ABSTRACT Euphorbia members (Euphorbiaceae) are valuable sources of lead compounds for potential drug discovery. This study was conducted to evaluate, for the first time, the phytoconstituents, antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic properties of E. peplis . Extracts were prepared from the aerial parts using ethyl acetate (EtOAc), ethanol (EtOH), 70% EtOH, and water. Results showed that the 70% EtOH and EtOH extracts contained the highest levels of total phenolics (68.12 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (45.49 mg RE/g). UPLC‐ESI‐MSn analysis revealed a variety of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, cinnamic acid derivatives, tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins, with 24 metabolites tentatively identified. PCA grouped these metabolites into three clusters, and their distribution was visualized with a heatmap. Polar extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with the 70% EtOH extract showing the highest values in most assays (DPPH = 385.50 mg TE/g; ABTS = 466.31 mg TE/g; CUPRAC = 439.95 mg TE/g; FRAP = 305.07 mg TE/g; PBD = 2.45 mmol TE/g). The EtOH and EtOAc extracts exhibited the strongest anti‐acetylcholinesterase (2.83 mg GALAE/mg) and anti‐butyrylcholinesterase (2.18 mg GALAE/mg) activities, respectively. Both the 70% EtOH and EtOH extracts showed the best anti‐tyrosinase effects (54.40 and 53.39 mg KAE/g; p ≥ 0.05). The EtOAc extract was more toxic toward SHSY5Y cells, with a viability of 4.31%, compared to 8.18% in normal KEK293 cells. Network pharmacology identified 11 common targets for E. peplis metabolites, with AKT1, EGFR, GSK3B, ESR1/ESR2, and CCND1 serving as key hubs. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted PI3K‐Akt, EGFR, and hormone‐related pathways. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable multi‐target binding. These findings suggest that E. peplis could be a promising source of antioxidants and compounds with potential anticancer and enzyme‐inhibitory activities relevant to human diseases.
Sakina Yagi, Esraa A. Elhawary, Omayma A. Eldahshna et al.· Food Science & Nutrition· 0 citations
The dewberry, or Rubus caesius L. (Rosaceae), has long been used in traditional medicine, although scientific research has primarily focused on its roots and aerial portions. Notable biological activity associated with a rich phytochemical profile has been reported in these investigations. In contrast, limited information is available regarding the biological potential and chemical composition of R. caesius roots collected from Turkmenistan, Central Asia. The present study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the biological potential of R. caesius root extracts prepared as an aqueous infusion (a traditional, food-relevant preparation) and an ethanol extract (a polyphenol-enriching extraction), and to relate differences in bioactivity to UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS-based phytochemical composition. The extracts were screened using complementary antioxidant assays (radical-scavenging and reducing power), a multi-target panel of enzyme inhibitory activities relevant to metabolic and cosmetic/neurobiological pathways (including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetyl-/butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase), and antimicrobial/antifungal tests against representative bacterial and fungal strains. UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS profiling revealed a root metabolome dominated by phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanin-related constituents, with clear qualitative and quantitative differences between infusion and ethanol extracts. In agreement with the chemical findings, both extracts expressed pronounced antioxidant capacity, while enzyme inhibition was extract-dependent, indicating that solvent polarity influenced the recovery of constituents responsible for carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme and cholinesterase/tyrosinase inhibition. The antimicrobial and antifungal screenings demonstrated selective growth inhibition that varied by microorganism and extraction type. The integrated chemical–biological approach highlights R. caesius roots from Turkmenistan as a promising source of multifunctional natural products and provides baseline data to support their future use in nutraceutical, functional food, or phytopharmaceutical development.
Serdar Korpayev, Emre Can Buluz, Savas Kaya et al.· RSC Advances· 0 citations
This review systematically summarizes the central role of cysteine peptidases in modulating antigen‐presenting cell (APC) function and antitumor immune responses, highlighting their critical significance in overcoming tumor immune evasion. Current research has established that cysteine peptidase subtypes, including cathepsins B, S, L, and X, exert multifaceted effects on antigen processing, MHC molecule loading, cross‐presentation, and immune regulatory signaling pathways in dendritic cells and tumor‐associated macrophages. Dysregulation of these enzymes contributes to impaired antigen presentation, T cell dysfunction, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment formation, representing a major barrier to effective immunotherapy. Despite significant progress in elucidating their molecular mechanisms, gaps remain in understanding cell‐type specificity, spatiotemporal dynamics, and context‐dependent functions. This review integrates recent advances in peptidase‐targeted strategies, including small‐molecule modulators, nanocarriers, and combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, providing a comprehensive framework for translating basic research into clinical applications and addressing the urgent need for novel immunotherapeutic targets.
