Cascara Sagrada

Herbal medication in the United States is a popular form of therapy. This paper provides an overview of the utilization of herbal supplements with particular emphasis on possible interactions with oral health drugs and oral manifestations. Herbal supplements are regulated by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which limits their regulation by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A number of studies indicate that there is a progressive increase in the utilization of herbal supplements. The majority of consumers of these products are white, middle-aged women who have some college education. Many of the consumers use pharmaceutical drugs concurrently, but most do not inform their health-care providers about their use of herbal supplements. Various herbal supplements have been reported or are suspected to interact with certain oral health drugs, the most important one being 1) bromelain, cayenne, chamomile, feverfew, dong quai, eleuthro/Seberian ginseng, garlic, ginkgo, ginger, ginseng and licorice interacting with aspirin; 2) aloe latex, ephedra, ginseng, rhubarb, cascara sagrada, licorice, and senna interacting with corticosteriods; 3) kava, St. John's wort, chamomile, and valerian interacting with central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs; and 4) herbs acting on the gastrointestinal system, altering the absorption of several orally administered drugs. Further, the use of some herbal supplements has been reported to be associated with oral manifestations, including aphthous ulcers, lip and tongue irritation, and swelling with feverfew; gingival bleeding with feverfew and ginkgo; tongue numbness with echinacea; xerostomia with St. John's wort; oral and lingual dyskinesia with kava; and salivation with yohimbe. These potential effects of herbal supplements in conjunction with factors related to regulation restrictions suggest that the use of these products may be associated with various adverse reactions that can affect oral health and treatment. Dental hygienists should inform themselves about herbal supplements in order to offer appropriate oral health care to individuals who take these substances.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Constipation is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal complaints. High fiber intake is recommended as an initial therapy for constipation. Ear mushroom is known to have higher fiber contents about 50% than other mushroom. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fiber supplements using ear mushrooms on the improvement of functional constipation. METHODS: We conducted a double blind study with 3 groups (placebo, ear mushrooms alone, and ear mushrooms with additives including cascara sagrada, etc.), which were randomly assigned out of 34 patients with functional constipation, defined by modified Rome II criteria. Number of bowel movement, straining, sense of incomplete evacuation, stool consistency, satisfactory relief, abdominal pain/discomfort and colon transit time were evaluated and analyzed before, during and after the treatment. RESULTS: Both ear mushrooms alone and ear mushrooms with additives significantly improved number of bowel movement, straining, sense of incomplete evacuation, stool consistency and satisfactory relief in patients with functional chronic constipation (p<0.05). Although the use of ear mushrooms with additives was found to be more effective on the improvement of constipation than ear mushrooms alone, it may induce abdominal discomfort or pain. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with functional constipation, fiber supplements using ear mushrooms significantly improved constipation related symptoms without serious side effect.

Numerous popular "detoxification" supplements claim to promote the removal of harmful compounds from the body, thereby alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, improving body composition, and enhancing overall health. The present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of a purported detoxification supplement in healthy young adult females. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a multi-ingredient supplement or placebo daily for four weeks. The supplement contained 1,350 mg/serving of a proprietary blend of papaya leaf, cascara sagrada bark, slippery elm bark, peppermint leaf, red raspberry leaf, fenugreek seed, ginger root, and senna leaf. Body composition, waist circumferences, symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, and blood safety markers were evaluated before and after supplementation. Twenty-two participants completed the study, and data were analyzed via two-way mixed ANOVA and t tests. No beneficial or harmful effects of supplementation were found for body composition, waist circumference, gastrointestinal symptoms, or blood markers. These results indicate that consuming a commercially available dietary supplement that purportedly provides detoxification and body composition benefits is apparently safe in healthy young adult females but does not provide any beneficial effects for body composition or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Despite offering multiple benefits, agroforestry practices have declined due to uncertain landownership, population growth, and limited awareness and scientific data. This study aimed to investigate the composition, diversity, and importance value index (IVI) of woody plant species in home gardens (HGs) and parklands in three districts of the North Shewa Zone. The study used surveys and sampling techniques to collect data from 80 HGs to 33 parklands. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and evenness were analyzed using R software with Version 4.2.2. Their mean values were compared between the two agroforestry systems and among districts using Tukey's pairwise comparison in SPSS (Version 20) statistics at a p value < 0.05. Additionally, the IVI was used for the structural analysis of woody species. The findings showed that 136 plant species from 58 families were identified. The Fabaceae family dominated in both HG and parkland practices. Trees were the most common growth form. HGs showed higher diversity (114 species) compared to parklands (79 species). Species richness also varied by districts, with Tarmaber having the most (86) and Ensaro the least (42) for HGs, and Tarmaber (37) had more than Mojana-Werena (21) for parklands. Tarmaber also scored the highest Shannon diversity for HGs (1.94) and parklands (1.74), followed by Mojana-Wedera. Overall, HGs displayed significantly higher richness and diversity than parklands across the study area at a p < 0.05. Interestingly, parkland data showed no significant differences in diversity metrics. The study also revealed 61.03% native (indigenous and endemic) and 38.24% exotic species. This growing interest in including exotic species necessitates addressing potential ecological disruptions while promoting overall plant diversity. The first five most frequent species in the sampled HGs were Rhamnus prinoides, Croton macrostachyus, Eucalyptus globulus, Schinus molle, and Ziziphus spina-christi, which occurred in 20.18%, 7.89%, 5.26%, 5.26%, and 4.39% of all HGs, respectively. Similarly, the most frequent species in parklands were C. macrostachyus, E. globulus, Olea europaea, Erythrina brucei, and Juniperus procera, with

