Medicinal plants are the main source of active chemical constituents responsible for curing or mitigating various ailments. To discover new, safe, and effective drug candidates the isolation and screening of natural products are essential. In the current research work, lapachol was isolated from Fernandoa adenophylla, which was evaluated for anti-inflammatory effect followed by molecular docking. The isolated compound was tested for anti-inflammatory effects using in vitro (HRBC assay) and in vivo (xylene-induced ear edema) experimental models. Various concentrations of lapachol demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects with a percent potential of 77.96 at 100 μM. Different concentrations of Lapachol demonstrated a dose-dependent anti-edematous effect with a maximum percent effect of 77.9 % at a higher dose. The histopathological study revealed that the application of xylene led to a significant increase in ear thickness, along with clear signs of ear edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells, as well as epidermal hyperplasia of the dermis when compared to the control group. However, treatment with the investigated compound showed a significant reduction in ear thickness and pathological differences comparable to those observed in the group treated with diclofenac. Density functional theory calculations are accomplished to gain insight into structural and spectroscopic properties. Geometry optimization, FMO, and MEP analyses are performed. Overall, the molecular docking results indicate that lapachol has potential as a COX inhibitor by binding to the active sites of both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.

The uncontrolled hyperglycemia that characterizes diabetes mellitus (DM) causes several complications in the organism. DM is among the major causes of deaths, and the limited efficacy of current treatments push the search for novel drug candidates, also among natural compounds. We focused our attention on caffeoylmalic acid, a phenolic derivative extracted from Urtica dioica, a plant investigated for its potential against type 2 DM. This compound was tested for its antidiabetic activity in vitro through a glucose uptake assay, in vivo in a mouse DM model and through molecular docking towards α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The effects on glucose blood level, liver enzymes, insulin and creatinine levels as well as on lipid and blood parameters, considered biochemical markers of diabetes, were also evaluated. The results showed an antidiabetic activity in vitro and in vivo, as the compound stimulates glucose absorbtion and reduces blood glucose levels. Moreover, it ameliorates lipid profile, liver and blood parameters, with moderate effect on insulin secretion. Taken together, these findings pave the way for the compounds from this class of caffeoylmalic acid as potential antidiabetic compounds.

Studies of the ethyl acetate extract bark extract of Olea ferruginea led to the isolation of one new compound Ferruginan A (1) in addition to two known compounds, Ferruginan (2) and cycloolivil (3). Structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by mass spectrometry (MS) and NMR spectral data. The ethyl acetate fraction and compounds (1–3) were evaluated against breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) and as antioxidants using the free radical scavenging assay. Results revealed that compound 2 exhibits significant antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 21.74 μg/mL. In addition, the ethyl acetate fraction showed good cytotoxic activity (79.31% inhibition at 250 μg/mL), whereas compounds 1–3 exerted mild cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ = 8.03–12.01 μg/mL) as compared to the standard (IC₅₀ = 4.41 μg/mL) against MCF‐7. Docking studies suggested that antioxidant activity is due to the chelation of compounds with copper present in the active site of tyrosinase. These results suggest that the extract exhibits considerable antioxidant activity, and the isolated compounds exert moderate anticancer activity.

The peptide temporin-LK1 (1) was obtained from the skin secretion of frog Limnonectes kuhlii (Ranidae). It is a unique antimicrobial peptide with 17 residues, including four L-phenylalanines and single glycine. Mass spectrometry and Edmand degradation were used for the determination of sequence of amino acids in temporin-LK 1 (1), and confirmed by cDNA cloning. We report here the synthesis and structural studies of temporin-LK1 (1) and its analogs 2–4. Peptides 2–4 were prepared by substitution of achiral glycine residue of temporin-LK1 (1) with D-alanine, L-phenylglycine, and L-naphthylalanine, respectively. Peptides 1–4 were evaluated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Analog 2 was found active against all MDR strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa at a much lower dose than the clinically used antibiotics.

Background: Late diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus causes preventable complications and higher morbidity. Obesity, inactivity, poor diet, and smoking increase the risk of diabetes; however, their relationship with undiagnosed diseases in middle-aged adults requires further clarification. Methods: Between January and June 2024, we enrolled 200 adults aged 35–45 years from outpatient clinics. The staff measured the height, weight, and body mass index of each participant. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and reported their smoking histories. After overnight fasting, we measured the fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Undiagnosed diabetes was defined according to the 2024 American Diabetes Association criteria (FBG ≥ 126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) in patients without a prior diagnosis. Statistical analyses included independent t -tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Undiagnosed diabetes was found in 29 participants (14.5, 95% CI 9.8–19.2). Those with undiagnosed diabetes had a higher body mass index (30.6 ± 2.6 vs. 27.6 ± 3.4 kg/m ² , p < 0.001), lower physical activity prevalence (10.3% vs. 21.6%, p < 0.018), and higher smoking rates (48.3% vs. 26.3%, p < 0.024). After adjusting for physical activity, smoking, and diet quality, body mass index remained independently associated with undiagnosed diabetes (OR 1.36 per kg/m ² , 95% CI 1.16–1.70, p < 0.001). Physical activity level (OR 1.54 per category decrease, 95% CI 1.30–1.92, p < 0.024) and smoking (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.13–1.66, p < 0.005) were also independently associated with undiagnosed status. Model discrimination was good (area under the curve 0.74, 95% CI 0.67–0.81), with a 93.3% negative predictive value. Conclusion: Approximately one in seven middle-aged adults in outpatient settings has undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. A higher body mass index, lower physical activity, and smoking were independently associated with an undiagnosed status. These readily assessable socio-behavioral factors should inform screening strategies and risk assessments in primary care.