Vo Linh Tu

Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. is a well-known medicinal plant belonging to the Urticaceae family. Despite its widespread use in traditional medicine, the chemical composition and biological activities of P. microphylla extracts collected in Vietnam have not been fully documented. The chemical components of the ethanolic extract obtained from P. microphylla whole plants are reported here for the first time using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, revealing 62 constituents that account for 95.4% of this extract, with β-sitosterol (14.3%), cis-phytol (13.1%), tetrahydroedulan B (12.6%), hentriacontane (5.8%), and neophytadiene (5.6%) as dominant compounds. Additionally, approximately 45 metabolites have been reported from P. microphylla in the literature. The extract exhibited significant xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition (IC50 = 74.12 ± 1.58 μg/mL) and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition (IC50 = 61.29 ± 1.79 μg/mL). Molecular docking studies examined the binding interactions between 105 phytochemicals and the active sites of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (PDB ID: 3E7G), interleukin (IL)-1β (PDB ID: 8C3U), and XO (PDB ID: 3NVY), with binding energies ranging from -5.4 to -11.3 kcal/mol, -5.0 to -8.8 kcal/mol, and -5.0 to -10.0 kcal/mol, respectively, indicating the anti-inflammatory and anti-XO potential of this species. These findings underscore the promising therapeutic applications of P. microphylla extracts for treating inflammatory and gout-related conditions.

Background: Grangea maderaspatana is traditionally used for its heat-clearing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Questions: What are the major phytochemical compositions of essential oils from G. maderaspatana? Have they antioxidant, anti-α-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory properties? Studied species: Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Desf. (Asteraceae) Study site and dates: Quang Nam, Vietnam, 2025-2026 Methods: Volatile oil constituents were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Essential oils were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-α-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory activities using DPPH scavenging, α-glucosidase inhibition, and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell assays, respectively. Molecular docking was performed to further support in vitro findings. Results: The main compositions of essential oils were α-humulene, β-myrcene, germacrene D, limonene, β-elemene, β-caryophyllene, β-pinene, ar-curcumene, and caryophyllene oxide. Essential oils exhibited antioxidant activity (IC50= 243.69 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 180.33 µg/mL). Essential oils inhibited NO production in RAW264.7 cells (IC50 = 50.25 µg/mL). These findings provide preliminary evidence of the biological activities of essential oils. Docking studies of the oil constituents, including δ-cadinene (-6.9 kcal/mol) and larixol (-6.8 kcal/mol), indicated favorable binding to α-glucosidase. Furthermore, β-curcumene, δ-cadinene, and α-cubebene showed the most favorable docking scores among the identified constituents against iNOS and IL-1β, with binding energies ranging from -7.0 to -7.1 kcal/mol and -6.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusions: These findings suggest that G. maderaspatana essential oils has promising medicinal applications as a source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and α-glucosidase inhibitory agents.

Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr., a traditional Vietnamese medicinal plant, is a rich source of cardenolides with potent anticancer activities. This systematic review aims to evaluate the antitumor efficacy and therapeutic potential of its key bioactive constituents based on preclinical evidence. We searched six databases for studies reporting the anticancer activity of S. juventas. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool for in vitro studies and the SYRCLE tool for in vivo models. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. TXA9 and corchorusoside C exhibited notable activity against various cancer lines. In their respective assays, these compounds demonstrated notable in vitro cytotoxicity. For example, TXA9 exhibited IC50 values in the low micromolar range alongside the Taxol control in certain lung cancer cell models (A549 and NCI-H1299). These compounds work through NF-κB inhibition, apoptosis induction, and reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA damage. In vivo models showed that TXA9 and its active fractions significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice, with preliminary safety signals. S. juventas cardenolides are promising anticancer leads. Future research should focus on nanotechnology to overcome pharmacokinetic barriers and enhance targeted delivery.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti‐inflammatory activities of essential oil from Illicium viridiflorum leaves (IVLE) using both in vitro and in silico methods. IVLE was extracted by hydrodistillation, and its phytocomposition was evaluated by using GC–MS. IVLE was found to contain 57 components, primarily monoterpenes (67.21%) and sesquiterpenes (30.03%) with β‐linalool, α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole, β‐(E)‐ocimene, α‐limonene, β‐(E)‐caryophyllene, and β‐elemene as predominant components. Pharmacologically, IVLE exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by its ability to neutralize DPPH radicals (IC ₅₀ = 158.16 ± 1.82 µg/mL). IVLE displayed a substantial NO inhibition with an IC ₅₀ value of 47.50 ± 1.35 µg/mL. Additionally, IVLE also showed significant α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC ₅₀ = 166.59 ± 1.44 µg/mL). Molecular docking studies revealed favorable binding profiles between 57 compositions and the active sites of the iNOS (3E7G), IL‐1β (8C3U), and α‐glucosidase (5NN8) targets, with binding energies ranging from −5.2 to −7.1 kcal/mol, from −4.6 to −6.9 kcal/mol, and from −4.8 to −7.0 kcal/mol, respectively. These results demonstrate that IVLE contains natural phytocompositions with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and α‐glucosidase inhibitory capacities. The current work helps expand knowledge of the phytochemical components and bioactivities of IVLE, emphasizing its potential as a natural source with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐α‐glucosidase properties.