"Tej" is an Ethiopian wine made from honey and leaves or stems of Rhamnus prinoides, also known as "Gesho" in Amharic. It is spontaneously fermented, which leads to quality issues, affecting not only consistency but also safety. In this study, we aimed to address these challenges by developing a mixed starter culture containing safe microorganisms isolated from traditionally fermented "Tej" and honey in Ethiopia. Two-hundred-five lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains from "Tej" and honey samples were isolated, and phenotypic as well as molecular identification were performed. Among the yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was predominant. Among the lactic acid bacteria, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei was the most common. Controlled fermentations were conducted using combinations of L. paracasei and S. cerevisiae, followed by sensory analysis and characterization of volatile compounds. Fourteen flavor active compounds were identified. Of which ethyl-acetate, ethyl-nonanoate, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and acetaldehyde were dominant representatives of acetate ester, ethyl ester, higher alcohol and carbonyl compound, respectively. Genomic analysis showed that the selected L. paracasei strains lack plasmid-associated antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and transferable genetic elements, indicating they are safe. Overall, we conclude that using a defined starter culture can produce safer and higher-quality "Tej".

Traditional medicinal plants remain vital healthcare resources for rural communities, particularly in areas with limited access to modern medical services. This study documents and quantitatively analyzes the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants in Meketewa District, northwestern Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 360 informants (20 key informants and 340 general informants) across five kebeles (Sub-Districts) representing different agroecological zones. Data were analyzed using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking (DMR), informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), Jaccard similarity index (JSI), Rahman's similarity index (RSI), t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The distribution of indigenous medicinal plant knowledge was significantly influenced by agroecology and socio-demographic factors, including age, gender, education, and knowledge experience. A total of 76 medicinal plant species belonging to 46 families were documented, with Fabaceae as the dominant family (7.9%) and herbs as the most common growth form (38.16%). Most species were used for human ailments (63.2%), while 9.2% were used for livestock and 27.6% for both. Natural forests were the primary source of medicinal plants (61.84%). Crushing was the dominant preparation method (38.4%), and oral administration was the most common route (47.7%). The use of additives, antidotes, and localized dosage systems reflects advanced therapeutic knowledge. Rhamnus prinoides was the most preferred species for treating human tonsillitis, whereas Euphorbia abyssinica was widely used for livestock swelling. High ICF values (up to 0.92) indicated strong informant agreement, while JSI (2.29-45.19%) and RSI (0.00-16.67%) reflected largely localized ethnomedicinal knowledge; similarly, high fidelity levels for Asparagus africanus var. puberulus (83.3%), Rhamnus prinoides (75%), and Cucumis ficifolius and Euphorbia abyssinica (73.3%) underscore strong cultural consensus and priority for phytochemical validation. Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata was the highest-ranked multipurpose species but faces increasing anthropogenic threats. These findings emphasize the need for in situ and ex situ conserva

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Natural products containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs) such as Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana), Frangula (Rhamnus frangula), Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), and Senna (Cassia angustifolia) have long been used for their laxative properties, but also raise safety concerns due to reported genotoxic and carcinogenic potential. Most studies have focused on quantifying HADs, whereas the broader secondary metabolite landscape of these herbal drugs remains underexplored. We aimed to generate an untargeted metabolomic fingerprint of these four species and to explore their chemical diversity using AI-based structural classification. METHODS: Four commercial botanical raw materials were extracted with 60% methanol and analysed by UPLC-HRMS/MS in positive and negative ion modes. Features were processed in Compound Discoverer and annotated by accurate mass and MS/MS matching against spectral databases, then assigned to structural classes using a graph neural network classifier. Multivariate analyses (PCA, HCA) were used to compare metabolic patterns across species. RESULTS: In total, 93, 83, 83 and 51 metabolites were annotated in cascara, frangula, rhubarb, and senna, respectively, spanning flavonoids, anthraquinones, phenylpropanoids and other classes. Only four flavonoids were shared by all species, indicating marked biochemical divergence. Several putatively species-enriched features were observed, including pavine in cascara and frangula, vicenin-2 in senna, and piceatannol in rhubarb. Senna displayed the most distinct metabolic profile, whereas cascara and frangula clustered closely. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides a chemistry-centred metabolomic fingerprint of four HAD-containing herbal drugs using graph-based neural networks for natural product classification, supporting future studies on the pharmacological potential, bioavailability and safety of their metabolites.

