Open research questions in Phytochemistry and Biological Activities

What the literature leaves open

• The paper identifies a gap in the current democratic system, which is unable to address the problems of poverty and social exclusion. It argues that the current system is flawed and that a new paradigm is needed. The paper highlights the need for a more inclusive and participatory democracy.

  In vitro Anti-Inflammatory Potential and Cytotoxicity of Different Parts of Flueggea virosa (Roxb. Ex willd.) Baill. · 2026 · DOI

• Nonlinear fitting curves and confidence intervals were not generated in the original analysis, - The extraction yield was not calculated in the present study, - The study was limited to the evaluation of the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of the optimized mushroom extracts

  Optimization of Stropharia rugosoannulata extracts using artificial intelligence and response surface methodology and comparative evaluation of their biological activities · 2026 · DOI

• The extent to which the therapeutic effects of medicinal mushrooms occur largely depends on the optimization of the methods and parameters applied during the extraction process. Prior work has not optimized Stropharia rugosoannulata extracts using artificial intelligence and response surface methodology.

  Optimization of Stropharia rugosoannulata extracts using artificial intelligence and response surface methodology and comparative evaluation of their biological activities · 2026 · DOI

• The lack of evaluation of C. fragrans leaf extracts for skin-related applications. The need to identify a suitable extraction solvent for C. fragrans leaves to enhance their biological activities.

  Influence of Extraction Solvents on the Biological Activities of Callisia fragrans Leaf Extracts for Skin-Related Cosmetic Applications · 2026 · DOI

• Further studies on the structural basis of CFTR modulation by P. asiatica flavonoids - Investigation of the effects of P. asiatica flavonoids on intestinal fluid secretion in humans - Elucidation of the ligand-dependent conformational plasticity of the regulatory site

  CFTR Modulation by Plantago asiatica Flavonoids: A Potential Antisecretory Mechanism Against Diarrhoea · 2026 · DOI

• The biosynthetic mechanism of Sweroside remains incompletely understood. Clinical translation of Sweroside is hindered by its low bioavailability and rapid metabolic degradation.

  Sweroside: unveiling broad therapeutic potential—from mechanistic insights to clinical potential · 2025 · DOI

• Investigate the effects of Cistanche polysaccharides on female rats, - Compare the effects of Cistanche polysaccharides with other treatments, - Study the long-term effects of Cistanche polysaccharides

  Enhanced oral bioavailability of two Cistanche polysaccharides in acteoside: an in-depth analysis of intestinal flora, short-chain fatty acids, and pharmacokinetic regulation · 2025 · DOI

• The interaction of Cistanche polysaccharides and acteoside in vivo is not yet known. The effects of unprocessed and wine-processed Cistanche polysaccharides on the metabolism of acteoside are not well understood.

  Enhanced oral bioavailability of two Cistanche polysaccharides in acteoside: an in-depth analysis of intestinal flora, short-chain fatty acids, and pharmacokinetic regulation · 2025 · DOI

• The flavonoid constituents conferring anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity are not well understood. The mechanistic basis of the flavonoid constituents' anti-S. aureus activity remains unclear. The optimization of extraction conditions for total flavonoids from Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz. has not been thoroughly investigated.

  Optimization of extraction conditions for total flavonoids from Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz. and its antibacterial activity and mechanism against Staphylococcus aureus · 2026 · DOI

• However, its role and molecular mechanisms in cardiac hypertrophy and HF remain unclear.

  Gentiopicroside Regulates EGFR and Induces Its Lysosomal Degradation to Attenuate Heart Failure · 2026 · DOI

• aureus, while the antibacterial active components of this plant remain to be further investigated (Pei et al.

  Optimization of extraction conditions for total flavonoids from Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz. and its antibacterial activity and mechanism against Staphylococcus aureus · 2026 · DOI

• The molecular basis of P. asiatica in treating diarrhoea remains unclear. There is a need for non-antibiotic approaches targeting intestinal fluid secretion. The limitations of current treatments, such as antimicrobial resistance and nonspecific antimotility effects, need to be addressed.

  CFTR Modulation by Plantago asiatica Flavonoids: A Potential Antisecretory Mechanism Against Diarrhoea · 2026 · DOI

• Further investigation into its molecular mechanisms and intracellular targets across diverse pathological conditions is essential.

  Sweroside: unveiling broad therapeutic potential—from mechanistic insights to clinical potential · 2025 · DOI

• Backgound Gentiopicroside (GSP) have been proven to accelerate the healing of diabetic ulcers (DU), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

  Gentiopicroside targeting AKT1 activates HIF-1α/VEGF axis promoting diabetic ulcer wound healing · 2025 · DOI

• However, further studies on its toxicology and the design of standardized clinical trials are necessary to fully establish its efficacy and safety.

  Changes in Rehmanniae Radix processing and their impact on ovarian hypofunction: potential mechanisms of action · 2024 · DOI

• macrophylla, which could be used as a cue for further investigation of WRKY gene functions in secondary metabolite accumulation.

  Genomic characterization of WRKY transcription factors related to secoiridoid biosynthesis in Gentiana macrophylla · 2024 · DOI

• To our knowledge, no studies have reported the chemical composition and biological activities of Moroccan Lactuca saligna extracts.

  Phenolic Compound, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and In Silico Studies of Extracts from the Aerial Parts of Lactuca saligna L. · 2024 · DOI

• genus belongs to the Anacardiaceae botanical family and has long been used in traditional medicinal systems of many countries to manage several health conditions, but no studies have been conducted regarding its usefulness as a source of herbal medicine for human use.