“Thuoc bong” or “Song doi” ( Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers or Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz., Crassulaceae) is a medicinal plant and a traditional herbal remedy native to Vietnam. It is widely used in folk medicine for treating burns, stopping bleeding, and alleviating inflammation. A total of 82 scientific publications on the phytochemical constituents of various parts of K. pinnata were collected from two reputable databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) using the search terms “ Bryophyllum pinnatum ” or “ Kalanchoe pinnata .” Altogether, 620 phytochemicals have been reported from K. pinnata , belonging to various classes such as bufadienolides, flavonoids, triterpenoids, volatile compounds, organic acids, and others. Additionally, studies on the development of quantification methods and quality control procedures for this medicinal plant were also included. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical constituents of K. pinnata based on credible data sources, contributing scientific evidence to support the medicinal value of this traditional herb.

Background: Conamomum vietnamense is a new species discovered in Vietnam with important pharmacological potential. Questions: What are the major phytochemical constituents of C. vietnamense rhizomes? Does the n-hexane fraction have cytotoxic effects against five human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SK-LU-1, HeLa, MKN-7, and HL-60)? Studied species: Conamomum vietnamense N.S.Lý & T.S.Hoang (Zingiberaceae) Study site and dates: Loc Bac, Bao Lam, Lam Dong, Vietnam, 2022-2023 Methods: Volatile components and secondary metabolite groups were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and color/precipitation reactions, respectively. Rhizome n-hexane fractionated extract of C. vietnamense was tested against cancer cell lines in vitro and in silico. Results: Twenty-three compounds were identified in the rhizome fraction of C. vietnamense, where in α-eudesmol (26.84 %), β-eudesmol (15.02 %), cryptomeridiol (14.36 %), γ-eudesmol (6.21 %), eucalyptol (4.38 %), and eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol (3.11 %) were proved as major compounds. This n-hexane fractionated extract showed a cytotoxic effect against five human cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7, SK-LU-1, HeLa, MKN-7, and HL-60, with IC50 values varying from 59.04 to 172.43 µg/mL. Along with the in vitro activity test, the docking study demonstrated that α-eudesmol, guaiol, and nerolidol showed the most potential binding affinities to human PTPN2 with binding energies of -29.71, -29.29, and -28.87 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, β-eudesmol, guaiol, and cryptomeridiol exhibited the strongest affinity for the binding site with human IGF-1R kinase with docking scores of -29.29, -28.87, and -32.64 kcal/mol. Conclusions: The current results implied that C. vietnamense rhizomes and its dominant components could be a source of therapeutic interest for cancer.

Paramignya trimera ( P. trimera (Oliv.) Guillaum), a Vietnamese plant has showed potential anticancer activities. Extracts from the plant's roots, stems, and leaves have shown cytotoxicity against a variety of cancer cell lines. The mechanisms behind these anticancer actions include triggering apoptosis, blocking cell invasion, and targeting particular signaling pathways. This review has collected data from available literature on P. trimera's anticancer properties and compiled a database of its isolated compounds. Results indicate that P. trimera extracts and specific compounds, such as coumarins and acridones, possess anticancer potential. Particularly, acridones exhibited comparable or superior cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ values 0.43-1.19 μM and 0.22-0.40 μM, respectively) compared to doxorubicin (IC₅₀ values 0.28 μM and 1.31 μM). Coumarins like 8-geranylumbelliferone and ostruthin target IKKβ, while paratrimerin W shows cytotoxicity against various cancers. Paratrimerin I exhibit cytotoxicity due to the N-methyl, C-4 methoxy, and C-5 hydroxy groups in the acridone skeleton. However, further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of P. trimera-derived compounds in clinical settings. The identification of 146 compounds in P. trimera provides a valuable resource for future drug discovery efforts.