Retraction of Heliyon. 2023 May 29;9(6):e16654. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16654. [This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16654.]. © 2025 The Author(s).

Sexual dimorphism in dioecious species can shape divergent hydraulic strategies in response to environmental stress, yet integrative studies linking anatomical and physiological traits across different plant organs remain scarce. We investigated sex-specific water-use strategies in two Mediterranean shrubs, Pistacia lentiscus L. and Rhamnus alaternus L., by analyzing leaf and wood anatomy, leaf functional traits, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. Male plants of both species exhibited conservative morpho-anatomical traits, including smaller, thicker leaves, lower specific leaf area (SLA), higher dry matter content and reduced intercellular spaces, traits typically associated with drought resistance strategies. In P. lentiscus, these traits correlated with higher photosynthetic rates and Fv/Fm values, alongside greater stomatal density and vessel frequency, suggesting coordinated investment in carbon gain and hydraulic efficiency/safety. Conversely, females displayed acquisitive traits (higher SLA, wider intercellular spaces, lower vessel frequency), potentially enhancing photosynthesis under mesic conditions but increasing vulnerability to drought-induced embolism. In R. alaternus, female individuals maintained higher net photosynthesis and instantaneous water- use efficiency, while males exhibited greater Fv/Fm and a decoupled leaf-wood coordination. These findings suggest that males may adopt safer hydraulic architectures, while females, potentially constrained by reproductive demands, pursue efficiency-driven strategies, still maintaining vessel redundancy in wood. As aridity intensifies in Mediterranean regions, such dimorphism may influence population dynamics, sex ratios and species resilience. Our results underscore the ecological significance of species-specific sex-based hydraulic variation and the necessity of incorporating sex into trait-based models of plant responses to climate change. © The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press.

Many animals show phenotypic flexibility in response to a seasonal environment. Especially migratory birds have been found to exhibit striking physiological and behavioural adaptations to overcome the negative impacts of environmental seasonality. Migratory songbirds often show extreme changes in feeding physiology and behaviour before embarking on a migratory flight, including predominantly insectivorous species switching their diet preference to a frugivorous one before autumn migration. Yet, little is known about frugivory during spring migration in temperate zones. In this paper, we report that five songbird species forage on the fruits of two Mediterranean plants, Prasium majus and Rhamnus alaternus, during spring stopover in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Analyses of faecal content showed that fruits of P. majus were generally preferred, with garden warblers (Sylvia borin) having the highest percentage of faecal samples containing seeds of both plants. Availability of ripe P. majus fruits increased over the sampling season and correlated positively with the number of faecal samples containing seeds. Our findings reveal a relevance of fruit at a temperate zone stopover site during spring migration for five passerine species. Frugivory during spring migration may represent an easy means for birds to acquire macronutrients, micronutrients and water. This may be especially important at resource-poor stopover sites and may aid birds' continuation of the northward flight towards their breeding grounds in a timely manner. © 2025 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Changes in the global environment are widespread and may have unappreciated effects on the activity of animals and the strength of animal-mediated interactions. For example, urbanization and the spread of invasive species are aspects of global change that may lead to shifts in the activity of granivorous rodents, potentially leading to changes in the survival and establishment of seeds rodents consume. Importantly, these two aspects of global change could interact to affect rodent activity. We used a large-scale manipulation of common invasive shrubs (Rhamnus cathartica, Lonicera macckii) across a rural-to-urban forest gradient spanning southern Wisconsin in summer and autumn to examine the effects that urbanization, invasion, and seasonality had on modifying rodent activity and granivory. Using two 14-day sampling sessions, we recorded the activity of three granivorous rodents (Peromyscus leucopus, Sciurus carolinensis, and Tamias striatus) with motion-activated cameras and quantified seed removal using six tree species (Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Acer saccharum, Prunus serotina, Pinus strobus, and Pinus resinosa) with seed depots to link animal activity with seed removal. Our findings reveal that Quercus seed removal was highest in urban sites, potentially linking hotspots of S. carolinensis activity in urban forests to decreased seed survival. In capturing a large number of P. leucopus photos during the autumn in R. cathartica removed plots, our findings suggest that P. leucopus may be responding to the provision of short-term resources. Our results underscore the primacy of seed mass in determining rodent seed choice: although urbanization and invasive shrubs had different effects on the activity of rodent species, the removal of seeds was always strongly dependent upon seed mass. Our findings help to illuminate potential hotspots of granivorous rodent activity along an urbanization gradient, the shifts in species-specific seed loss associated with this gradient, and the dominance of seed mass in contributing to rodent seed preference. © 2025 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

