Impact Factor: 2.1

Zeitschrift

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

A Journal of Biosciences

Editor-in-Chief: Jürgen Seibel
Wissenschaftlicher Beirat: Achim Aigner , Wilhelm Boland , Uwe Bornscheuer und Klaus Hoffmann

Sprache: Englisch

Erstveröffentlichung: 20. Februar 1973

Erscheinungsweise: 12 Hefte pro Jahr

Neuestes Heft anzeigen

Veröffentlicht von

Veröffentlichen auch Sie bei De Gruyter Brill

Manuskript einreichen Informationen für Autor*innen Erkunden Sie dieses Fachgebiet

Über diese Zeitschrift

Objective

A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC) is an international scientific journal and a community resource for the emerging field of natural and natural-like products.

The journal publishes original research on the isolation (including structure elucidation), bio-chemical synthesis and bioactivities of natural products, their biochemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and their biological activity and innovative developed computational methods for predicting the structure and/or function of natural products.

A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC) welcomes research papers in fields on the chemistry-biology boundary which address scientific ideas and approaches to generate and understand natural compounds on a molecular level and/or use them to stimulate and manipulate biological processes.

Topics

Bio-chemical synthesis and bioactivities of natural products
Isolation (including structure elucidation)
Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Pharmacology
Chemistry
Biology

Article formats

Original research articles, rapid communications, letters and review articles

Please have a look at the call for papers for two upcoming Special Issues:

Ihre Vorteile

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C – A Journal of Biosciences is proud to announce a new feature, the Editor’s Choice free access article. To download the featured article free of charge, please click the link below.

Vol. 76, Iss. 3-4: Design and synthesis of novel n-butyphthalide derivatives as promising botanical fungicides by Zhongfu Luo, Yu Deng, Bilan Luo, Yong Li, Qing Lan, Judi Fan, Wei Xue, Lei Tang and Lingling Fan

Vol. 76, Iss. 3-4: Synergistic antibacterial combination of Lavandula latifolia Medik. essential oil with camphor by Nursenem Karaca, Görkem Şener, Betül Demirci and Fatih Demirci

Vol. 76, Iss. 1-2: Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterization and evaluation of antibacterial bioactivities of the essential oils from Piper arboreum Aubl., Piper aduncum L. e Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth by Ana Cristina A. da Silva, Edinardo F. F. Matias, Janaína E. Rocha, Ana Carolina Justino de Araújo, Thiago S. de Freitas, Fábia F. Campina, Maria do S. Costa, Luiz E. Silva, Wanderlei do Amaral, Beatriz Helena L. N. S. Maia, Aurea P. Ferriani, Camila F. Bezerra, Marcello Iriti and Henrique D. M. Coutinho

Vol. 76, Iss. 1-2: Ethyl acetate extract from Cistus x incanus L. leaves enriched in myricetin and quercetin derivatives, inhibits inflammatory mediators and activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by Mario D’Ambrosio, Elisabetta Bigagli, Lorenzo Cinci, Antonella Gori, Cecilia Brunetti, Francesco Ferrini and Cristina Luceri

Vol. 75, Iss. 11-12: Modulation of antibiotic resistance by the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. in association with light-emitting diodes (LED) lights by Maria Karollyna do N. Silva Leandro, Janaína E. Rocha, Camila F. Bezerra, Priscilla R. Freitas, Jessica Horana F. Feitosa, Viviane B. Bezerra, Rizelle de O. Barros, Livia Maria G. Leandro, José Junior dos S. Aguiar, Paulo S. Pereira, Marcela Christofoli, Jaime Ribeiro-Filho, Marcello Iriti, Henrique Douglas M. Coutinho and Edinardo Fagner F. Matias

Vol. 78, Iss. 3-4: Special Issue on Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Applications

Vol. 75, Iss. 7-8: Special Issue on Essential Oils

Vol. 74, Iss. 9-10: Special Section on Chemistry of Social Insects

Vol. 74, Iss. 3-4: Special Issue on Chemo-enzymatic cascade reactions

Vol. 72, Iss. 9-10: Special Issue on Insect Biotechnology

Vol. 72, Iss. 7-8: The Special Section is dedicated to the memory of Professor Lothar Jaenicke

Vol. 71, Iss. 9-10: The issue is dedicated to the memory of Professor Peter Böger

Your Benefits

International outreach of A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC)
Cross-disciplinary contributions from chemistry-biology boundary
Authoritative and recognized reviewers

Open Access
Exploring the chemical composition and anti-cancer potential of Matricaria recutita L. essential oil

15. September 2025

Serkan Yilmaz, Hafize Fidan, Mine Çağlayan, Stanko Stankov, Selma Yazar, Albena Stoyanova

PDF downloaden

This study aims to investigate the chemical composition and assess the anti-cancer potential of Matricaria recutita L. essential oil against various cancer cell lines. The chemical profile of the essential oil was determined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying major constituents such as (Z)- β -farnesene, α -bisabolol oxides, and chamazulene. The anti-cancer activity was evaluated using in vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTT assay) on human lung adenocarcinoma (A549), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), and mouse fibroblast (L929) cell lines. The experiments were performed in triplicate, and data were analyzed using ANOVA to determine statistical significance. The main constituents of the essential oil included (Z)- β -farnesene (33.90 %), α -bisabolol oxide B (11.60 %), and others. The oil demonstrated considerable cytotoxic effects across all tested cancer cell lines, with IC 50 values indicating strong anti-proliferative activity, particularly at higher concentrations and longer exposure times. The results showed dose-dependent reductions in cell viability, with significant decreases in cell proliferation observed especially at concentrations over 7.81 μg/mL. These findings support its potential as a natural, complementary agent in cancer therapy, warranting further in vivo studies for clinical application.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Synthesis of benzimidazole-based hydrazones as potential anticarbonic anhydrase agents: a theoretical and experimental investigations

9. Juni 2025

Abdul Shakoor, Aftab Alam, Faheem Jan, Saeed Ullah, Mumtaz Ali, Mahboob Ali, Abid Ali, Abdullah F. AlAsmari, Fawaz Alasmari, Ajmal Khan, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Momin Khan

PDF downloaden

In this research, a series of new hydrazone-Schiff bases of benzimidazole were synthesized in good yields through three step reactions, and the structures were confirmed by means of modern spectroscopic techniques (HR-ESI-MS, 1 H-, and 13 C NMR). These compounds have been assessed for their in vitro carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory activity, 12 derivatives showed potent inhibition (IC 50 = 13.29 ± 0.46 to 30.74 ± 1.28 µM) comparing to the acetazolamide as a standard (IC 50 = 18.20 ± 0.43 µM). Molecular docking studies exposed vital binding interactions and robust affinities with the CA active site. Electronic properties and structural stability were examined through DFT (B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p)), and intramolecular interactions were evaluated by means of DFT-D3 and reduced density gradient analysis. Furthermore, TD-DFT (CAM-B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p)) calculations provided insights into the electronic transitions and reactivity parameters like electron affinity, electronegativity, ionization energy, and chemical hardness, offering a deeper understanding of the compounds’ inhibitory mechanisms.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Natural deep eutectic solvents: composition, preparation, and applications in food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences

28. November 2025

Sangeeta Yadav, Alka Sharma, Akash Kumar, Tanbeer Kaur

PDF downloaden

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have emerged as a green, sustainable alternative to conventional organic solvents due to their biocompatibility and non-toxicity. This review highlights the composition and structural diversity of NADES. The various techniques of NADES preparation are discussed, along with the critical factors that influence their stability and functionality. A wide range of NADES applications was discussed, such as their role in the extraction of bioactive compounds, food analysis, biocatalysis, and cryoprotection. Additionally, the review examines the potential applications of NADES in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, including their role in drug delivery, burn injury management, and wound treatment. Despite these potentials, there are certain limitations of NADES, such as high viscosity and difficulty in product recovery. Thus, there is a need for a standardized methodology to understand NADES interactions at the molecular level and to develop cost-effective commercial processes for product recovery.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Equisarmine, a new steroidal glycoalkaloid, from sterile stems of Equisetum arvense

