Sawsan A. Oran

Sahar Jaffal1,* and Sawsan Oran2,*. Korean J Pain -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.25390

Salinity stress negatively impacts plant growth and physiological processes, leading to reduced productivity and yield. This study examined the effects of different salt stress levels and exposure durations on Salvia officinalis, focusing on photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress markers, osmoprotectants, and secondary metabolites. Chlorophyll a content significantly decreased with increasing salinity, with a reduction of up to 50% at 200 mM NaCl, while chlorophyll b and carotenoids remained stable, indicating a protective regulatory mechanism. Hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels showed a biphasic response, increasing at lower salinity levels (25-50 mM NaCl), stabilizing at moderate stress (100 mM NaCl), and rising again under severe conditions (150- 200 mM NaCl). Proline and soluble sugars accumulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with proline playing a crucial role in osmotic adjustment. Total flavonoids and phenolic content significantly increased under low to moderate salinity (25-100 mM NaCl) and short-term exposure, emphasizing their role in antioxidant defense. These findings suggest that S. officinalis employs a complex adaptive strategy involving pigment regulation, oxidative stress mitigation, osmoprotectant accumulation, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis to address salinity stress. Further research is necessary to clarify the regulatory mechanisms behind these responses.

Context: Micromeria fruticosa (L.) Druce is a perennial aromatic herb traditionally employed in folk medicine and culinary applications across the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Aims: To investigate the phytochemical composition and cytotoxic potential of aqueous and acetone extracts of M. fruticosa, with particular attention to their selective activity against cancer cell lines. Methods: Phytochemical profiling of the plant extracts was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The cytotoxic activity was assessed via the MTT assay against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), and normal human fibroblast (MRC-5) cell lines. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) and selectivity index (SI) were calculated for each extract. Results: The aqueous extract contained predominantly heterocyclic compounds and fatty acid derivatives, whereas flavonoids dominated the acetone extract. Both extracts exhibited selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, with the aqueous extract demonstrating superior selectivity and minimal toxicity toward normal fibroblasts. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of M. fruticosa, particularly its aqueous extract, as a candidate for the development of selective anticancer agents.

This study examines how varying salinity levels (5, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl) affect the phytochemical composition of Salvia officinalis. Using LC-MS analysis, we observed significant alterations in secondary metabolite production under salt stress. Monoterpenes, such as thujone and borneol, increased notably at 100-200 mM NaCl, indicating an upregulation of terpenoid biosynthesis as a protective response. Sesquiterpenes like Ledene and Humulene rose under moderate salinity (50-150 mM NaCl) but declined at 200 mM, possibly due to disrupted biosynthetic pathways. Diterpenes showed enhanced yields under moderate to severe stress, suggesting a role in augmenting plant resilience. Phenolic compounds, known for antioxidant properties, peaked at 100 mM NaCl, while flavonoid content decreased under higher salinity, implying suppression of their biosynthesis. Unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic and arachidonic acids, increased under stress levels of 150-200 mM NaCl, aiding in membrane stability. Additionally, under salt stress (50-200 mM NaCl), elevated levels of β-carotene, beta-sitosterol and malic acid were observed, supporting their roles in osmotic adjustment and mitigating oxidative stress. These findings underscore S. officinalis adaptive mechanisms to salinity through the accumulation of protective metabolites and metabolic adjustments. Future research should delve into the molecular mechanisms driving these changes to develop salt-tolerant crops and optimize sage cultivation in saline environments.

Ruta chalepensis has long been recognized in traditional medicine for its diverse pharmacological properties. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticollagenase, and antielastase activities of the methanolic extract derived from R. chalepensis. The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening using LC‐MS analysis. For evaluation of the antioxidant activity, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays were used. The anti‐inflammatory properties of the extract were investigated using a protein denaturation bioassay. Finally, fluorometric screening kits assessed the anticollagenase and antielastase activities. The phytochemical screening identified 33 compounds, the dominant being 3,3′,4,5,7‐pentahydroxyflavone (9.4%), and myricetin (8.9%). The extract showed antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 30.1 μg/mL for the DPPH assay and 25.4 μg/mL for the ABTS assay. Moreover, the extract displayed significant inhibition of protein denaturation across a range of concentrations. Additionally, the methanolic extract exhibited a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on collagenase and elastase activities. The highest concentration tested, 5%, achieved 41.7% for collagenase inhibition and 62.4% for elastase inhibition. In summary, the methanolic extract of R. chalepensis showcases promising antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities, hinting at its potential for a wide array of therapeutic applications.