To investigate the protective effects of Rhamnus alaternus L. against ethanol-induced toxicity, female Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 8 rats: control, ethanol (4 g/kg - 40 %), and ethanol with total oligomer flavonoids (TOF) (5 mg/kg). Various parameters, including biochemical and oxidative stress markers, histopathological damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and lysosomal activity in peritoneal macrophages, and cytokine levels, were evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment. Our study demonstrated that ethanol induced a considerable disruption of hematological indices, an increased level of biochemical markers, and MDA level with decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, an increase in ROS, NO levels, lysosomal activity and a significant increase in cytokines levels, indicated inflammation. TOF, however, restored normal levels of hematological indices, biochemical, antioxidant enzymes, and cytokines, and improved histological anomalies. TOF was found to protect rats from ethanol-induced damage owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, molecular docking simulations of the identified phytocompounds against 'superoxide dismutase (pdb:4A7G)' and 'glutathione peroxidase 1 (pdb:2F8A)' were performed. Significant results are obtained especially with 'Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside'.

Urban wildlife conservation is emerging as a critical component of sustainable city ecosystems. Rather than simply increasing tree abundance or species richness, conservation management should focus on key species. In this research, Xishan Forest Park in Beijing was chosen as a case study. Our aim was to identify keystone taxa critical for avian foraging and nesting during the breeding season. We performed a network analysis linking bird species, their diets, and nest plants. Dietary components were detected using DNA metabarcoding conducted with avian fecal samples. Nest plants were identified via transect surveys. Two indices of the network, degree and weighted mean degree, were calculated to evaluate the importance of the dietary and nest plant species. We identified 13 bird host species from 107 fecal samples and 14 bird species from 107 nest observations. Based on the degree indices, fruit trees Morus and Prunus were detected as key food sources, exhibiting both the highest degree (degree = 9, 9) and weighted mean degree (lnwMD = 5.21, 4.63). Robinia pseudoacacia provided predominant nesting sites, with a predominant degree of 7. A few taxa, such as Styphnolobium japonicum and Rhamnus parvifolia, served dual ecological significance as both essential food sources and nesting substrates. Scrublands, as a unique habitat type, provided nesting sites and food for small-bodied birds. Therefore, targeted management interventions are recommended to sustain or enhance these keystone resource species and to maintain the multi-layered vertical vegetation structure to preserve the diverse habitats of birds.

Agroforestry practices enhance food production, manage natural resources, mitigate climate change, and improve farmers' financial well-being. Despite existing literature on agroforestry and cereal crop production in Northwestern Ethiopia, empirical evidence on the financial aspects of agroforestry is lacking. This study in the Lay Armachiho district of the Upper Blue Nile Basin aimed to: (1) assess the financial viability of three agroforestry practices (37 homegardens, 23 dogwood trees (Rhamnus prinoides), and 21 coffee-shade systems), (2) evaluate and compare their financial attractiveness with three cereal crops (27 teff, 28 maize, and 28 millet fields), and (3) identify profitability constraints and potential solutions for farmers involved in agroforestry. Data were collected through interviews with 54 households and analyzed using Net Present Value (NPV), Equivalent Annualized Income (EAI), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), ANOVA, and sensitivity analysis. Coffee-based practices showed the highest profitability, with an NPV per hectare that was 34.65 % and 26.45 % greater than dogwood and homegarden practices, respectively, despite irregular cash flow. The findings indicated that agroforestry practices were more financially profitable (in terms of NPV, EAI, and BCR) than cereal monocropping. At a 10 % discount rate, the NPV per hectare of agroforestry ranged from ETB 193,932 to 296,739 (USD 6641.51 to 10,162.29), compared to ETB 58,642.33 to 167,105.57 (USD 2008.29 to 5722.79) for cereal crops over 15 years. Various plant parts, including fruits, leaves, seeds, and wood, enhance the financial viability of agroforestry. Expanding agroforestry innovations can significantly improve rural household income. Factors such as education level, wealth status, limited access to improved varieties and markets, inadequate credit options, and disease impact agroforestry returns. Enhancing extension services, subsidizing improved fruit species, developing market networks and affordable credit systems, and improving disease protection schemes could promote agroforestry practices like home gardens and coffee cultivation, supporting farmers' livelihoods.