30. September 2025

Atsumi Shimada, Hiroshi Ueno, Kohei Kawabata, Masanori Inagaki

PDF downloaden

Glutaminase is an important target that is often over expressed in neurodegenerative and lifestyle related diseases but few effective inhibitors of this enzyme have yet reached clinical trials. To select plants with high glutaminase inhibitory activities, this study was to compare glutaminase inhibitory activities of 20 plant extracts and investigate the isolation, structural elucidation and the inhibitory activity of an active compound from the selected extract of Equisetum arvense L. (horsetail). Equisarmine ( 1 ), a new steroidal glycoalkaloid, was elucidated by analyzing its nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) spectral data. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values of 1 and 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) as control were 0.72 mM and 0.27 mM, respectively. The results suggest that the extract from horsetail shows the strongest biological activity among 20 tested plant extracts, and that 1 may serve as a lead compound for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative and lifestyle-related diseases by targeting glutaminase. This is the first report on the structure and glutaminase inhibitory activity of 1 .
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Anti-dengue fever activity of a polyherbal extract from medicinal plants of Vietnam

12. Dezember 2025

Vo Hoai Bac, Le Thi Xoan, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Vu Thi Bich Hau, Hayeong Kim, Dong Van Quyen, Doman Kim, Nguyen Thi Phuong Trang, Nguyen Van Tam, Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong

PDF downloaden

This study investigated the anti - dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and anti-dengue virus (DENV) properties of an extract containing six Vietnamese medicinal plants (HemoShield – HE ). HE in water (WE) and in 25 % ethanol (EE) exhibited anti-DENV activity against all four tested DENV serotypes (1, 2, 3, and 4), with the strongest effect observed with DENV2. Moreover, HE demonstrated apparent inhibitory activity against NS2B-NS3 pro enzyme responsible for viral replication with an IC 50 value of 48.5 ± 2.3 μg/mL. In the thrombocytopenia rats, HE -treated group showed a significant increase in platelet count (approximately 33.62 %; p < 0.05). Additionally, the bleeding time of 0.74  g/kg treatment group was significantly reduced by 33.4 % (p < 0.05). Antipyretic activity of HE in rabbits after 3-h treatment showed a significant reduction in body temperature (38.8 %; ΔT: 0.4 ± 0.1 °C) at a dose of 0.31 g/kg. Thus, our findings provided new in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrating the effect of HE in alleviating DHF.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Studies on the pharmacological potential of starfish Luidia maculata using acute oral toxicity, in vivo anti-nociceptive, locomotor, and in vitro cytotoxic activities

15. August 2025

Suguna Anbukkarasu, Prabhu Kolandhasamy, Bragadeeswaran Subramanian, Ramachandran Vinayagam

PDF downloaden

In the present study, starfish ( Luidia maculata ) specimens were collected from bycatch trash fish at a fish landing center, and their pharmacological and cytotoxic potentials were evaluated through acute oral toxicity, in vivo anti-nociceptive and locomotor assays, as well as in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The crude ethanol extract from starfish L. maculata was purified by liquid–liquid partition chromatography using cyclohexane and n-butanol was used to determine the acute oral toxicity (LD 50 ) and a histopathological examination of the rat. In acute oral toxicity studies, an LD 50 value of 33.33 % of mortality was observed at 2000 mg/kg per oral dosage of the extract. Oral administration extract (2000 mg/kg) revealed significant histopathological alterations in tissues when compared to the control rats. Both in thermal and chemical-induced analgesic methods, administered extract (400 mg/kg bw) showed the maximum analgesic activity. In the tail flick method, the high dose of the extract significantly elevated the pain threshold throughout the observation period, with all groups showing increased pain tolerance over time. In locomotor activity, the highest percentage reduction (91.16 %) was observed in group IV animals after 90 min of administration, which showed the potent CNS depressant activity of the extract. The extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells with a low IC 50 of 6.51 µg. Hence, the result of the present study showed the anti-nociceptive, CNS depressant cytotoxic properties of starfish L. maculata.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Syzydyerin A, a new unusual C-methylated chalcone isolated from the leaves of Syzygium dyerianum (King) Chantar. & J.Parn

9. Dezember 2025

Faezatul Alwani Mohd Rahim, Wan Mohd Nuzul Hakimi Wan Salleh, Nurunajah Ab Ghani, Abubakar Siddiq Salihu, Mohd Hafiz Arzmi, David Barker

PDF downloaden

A new unusual C-methylated chalcone was successfully isolated from the leaves of Syzygium dyerianum (King) Chantaran. & J.Parn, identified as syzydyerin A ( 1 ), together with β -sitosterol, friedelin and lupeol. The characterisation and structural elucidation of the isolated compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with literature data. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and lipoxygenase (LOX) with IC50 values of 50.4 ± 0.2 µm and 30.7 ± 0.25 µm, respectively, compared to the reference inhibitors galantamine (IC50 = 40.7 ± 0.12 µm) for AChE and quercetin (IC50 = 3.5 ± 0.13 µm) 5-LOX. Molecular docking analysis revealed that compound 1 exhibits strong binding affinities toward AChE (−11.0 kcal/mol) and 5-LOX (−9.1 kcal/mol), comparable to standard inhibitors, with key π – π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions stabilizing its binding at both active sites, highlighting its promising dual inhibitory potential. The study underscores the value of S. dyerianum as a source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in treating neuroinflammatory diseases.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Chemometric study of the effects of the geographical origin and the collection period on the chemical compositions and the antimicrobial activities of Pituranthos tortuosus essential oils

6. Juni 2025

Zina Benissa, Fatma Chtourou, Françoise Dumas, Sylvie Bouttier, Mohamed Bouaziz, Sami Zouari

PDF downloaden

The present study aims to analyze the chemometric variation of the chemical composition of the aerial part’s essential oils of Pituranthos tortuosus , collected from different regions from Tunisia (Majoura and Sened (Gafsa), Sbeitla (Kasserine), and Eljem (Mahdia)) during the period from February to June and to assess their antimicrobial activity. The different samples of the aerial parts of P. tortuosus were hydrodistillated during 4 h. The obtained essential oils were analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS techniques. The antimicrobial activity of these essential oils samples was evaluated in vitro using Petri dishes against Staphylococcus aureus subsp . aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli , and Candida albicans . The obtained results showed that the yields of all essential oils were ranging from 0.42 to 0.77 %. They differ significantly ( p ≤ 0.01) with the regions of collection. The chromatographic analysis of these essential oils displayed different chemical compositions leading to the identification of eight chemotypes. The majority of their chemical compounds differ significantly with the collection regions ( p ≤ 0.05). The studied antimicrobial effects of the essential oils revealed significant differences ( p ≤ 0.02) with the collection region. All the essential oils displayed an important antimicrobial effect against S. aureus and C. albicans .
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Native/modified dextran-based nanogel in delivering drug and management of ocular complications: a review

29. April 2025

Biswajit Basu, Suraj Mallick, Suman Dhauria, Pooja V Nagime, Sudarshan Singh

PDF downloaden

Ocular nanogels have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, and nanotechnology has speed up the growth of the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. The physiological and anatomical barriers of the eye limit the use of traditional ocular preparations, which leads to low drug bioavailability and a brief retention period. This presents a serious problem for patients, doctors, and chemists. Nevertheless, nanogels can encapsulate medications within three-dimensional crosslinked polymeric networks and provide controlled and prolonged drug delivery by using particular structural layouts and unique preparation techniques, improving therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. Dextran and its variants, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, have drawn a lot of interest in developing delivery systems for use in pharmaceutical and medical applications. Many dextran-based delivery systems with customized geometries and features have been fabricated recently, such as hydrogels, nanogels, magnetic nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, self-assembled micelles and nanoparticles, and microparticles. The review presents advancement and therapeutic potential of dextran-based nanogels for the treatment of various eye conditions, such as cataract, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, and corneal ulcers. Moreover, the process for development and assessing these nanomedicines, emphasizing their safety and effectiveness as established by preclinical, toxicological, clinical assessments, and patent updates, has been elaborated.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Electrospun nanotextured Ln@TiO₂ fibers for effective pathogen eradication: a comparative and mechanistic microbiological approach

