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QUALITY
Differences in Ginseng Quality and Soil Characteristics in Different Growth Modes of Panax ginseng
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42488448/
Summary: A study comparing quality of wild, understory, and cultivated ginseng quality showed wild ginseng to have the highest ginsenoside content in both aboveground and belowground parts. In addition, wild ginseng soil had significantly higher levels of carbon, catalase, and sucrose activities along with available potassium.
Citation: Cao K, Sun C, Tao J, et al. Front Plant Sci. 2026 Jul 8:17:1825327. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1825327. eCollection 2026.
Phytochemical Investigation of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) for Therapeutic Application in Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Management and Development of Functional Tea
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42361484/
Summary: A study assessed the effects of sun- or freeze-drying and orbital shaker or ultrasound-assisted extraction (sonication) methanol and ethanol extraction methods on Phyllanthus emblica (amla) quality. Overall, methanol extraction by sonication was most effective for phytochemical recovery as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In addition, brewing freeze-dried powder as tea retained substantial phenolic content, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential.
Citation: Ashraf S, Ismail T, Akhtar S, et al. Ultrason Sonochem. 2026 Aug:131:107927. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2026.107927. Epub 2026 Jun 18.
In-Depth Exploration of Spermidines in Goji Berry: The Identification and Semi-Quantitation of Spermidines by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Feature-Based Molecular Network and High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42096772/
Summary: A methodology using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the quantitative and qualitative assessment of Lycium barbarum (goji berry) identified 164 constituents. Included among the compounds were 43 spermicides and 5 spermines ranging from 2.08 to 4.98 mg/g, a marker which could be applied for quality determination.
Citation: Chen S, Sang B, Tao X, et al. Food Chem. 2026 Jul 15:517:149517. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149517. Epub 2026 May 4.
Ecological Risks of Microplastics in Soils of Major Angelica sinensis Production Areas and Biological Responses of Roots to Polyethylene Microplastics
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42409104/
Summary: In light of current concerns regarding microplastic contamination, the effects of microplastics in farmland soil in Gansu Province, China on Angelica sinensis roots was investigated. Result showed relatively high levels of microplastics from residual agricultural plastic films and external microplastics in the soil which increased exposure and accumulation in the plant roots. Additional effects were observed in cell wall integrity, plant hormone and immunity-related pathways, and metabolic programming.
Citation: Jin W, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, et al. Environ Pollut. 2026 Jul 6:406:128710. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128710. Online ahead of print.
Application of High Throughput Sequencing in the Authentication and Quality Control of Herbal Material and Products
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42409072/
Summary: As DNA-based methodologies for the authentication and quality control of herbals become more widely used, a review examining the application of High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) techniques included short-and long-read amplicon metabarcoding, shotgun metabarcoding, genome skimming, super barcoding and target capture, in particular for complex multi-ingredient mixtures or trace contaminants. The review also addressed HTS challenges, such as DNA degradation, complex multi-ingredient mixtures, and trace contaminants.
Citation: Chan K-T, Chan J, Shaw PC. Planta Med. 2026 Jul 6. doi: 10.1055/a-2904-2063. Online ahead of print.
RESEARCH
Enhanced Memory Function and Reduced Perceived Stress in Older Adults with Self-Reported Memory Complaints Following Strawberry Leaf Extract Supplementation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42508219/
Summary: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with healthy adults aged 60-80 years investigated the potential cognitive benefits of a strawberry leaf extract in adults aged 60-80 years (N=109). The participants received the ellagitannin-containing extract or placebo for 12 weeks as primarily measured according to the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) subtests for memory and executive functioning, along with a self-evaluation questionnaire for stress, sleep, fatigue, and memory. Results were mixed, with no significant treatment-by-time interactions seen for the primary or secondary outcomes, while between-group comparisons of change from baseline showed greater improvements with the extract than placebo for a learning test at week 6 and 12 and for perceived stress at week 6.
Citation: Dormal V, Dudonne S, Gombert C, et al. J Nutr Health Aging. 2026 Jul 27;30(9):100929. doi: 10.1016/j.jnha.2026.100929.
Effects of a 24-Week Intervention with Freeze-Dried Blueberries on Brain Health in Older Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42251891/
Summary: The effects of freeze-dried blueberry powder (20/g/day for 24 weeks) on serum phosphorylated tau (p-tau181) and neurofilament light (NFL) versus placebo were tested in a randomized double-blind trial with 57 cognitively healthy participants aged approximately 73 years. No significant changes in either serum marker or in cognitive tests were seen in both groups. The blueberry powder did result in significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure but not systolic blood pressure.
Citation: Guardino ET, Gabriel O, Mukamal KJ, Djousse L. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2026 Aug:74:103377. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2026.103377. Epub 2026 Jun 6.
Bacopa monnieri Confers Neuroprotection against Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO)-Induced Neurobehavioral and Biochemical Dysregulation in the Frontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Male Wistar Rats
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41990928/
Summary: A study of possible neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri (brahmi) examined brain function and frontal cortex and hippocampus biochemistry in brain damaged rats. Oral pre-administration (40 mg/kg) for 15 days of brahmi was shown to improve motor coordination, grip strength, and spatial memory performance, while reducing brain tissue damage, oxidative stress markers (TBARS and GSH), and glutathione depletion and restoring antioxidant enzyme activities (enzymes (SOD, catalase, GPx, GR, and GST) in the tested brain areas.
Citation: Khuwaja G, Makeen HA, Ashafaq M, et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 Jul 15:366:121690. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121690. Epub 2026 Apr 15.