Rhamnus alaternus L. (Rhamnaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treating a range of inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to characterize the methanolic extract of Rhamnus alaternus L. stem bark (MRAB) using LC-MS and to investigate its in vitro antioxidant activity as well as its in vivo analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects. Thirteen compounds were identified, including 7 glycosylated flavonoids, two non-glycosylated flavonoids, two phenolic acids and two chromones. The IC50 of MRAB for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were 58.31 ± 3.07 μg/mL and 22.33 ± 0.35 μg/mL, respectively. MRAB also demonstrated a high total antioxidant capacity and reducing power (242.8 ± 17.96 mg Asc E/g extract and 143.74 ± 1.18 mg Asc E/g extract, respectively). The MRAB showed notable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, MRAB at 500 mg/kg exhibited a significant reduction in writhing (66.19 %), comparable to diclofenac (76.66 %). The extract also showed potent analgesic effects in the formalin test, with a 79.54 % inhibition in the inflammatory phase, similar to salicylic acid (84.9 %). MRAB exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity in both the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema test (58.74 % and 66.73 % inhibition at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively) and the xylene-induced ear edema test (49.72 % and 59.81 % inhibition). Furthermore, MRAB indicated significant wound-healing effects, with retraction percentages of 89.56 ± 0.93 % and 93.45 ± 0.83 % at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, comparable to the Cicatryl group (95.91 ± 0.62 %) on day 12. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential applications of MRAB for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing treatments.

This study determined the phytochemical profile and in vivo anti-arthritic potential and mechanistic effects of MeOH extract of Rhamnus prinoides. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. In the anti-arthritic assay, the rats were assigned into arthritic control, non-arthritic control, methotrexate control, and three extract-treated [100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight (bw)] groups. Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce polyarthritis. The treatments were orally administered from day 8 post-induction of polyarthritis. The experimental animals were euthanized and blood was drawn for hematological parameter analysis on day 29. The ankle joint tissue and liver were detached and utilized in gene expression using RT-qPCR and standard antioxidant assays, respectively. One-factorial ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons were used to compute for statistical differences of the raw data. The LC-MS analysis identified phytochemicals of flavonoids, anthraquinones, lignans, and coumarins classes. Fatty acid methyl ester, benzofuran, and terpene were also detected using GC-MS. The extract significantly reduced ankle joint edema, reduced body weight loss and arthritis scores, improved elevated spleen and thymus indices, attenuated aberrant hematological parameters, lowered malonaldehyde levels, and enhanced enzymatic antioxidant activities in rats induced with polyarthritis (p < 0.05). The extract also significantly upregulated expression of I-κBα, IL-4, and IL-10 genes, as well as downregulated expression of STAT-3, NF-κB, RANKL, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 genes in rats induced with polyarthritis (p < 0.05). The extract possesses phytochemicals with anti-arthritic potential and can be used as a potential lead in developing novel anti-arthritic agents. © 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Advanced techniques capable of early and non-destructive detection of the impacts of water stress on trees and estimation of the underlying photosynthetic capacities on larger scale are necessary to meet the challenges of limiting plant growth and ecological protection caused by drought. We tested influence of continuous water stress on photosynthetic traits including Leaf Chlorophyll content (LCC) and Chlorophyll Fluorescence (ChlF) and combined hyperspectral reflectance as a high-throughput approach for early and non-destructive assessment of LCC and ChlF traits in Rhamnus leptophylla trees. LCC and ChlF parameters (NPQ, Fv'/Fm', ETR, ETRmax, Fm', qL, qP, Y(II) were measured alongside leaf hyperspectral reflectance from Rhamnus leptophylla suffering from constant drought during water stress. Water stress caused NPQ, Fv'/Fm', ETRmax, Fm', qL, qP, Y(II) and ETR continuous decline throughout the entire drought period. ChlF was more sensitive to drought monitoring than LCC. The original reflectance spectra and hyperspectral vegetation indices (SVIs) showed a strong correlation with LCC and ChlF. Reflectance in 540-560nm and 750-1100nm and selected SVI such as Simple Ratio (SR)752/690 can track drought responses effectively before leaves showed drought symptoms. Multivariate Linear Regression (MLR) and three machine learning algorithms, namely Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) were employed to develop models for estimating LCC and ChlF parameters. RF provided the best estimation accuracy for LCC compared to MLR, KNN and SVM, achieving an R2 value of 0.895 for all LCC samples. The canopy layer significantly influenced the estimation accuracy of LCC, with the middle layer yielding the highest R2 value. RF also demonstrated superior performance compared to MLR, KNN and SVM for estimating NPQ, Fv'/Fm', ETRmax, Fm', qL, qP, Y(II) and ETR, achieving R2 value of 0.854 for NPQ, 0.610 for Fv'/Fm', 0.878 for ETRmax, 0.676 for Fm', 0.604 for qL, 0.731 for qP, 0.879 for Y(II), and 0.740 for ETR. Our results indicate that photosynthetic traits combined hyperspectral reflectance can monitor the effect of drought on trees effectively w