18. Dezember 2025

Touseef Amna

PDF downloaden

The escalating projected demand to battle antibiotic resistant bacteria and Candida infestation guarantee public safety has led focus on development of advanced antimicrobial nanomaterials. Owing to their special qualities and prospectives in a variety of fields, doped titania nanotextured fibers especially those implanted with rare earth elements like cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium have attracted a lot of attention. In current research rare earth (Ln = La, Ce and Nd) doped titania nanofibers have been formulated using facile sol-gel electrospinning, illustrated by XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM. Antibacterial action of doped nanofibers was appraised against representative organism Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans . XRD assessment established that pristine and doped TiO 2 nanofibers possess anatase and rutile phase at 700 °C. It also confirmed that Ln doped TiO 2 probably supports phase alteration. The diameter range of all doped nanofibers spans between 200 and 700 nm. Conclusively, current study demonstrated that Ln@TiO 2 nanofibers possess better antimicrobial activity than pristine TiO 2 . The order of antimicrobial activity was observed as Ce@TiO 2 > Nd@TiO 2 > La@TiO 2 > TiO 2. The Ce@TiO 2 nanofibers demonstrated highest activity among tested Ln@ TiO 2 nanofibers. The mechanism of action is likely interceded by inducing oxidative stress that targets components of bacterium and C. albicans .
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 8-nitro-7-(aryl/alkyl) and tetracyclic fluoroquinolones encompassing thiophene, furan, and related congeners

1. August 2025

Ala’a A. Al-Akhras, Jalal A. Zahra, Mustafa M. El-Abadelah, Shaima’ K. Alsawalha, Salma A. Musameh, Marwan Abu-Halaweh, Monther A. Khanfar

PDF downloaden

This work outlines the synthesis of six novel 8-nitro-7-(aryl/hetaryl)fluoroquinolones and five (aryl/hetaryl)tetracyclic fluoroquinolones; 4-oxo-4,11-dihydro-1 H -pyrido[2,3- a ]carbazole-3-carboxylic acids ( 10b , 11b ) and 4-oxo-4,10-dihydro-1 H -thieno/furo[4,5]pyrrolo[3,2- h ]quinoline-3-carboxylic acids ( 3b – 5b ). The tetracyclic fluoroquinolone compounds were synthesized using a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling acylation reaction of ethyl 7-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate, followed by a microwave-assisted phosphite-mediated Cadogan reaction. The antibacterial activity of the compounds was evaluated against a range of Gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella aerogenes , as well as Gram-positive bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis . The results demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against most of the tested strains. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values observed were 7.7 μg/mL for compound 4b against S. agalactiae and compound 9b against S. aureus . These values are comparable to Streptomycin, which exhibited an MIC greater than 3.8 μg/mL for all tested pathogens.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Synergistic role of microbiologically synthesized nanoparticles and PGPR in sustainable agriculture: a critical review

26. August 2025

Priyvart Choudhary, Nishesh Sharma, Vinay Kumar Pandey, Aum Garg, Jerin James, Sarvesh Rustagi

PDF downloaden

In recent years, agriculture has undergone transformative innovations to enhance crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional value. With increasing concerns over food security, environmental degradation, and soil health, there is growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices. Among these strategies, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as promising solutions. Advances in nanobiotechnology have led to the development of various metal-based nanoparticles (NPs), such as silver (Ag NPs), zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 NPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and quantum dots (QDs). These nanomaterials have the potential to enhance plant biomass and crop yield in both laboratory and field settings. PGPR have gained attention for their ability to improve crop productivity through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore and phytohormone production, and the induction of systemic resistance. The synergistic use of nanotechnology and PGPR represents a revolutionary platform for sustainable agriculture. This integrated approach offers practical solutions to critical agricultural challenges such as low productivity, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability. This review highlights how the combination of synergistic utilization of nanotechnology and PGPR can be developed as a winning strategy for sustainable agriculture to solve the current challenges of food security, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Unrevealing the potential of fibrous biomaterials in cartilage tissue engineering: a review

15. September 2025

Sachin S. Mali, Dipak S. Thorat, Anil Kumar Singh, Prajakta R. Patil, Snehal S. Patil, Akshay Kundale, Yogesh V. Ushir, Durgacharan A. Bhagwat, Sheeba Shafi, Sudarshan Singh

PDF downloaden

Fibrous biomaterials have showed considerable potential in cartilage tissue engineering due to their ability to imitate the structure and characteristics of the original extracellular matrix. Sustainable biomaterials such as chitosan, silk fibroin, and collagen can be produced into a variety of shapes, including hydrogels, scaffolds, and electrospun nanofibers, to develop an optimal milieu for chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and cartilage matrix deposition. In recent years, various studies showed that biomaterials-based fiber mats obtained through electrospinning as scaffolds exhibit remarkable chondrocyte growth support. These fiber mats promote high chondrocyte viability and cell proliferation, particularly when thin neutralized fibers are utilized. The biomimetic attributes of these biomaterials obtained from renewable resources such as plants, animals, and microbes have intrinsic benefits such as biocompatibility, microstructure resemblance to the original extracellular matrix, and adjustable mechanical properties. However, there are still hurdles in optimizing scaffold–cell interactions, controlled degradation, stress response, and flexibility for successful clinical translation. As a result, fibrous biomaterials exhibit significant potential for cartilage tissue engineering by promoting chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and cartilage matrix deposition. Nonetheless, additional study is required to solve the obstacles and optimize these materials for successful clinical applications.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Assessing the bioactive potential of Lysimachia atropurpurea extracts using HPLC-MS/MS, in vitro and in silico analysis

9. Dezember 2025

Gunes Ak, Nilofar Nilofar, Enver Saka, Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba, Maria J. Rodrigues, Eliana Fernandes, Luisa Custodio, Evren Yildiztugay, Ismail Yapıcı, Ilhami Gulcin, Orchid A. Mahmoud, Omayma A. Eldahshan, Abdel Nasser B. Singab, Yimao Wu, Meng-Yao Li, Gokhan Zengin

PDF downloaden

The genus Lysimachia is of great interest to the scientific community, especially in terms of its potential anticancer effects. In this study, the aerial parts and roots of Lysimachia atropurpurea L. were collected and extracted by maceration using solvents of ethyl acetate (EA), ethanol (EtOH), ethanol/water, and water. The biological activities of the extracts, including antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and anticancer effects, were evaluated using various assays. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis revealed a total of 32 compounds in the extracts of L . atropurpurea . The roots showed significantly the highest antioxidant activity compared to the aerial part. In case of cholinesterase inhibition, the aerial parts of the EtOH extract showed the highest acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity, measuring 3.05 mg galatamine equivalent (GALAE)/g. The EtOH and EtOH/water extracts exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity, reducing the viability of human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cancer cells to as low as 4.86–6.33 %. The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking suggest that the extract of L . atropurpurea exerts inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma through the modulation of SRC, PI3K, and HSP90, while it demonstrates potential inhibitory activity against neuroblastoma by targeting SRC, PI3K, HSP90, ESR1, AKT, and other related targets. In conclusion, the L . atropurpurea extracts showed potential antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and selective anticancer effects, which support their potential for further research as therapeutic agents in drug development.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Exploring the inhibitory potentials of metal-doped graphene in combating biofilm formation: a review

1. August 2025

Kunal Biswas, Devadass Jessy Mercy, Agnishwar Girigoswami, Koyeli Girigoswami

PDF downloaden

The emergence of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) has become a pressing need for the design of novel and potential anti-microbial and anti-biofilm agents. Nano-scaled materials have been designed in the research domain to curb the populous spread of microbial biofilms. In the context of nano-scaled materials, metal nanoparticles are of unique importance and have been studied in detail for the treatment of biofilm propagation and menace. The crucial aspects of metal nanoparticles and their complexation with graphene have been extensively understood at the molecular level in this review article. The molecular interplay between the various external stimuli, like pH, temperature, sound, mechanical stimuli, and different external factors, on biofilm regulation has been studied and accentuated in the paper. The effect of such external factors succumbing to the biofilm-producing microbes, to the potential inhibitory activities of such novel nano-composites has been unraveled in the present review. Understanding the methodology behind nanoscaled treatments and their molecular mechanisms could pave the way for novel biofilm targeting strategies.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Utilizing olive leaves as a rich source of multifunctional bioactive compounds to fight oxidative stress, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer using in vitro, in silico, and bioinformatics techniques

