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Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Research topic

Open research questions in Phytochemistry and biological activity of medicinal plants

55 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 143 Phytochemistry and biological activity of medicinal plants papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The need to identify natural prebiotic ingredients that can support probiotic growth and functional activity. The challenge of maintaining the viability and efficacy of probiotic bacteria in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

    PREBIOTIC EFFECTS OF CASSIA AURICULATA EXTRACTS ON GROWTH, VIABILITY, AND METABOLITE PRODUCTION IN LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS: AN IN VITRO STUDY · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of new treatments for psoriasis that are safer and more effective. The need for herbal ingredients that possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties. The challenge of formulating a cream that demonstrates antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.

    DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL ANTI-PSORIATIC CREAM BY USING BOSWELLIC ACID, CURCUMIN AND ALOE VERA GEL · 2026 · DOI

  • Issues with formulation stability, large-scale manufacturing, regulatory concerns, and clinical application are challenges. The limited ability of herbal medicines to penetrate the skin and their low bioavailability are challenges.

    HERBAL ETHOSOMES FOR ENHANCED TOPICAL AND TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY: FORMULATION STRATEGIES, THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS, CURRENT ADVANCES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES · 2026 · DOI

  • The study faces the challenge of optimizing the levels of vermicompost and Spirulina algae extract for maximum effect. There is a need to overcome the limitations of using vermicompost and Spirulina algae extract in large-scale cultivation of aloe vera plants.

    ENHANCING THE ACCUMULATION OF CERTAIN ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN ALOE VERA GEL UNDER THE EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST AND FOLIAR SPRAY WITH SPIRULINA ALGAE EXTRACT · 2026 · DOI

  • There is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutics that are both efficacious and safe. The study addresses the gap in scientific validation for the traditional uses of the medicinal plants.

    Traditional Medicinal Plants Demonstrate Antifungal, Cytotoxic, and Wound Healing Potential In Vitro · 2026 · DOI

  • The complexity of wound healing. The potential for skin irritation. The need for a stable and effective formulation.

    FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLY HERBAL WOUND HEALING OINTMENT · 2026 · DOI

  • The mechanism of hydroxylpurpurin against skin oxidative injury is unclear. Natural compounds targeting the endocannabinoid system remain poorly understood.

    Protective effects and mechanism of hydroxylpurpurin on H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury in skin · 2026 · DOI

  • Nevertheless, the comparative and combined effects of polyphenol-rich plant extract and polysaccharide-based additives on gel properties remain insufficiently explored.

    Effects of Aloe Vera and Guava Leaf Extract on Threadfin Bream Surimi Gel: Physicochemical, Textural and Rheological Properties · 2026 · DOI

  • Direct experimental validation of the functional role of enriched Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE), particularly Papulaspora, in alleviating salinity-induced stress in Aloe vera is needed.

    Soil salinity alters acemannan content and sodium uptake in Aloe barbadensis Miller plants. A role for root-associated microbial communities? · 2026 · DOI

  • Current treatments for nasopharyngeal carcinoma have limitations, and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. The antitumor effects of aloe emodin and its mechanism of action are not fully understood.

    Molecular mechanism of aloe emodin in combating nasopharyngeal carcinoma revealed through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a growing interest in safe, plant-based skincare products. Conventional anti-ageing products may have synthetic additives that can be harmful to the skin.

    Formulation and Evaluation of Anti-Ageing Polyherbal Soap · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for natural prebiotic ingredients to support probiotic growth and functional activity. The lack of studies on the prebiotic potential of Cassia auriculata extract on Lactobacillus acidophilus growth.

    PREBIOTIC EFFECTS OF CASSIA AURICULATA EXTRACTS ON GROWTH, VIABILITY, AND METABOLITE PRODUCTION IN LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS: AN IN VITRO STUDY · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of research on the biological activity and healing properties of oak. The potential of oak to be applied in wound healing products is not fully explored.

    A NEW AGE FOR OAK, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY AND THE MIRACULOUS HEALING PROPERTIES · 2026 · DOI

  • The study suggests that future research is needed to narrow down the pool of specific metabolites in both the plant and the gel. The study suggests that tests need to be rerun to provide more detailed results.

    Analysis and profiling of naturally occurring and processed Aloe vera using NMR spectroscopy · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for novel therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of depression. Conventional antidepressants have limitations, leading to increased interest in plant-based therapeutic alternatives.

    Evaluation of Antidepressant Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb Using Behavioral, Biochemical, Histopathological, and In Vitro Approaches · 2026 · DOI

  • Hydroquinidine (HQ), a class I antiarrhythmic agent, has recently been suggested to possess anticancer properties; however, its preclinical safety and efficacy in colorectal cancer are not well defined.

    Hydroquinidine Modulates Histopathological, Inflammatory, Apoptotic, EMT-Related, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Associated Markers in a DMH-Induced Rat Model of Colon Cancer · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the protective effects of Aloe vera gel extract against HNO₃-induced toxicity. The research gap is related to the lack of studies on the use of Aloe vera gel extract as a bioprotective agent against HNO₃-induced toxicity.

    Protective Effects of Aloe vera Gel Extract Against Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Physiological Damage Induced by Nitric Acid in Allium cepa Cells · 2026 · DOI

  • Conventional soaps often contain synthetic chemicals and harsh surfactants which may cause skin irritation and environmental pollution. There is a need for a convenient and hygienic alternative to conventional soaps for personal hygiene.

    FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL PAPER SOAP: AN ECOFRIENDLY APPROACH TO PERSONAL HYGIENE · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies on the efficacy and safety of polyherbal face packs. Investigations into the potential applications of polyherbal face packs in the treatment of various skin conditions.

    A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATION FOR PREPARATION OF FACE PACK · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of comprehensive reviews on polyherbal formulations for face packs. The need for more research on the therapeutic significance of polyherbal face packs.

    A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATION FOR PREPARATION OF FACE PACK · 2026 · DOI

  • Conventional therapies for psoriasis often cause side effects, creating a need for safer herbal alternatives. There is a need for the development of new treatments for psoriasis that are safer and more effective.

    DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL ANTI-PSORIATIC CREAM BY USING BOSWELLIC ACID, CURCUMIN AND ALOE VERA GEL · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of effective treatments for cracked heels. The need for a herbal anti-crack gel that provides a protective oily layer on the skin surface and keeps the skin hydrated.

    TO FORMULATE & EVALUATE HERBAL CRACK CREAM FOR HEALING & MOISTURIZING CRACKED SKIN · 2026 · DOI

  • Instability of phytoconstituents and poor targeted delivery reduce therapeutic efficiency. The need for improved pharmaceutical effectiveness and stability of Aloe vera.

    FORMULATION AND EVALUATION ON NANO-ALOE BIO-BOOST ENTERIC COATED CAPSULES · 2026 · DOI

  • Emerging trends such as Quality-by-Design, green nanotechnology, hybrid vesicular systems, and formulation development using artificial intelligence are potential future research directions. The use of herbal ethosomes for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer is a potential future research direction.

    HERBAL ETHOSOMES FOR ENHANCED TOPICAL AND TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY: FORMULATION STRATEGIES, THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS, CURRENT ADVANCES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of safe and effective skincare products for daily use. The need for natural alternatives to conventional chemical-based soaps. The demand for skincare products that address skin tanning and other related issues.

    FORMULATION AND EVALUTION OF ANTI-TANNING HERBAL SOAP · 2026 · DOI

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55 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 143 Phytochemistry and biological activity of medicinal plants papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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