The purpose of our study was to investigate the curative effect of an enriched total oligomer flavonoid (TOF) extract from Rhamnus alaternus on ethanol-induced rat hepatic injury. We investigated the effects of R. alaternus in adult Wistar rats administered the drug (20 mg/kg) along with 4 g/kg of 40% ethanol. The findings noted that treatment with ethanol caused an increase in serum liver function parameters (alanine transferases, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin), in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a decrease in hepatic antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione. In addition, it intensified histopathological changes in the liver, as revealed by mononuclear cells' infiltration and steatosis compared to control. When compared to the ethanol-alone-treated group, the rat receiving ethanol plus TOF extract exhibited significant decrease in serum liver function parameters, in TNF-α, in IL-1β in GM-CSF and MDA levels, and increased hepatic antioxidant activities. Histopathological observations confirmed the curative effect of TOF against ethanol-induced liver injury in rats. These results suggest that TOF extract from R. alaternus has hepatoprotective effect by elevating antioxidative potentials and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. © 2025 Wiley‐VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

Hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs) are natural compounds that occur in several botanical species belonging to the genera Aloe L., Cassia L., Rheum L., Frangula Mill., and Rhamnus L. While they are widely used for their laxative effects, concerns persist about their potential genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. This study presents the development, validation, and application of a sensitive and rapid LC-MS/MS method to detect HAD (aloins, aloe-emodin, emodin, and danthron) levels in botanical food products and supplements. The method was validated according to criteria established by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins, and Regulation (EU) No 2783/2023 and was demonstrated to be fit-for-purpose. It was applied to 43 samples collected from the Italian market, including beverages, liquid and solid food supplements, herbal infusions, and jam based on aloe, senna, cassia, rhubarb, and frangula. The results revealed that 33% of the analyzed samples contained detectable HAD concentrations above the limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.5 mg/kg). The highest concentrations, up to 1352.9 mg/kg for the sum of aloin A and B, were found in solid food supplements derived from senna, cascara, rhubarb, and frangula. Aloe-emodin reached 213.4 mg/kg in a solid food supplement sample containing the same plant species, while the maximum detected concentration of emodin was 259.7 mg/kg in a senna-based supplement. No sample contained danthron. Conversely, in the majority of aloe beverage samples, HAD levels were found to be below the LOQ. In order to ensure the safety of consumers, it is essential that a more rigorous market surveillance of botanical food products is implemented, along with further toxicological studies.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that can lead to chronic ulcerative wounds. The low efficacy and high cytotoxicity of current treatments for leishmaniasis is an important health issue. This study assessed the anti-leishmanial effects of stem bark extract of Rhamnus cathartica and nano-emodin (NE) against Leishmania major (L. major) in vitro and in vivo . METHODS: Emodin was prepared chemically and physically, and was formulated into nanoliposomes at concentrations of 25-400 μg/ml. The activity of nanoliposomes were evaluated in vitro and in vivo on cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Results were analyzed using Prism and SPSS software. Statistical significance was determined using t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: The results showed that the anti-parasitic effect of nano-emodin increased time and dose-dependently both in vivo and in vitro . 400 μg/ml of NE showed the highest inhibitory effects on L. major promastigotes. Also, this concentration could reduce the number of L. major amastigotes. Furthermore, the results of histopathological investigation indicated that all concentrations of nano-emodin had no nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: Considering the excellent anti-leishmanial effect of emodin nanoliposomes in addition to the non-toxicity, it can be concluded that this natural compound can be a suitable candidate for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

PREMISE: Extreme-cold events are increasingly recognized as one of the most damaging aspects of climate change in northern temperate ecosystems. However, little data exists describing how native and non-native species may respond to these extreme events, especially as seeds. We used a greenhouse experiment to test how extreme cold reduces seedling establishment in seven woody species common to eastern North America. We hypothesized that the effects of extreme cold depend on provenance (native vs. non-native) and chilling period. METHODS: Following chilling periods of 80, 100, or 120 days, seeds experienced a false-spring with temperatures at 15°C for one week; half of the seeds in each dormancy treatment group experienced a two-day extreme-cold event (-13.9°C) while the rest returned to mild winter temperatures (4°C). RESULTS: Extreme-cold events universally decreased seedling establishment, but non-native species had four times greater survival in the extreme-cold treatment (mean ± s.e.: 0.108 ± 0.024) compared to native species (0.024 ± 0.018). Furthermore, native seeds were increasingly susceptible to extreme-cold damage following a 120-day chilling period, whereas non-native seeds were able to resist extreme cold equally following all chilling periods. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in eastern North America, cold resistance could be a trait facilitating the success of non-native species. The introduction of non-native species may synergize with climate change to alter community composition, which could have important consequences for forest biodiversity in the Anthropocene. © 2025 Botanical Society of America.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease (PD) is high, and treatment is not optimal to date. Curcumin possesses neuroprotective effects. Nevertheless, oral use is incommodious due to its poor bioavailability. Numerous attempts have been made to increase its systemic bioavailability. Among these, an effective way to increase the bioavailability of curcumin is by combining it with probiotics to target the glucuronidation reaction. The present study focuses on the bio-enhancement of curcumin using probiotics in animal models of PD by alleviating oxidative stress and ameliorating dopamine levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two male rats were used for the study. Twelve animals were used for a bio-availability study in which curcumin was administered orally alone and concomitantly with a probiotic (Lactobacillus Rhamnus, 109 cfu, PO) to prove probiotics' ability to enhance curcumin's serum level by inhibition of β-glucuronidase activity. Serum curcumin level was estimated using the LC-MS/MS technique on 21 days of dosing. The remaining animals were used in an experimental study. PD was induced through 2.5 mg/kg rotenone (ROT). Subsequently, the animals were allocated to five groups and treated commensurately along with ROT. Three treatment groups were administered curcumin (alone, with 108 cfu, with 109 cfu). The standard control and disease control groups were supplied with sunflower oil. Effect on behavioral patterns, neurotransmitter and enzyme levels, and oxidative stress parameters were measured. Moreover, the brain was isolated for histopathology. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The bioavailability study revealed a significant (P-value <0.001) increase in the serum level of curcumin in concomitantly administered probiotics with curcumin-treated animals compared to curcumin-only treated animals. An experimental study showed improved behavioral parameters, brain dopamine level, acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and oxidative stress combined in the curcumin and L. Rhamnosus treated groups. A notable improvement in the histology of the brain was observed. These findings strongly indicate that combining L. Rhamnosus with curcumin may be an effective therapeuti