9. September 2025

Gunes Ak, Nilofar Nilofar, Nadire Pelin Bahadirli, Agnese Santanatoglia, Giovanni Caprioli, Gianni Sagratini, Ismail Koyuncu, Idris Kirhan, Jasmina Glamočlija, Dejan Stojković, Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba, Savaş Kaya, Mikhail M. Maslov, Sakina Yagi, Gokhan Zengin

PDF downloaden

Olive leaves are of significant interest in traditional medicine and in the development of functional nutraceuticals. In this study, the leaves of four olive varieties (Halhali, arbequina, gemlik, karamani) were utilized to examine and compare the chemical composition and biological activities, particularly their role in enzyme inhibition, cancer prevention, and apoptosis induction. Results showed that among the tested varieties analyzed, Gemlik (77.79 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g) and halhali (76.03 mg GAE/g) exhibited the phenolic contents while arbequina had the highest flavonoid content (36.51 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g). Similarly, these two varieties of extracts recorded strong antioxidant activity in several assays. Gemlik (2.70 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g) and arbequina (2.59 mg GALAE/g) demonstrated the highest acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. The results of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)) assay showed arbequina provided the highest cytotoxic effect against HeLa cells (IC 50 value: 60.59 μg/ml) and annexin-V/PI staining confirmed the inducing of apoptosis by arbequina in HeLa cells. In conclusion, the studied olive varieties of leaf extracts appeared to have more potential as a health supplement rich in natural antioxidants and merit further intensive study.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Nucleic acid nanoscale constructs for transformative frontier in theranostics

9. Oktober 2025

Venkatakrishnan Kiran, Koyeli Girigoswami, Agnishwar Girigoswami

PDF downloaden

Using the intrinsic qualities of nucleic acids-biocompatibility, programmability, and precise self-assembly - DNA and RNA nanostructures represent a revolutionary new frontier in theranostics, bridging the gap between diagnostics and treatment. With minimal systemic side effects, these nanoscale structures can be precisely engineered to interact with particular molecular targets, allowing for highly selective drug delivery and real-time molecular imaging. The development of ultrasensitive diagnostic platforms is further supported by their sequence-specific recognition and conformational adaptability. This review highlights the growing role of nucleic acid nanostructures in personalized medicine by synthesizing recent advancements in their structural design and functional integration. Additionally, it presents future directions for their clinical translation, establishing these intelligent biomaterials as crucial facilitators of next-generation therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.
Open Access
Protective effect of (±)-gossypol through modulation of VEGF and apoptosis in mice bearing Ehrlich’s solid carcinoma

15. August 2025

Gönül Ulus, Çinel Köksal Karayıldırım, Gürkan Yigitturk, Ayse Tansu Koparal, Altug Yavasoglu, Nefise Ulku Karabay Yavasoglu

PDF downloaden

This study aimed to demonstrate the protective effect of the racemic form of gossypol ((±)-gossypol) on Ehrlich’s solid carcinoma (ESC) model as a syngeneic breast cancer model. In the study, solid tumors developed in 100 % of BALB/c mice in the tumor control group, no tumor development was observed in the group treated with (±)-gossypol prior to tumor cell implantation, and tumor formation was determined as 28.6 % in the post-implantation gossypol treatment group. (±)-Gossypol treatment significantly reduced VEGF expression, indicating a potent anti-angiogenic effect. In the tumor control group, VEGF expression was observed to be markedly intense and extensively distributed across the tumor tissue. Conversely, in the post-implantation gossypol treatment group, VEGF expression was assessed to be significantly lower in comparison to the tumor control group. Administration of (±)-gossypol (40 mg/kg/day ip) for five consecutive days was well tolerated, with no observable signs of systemic toxicity, such as >5 % weight loss or behavioral abnormalities on mice. These findings revealed that (±)-gossypol, in addition to its tumor suppressive effect, can inhibit pro-angiogenic effects of Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells and have a protective effect in breast cancer.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Sphingolipids in medicinal mushrooms: structural insights, biological activities, and therapeutic potential

1. Mai 2025

Yhiya Amen, Ahmed Othman, Kuniyoshi Shimizu

PDF downloaden

Edible mushrooms are well-known for their nutritional value, serving as rich sources of bioactive nutrients, mainly proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for human health. Lipids, integral to biological functions such as cellular structure and energy storage, play crucial roles in mushrooms’ bioactivity. Sphingolipids, an important class of lipids, serve not only as structural elements in cell membranes but also act as bioactive molecules, playing key roles in cancer prevention, skin health, and infection control. Recent studies highlight their unique presence in mushrooms. Despite their relatively low abundance, sphingolipids in mushrooms are pivotal in cellular processes and offer therapeutic potential. Advances in analytical techniques have facilitated the characterization of these compounds. This review explores the structural profiles, biological activities, and therapeutic applications of sphingolipids in medicinal mushrooms, highlighting their potential in the development of functional foods and novel therapeutic agents.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Exploring the potency of 6-bromo-3-methylquinoline analogues as prostaglandin F2α inhibitors

17. September 2025

Kaushik Sarkar, Sandhya Yadav, Ammena Y. Binsaleh, Nawal Al-Hoshani, Rajesh Kumar Das

PDF downloaden

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is associated with preterm labor and preterm birth. PGF2α inhibitors have thus proven to be a promising target in the development of lead compounds to prevent preterm birth. In this work, Quantitative Structural Activity Relationship (QSAR) was implemented on a dataset of 77 compounds of 6-bromo-3-methylquinoline analogues using statistical approach and random selection in the QSARINS software. The Genetic Algorithm-Multiple Linear Regression (GA-MLR) approach was used to predict the best model ( R 2 = 0.8943 and Q 2 LOO = 0.8836). The inclusion of descriptors FNSA-2 and WV.mass resulted in a well‐fitted and highly predictable model. Artificial neural network (ANN) analysis was also carried out to validate the model effectiveness. Twenty eight new molecules with better predicted biological activity (pIC50) were designed. The binding energy from the docking study of seven compounds have shown higher binding activity than P10 into prostaglandin F synthase protein (PDB ID: 2F38). The stability of protein–ligand complex was further validated by 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation and MM-PBSA binding free energy. DFT and ADME-toxicity analysis also confirmed their drug-likeness properties. Collectively, our findings highlight novel quinoline derivatives as promising lead candidates, warranting further validation through collaborative in vitro and in vivo studies.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Phytochemical characterization and multi-biological potentials of Inula viscosa: new in vitro evidence

20. Oktober 2025

Yasemin Celik Altunoglu, Mustafa Ocal, Mehmet Cengiz Baloglu, Alsideeq Abdulsalam Ahmed Aboujanah, Erdoğan Horuz, Eulogio J. Llorent-Martínez, Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba, Irina Lazarova, Gökhan Zengin, Kerim Güney

PDF downloaden

Inula viscosa is a common medicinal plant and is mostly spread in Mediterranean countries. The current study analyses I. viscosa extracts for antimicrobial capacity, phenolic content, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and molecular modeling. The extracts’ anticancer potential in prostate and breast cancer cells was evaluated, and their anti-metastatic and molecular activities were analyzed through gene expression. The most prevalent substances in the methanol extract of I. viscosa are phenolic acids, which include derivatives of caffeic acid and mono-, di-, and tri-caffeoylquinic acids. Dicaffeoylquinic acids represented 88 % of the quantified phenolics. The methanol extract showed a 50 % inhibitor concentration (IC 50 ) of 101.4 μg/mL at 48 h in PC3 cells. Autophagy-related genes were found to be down-regulated in all three cancer cells. Regarding antimetastatic activity, the wound width remained ∼96 % at 48 h after ethyl acetate treatment in MCF-7 cells. The water extract had the highest total phenolic content and the strongest antioxidant capacity, followed by the methanol extract. Modest binding potential to B-cell leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) was observed with caffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives, which may be related to pro-apoptotic/anticancer effects. Our results suggested that I. viscosa can be considered as an effective raw material for designing health-promoting applications.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Unveiling of the novel benzothiazole derived thiazolidinone derivatives: in vitro and in silico insights to design a promising agent for anti-Alzheimer’s disease