  Ethnomedicinal, Chemical, and Biological Aspects of Lannea Species—A Review · 2024 · DOI

• The complexity of Ayurvedic formulations. The need for comprehensive chemical characterization. The challenge of detecting and identifying phytochemical constituents.

  LC–MS BASED PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AMRUTHARISHTAM, A CLASSICAL AYURVEDIC FERMENTED FORMULATION · 2026 · DOI

• The study identified potent COX-1 inhibition by S. squamatum extract at lower concentrations than some documented Asteraceae members, but comparative potency screening across all identified S. squamatum phytochemicals (phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes) against both COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms has not been systematically completed.

  Phytochemical profiling and multi-target pharmacological evaluation of Symphyotrichum squamatum unveils its potential as a source of antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agents · 2026 · DOI

• While kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (K3G) from related species showed MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation in microglial cells, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of S. squamatum's kaempferol glycosides in neuroinflammatory models has not been tested, limiting assessment of potential neuroprotective applications.

  Phytochemical profiling and multi-target pharmacological evaluation of Symphyotrichum squamatum unveils its potential as a source of antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agents · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in knowledge regarding the optimal irrigation regimes for M. vulgare L. seedling production. The transition from wild harvesting to cultivated production requires optimized seedling production methods.

  Optimization of irrigation for improving seedling production of Marrubium vulgare L. · 2026 · DOI

• follow-up activity-guided studies, - fraction selection and extract standardization, - investigation of the bioactivity pattern of B. officinalis using more measured compositional parameters

  Solvent Polarity Shapes Antioxidant Capacity, Preliminary Hyaluronidase Inhibition, and Chemical Profile of Buddleja officinalis Extracts · 2026 · DOI

• The lack of comparative extract-level studies on the effect of solvent polarity on Buddleja officinalis extracts. The need for a unified experimental framework to evaluate the chemical antioxidant capacity, preliminary hyaluronidase inhibition, and chemical features of B. officinalis extracts.

  Solvent Polarity Shapes Antioxidant Capacity, Preliminary Hyaluronidase Inhibition, and Chemical Profile of Buddleja officinalis Extracts · 2026 · DOI

• The study of the phytochemical profile of Nepeta kotschyi var. persica is challenging due to the lack of information on the compounds present in the plant. The isolation and characterization of the compounds present in the plant is a challenging task.

  Phytochemical analysis of Nepeta kotschyi Boiss. var. persica (Boiss.) Jamzad · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Phytochemistry and Biological Activities

• Phytochemicals · Journal of the American Dietetic Association · 1997 · 226 citations
• Chemical characterization of extracts of leaves of Kadsua coccinea (Lem.) A.C. Sm. by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass spectrometry and assessment of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities · Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 2022 · 198 citations
• In vitro antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities of polar leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · 2023 · 181 citations
• Phytochemical Profiling of Leaf, Stem, and Tuber Parts ofSolena amplexicaulis(Lam.) Gandhi Using GC-MS · International Scholarly Research Notices · 2014 · 120 citations
• Pharmacological actions and therapeutic applications of Salvia miltiorrhiza depside salt and its active components · Acta Pharmacologica Sinica · 2012 · 114 citations
• The chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the biologically active constituents of the herb Hypericum perforatum L. · Journal of Applied Biomedicine · 2003 · 89 citations
• Principles of classification of medicinal plants as hyperaccumulators or excluders · Acta Physiologiae Plantarum · 2010 · 65 citations
• Accumulation of rosmarinic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids in in vitro cultures of Eryngium planum L. · Acta Physiologiae Plantarum · 2012 · 64 citations
• An integrated model for the evaluation of work placements · Asia-Pacific journal of cooperative education · 2011 · 57 citations
• Effectiveness of Online Workshops for Increasing Participants' Technology Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills: A Final Report of the Early Childhood Technology Integrated Instructional System - Phase 2 · Early childhood education · 2006 · 53 citations

Most recent work

• Chemical Profiling, Pharmacological Activities, and Toxicity Assessment of Juniperus phoenicea sp. turbinata L. Extract: Integrated In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Insights · Food Science & Nutrition · 2026
• Integrated Phytochemical and Pharmacological Insights into Premna serratifolia for Drug Discovery: A Narrative Review · Plants · 2026
• Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the root extract of Grewia schweinfurthii Burret and its major chemical constituents · PLOS One · 2026
• Phytochemical annotation and dereplication of flavonoids in marantaceae species by lC–MS/MS · Natural Product Research · 2026
• Screening and Culture Condition Optimization of a Catalpol-Producing Brevundimonas olei · Microbiology Research · 2026
• LC–MS BASED PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AMRUTHARISHTAM, A CLASSICAL AYURVEDIC FERMENTED FORMULATION · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026
• Phytochemical profiling and multi-target pharmacological evaluation of Symphyotrichum squamatum unveils its potential as a source of antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agents · Frontiers in Chemistry · 2026
• Neuroprotective effect of standardized Vitex pubescens Vahl bark extract and its n-butanol fraction against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in Sprague-Dawley rats in relationship to its isolated phytochemicals · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2026
• Phenolic constituents from the fruits of Viburnum urceolatum and their α -glucosidase and α -amylase inhibitory activities · Natural Product Research · 2026
• Deciphering organ-specific chemistry and bioactivities of Plumeria rubra L. via integrated metabolomics, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies · Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology · 2026

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