Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a long-term metabolic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, which occurs due to inadequate insulin production or the body’s resistance to insulin. As diabetes affects millions of people globally and creates considerable challenges for public health, there is increasing attention towards complementary and alternative treatments, such as phytotherapy. While conventional medications are effective in managing blood glucose, their use is often constrained by adverse effects, elevated costs, and difficulties with patient adherence. türkçe Phytotherapy, which involves the use of plant-derived substances for medical purposes, holds significant promise for managing diabetes. Medicinal plants rich in compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and essential oils, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar-lowering properties. In Turkey, a country with abundant botanical diversity, many plants have a history of traditional use and are currently being examined through scientific research for their antidiabetic effects. Noteworthy plants include Urtica dioica, Olea europaea, Morus alba, Silybum marianum, Cichorium intybus, Cinnamomum verum, Hibiscus syriacus and Nigella sativa. These plants may aid in the regulation of blood glucose levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing oxidative damage, and influencing carbohydrate metabolism. Although phytotherapy cannot replace conventional medical treatments, it can serve as a valuable adjunct. By combining traditional herbal knowledge with modern scientific evidence, patient adherence may improve and long-term diabetes management outcomes can be enhanced. This research sought to investigate medicinal plants native to Turkey that are employed as supportive treatments for diabetes, aiming to integrate traditional insights with evidence-based scientific findings.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Colorectal neoplasms rank as the third most prevalent cancer globally and stand as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Its etiology is multifaceted, pointing to the role of microorganisms within the human microbiota in its development. Notably, the high prevalence of oral pathogens like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Parvimonas micra is implicated in inducing gut dysbiosis and stimulating the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate in vitro the biological effects of extracts from Juglans regia and Pfaffia paniculata. Methods: Phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC, and the antioxidant effect was determined by DPPH. Antimicrobial activity was investigated on F. nucleatum and P. micra planktonic and biofilms. Metabolic activity and genotoxicity were performed. Results:J. regia and P. paniculata expressed CE50 37.26 and 1367.57 mcg, respectively. The extracts exhibited a minimum bactericidal concentration of 1.73 and 0.48 mg/mL for J. regia and P. paniculata, respectively. Reduction superiorly 90% of P. micra biofilms. Metabolic activity was varied proportionally to the extract concentration, and no genotoxic effects were observed. Conclusions: The J. regia extract has great antioxidant activity and could be used as an alternative in combating pathogens associated with the onset of dysbiosis and tumor progression in colorectal neoplasms. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to validate their clinical applicability.

Abstract

This study highlights the approach of participatory ethnobotany as the central methodological axis in the research on the medicinal knowledge of the Pataxó Hãhãhãi Indigenous people, located in southern Bahia, Brazil. Unlike conventional models, this investigation was conducted by an Indigenous researcher from within the community, ensuring trust, respect, and shared responsibility throughout all stages of the process. The participatory methodology involved community meetings to define topics of interest (diabetes, helminthiasis, and hypertension), joint selection of plant species, semi-structured interviews with traditional specialists, and collaborative collection of botanical samples. This strategy fostered the valorization and strengthening of traditional knowledge, while ensuring that knowledge production and control remained with its rightful holders. The integration between academic science and Indigenous epistemologies resulted in the documentation of 175 medicinal species, of which 43 were associated with the prioritized diseases, with 79% showing ethnopharmacological support in the scientific literature. Thus, participatory ethnobotany proved to be a powerful tool for decolonizing scientific research, reinforcing Indigenous protagonism, community-based knowledge management, and the recognition of traditional wisdom as an essential component of biodiversity and collective health.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, accounting for approximately 75-85% of all liver cancer cases. It originates in the hepatocytes, the main functional cells of the liver, and is strongly associated with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and excessive alcohol consumption. HCC is particularly aggressive and often diagnosed at advanced stages due to its asymptomatic early progression, making it a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Its silent progression frequently results in late-stage diagnoses, leaving patients with limited treatment options and poor outcomes. The urgent need for effective, tolerable therapies for advanced HCC has driven our decade-long exploration of saffron and its bioactive compounds. Backed by multiple patents, our research demonstrates saffron’s remarkable ability to restore liver function, halt cancer cell growth, and trigger programmed cell death in HCC. Through different advanced techniques, we’ve uncovered the molecular pathways behind saffron anticancer effects. This groundbreaking work elevates saffron from a culinary ingredient to a scientifically proven, multifaceted therapeutic agent for HCC. By bridging traditional knowledge with modern science, our findings underscore the immense potential of natural compounds in tackling unmet medical challenges and offer a promising foundation for innovative, targeted cancer treatments. This research not only redefines saffron’s role in medicine but also opens new doors for safer, more effective cancer therapies.