24. Juni 2025

Yousaf Khan, Anila Mukhtiar, Hina Sarfraz, Shoaib Khan, Rafaqat Hussain, Mujeeb Ul Naeem, Abdul Sattar, Tariq Aziz, Zia Ur Rehman Panezai, Thamer H. Albekairi, Farwa Jabbir

PDF downloaden

The present investigation explained various heterocyclic moieties particularly the thiazolidinone scaffold ( 1–16 ) which were synthesized from benzothiazole as promising anti-Alzheimer agent. In this, we have unveiled the synthetic path for generation of thiazolidinone scaffolds which was initiated benzothiazole having 2-amine moiety. These synthesized scaffolds were then inveterate through several analytical techniques including high-resolution electron impact mass spectrometry (HREI-MS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C NMR). The anti-Alzheimer potential of these compounds was evaluated through molecular docking studies to examine their interactions with target proteins. Additionally, ADMET analysis was performed to assess drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Among the synthesized analogs, scaffold- 3 emerged as the most promising inhibitor compared to other derivatives in the series. This study highlights the potential of thiazolidinone derivatives in the development of novel anti-Alzheimer drugs and underscores the need for further optimization to enhance their therapeutic efficacy.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Engineered living materials: emerging frontiers in therapeutic innovation and management of skin disorders

11. Dezember 2025

Rideb Chakraborty, Naureen Afrose, Sourav Ghosh, Bhupendra Prajapati, Biswajit Basu, Sudarshan Singh

PDF downloaden

Engineered living material (ELM) is a new paradigm in biomaterials science that merges synthetic biology with materials engineering to create dynamic, responsive systems with living functionalities. This review explores to what extent ELMs can be developed as novel therapeutic agents for dermal complications including chronic wounds, burns, infections, and dermatological disorders. By integrating engineered microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, within biocompatible matrices, ELMs offer unprecedented capabilities for real-time sensing, adaptive responses, and localized therapeutic delivery. These materials can be formulated to release bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial, growth, or immunomodulatory peptides, in response to well defined environmental cues that address the underlying complexity of the pathophysiology of skin related conditions. ELMs have self-healing features and can remodel their structure to induce tissue regeneration and repair dynamically. This review summarizes recent progress in ELM design, including genetic circuit engineering, scaffold optimization, and biocompatibility enhancements that collectively enable precise control over their therapeutic functions. The clinical translation challenges including biosafety, scalability, and regulatory issues have been outlined. ELMs bridge the gap between synthetic biology and dermatology, by which ELMs have potential to be used as the next generation therapy platforms, empowered with personalized, sustainable, and efficacious treatments for dermal complications.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Cytotoxic isoflavones from the stem bark of Protea gaguedi

18. September 2025

Diriba Borena Hunde, Dereilo Bekere Belitibo, Chaltu File, Zelalem Abdissa, Andrianambinina Andriamarolahy Razakarivony, Marcel Frese, Norbert Sewald, Negera Abdissa

PDF downloaden

Protea gaguedi is widely used in Ethiopia for the treatments of diarrhea, tumor, urological diseases, and menorrhagia. Despite its extensive use by traditional healers, the pharmacological properties and chemical composition of this medicinal plant remain largely unexplored. Anticipated by these claims, the chromatographic separation of CH 2 Cl 2 /CH 3 OH (1:1) stem bark extract of P. gaguedi led to the isolation of a new isoflavone ( 1 ) together with five known compounds: jamaicin ( 2 ), 5-methoxydurmillone ( 3 ), dipteryxine ( 4 ), 4′- O -geranylisoliquiritigenin ( 5 ), and stigmasterol ( 6 ), whose structures were determined using IR, UV, MS, and NMR and comparison with literature data. The cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated using human cervical carcinoma cell line, KB-3-1. Compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 demonstrated remarkable cytotoxicity with IC 50 values of 24.6 nM, 3.09 µM, and 21.70 µM, respectively, while the other compounds demonstrated negligible or no inhibitory activities against the tested strain. Following the high cytotoxicity of compound 1 against KB-3-1, its activity against the multidrug-resistant subclone KB-V1 was also evaluated and revealing an IC 50 of 17.5 nM. In silico molecular docking analyses were performed for these active compounds and revealed relative binding energies (−10.0, −9.4, −9.5 kJ/mol for compounds 1 , 2 and 3 , respectively) against the ternary target protein complex HPV16 E6/E6AP/p53 (PDB ID: 4XR8). ADME analysis also revealed good cytotoxicity candidacy of these compounds, provided that in vivo activities have been performed for further confirmation.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Plant-derived secondary metabolites for malaria treatment: extraction, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential

10. September 2025

Addisu Tamir Wassie, Ibrahim Nasser Ahmed, Rakesh Kumar Bachheti, Mesfin Getachew Tadesse, Aselefech Sorsa Wotango, Archana Bachheti, Yilma Hunde Gonfa, Ayalew Hussen Assen

PDF downloaden

Medicinal plants have long been used as a primary healthcare resource for treating malaria and other diseases globally. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species, remains a serious health threat, with the World Health Organization reporting that over 40 % of the global population lives in malaria-endemic regions. The rise of drug-resistant strains has further complicated treatment efforts, necessitating the search for new therapeutic agents. This review emphasizes the antimalarial potential of plant-derived secondary metabolites, which exhibit diverse pharmacological activities. Several compounds, such as ceramicine R (IC 50 = 2.80 μM), knipholone clooxanthrone (IC 50 = 14.58 μM for D6 and 9.42 μM for W2), joziknipholone A (IC 50 = 0.17 μM), joziknipholone B (IC 50 = 0.26 μM), and cajachalcone (IC 50 = 7.4 μM), have shown potent activity against Plasmodium falciparum . Data were collected from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. A total of 34 medicinal plants were identified, along with details on extraction techniques and factors influencing metabolite efficacy. Key secondary metabolites include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and their derivatives (e.g., quinine, artemisinin, quercetin, chalcones). This review highlights their mechanisms of action and their promise as templates for developing novel drugs to combat both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria strains.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Design, synthesis, investigation, and biological activity assessments of n-allyl-2-(benzylidene) hydrazine-1-carbothioamide derivatives as monoamine oxidase-b inhibitor agents

15. August 2025

Sazan Haji Ali, Derya Osmaniye, Begüm Nurpelin Sağlık Özkan, Serkan Levent, Yusuf Özkay, Zafer Asım Kaplancıklı

PDF downloaden

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by tremor and bradykinesia and is a common neurologic ailment. There are a number of other extrapyramidal conditions that can make the diagnosis challenging. Unlike other neurodegenerative diseases, idiopathic PD has effective treatments that mitigate symptoms. Inspired by the existing findings related to the hypothesis such as activated monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme, we have developed a series of new molecules that serve as inhibitors for MAO-B enzyme. In this investigation, a range of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic as thiosemicarbazone derivatives, are explored to showcase their functionality as inhibitors of MAO-B enzymes. This study characterizes and validates their potential as new agents for addressing PD. The produced compounds were assessed for their biological activity and cytotoxicity using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) spectroscopy. The biological activity and cytotoxicity studies were performed for the synthesized molecules as h MAO-B inhibitors. Among the designed compounds, 3g demonstrated the best MAO-B inhibitory activity and optimal docking poses and stability in the molecular dynamic’s studies. Based on the data obtained, molecule 3g was a candidate for further investigations. Theoretical pharmacokinetic and drug ability studies showed favorable properties to the candidate compound 3g among other synthesized molecules.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

From current landscape to future horizon in stem cell therapy for tissue regeneration and wound healing: bridging the gap

