone E in photodynamic therapies and the discovery of quorum-sensing inhibitors, such as kaempferol, using in silico models have opened new avenues for blocking yeast communication and virulence. These findings position propolis as a multifaceted and promising therapeutic alternative, although there is a need to optimize formulations to ensure clinical safety and biocompatibility. In this review, we analyze research published around the world over the last 15 years on the effects of propolis against C. albicans biofilms.

Eryngium heterophyllum Engelm., commonly known as "frog grass," is traditionally used to regulate cholesterol and glucose levels. Eryngium pectinatum C. Presl ex DC., plants are also used indistinctly. After fractionation of the MeOH extract from both species falcarindiol (1), stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and mannitol were obtained as the main specialised metabolites. The 3 R,8R absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy using its diacetyl derivative. Lastly, the methanolic extracts and their corresponding hexanes and chloroform fractions were evaluated for acute toxicity and subsequently tested in a tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidaemia model. Both methanolic extracts and their fractions were classified as having low toxicity in mice and demonstrated antihypertriglyceridemic activity, with the CHCl₃ fraction of E. pectinatum and compound 1 exhibiting the highest activity. Additionally, docking analysis of compound 1 with PPARγ and PPARα showed moderate affinity. The findings suggest that E. heterophyllum and E. pectinatum possess potential lipid-lowering activity with low toxicity, supporting their traditional use.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease with a rising global incidence and a considerable economic burden. Conventional treatments, such as steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants, are often associated with adverse effects and high costs. In this context, flavonoids—such as those identified in the chemical composition of propolis—are emerging as highly promising therapeutic alternatives. This review highlights how diverse classes of flavonoids, including flavones, flavonols, flavanones, isoflavones, and flavan-3-ols, mitigate colitis through multiple interconnected mechanisms. Their main actions include reducing inflammation by decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and modulating key signaling pathways; exerting potent antioxidant activity; and improving intestinal barrier integrity by increasing tight junction proteins and mucin production. Numerous studies reporting significant improvements in clinical parameters such as body weight, colon length, and the disease activity index are discussed. Innovation in formulations, for example, the use of nanoparticles, is crucial to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of flavonoids, allowing for their targeted delivery to the inflamed colon. In summary, flavonoids are promising candidates for the development of complementary or alternative treatments for ulcerative colitis. Although further clinical evidence is needed to establish their safety and conditions for use in humans, the available preclinical results are promising.

In vitro plant culture is a biotechnological strategy that allows the conservation of biodiversity and the enhancement of pharmacological effects derived from secondary metabolite content in plants used traditionally in Mexican herbalism, such as Salvia rosmarinus. This study aimed to compare the phenolic profiles of two ethanolic extracts of S. rosmarinus from the leaves of plants and from the biomass of an in vitro callus culture, as well as their in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo acute toxicity, and acute systemic and dermal anti-inflammatory effects. The results revealed that compared with the wild-type plant extract, the S. rosmarinus callus culture resulted in higher concentrations of three major metabolites, namely, rosmarinic acid, and in the in vitro cytotoxicity assay, only the callus line extract resulted in the same moderate activity (60% cell viability) against HeLa cells at all the tested concentrations (0.0039–0.250 mg/mL), whereas the activity of the wild-type plant extract was the same at higher concentrations (0.5–1 mg/mL); both extracts resulted in an LD₅₀ > 2 g/kg BW after a single intragastric administration in male mice, but only for the wild-type plant extract was incipient kidney and spleen increased relative organ weight recorded at both intermediate and higher doses, which was not associated with lethality; in contrast, the liver weight of the callus extract was slightly altered at the low and intermediate doses tested. Finally, compared with the wild-type plant leaf extract, the extract of the callus biomass showed notable anti-inflammatory effects after single oral administration at the lower tested dose of 150 mg/kg, but with a weaker effect after single dermal application; however, it generated a moderate inhibition of the nitro-derived products in inflamed tissue concentration. The in vitro cell line of Salvia rosmarinus proved to be a viable, sustained and sustainable source of bioactive secondary metabolites such as rosmarinic acid, which are present at higher concentrations than those of wild-type plants.