This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oils from different parts (leaves, stems, roots) of Aristolochia petelotii O. C. Schmidt. 91 constituents were identified, representing 65.39-76.30 % of total oil. Safrole (1.45-10.00 %), spathulenol (1.84-6.61%), α-ylangene (0.28-3.81 %), and borneol (0.15-3.75 %) were principal compounds in all essential oils studied. Specifically, the essential oils from the stems and roots of A. petelotii were characterized by high proportions of lepidozenal (16.61 & 22.04 %), acorenol (4.29 & 6.39 %), camphene (4.89 & 6.07 %), and bornyl acetate (4.06 & 4.26%), while safrole (10 %), linalool (6.99 %), spathulenol (6.61 %), and menthol (5.64 %) were main compounds in leaves. To the best of our knowledge, the chemical composition of A. petelotii was investigated and described here for the first time.

Diabetes mellitus is a major global health concern associated with severe metabolic and cardiovascular complications. This study evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Oxalis corniculata L. aerial parts, with a focus on α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, using a combination of in vitro assays and in silico analyses. Among the tested fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against both enzymes, with IC₅₀ values of 0.097 and 0.015 mg/mL for α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively, surpassing those of the reference drug, acarbose. This fraction also demonstrated potent antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.025 and 0.020 mg/mL in DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms beyond digestive enzyme inhibition, bioactive constituents were screened and evaluated using network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations confirmed stable and energetically favorable interactions with α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the antidiabetic effects of O. corniculata involve modulation of insulin resistance-related pathways, particularly PI3K/Akt signaling, GLUT4 translocation, and inflammation-associated targets, alongside regulation of oxidative stress through redox-related enzymes. Complementary DFT analysis provided molecular-level insights into the antioxidant mechanisms, highlighting favorable electronic properties that support efficient radical scavenging. Overall, this integrated experimental–computational study provided valuable evidence of O. corniculata aerial parts as a promising multi-target phytotherapeutic candidate for diabetes management, extending its therapeutic relevance beyond α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition.

This study aimed to compare the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from the rhizomes and leaves of Conamomum pierreanum (Zingiberaceae), and to evaluate interactions of selected constituents with microbial targets using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 21 compounds in the rhizome essential oil (EO) and 10 in the leaf EO of C. pierreanum, with 1,8-cineole (54.44% and 75.73%, respectively) as the predominant constituent. Notably, the rhizome EO was uniquely characterized by epi-γ-eudesmol (3.47%) and isobornyl acetate (3.39%), which were absent in the leaf oil. In vitro assays revealed that the rhizome EO possessed stronger antibacterial and antifungal activities (MIC = MBC = MFC = 0.4%) compared to the leaf EO (0.8%) against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Molecular docking identified epi-γ-eudesmol as the most potential ligand, exhibiting remarkably high binding affinities for S. aureus DHFR (−8.1 kcal/mol) and C. albicans CYP51 (−8.5 kcal/mol), significantly outperforming the major constituents. A total of 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA analysis further confirmed the structural stability and energetically favorable binding of these complexes, with epi-γ-eudesmol maintaining a low average RMSD (<1.2 Å) throughout the simulation. The enhanced efficacy of the rhizome oil is attributed to the synergistic contribution of these high-affinity minor constituents. These findings suggest that C. pierreanum rhizome EO may serve as a potential source of bioactive compounds for antimicrobial applications, warranting further investigation.

The objective of this study is to determine the morphological characteristics of flowers and pollen, preliminary phytochemical evaluation and thin layer chromatography of five species of genus Balanophora J.R. & G. Forst collected in Viet Nam: Balanophora fungosa J.R. & G. Forst ssp. indica (Arn.) Hansen var. indica, Balanophora fungosa J.R. & G. Forst ssp. indica (Arn.) Hansen var. globosa (Jungh.) Hansen, Balanophora latisepala (Tiegh) Lecome, Balanophora laxiflora Hemsl, Balanophora subcupularis P.C. Tam. The morphological characteristics of male flowers, female flowers and spadicles, pollen grain of five species were described. Results of preliminary phytochemical evaluation of ethanol extracts of five species showed that all of five species have tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, sterols. Thin layer chromatography of ethanol extracts of five species were developed and base on TLC chromatogram, it is easy to differentiate these species.

Plants of the genus Anemone L. of the Ranunculaceae family are perennial herbaceous plants. The genus includes about 200 species, five of which are growing on the territory of Ukraine. Despite their relatively wide distribution and availability of raw materials, plants of this genus remain insufficiently studied. The aim. The aim of the work was to conduct comparative research on the volatile substances in A. nemorosa L. and A. ranunculoides L. raw materials harvested in Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Hydrodistillates obtained from dried herb and rhizomes of A. nemorosa L. and dried herb of A. ranunculoides L. were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Research results. The investigation identified 68 and 50 compounds in A. nemorosa and A. ranunculoides raw materials, respectively. The key classes of organic compounds in the compositions of volatile fractions of the studied samples are: aldehydes (30.9 – 42.4 %), monoterpenoids (6.1 – 15.5 %), organic acids (4.2 – 15.8 %), aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (0 – 8.7 %), sesquiterpenoids (7.9 – 18.9 %), diterpenoids (1.9 – 6.1 %), esters (1.8 – 4.4 %), aromatic compounds (4.4 – 7.9 %), alcohols (4.4 – 9.1 %) and ketones (4.4 – 9.1 %). The main components of the volatile fractions of A. nemorosa were identified as hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, dibutyl phthalate, phytol, hexanal, 2-pentylfuran, and (E)-β-ionone. For A. ranunculoides, the basic compounds were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, n-hexadecanoic acid, phytol, phthalic acid, and pelargonaldehyde. Conclusions. The component composition of volatile fractions in 11 samples of Anemone L. species from the flora of Ukraine was analyzed using the GC/MS method. It has been found that the A. nemorosa rhizomes contain the highest level of volatile fraction. The analysis of the component composition of volatile fractions in Anemone species indicates the prospects for further research in this plant species, their pharmacological activities, and their applications

An ethnobotanical survey in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam identified four Elsholtzia species, E. blanda, E. ciliata, E. communis, and E. penduliflora, growing naturally above 1500 m and traditionally used by local ethnic communities to treat skin-related ailments. This study investigates their essential oil possible chemotypes, antimicrobial properties, and potential mechanisms of action through molecular docking. Essential oils obtained by steam distillation were analyzed using GC–MS. E. blanda (yield 1.17%) was characterized by high levels of 1,8-cineole (29.0%) and camphor (17.0%). E. ciliata (1.02%) represented a possible limonene-dominant chemotype (71.0%). E. communis (1.91%) contained an exceptionally high proportion of rosefuran oxide (86.2%), whereas E. penduliflora (0.91%) exhibited a pronounced 1,8-cineole chemotype (92.1%). All essential oils showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA), Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, with MIC values ranging from 0.4% to 3.2%. Except for E. ciliata against C. albicans, MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios ≤ 4 indicated predominantly bactericidal or fungicidal effects. Molecular docking further identified nine of twenty-eight detected constituents as strong binders to microbial target proteins. These findings expand current knowledge on possible chemotypic diversity within the genus, particularly the discovery of a high-altitude limonene chemotype in E. ciliata and the identification of E. penduliflora as a rich natural source of 1,8-cineole. The convergence of chemical, biological, and in silico evidence supports the ethnomedicinal relevance of Elsholtzia species and highlights their potential as candidates for developing natural antimicrobial agents.