Phytochemical Characterization of White Turmeric (Curcuma mangga Val.) Extract as a Candidate Natural Immunostimulant for Aquatic Organisms

Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Stipagrostis plumosa (Poaceae): Potential Implications for Human and Veterinary Health

Simple Summary Stipagrostis plumosa is a desert grass adapted to harsh environmental conditions and is widely used as forage for camels, sheep, and goats. Although it has long been recognized in traditional practices, its phytochemical composition and biological properties have received limited scientific attention. In this study, the phytochemical profile of S. plumosa was investigated together with its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Different solvent extracts were evaluated against pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and clinical veterinary isolates, while their antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines were also assessed. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, whereas the chloroform fraction showed the highest cytotoxic activity. These findings suggest that S. plumosa is a valuable source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds with potential applications in pharmaceutical, veterinary, and food-related fields. The study also highlights the importance of exploring underutilized desert plants as reservoirs of novel biologically active metabolites.

Phytochemical Analysis of Thottea duchartrei Leaf Extract Using High‐Resolution LC–MS/MS and Evaluation of its Antioxidant, Anti‐Inflammatory and Antibacterial Efficacy

The natural products have demonstrated the ability to modulate oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms, underscoring their significance as templates for safer and more economical drug development. Plant‐based natural products continue to represent a crucial source for the discovery of novel anticancer agents with potential relevance in therapeutic development. Traditional knowledge surrounding the medicinal use of Thottea duchartrei , a member of the Aristolochiaceae family, suggests its therapeutic potential, warranting a comprehensive evaluation of its bioactive constituents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial properties of T. duchartrei methanol leaf extract. High‐resolution LC–MS/MS analysis elucidating the presence of several bioactive constituents, including quercitrin, quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, etc. The results indicated that the methanol extract of T. duchartrei exhibited in vitro DPPH scavenging (92.18 ± 4.01 µg/mL), ABTS scavenging (40.46 ± 1.68 µg/mL) and FRAP (11.11 ± 0.12 µg/mL) activities. The anti‐inflammatory activity of the T. duchartrei extract was also evident in RAW 264.7 macrophages challenged with lipopolysaccharide. Likewise, the antibacterial efficacy of the T. duchartrei leaf extract was also evident against various Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. This study provides evidence supporting the ethnopharmacological relevance of T. duchartrei by demonstrating its rich bioactive profile and biological activities. Overall, the study suggests the potential of T. duchartrei as a promising natural source for the future development of safe, cost‐effective phytotherapeutics; however, further studies, including in vivo research, are needed to validate these findings.

Phytochemical Analysis and Safety Assessment of Watercress Nasturtium officinale: Antioxidant Capacity, Heavy Metal Profiling, and Toxicity Using Brine Shrimp Model

Medicinal plants have attracted growing attention as sources of natural bioactive compounds for sustainable aquaculture and health. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, heavy metal profile, and acute toxicity of watercress (Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton) methanol extract using maceration, qualitative and quantitative (TPC, TFC, antioxidant DPPH) phytochemical assay, XRF, and BSLA. Phytochemical screening of plant extracts showed the existence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins, but not steroidal. The TPC and TFC were 20.6 mg GAE/g and 10.8 mg QE/g, respectively. The extract displayed significant antioxidant activity (IC50 = 64.78 µg/mL in DPPH assay). In addition, the XRF results indicate that the analyzed extract does not contain harmful heavy elements (either Hg, Cd, Pb, and/or Sn and As), but Zn and Cu exceed WHO/FAO limits. The Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) was adopted for toxicological assessment, where the LC50 of 475.96 µg/mL indicated that the extract is toxic. However, several previous studies have shown that watercress can be used as a salad, a food supplement, and is safe for humans and animals. These data confirmed that N. officinale is a good source of bioactive components possessing potent antioxidant activity. This finding suggests that it may be possible to develop functional feed additives in aquaculture and nutraceuticals.

Phytochemical Profiling and In Vitro Bioactivity Testing of the Ethanolic Extract of the Seed of Carica papaya Integrated with Silver Nanoparticles

Carica papaya seeds have long been valued in traditional medicine. Although silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) boost plant extract stability and bioactivity, the hybrid of C. papaya ethanolic seed extract (EE) and AgNPs remains underexplored. The study aims to evaluate the biological activities (cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anthelmintic) of EE, both alone and in combination with AgNPs, relative to reference drugs. The study measured cytotoxicity via brine shrimp lethality bioassays (determining LC50), assessed antioxidant capacity with DPPH scavenging (IC50), tested antimicrobial effects on gram-positive and gram-negative strains (by inhibition zone) and evaluated anthelmintic activity using earthworms (recording paralysis and death times). EE was assessed both alone and in combination with AgNPs and its performance was compared against reference drugs (vincristine sulfate, ascorbic acid, kanamycin and albendazole). EE displayed mild cytotoxicity (LC50 = 89.96 µg/ml), yet AgNPs integration markedly boosted its activity (LC50 = 66.42 µg/ml), indicating synergy; similarly, EE-AgNPs outperformed EE in DPPH scavenging (IC50 = 25.761 vs. 41.977 µg/ml), approaching ascorbic acid’s efficacy. Moreover, EE-AgNPs inhibited bacterial growth dose-dependently, being most effective against E. coli (but surpassed by kanamycin) and induced paralysis 31% faster and death 41% quicker than EE alone, despite albendazole showing superior activity overall. The study highlights C. papaya EE's therapeutic promise, especially with AgNPs, but requires further mechanistic, in vivo and safety studies for clinical use. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(2): 193-204, 2026 (July)

Integrated Evaluation of the Multifunctional Bioactivity of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe Essential Oil: Antimicrobial, Insecticidal, and Postharvest Effects on Fresh Ginger

Plant‐derived essential oils are increasingly investigated as sustainable alternatives for food preservation and crop protection; however, their multifunctional applicability under postharvest conditions remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluated the integrated antimicrobial, insecticidal, and postharvest preservation potential of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe essential oil (CZEO) of Chinese origin. GC‐MS analysis identified 22 compounds, with curcumenol (26.7%), curzerene (18.5%), β‐elemene (13.1%), and curcumenone (12.3%) as the predominant constituents, confirming a sesquiterpenoid‐dominant profile. CZEO exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms, with the highest susceptibility observed for Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus . Vapor‐phase assays performed on ginger, beetroot, apple, and strawberry matrices demonstrated concentration‐dependent inhibition of microbial growth, with the strongest activity observed on the ginger matrix. In a 14‐day storage experiment at 4°C, the combined application of CZEO and vacuum packaging most effectively reduced coliform bacteria and total viable counts in fresh ginger. MALDI‐TOF MS analysis identified 269 isolates belonging to 26 species, with dominant representation of the genus Pseudomonas . Combined treatment with CZEO and vacuum packaging suppressed several Pseudomonas species associated with postharvest spoilage. CZEO also demonstrated concentration‐dependent insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus maculatus and Megabruchidius dorsalis . Overall, this study provides an integrated experimental evaluation of CZEO across antimicrobial, insecticidal, and postharvest systems, highlighting its potential as a natural multifunctional agent for sustainable food preservation and crop protection.

STUDY OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF Halimeda macroloba FROM THE SUMBERKIMA COASTAL AREA, BALI AS A BASIS FOR DOMESTICATION OF HIGH ECONOMIC VALUE AQUACULTURE COMMODITIES