Natural products, although frequently associated with beneficial effects and considered harmless, still require thorough analysis; therefore, their bioactive compounds need to be used with caution. Biological assays using plant models represent an appropriate alternative for evaluating the cytogenotoxicity associated with these products. In this study, the phyto- cytotoxic potential of extracts from the bark of Rhamnus purshiana DC. a species widely used for treatment of constipation was investigated due to its anthraquinone content. To this end, seeds of Lactuca sativa L. were employed in phyto-cytogenotoxic assays under chronic exposure to lyophilized and spray-dried extracts. The results showed that extraction methods directly influence the phytochemical composition and biological effects of the extracts. Both extracts exhibited high anthraquinone content, expressed as cascaroside A, with concentrations ranging from 45.65 to 72.17 μg/ml. The spray-dried extract demonstrated a more potent inhibitory effect on morphological parameters, such as root elongation, while lyophilized extract exhibited higher cytotoxicity. Both extracts induced mitodepressive effects and aneugenic damage. Notably, the lyophilized extract induced a 300% increase in mitotic abnormalities compared to control, with a higher frequency of C-metaphases and stickiness. Although R. purshiana is widely used in traditional medicine, the scarcity of studies on cascaroside A raises concerns regarding socio-environmental safety and continued use of this species in dietary supplements.

This paper discusses concerns with specific approaches in identifying and eliminating gastrointestinal (GI) pathogens, as well as detoxifying toxic metals, that may be misleading and harmful to a patient's health. These are non-scientific methods that claim to improve GI microbial balance and mineral nutritional status that persist in the nutritional and natural medicine market, and unfortunately many are actively promoted through specific products and protocols marketed by nutritional supplement companies that should know better. The potential toxicity and mucosal damage of the long-term use of aggressive laxative herbs such as Cascara sagrada, rhubarb and/or Senna, as well as potential adverse events from ingredients containing fulvic acids and/or humic acids are discussed.

Constipation is one of the most common and prevalent chronic gastrointestinal conditions across the globe that is treated or managed through various methods. Laxatives are used for the treatment or management of chronic/acute constipation. But due to the adverse effects associated with these laxatives, herbal foods should be considered as alternative therapies for constipation. In this review, the laxative potential of plant-based medicines used for constipation is discussed. Constipation may be caused by various factors such as lifestyle, particular food habits, pregnancy and even due to some medication. Chronic constipation is responsible for different health issues. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological paradigms are applied for the treatment or management of constipation. In the pharmacological way of treatment, medicinal plants have a key role because of their fibrous nature. Numerous plants such as Prunus persica (Rosaceae), Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (Leguminosae), Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae), Planta goovata (Plantaginaceae), Rheum emodi (Polygonaceae), Cassia auriculata (Caesalpinacea), Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), Croton tiglium (Euphorbiaceae), Aloe barbadensis (Liliaceae), Mareya micrantha (Euphorbiaceae), Euphorbia thymifolia (Euphorbiaceae), Cascara sagrada (Rhamnaceae), Cassia angustifolia (Fabaceae) have laxative activity. Medicinal plants possess a significant laxative potential and support their folklore; therefore, further, well-designed clinical-based studies are required to prove and improve the efficacy of herbal medicine for constipation. The present review showed that herbs laxative effect in various in vivo/ in vitro models.