23. Mai 2025

Kashvy R. Morakhia, Aayushi C. Shah, Mannat P. Patel, Jainam K. Shah, Rajanikant Patel, Mehul R. Chorawala

PDF downloaden

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in regenerative medicine, offering immense potential for tissue regeneration and wound healing. Stem cells, with their ability to self-renew and differentiate into specialized cell types, provide innovative therapeutic strategies for variety of medical conditions. Key stem cell types, including embryonic, induced pluripotent, and adult stem cells such as mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, play pivotal roles in regenerative processes and wound repair. In tissue regeneration, stem cells replenish damaged or necrotic cells by differentiating into specialized cell types like bone, muscle, or nerve cells, thus restoring the structural and functional integrity of tissues. In wound healing, stem cells stimulate angiogenesis, generate new skin cells, and modulate immune responses to enhance repair. This multifaceted therapeutic potential has paved the way for clinical applications in cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune disorders, as well as skin and burn injuries. This review highlights recent advancements in stem cell therapy, exploring its clinical applications and addressing challenges such as immune rejection, ethical concerns, scalability, and the need for long-term clinical trials. The article underscores the importance of continued research to fully realize the transformative potential of stem cell therapy in modern medicine.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

GC-MS analysis, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, and antioxidant activities of Silybum marianum extracts

20. Oktober 2025

Ahlem Karbab, Nuha Sweidan, Ashok K. Shakya, Musa Abu Zarqa, Noureddine Charef, Waed Hammad, Mohammad S. Mubarak

PDF downloaden

Synthetic medicinal products are expensive and may have serious side effects. In addition, other antimicrobial agents have become increasingly required due to antibiotic resistance. To overcome these problems, people have used medicinal plants for years as a source of medication. Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum L.) has been used for decades to treat various chronic illnesses. This study aimed to verify the chemical profile of S. marianum using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and evaluate the plant extracts’ anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antioxidant activities. Results revealed that extracts from the plant contain significant amounts of triterpenes, tetraterpenes, oxygenated hydrocarbons, and small amounts of hydrocarbons. Results also showed that at a dose of 0.5 mg/ear, the seed extract significantly reduced xylene-induced edema in mice; however, the water extracts reduced croton oil-induced edema with a percent inhibition of 84.61 ± 4.61 % at the same dose. Moreover, the results showed that the methanolic seed extract was the most potent in anticoagulant activity. In contrast, the n -butanol extract showed the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 = 0.021 ± 0.006 mg/mL). This study highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antioxidant potential of S. marianum L. and the medicinal importance of natural phytochemicals isolated from this medicinal plant.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

ST8SIA4-mediated N-glycosylation of hENT1 suppresses gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer

20. Oktober 2025

Chang Xin, Yifeng Wu, Haiming Li, Liping Ying, Jingjing Fang, Pan Chen, Jiye Feng, Jinbo Wang, Yuanhong Li, Nengyun Zhang

PDF downloaden

Gemcitabine (GEM) serves as a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer (PC), but its clinical efficacy is significantly limited by the emergence of drug resistance, necessitating in-depth exploration of the underlying molecular mechanisms. This study employed the TCGA database to analyze ST8SIA4 expression, revealing consistent downregulation in PC tumor tissues compared to matched normal adjacent tissues. A GEM-resistant cell model (SW1990/GEM) was generated from SW1990 cells through incremental dose induction to further investigate resistance pathways. Experimental analyses included qPCR and Western blotting for gene and protein expression, CHX chase assays for protein stability, CO-IP for protein-protein interactions, CCK-8 tests for cellular proliferation, and flow cytometry for apoptotic rates. Results demonstrated that ST8SIA4 downregulation was prevalent in both PC tissues and the SW1990/GEM model. Overexpression of ST8SIA4 suppressed GEM resistance in SW1990/GEM cells and upregulated hENT1 protein expression; however, this effect was attenuated by an N-linked glycosylation inhibitor. Crucially, silencing hENT1 counteracted the resistance inhibition induced by ST8SIA4 overexpression. Collectively, these findings indicate that ST8SIA4 regulates N-linked glycosylation of hENT1, thereby stabilizing hENT1 protein expression and reversing GEM resistance in PC, offering a potential therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Chemical composition, anticholinesterase activity and cytotoxicity of the essential oil of Luvunga scandens (Roxb.) Wight from Malaysia

30. April 2025

Abubakar Siddiq Salihu, Wan Mohd Nuzul Hakimi Wan Salleh, Nurunajah Ab Ghani, Arwa R. Althaher, Salam Ahmed Abed

PDF downloaden

Luvunga scandens (Roxb.) Wight is identified as one of the vital folk medicinal plants in Malaysia. Despite its traditional use, the essential oil composition and bioactivities of L. scandens remain largely unexplored. This study investigates the essential oil composition, anticholinesterase activity, and cytotoxicity of L. scandens leaves. After the essential oil was extracted using hydrodistillation, GC-FID and GC-MS were used for analysis, identifying 35 components, representing 93.8 % of the total oil. The major components included germacrene D (17.8 %), γ -elemene (15.6 %), β -gurjunene (10.8 %), α -cadinol (5.3 %), α -humulene (4.9 %), and alloaromadendrene (4.5 %). With IC 50 values of 78.5 and 95.2 μg/mL, the essential oil showed moderate inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The cytotoxicity was evaluated using an MTT assay. The essential oil exhibited cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines; HepG2, MCF7, and A549 with IC 50 values of 70.2, 52.8, and 65.5 μg/mL, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the potential therapeutic applications of L. scandens essential oil, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer therapy.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Moringa oleifera: a multifunctional botanical resource for sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and therapeutic applications, a review

11. Juni 2025

Anila Mukhtiar, Yousaf Khan, Hina Sarfraz, Aisha Usman, Marouan Kouki, Umair Mukhtiar

PDF downloaden

Moringa oleifera , widely recognized as the “miracle tree,” has garnered significant scientific interest due to its exceptional nutritional, medicinal, and industrial properties. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of its potential as a sustainable feed additive, antimicrobial agent, functional food ingredient, and a bioresource for agricultural and industrial advancements. Enriched with high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, M. oleifera exhibits remarkable benefits in aquaculture, livestock production, and human nutrition. Its potent immunomodulatory, antifungal, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties further underscore its therapeutic significance in disease prevention and health promotion. Additionally, its ecological advantages, including soil enrichment, natural pest control, and wastewater purification, highlight its pivotal role in fostering environmental sustainability. A comprehensive investigation over the past five years has consistently validated its effective insecticidal efficacy, further expanding its agricultural applications. The efficacy of M. oleifera bioactive compounds is profoundly influenced by extraction methodologies. Advanced techniques such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and enzymatic-assisted extraction (EAE) significantly enhance the yield, purity, and bioavailability of phytochemicals, optimizing their pharmacological and industrial applications. The selection of an appropriate extraction strategy is crucial to preserving bioactivity and ensuring maximum efficacy in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food formulations. Despite its vast potential, challenges such as the presence of anti-nutritional factors, variations in nutrient composition due to differing cultivation and processing methods, and the absence of standardized dosage guidelines require further investigation. Future research should focus on optimizing inclusion levels in animal and human diets, elucidating molecular mechanisms of action, and advancing green extraction technologies to enhance its efficacy and sustainability. This study highlights the multifaceted applications of M. oleifera across diverse sectors and its potential to revolutionize sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and environmental conservation. Addressing existing challenges through cutting-edge research and technological innovation will unlock its full potential as a key natural resource for enhancing global food security, promoting sustainable development, and pioneering pharmaceutical breakthroughs. By integrating information from recent five-year literature from 2019 to 2024, this work offers a roadmap for future study, addressing significant challenges and outlining prospective avenues for the development of novel therapeutic and pest control approaches exploiting M. oleifera .
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Potential of curcumin and its derivatives, modern insights on the anticancer properties: a comprehensive overview

