Nguyen Ngoc Linh

The genus Heliotropium (family Boraginaceae) comprises more than 300 species distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions1. These plants include annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, and sm...

Petroselinum crispum (parsley), a widely cultivated herb, is recognized worldwide for both its culinary value and medicinal potential. Traditionally, parsley has been used in many cultures as a spice and as a herbal remedy for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, digestive problems, and urinary tract diseases. The plant contains a wide range of bioactive constituents, particularly flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, terpenoids, and fatty acids, which contribute to its diverse biological activities. Experimental studies have demonstrated that parsley exhibits multiple pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Additional activities such as anti-fatigue, estrogenic, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects have also been reported. These biological activities are largely attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, especially flavonoids and phenolic compounds. However, despite its promising therapeutic potential, most available evidence is derived from preclinical studies, and clinical data in humans remain limited. Furthermore, certain compounds such as apiole and myristicin may pose safety concerns when parsley is consumed in excessive amounts or as concentrated extracts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and safety considerations of P. crispum, highlighting its potential as a functional food and medicinal plant. The findings suggest that parsley represents a promising natural source of bioactive compounds for the management of various health conditions, although further well-designed clinical studies are required to confirm its efficacy, clarify mechanisms of action, and ensure its safe therapeutic application.

Qua khảo sát tài nguyên cây thuốc tại huyện Mường Tè, tỉnh Lai Châu, Bắc Việt Nam, loài Ngân đằng hoa nhỏ Cyclocodon parviflorus (Wall. ex A.DC.) Hook.f. & Thomson được ghi nhận là loài bổ sung cho hệ thực vật Việt Nam. Trước đây, loài này được ghi nhận phân bố ở Ấn Độ, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Trung Quốc, Miến Điện, Thái Lan và Lào. Chúng tôi đã sử dụng phương pháp so sánh hình thái trong nghiên cứu này. Loài này khác với loài C. lancifolius (Roxb.) Kurz. bởi các đặc điểm phiến lá đài nằm dưới gốc bầu hoặc quả, hoa 4 thùy tràng, dài 5–8 mm, nhị 4. Trong bài báo này, chúng tôi cung cấp tài liệu tham khảo gốc và các tài liệu khác có liên quan đến loài này, mẫu chuẩn, mô tả hình thái chi tiết, dữ liệu phân bố và sinh thái, mẫu vật nghiên cứu, ảnh minh họa màu và bảng so sánh làm nổi bật các đặc điểm phân biệt của loài C. parviflorus và C. lancifolius ở Việt Nam. Giống như các loài khác trong chi Ngân đằng Cyclocodon, C. parviflorus cũng được sử dụng trong y học cổ truyền. Kết quả nghiên cứu góp phần bổ sung danh lục thành phần loài thực vật bậc cao có mạch cho hệ thực vật Việt Nam.

A new spiral nematode species, Scutellonema curcumae sp. n., was identified from the rhizosphere of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in the Western Highlands of Vietnam. Integrative taxonomical analysis, combining detailed morphology and molecular characterization (ITS, 28S D2–D3 rDNA, and COI mtDNA), confirmed its distinctiveness. Scutellonema curcumae sp. n. is characterized by a unique combination of a spiral body, a hemispherical lip region with four annuli, a robust stylet, and a rounded tail with a prominent scutellum, forming a highly divergent lineage within the genus. Beyond its description, this study reveals a significant inverse correlation between nematode population density and the phytochemical quality of the host. High infestation levels were associated with a marked decline in total curcuminoid content. Notably, lower nematode density favored a specific shift in the curcuminoid profile, with bisdemethoxycurcumin levels increasing by up to 250%. These phytochemical alterations directly influenced the therapeutic potential of the rhizomes: lower infestation levels resulted in significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (lower SC₅₀ values) and cytotoxic activity (lower IC₅₀ against HepG2 and A549 cell lines). This work represents the first report of a Scutellonema species associated with turmeric in Vietnam and underscores its detrimental impact on the medicinal and nutraceutical value of the crop. Our findings suggest that effective nematode management is crucial not only for yield protection but as a strategic intervention in precision agriculture to optimize the secondary metabolite profiles of medicinal plants.

Kết cấu thép tại các vùng biển và hải đảo chịu tác động mạnh của hơi muối, độ ẩm cao, sinh vật biển bám và điều kiện cơ học khắc nghiệt. Do đó, yêu cầu về lớp phủ bảo vệ vừa có độ bền cơ lý cao, vừa có khả năng chống ăn mòn là rất cấp thiết. Bài báo này trình bày kết quả chế tạo lớp phủ epoxy trên cơ sở nhựa epoxy YD-011 và chất đóng rắn polyamide G-700 kết hợp nanocomposite Cu-SiO₂, định hướng ứng dụng bảo vệ kết cấu thép trong môi trường biển - đảo. Các tính chất cơ lý của lớp phủ được đánh giá theo các tiêu chuẩn Việt Nam (TCVN). Kết quả cho thấy, với hàm lượng 0,2 - 1,0% Cu-SiO₂, độ bám dính của lớp phủ tăng (đạt mức “0”), độ bền va đập tăng 9,09%, độ cứng tăng 9,69%, trong khi độ mài mòn giảm 20,0% so với mẫu đối chứng. Lớp phủ duy trì độ ổn định tốt trong thử nghiệm mù muối, phù hợp với điều kiện khắc nghiệt tại vùng ven biển. Kết quả nghiên cứu chứng minh tiềm năng sử dụng lớp phủ epoxy/Cu-SiO₂ như một vật liệu bảo vệ chống ăn mòn hiệu quả cho các kết cấu thép tại các công trình biển - đảo.