Functional constipation (FC) is a pervasive problem in pediatrics. Although pharmaceuticals are commonly used for FC, parents and patients show reluctance or find dissatisfaction with available medications at times. Further, patients often have interest in utilizing nutraceutical supplements and botanicals that are available over the counter. This literature review aims to summarize research studies performed on non-pharmacologic approaches to constipation and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these modalities. Overall data on non-pharmacologic treatments for childhood constipation were sparse, and though some studies were available for adult populations, pediatrics studies were generally limited, lacking or flawed. Certain supplements, such as prebiotics, probiotics and fiber, are safe and are without significant side effects. Though fiber supplements such as glucomannan, green banana mass, cocao husk and various fiber blends have emerging evidence in children, evidence for psyllium, cellulose and flaxseed only have supportive studies in adults. Other than senna, studies of botanicals indicate significant safety concerns (in particular with Aloe vera with aloin and Cascara sagrada) and insufficient evidence. For patients with a significant behavioral or anxiety component to their FC and exhibit dyssynergia, mind-body interventions (e.g. diaphragmatic breathing, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and behavioral modifications) are certainly safe and effective. Finally, movement and manipulative interventions such as abdominal massage, reflexology, acupuncture and transcutaneous nerve stimulation show promise in the field of pediatric constipation, and data is accumulating for efficacy. These modalities require further study to determine mechanisms of action and which populations may benefit the most from these therapies.

The purpose of this contribution is to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptosis inducing ability of structurally diverse anthraquinones to establish a relationship between structure and toxicity. Besides the wide spread use of anthraquinones in pharmacological drugs for constipation and non-prescription dietary supplements for weight loss, extracts are still commercialized as crude extracts and long-term side effects are still relevant. In this work we developed a method to quantify the cascarosides isolated from Rhamnus purshiana (Cascara Sagrada) using LC-MS/MS and evaluated the effects of this extract and isolated compounds on cellular viability using NOK-SI, HeLa, and T98G cell lineages. Apoptosis inducing ability was also analyzed via evaluating key-proteins involved in apoptosis pathways. Using cascarosides isolated from bark extracts, we found that the presence of glucose moieties in the chemical structure reduced the toxicity. This communication reviewed the mechanisms of action, toxicity of anthraquinones and correlated the toxicity with chemical structures of cascarosides. Results indicate that cascarosides-enriched cascara extract, as well as glycosylated anthraquinones, may have some beneficial effects for laxative action of herbal medicines. Considering our results, a cascarosides-enrichment in cascara extract is recommended.

The use of anthranoid laxatives such as Cascara sagrada can, in rare instances, produce a hepatitis that resolves with discontinuation of the offending supplement. However, the clinical presentation of abdominal pain, jaundice, clay-colored stools, and darkening urine can mimic the presentation of a variety of hepatobiliary illnesses, including cholangiocarcinoma. This case report describes a local patient diagnosed with an extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma following workup for an acute hepatitis due to ingestion of large quantities of Cascara sagrada.

152. Med Clin (Barc). 2011 Oct 8;137(9):430. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2010.02.021. Epub 2010 Apr 22. [Melanosis coli secondary to chronic ingest of chitticum bark]. [Article in Spanish] López-Vicente J, Lumbreras M.

27. Fed Regist. 2002 May 9;67(90):31125-7. Status of certain additional over-the-counter drug category II and III active ingredients. Final rule. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule stating that the stimulant laxative ingredients aloe (including aloe extract and aloe flower extract) and cascara sagrada (including casanthranol, cascara fluidextract aromatic, cascara sagrada bark, cascara sagrada extract, and cascara sagrada fluidextract) in over-the- counter (OTC) drug products are not generally recognized as safe and effective or are misbranded. This final rule is part of FDA's ongoing OTC drug product review.

Among phytotherapic medicines, tablets of cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) dried bark, usually used as laxative, are commercially widespread in our market. Taking into account natural origin and/or inappropriate procedures that may allow the occurrence of toxinogenic Aspergillus flavus group, a study on susceptibility to aflatoxin contamination and natural aflatoxin incidence was performed by TLC and HPLC methods. This survey allows one to conclude that bark of Cascara Sagrada is a good substrate for the growth of A. parasiticus NRRL 2999 and for aflatoxins production. Natural anatoxins presence was detected on 2 from 9 raw material samples. One of them (irradiated sample) had only aflatoxin B1 (10 μg/kg) and the other (pasteurized) was positive for aflatoxin B1 (19 μg/kg); G1 (6 μg/kg) and B2 (1.46 μg/kg). Only one from 10 lots of tablets analyzed was positive for aflatoxin B1 (5.42 μg/kg) and B2 (0.32 μg/kg).Therefore, adequate quality control including an aflatoxins assay must be performed to guarantee the harmlessness of natural drugs.

29. Radiologe. 1975 Nov;15(11):421-6. Cleansing of the colon without enemas. Rosengren JE, Aberg T. Several methods have been used to cleanse the large bowel prior to roentgen examination and rectoscopy for more than ten years. A method with administration of a salt solution (SALAX) in combination with different oral laxatives (Cascara sagrada, Dantron, Bisacodyl) without cleansing enemas is described. Hospitalized patients should have an individual preparation while ambulatory patients are almost completely cleansed if they carefully follow the given instructions.