21. März 2025

Rafi Ullah, Muhammad Siraj, Javed Iqbal, Banzeer Ahsan Abbasi

PDF downloaden

Globally, cancer is the top cause of mortality, placing a heavy load on the medical system. One of the first known secondary metabolites is curcumin, a bioactive substance. This study aims to emphasize the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties of curcumin and its derivatives, therefore, offering important insights for the possible creation of certain supplemental medications for the treatment of different cancers. Electronic Google databases, including Google scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed/Medline, and ScienceDirect, were searched to gather pertinent data about the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of curcumin and its derivatives. Various studies have revealed a diverse array of significant biological effects. The majority of investigations pertaining to the potential anticancer effects and associated processes are currently in the experimental preclinical stage and lack sufficient clinical trial data to validate their findings. Clinical research is further needed to clarify the molecular processes and specific targeted action of curcumin and its derivatives, as well as their potential for toxicity and side effects in humans, in order to open up new therapeutic avenues for treating cancer.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

In vitro antibacterial, DPPH radical scavenging activities, and in silico studies of isolated compounds from Rubus apetalus leaves extract

6. Juni 2025

Tolessa Duguma, Yadessa Melaku, Akalu Terfa, Kebede Shenkute, Taye B. Demissie, Nayang Kgakatsi, Mo Hunsen

PDF downloaden

Rubus apetalus Poir. is a medicinal plant used in Ethiopia to treat different diseases. This study aimed to isolate phytochemicals from the leave s and evaluate their antibacterial and DPPH scavenging activities using in vitro and in silico studies. The GC-MS study resulted in the identification of 16 compounds. Palmitic acid ( 9 ), palmityl alcohol ( 17 ), β -sitosterol ( 18 ), tiliroside ( 19 ), and astragalin ( 20 ) were isolated using chromatographic techniques and characterized using NMR data. The inhibition zones (IZs) of 100 mg/mL extracts and 5 mg/mL isolated compounds ranged from 9.33 ± 0.47 to 15.07 ± 0.74 mm against all bacteria. Compound 18 showed better activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes . Compound 19 exhibited better activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The activity of compound 19 was supported by molecular docking studies against E . coli DNA gyrase B (−8.0 kcal/mol) and Pseudomonas quinolone signal A (PqsA, −9.5 kcal/mol) for E . coli and P . aeruginosa , respectively. At 62.5 mg/mL, combined fractions 16–21 and compound 19 showed the lowest (54.5 %) and the highest (89.8 %) DPPH scavenging activity, respectively. The in silico studies indicated that none of the isolated compounds is fatal if swallowed. Therefore, these findings support the traditional use of the plant to treat various bacterial diseases.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Flavonoid derivatives from red propolis: In silico predictions of their interactions with Staphylococcus aureus sortase A and studies on their antibiofilm potential

14. Oktober 2025

Dipto Kumer Sarker, Emma Ratcliffe, Fraser Burnett, Shaikh Jamal Uddin, Jamil A. Shilpi, Georgios Efthimiou, Veronique Seidel

PDF downloaden

Sortase A (SrtA) is an enzyme essential for biofilm formation in Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus . In silico investigations were conducted to investigate the interactions of flavonoid derivatives from red propolis with S. aureus SrtA (PDB ID:1T2P). Molecular docking, MD and ADME/drug-likeness predictions used Autodock Vina, GROMACS-2021 and SwissADME, respectively. Chrysin, galangin, thevetiaflavone and vestitone showed the best size-independent ligand efficiency (SILE) scores–higher than those of the control ligand. The chrysin- and thevetiaflavone-protein complexes showed the most stable behaviour and compactness in MD analysis. Chrysin and thevetiaflavone exhibited high binding free energy values towards SrtA. Chrysin interacted strongly with eight active site residues (including two from the catalytic triad) while thevetiaflavone interacted with four active site residues (including one from the catalytic triad). An in vitro crystal violet staining assay confirmed that chrysin and galangin showed significant antibiofilm activity against S. aureus . It remains to be seen if thevetiaflavone displays any similar activity . Further studies are warranted to confirm if the binding of these flavonoids to sortase A is a possible mechanism of their antibiofilm activity. As such, they may prove useful for the discovery of new antibiofilm agents against S. aureus .
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Oroxylum indicum root bark extract mitigates hepato-renal damage induced by acetaminophen and cisplatin

25. September 2025

Seema Menon, Lincy Lawrence, Vipin P. Sivaram, Jose Padikkala, Shaji E. Mathew, Arunaksharan Narayanankutty

PDF downloaden

Oroxylum indicum is an important Ayurvedic plant from the “Dasamoola” group, traditionally used as a detoxifying agent. This study evaluates the protective effects of the root bark methanol extract of O . indicum (ORX) against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The doses of ORX used in the study were selected based on the previous toxicity analysis (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses). Acetaminophen administration increased serum liver function markers (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin), while ORX and silymarin treatments significantly reduced these levels ( p < 0.01). ORX administration also reversed the acetaminophen-induced depletion in hepatic redox balance as indicated in terms of SOD, GPx, GSH and lipid peroxidation. Corroborating these, the changes in the hepatic normal architecture induced by acetaminophen were also reversed by the pre-treatment with ORX. Similarly, the cisplatin administration resulted in strong myelosuppression and nephrotoxicity. In cisplatin-exposed rats, renal oxidative stress markers worsened, and serum renal function parameters were elevated. On the contrary, the pre-treatment with ORX alleviated the cisplatin-induced myelosuppression and redox imbalance in the renal tissues; further, it also restored the renal histology to near normal. Overall, O . indicum root bark extract effectively mitigated drug-induced liver and kidney damage, likely through redox balance restoration.
Erfordert eine Authentifizierung Nicht lizenziert
Lizenziert

Integrated experimental and In silico evaluation of the antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiproliferative activities of Boswellia neglecta S. Moore stem extract and its bioactive constituents

12. September 2025

Gashaw Nigussie, Aman Dekebo, Markos Abebe, Asfaw Meressa, Temesgen Negassa, Menberework Chanyalew, Maria A. Niukalova, Vladimir V. Zarubaev, Abiy Abebe, Rajalakshmanan Eswaramoorthy, Ahmed A. Hussein, Mo Hunsen, Milkyas Endale

PDF downloaden

Boswellia neglecta has been traditionally used to treat leukemia, cancer, and skin diseases. In this study, seven compounds ( 1 – 7 ) were isolated from the stem methanol extract and identified for the first time from this species using NMR spectroscopy. GC-MS analysis revealed 17 compounds, with olean-12-en-3-one (32.59 %), oleic acid (13.79 %), and β -amyrin (10.66 %) as major constituents. Among the isolated compounds 7 showed the strongest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 0.23 ± 0.11 mg/mL). Compounds 3 – 7 demonstrated promising antioxidant activity (IC 50 = 1.29–7.05 μg/mL) compared with ascorbic acid (IC 50 = 0.86 μg/mL). The methanol extract also exhibited significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (27.25 % viability at 200 μg/mL) and antiviral activity against influenza A (H1N1) (IC 50 = 1.5 μg/mL, SI = 21). Molecular docking revealed that compound 7 had strong binding affinity against P. aeruginosa DNA gyrase (−10.8 kcal/mol), surpassing ciprofloxacin (−6.9 kcal/mol). Compounds 3 – 7 also had stronger affinities (−5.1 to −6.5 kcal/mol) against human peroxiredoxin 5 and (−6.0 to −10.3 kcal/mol) against myeloperoxidase compared to ascorbic acid (−4.7 and −6.0 kcal/mol). These findings highlight the plant’s therapeutic potential, warranting further in vivo , preclinical, clinical, and mechanistic investigations.

Special Issue: CAZymes Structural and functional aspects of Glycoside Hydrolases and Glycosyl Transferases; Editors: Maria-Ortiz Soto and Jürgen Seibel

Special Issue: Chitin Structures and Pathways as Targets for Biopesticides and Drugs; Guest Editor: Klaus H. Hoffmann

Special Issue: Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Applications This issue is dedicated to the memory of Professor Wolfgang Voelter; Guest Editors: Raid Abdel-Jalil and Raphael Stoll

Special Issue: Essential oils; Editor: Klaus H. Hoffmann

Special Section: Chemistry of Social Insects / Special Section Editor: Wilhelm Boland

Heft 7-8

Heft 5-6

Heft 3-4

Special Issue: Chemo-enzymatic cascade reactions / Editor: Uwe T. Bornscheuer

Special Issue: Insect Biotechnology / Editor: Klaus H. Hoffmann

Heft 7-8

The Special Section is dedicated to the memory of Professor Lothar Jaenicke / Editor: Wilhelm Boland

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Professor Peter Böger / Editors: Nikolaus Amrhein, Gerhard Sandmann

to be implemented...