Mussaenda pubescens Dryand. is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia for the treatment of inflammation, skin-related disorders, and other health conditions. Despite its ethnopharmacological significance, scientific evidence regarding its bioactive constituents remains limited. In particular, no comprehensive study has been reported on the chemical constituents of M. pubescens in relation to tyrosinase-associated activity. In the present study, one new compound (1) and six known compounds (2–7) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of M. pubescens using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR and HR-ESI-MS data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The results showed that compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited significant inhibitory effects, with IC₅₀ values of 62.39 ± 0.48, 62.55 ± 0.49, and 178.06 ± 0.89 µM, respectively. The underlying inhibitory mechanisms against tyrosinase were further investigated through enzyme kinetic studies and molecular docking simulations. Enzyme kinetic analysis revealed that compound 1 acted as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase, with an inhibition constant (K_i) value of 22.28 ± 0.73 µM. Overall, M. pubescens was found to contain a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including iridoid glucosides, saponins, and flavonoids, which exhibited notable tyrosinase inhibitory activity. These findings provide the first chemical insight into the tyrosinase-related bioactivity of M. pubescens and support its potential application as a natural source of tyrosinase inhibitors for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.

Background/Objective: Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. is a traditional medicinal herb utilized throughout Asia that is widely used for hepatoprotective activity, wound healing, and blood cooling/bleeding disorders. This work aimed to identify bioactive constituents from E. prostrata collected in Vietnam, and clarify their anti-inflammatory capacity of the extract and active fraction. Method: Extraction and isolation of compounds from the extract of E. prostrata were performed. The extract, fractions, and isolated compounds were evaluated for inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Isolates showed inflammatory potential by in silico approaches. Results: Thirteen compounds, comprising a first isolated compound (diosmin), flavonoids, and phenolic derivatives, were separated and identified. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network demonstrated TNF, IL6, AKT1, NFKB1, EGFR, and PTGS2 as central targets, highlighting their significance in inflammatory signaling. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment underscored substantial participation in TNF and IL-17 cytokine signaling pathways. Molecular docking demonstrated robust interactions between several flavonoids and core targets, indicating their function as essential regulators. Experimental validation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages revealed that wedelolactone, luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin significantly inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production. Conclusions: The results proposed that E. prostrata demonstrates its anti-inflammatory efficacy via a multi-target, poly-pharmacological strategy that encompasses central cytokine pathways and upstream receptor-mediated signaling. Our findings offer new mechanistic evidence that supports the ethnomedicinal application of E. prostrata and indicates its potential as a valuable natural resource for treating anti-inflammatory diseases.

Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm., a perennial herb widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, has been traditionally used in Vietnamese and Chinese medicine for the treatment of hepatitis, inflammation, and musculoskeletal disorders. Despite its ethnopharmacological significance, comprehensive phytochemical and biological investigations of this species remain limited. In the present study, we report the isolation and structural elucidation of six secondary metabolites (1-6) from L. cernua, including alkaloids and triterpenoids. Their structures were determined through extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, and HMBC. Furthermore, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated to assess their neuroprotective potential. These findings highlight the phytochemical diversity of L. cernua and underscore its value as a promising source of bioactive natural products with potential therapeutic applications.

From the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Rhododendron brachycarpum, five grayanane-type diterpenoids were isolated. These grayanane-type diterpenoids were elucidated by detailed analyses of NMR and MS data and identified as grayanoside B (1), rhodomoside A (2), piersformoside B (3), grayanotoxin III (4), and grayanotoxin I (5), based on comparison with previously reported spectral data. All compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against tyrosinase and elastase. The results revealed that the compounds 1-5 exhibited weak tyrosinase inhibitory activity, whereas compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed strong elastase inhibition, with inhibition rates of 71.78%, 71.11%, and 85.19%, respectively, at a concentration of 1mM. This study represents the first report of the anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities of grayane-type diterpenoids isolated from R. brachycarpum.

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a traditional medicinal and functional food highly valued for its diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects. Phytochemical studies of the fruits of M. charantia led to the isolation of three triterpenoid saponins (1-3). Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic data, including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, as well as comparison with reference compounds. In particular, their compounds were identified as 3β-malonyl-7β,23-dimethoxycucurbita-5,24-dien-19-al (1), 3β-malonyl-7β-hydroxy-25-methoxycucurbita-5,23-dien-19-al (2), and 3β-malonyl-7β,25-dihydroxycucurbita-5,23-dien-19-al (3), respectively. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of these substances, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines—IL-6, IL-12p40, and TNF-α—was tested in LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The data showed that the activity of compound 1 was higher than that of the selected drug adezmapimod, which served as the positive control. The findings suggest the potential in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of secondary metabolites from M. charantia. However, further investigations, including in vivo and in silico studies, are necessary to verify the therapeutic anti-inflammatory potential of these chemical constituents.