Antihyperalgesic and Antiallodynic Effects of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. Extracts and Some of Their Bioactive Metabolites in a Murine Fibromyalgia Pain Model
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42501926/
Summary: Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary) aerial parts ethanolic and aqueous polar extracts (10-300 mg/kg i.p.), as well as essential oil and hexane non-polar extracts were assessed for possible anti-allodynic and antihyperalgesic effects in a fibromyalgia rat model. While all of the tested extracts resulted in significant effects, the ethanolic extract was most effective, with the constituents hesperidin, caffeic acid, and limonene considered partially responsible.
Citation: Siles-GuevaraJ, Gonzalez-Trujano ME, Ovalle-Magallanes B, Deciga-Campos M. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 Jul 25:372:122232. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.122232. Online ahead of print.
Systematic Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality, Elemental Safety, and Preventive Effects of Perilla Seed Oil on Hyperlipidemia and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42451152/
Summary: A study of perilla seed oil from Perilla frutescens mature seeds determined lipid-modulating effects, as well as gut microbiome activity and potential toxicity, in murine models. In high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats, 10 g/kg of the oil significantly reduced serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and alleviated hepatic damage. Probiotic gut population increased along with intestinal production of short-chain fatty acids, particularly propionate and butyrate. Based upon acute oral toxicity tests in mice (2.5, 5, and 10 g/kg), the oil was considered safe according to general observations, histopathological examination, and serum biochemical analysis.
Citation: Chang J, Hu P, Zheng P, et al. Nutrients. 2026 Jul 2;18(13):2149. doi: 10.3390/nu18132149.
Eucalyptus globulus Fruit Extract Alleviates MASLD via Modulation of the IRE1α/XBP1s Pathway
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42302643/
Summary: Eucalyptus globulus fruit extract with macrocarpal A identified as the primary bioactive component was found to ameliorate glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, attenuate hepatic steatosis, and mitigate associated pathological liver injury in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease mice. The mechanism of action was associated with enrichment of lipid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways.
Citation: Liu Y, Lou M, Wei Y, et al. Phytomedicine. 2026 Aug:158:158395. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158395. Epub 2026 Jun 6.
SAFETY
Kavalactone Profiling of Piper methysticum Root and Rhizome Extracts and the Modulation of CYP450 Activity in Vitro
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42431523/Abstract
Summary: Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated no toxicity in human hepatocytes for aqueous and ethanol kava extracts derived from the same biomass; however, flavokavain B exhibited distinct cytotoxicity. Significant inhibition on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 cytochrome P450 enzymes by both extracts was observed, notably by the kavalactones dihydromethysticin and methysticin. The authors note that individual kavalactones, individual flavokavains, nor a reconstituted sample mimicking the kavalactone fraction of the ethanol extract inhibited CYP3A4 activity, suggesting other phytochemicals may contribute to cytochrome effects.
Citation: Daniels T, PuchalskiK, Trapp S. et al. Chem Biol Interact. 2026 Jul 10:437:112219. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2026.112219. Online ahead of print.
An LC-MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Six Components of Angelicae pubescentis Radix and Systematic Evaluation of Angelicae pubescentis Radix as a Potential Inhibitor of Multiple Cytochrome P450 Enzymes
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42461003/
Summary: Following quantification of six coumarins (imperatorin, 8-methoxypsoralen, isopimpinellin, isoimperatorin, bergapten, and cnidilin) in Angelicae pubescentis Radix, the effects of an aqueous extract on P450s in rat liver microsomes was investigated. Results showed significant time-dependent inhibition of CYP1A2 (residual activity 58.2%), with weaker effects on other P450s.
Citation: Yao J, Yang S, Liu Y, et al. Xenobiotica. 2026 Jul 18:1-11. doi: 10.1080/00498254.2026.2704711. Online ahead of print.
Herb-Drug Interactions with Clinical Impact: A Systematic Review of Global Clinical Evidence on Medicinal Plants Widely Used in Ecuador
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42480877/
Summary: A review of 47 human studies involving medicinal plants commonly used in Ecuador found 31.9% reported clinically relevant herb-drug interactions, including reduced plasma drug levels (40%), increased risk of bleeding (13.3%), decreased efficacy of immunotherapy (13.3%), and hepatotoxic or endocrine effects. The herbs most reportedly associated with the interactions were Camellia sinensis, Hypericum perforatum, Borago officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Citation: Zambrano-Villacres R, Montenegro-Acosta W, Rodriguez-Veintimilla D, et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 Jul 21:122220. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.122220. Online ahead of print.
A Critical Review of Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition by Herbal Phytochemicals: Implications for Drug Interaction Prediction and Herbal Safety
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42394195/
Summary: A systematic summary of CYP450 phytochemical inhibitors, such as alkaloids, quinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins, commonly found in herbal sources, has been provided by Li et al. (2026). The overview includes not only common CYP450 cytochromes (e.g. CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4) but also those less frequently studied (e.g. CYP1B1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, CYP17A1, and CYP19A1).
Citation: Li Y, Gan L, Wu Y, et al. Phytother Res. 2026 Jul 2. doi: 10.1002/ptr.70414. Online ahead of print.
Interactions between Cytochrome P450 enzymes and Traditional Chinese Herbs: A Comprehensive Review
Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42421515/
Summary: Hsieh et al. (2026) evaluated the regulatory effects of commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western herbal medicines on major CYP isoforms (i.e. CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP1A2) based upon in vitro assays, animal studies, human pharmacokinetic investigations, and case reports. Among the herbs included were Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo), Bupleurum chinense (Chaihu), and Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort). Among the results, the authors reported that clinically relevant induction or inhibition of CYP activity, particularly CYP3A4, was shown.
Citation: Hsieh, Y-H, Huang S-T. J Chin Med Assoc. 2026 Jul 9. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000001404. Online ahead of print.
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