Heft 0

Heft 80

Heft 79

Heft 78

Heft 77

Heft 76

Heft 75

Heft 74

Heft 73

Heft 72

Heft 71

Heft 70

Heft 69

Heft 68

Heft 67

Heft 66

Heft 65

Heft 64

Heft 63

Heft 62

Heft 61

Heft 60

Heft 59

Heft 58

Heft 57

Heft 56

Heft 55

Heft 54

Heft 53

Heft 52

Heft 51

Heft 50

Heft 49

Heft 48

Heft 47

Heft 46

Heft 45

Heft 44

Heft 43

Heft 42

Heft 41

Heft 40

Heft 39

Heft 38

Heft 37

Heft 36

Heft 35

Heft 34

Heft 33

Heft 32

Heft 31

Heft 30

Heft 29

Heft 28

Die Zeitschrift Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C veröffentlicht Sonder- und Themenhefte, die sich auf wichtige und neu aufkommende Themen im Bereich der Forschung konzentrieren. Die Zeitschrift hat ein strenges Verfahren eingeführt, um sicherzustellen, dass alle Manuskripte für Sonderausgaben denselben Qualitätsstandards und Peer-Review-Verfahren unterliegen wie reguläre Manuskripte. Weitere Informationen über die Peer-Review-Politik der Zeitschrift finden Sie in den "Hinweisen für Autoren".

Aktuelle Themenhefte

CiteScore	4.3	2024, Scopus (Elsevier B.V., 2025)
SCImago Journal Rank	0.398	2024, SJR (Scimago Lab, 2025; Data Source: Scopus)
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.692	2024, CWTS Journal Indicators (CWTS B.V., 2025; Data Source: Scopus)
Journal Impact Factor	2.1	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
5-year Journal Impact Factor	2.1	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
Journal Citation Indicator	0.47	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)

Weitere Informationen über Zeitschriftenmetriken

Submission

You can easily submit your manuscript online. Simply go to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/znc and you will be guided through the whole peer reviewing and submission process.

Your benefits of publishing with us

Easy-to-use online submission, peer review, and publication system
Accepted papers will be published online first as DOI-citable, forward-linked articles for quickest possible visibility for the scientific community
High quality manuscript processing through ScholarOne Manuscripts®. Submit your research online at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/znc
Single-blind peer-review
Free color figures both in print and online editions
No publication fee
Optional open access publication
Each article published under an open access license is subject to an Article Processing Charge of €2,000
Accepted papers will be published online first as DOI-citable, forward-linked articles for quickest possible visibility for the scientific community
Every article easily discoverable because of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and comprehensive abstracting and indexing services
Secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico
Professional sales and marketing activities

Submission process

Submission of your paper via our submission management tool following the Instructions for Authors (you will be guided through every step of the submission process)
Manuscript submissions are approved by the Editor, and, if found suitable for further consideration, peer reviewed by independent expert referees
Single-blind peer review process
Accepted articles are published online ahead of print approx. 4 weeks after acceptance

Please note

Manuscripts must be written in clear and concise English
Proposals of review articles are welcome. A brief outline of the review article and the senior author's CV should be sent to the ZNC editorial office
Before submitting your article please have a look at the Publication Ethics Statement and our Copyright Transfer Agreement
Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C follows Tier 3 of our Data Sharing Policy. Authors are required to provide a data availability statement. Please refer to the Data Sharing Policy for guidance on how to write a data availability statement.
Once your article is accepted you have the option to publish it open access
Our Repository Policy allows you to distribute 30 PDF copies of your published article to colleagues (the PDF has to include the information that it is an author's copy). Please also feel free to distribute the link to the online abstract
If you have any general questions please visit our FAQ page for authors
For more detailed information please contact the ZNC Editorial Office znc@degruyter.com

We look forward to receiving your manuscript!

Hybrid Open Access

In this journal, authors have the option to publish their articles under an open access license. Open Access allows you as an author to retain copyright and share your findings with colleagues and interested parties worldwide without any restraints. If you choose to publish in hybrid gold open access, more information on costs can be found under the " Hybrid Journals" tab here.
Please note that authors from institutions with which we have a transformative agreement can publish open access without paying an article processing charge (APC). More information on the eligible institutions and articles can be found under the "Funding and Support" tab here.

Editor-in-Chief
Prof Dr. Jürgen Seibel, Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Germany

Contact person
Jurgen Seibel, juergen.seibel@uni-wuerzburg.de

Advisory Board
Prof Dr. Achim Aigner, Rudolf Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Leipzig University, Germany
Prof Dr. Wilhelm Boland, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Germany
Prof Dr. Uwe T. Bornscheuer, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Germany
Prof Dr. Klaus H. Hoffmann, Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth Animal Ecology I, Germany

Editorial Board
Prof Dr. David B. Berkowitz, Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, USA
Prof Dr. Birgit Dräger, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Natural Sciences i, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
Prof Dr. Marcia González-Teuber, Departamento de Química Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica de La Santísima and Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
Prof Dr. Srivatsan Seergazhi Gopalan, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India 　
Prof Dr. Jikai Liu, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, China
Prof Dr. Till Opatz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Department of Chemistry, Germany
Prof Dr. Esther S. Rösch, Faculty of Engineering, Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Karlsruhe, Germany
Prof Dr. Klaus-Dieter Spindler, Institute for General Zoology and Endocrinology, Ulm University, Germany
Prof Dr. Dieter Strack, Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ist in den folgenden Services indiziert:

AGRICOLA (National Agricultural Library)
Baidu Scholar
Cabells Journalytics
CABI (over 50 subsections)
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) - CAplus
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) - SciFinder
CNKI Scholar (China National Knowledge Infrastructure)
CNPIEC - cnpLINKer
Dimensions
EBSCO (relevant databases)
EBSCO Discovery Service
EMBASE
Genamics JournalSeek
Google Scholar
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
J-Gate
Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition
JournalGuide
Medline
Naver Academic
Naviga (Softweco)
Primo Central (ExLibris)
Publons
PubMed
QOAM (Quality Open Access Market)
ReadCube
Reaxys
ScienceON (Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information)
Scilit
SCImago (SJR)
SCOPUS
Semantic Scholar
Sherpa/RoMEO
Summon (ProQuest)
TDNet
Ulrich's Periodicals Directory/ulrichsweb
WanFang Data
Web of Science - Biological Abstracts
Web of Science - BIOSIS Previews
Web of Science - Current Contents/Life Sciences
Web of Science - Science Citation Index
Web of Science - Science Citation Index Expanded
WorldCat (OCLC)
X-MOL
Yewno Discover

Lebenswissenschaften Biochemie

Online Submission of Manuscripts

Zeitschriften Informationen

Weitere Informationen

eISSN:

1865-7125

ISSN:

0939-5075

Sprache:

Englisch

Verlag:

De Gruyter

Weitere Informationen

Erstveröffentlichung:

20. Februar 1973

Erscheinungsweise:

12 Hefte pro Jahr

eISSN: 1865-7125

ISSN: 0939-5075

Zielgruppe(n) für diese Zeitschrift

Readership: Academics and practitioners interested in the topic of ZNC

Sicherheits- und Produktressourcen

Herstellerinformationen:
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Genthiner Straße 13
10785 Berlin
productsafety@degruyterbrill.com

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

Über diese Zeitschrift

Ihre Vorteile

Zusatzmaterial

Fachgebiete

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

Übersicht

Über diese Zeitschrift

Ihre Vorteile

Ahead-of-Publication / Just-Accepted

Ausgaben

Themenhefte

Metriken

Einreichen

Editorial

Abstracting und Indexing

Zusatzmaterial

Zusatzmaterial

Fachgebiete

Fachgebiete

Externe Links

Bibliographische Daten