Groundcherry — a lantern-like fruit for the kidneys and joints?

Aim of the study: There are numerous medicinal benefits from herbal plants, with many herbal medicines being used as 'Jamu', 'standardized herbal medicines' and phytopharmaceuticals. Physalis angulata Linn.

Results: angulata L. The authors aspire that this literature review will provide an overview for researchers regarding the scientific progress of P. angulata L. over the past ten years and the potential areas of future research.

Aim of the study: Withanolides are a group of modified C28 ergostane-type steroids with a C-22, C-26 δ-lactone side chain or a C-23, C-26 γ-lactone side chain. They enjoy a limited distribution in the plant kingdom and predominantly occur in several genera of Solanaceae. Of which, the genus Physalis is an important resource for this type of natural molecules.

Results: Approximately 351 natural withanolides with novel and unique structures have so far been identified from genus Physalis, mainly isolated from the species of P. angulata and P. peruviana. Withanolides demonstrated diverse biological activity, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunoregulatory, trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity. Their observed pharmacological functions supported the uses of Physalis species in traditional or folk medicines.

Aim of the study: Physalis L. primarily including five species (P.

Results: polysaccharides (PLPs). Given the significance of PLPs in the food industry, biological studies, and drug discovery, a systematic review of PLPs is imperative. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge regarding their extraction, purification, structural characteristics, functional activities, and potential applications. This provides valuable insights for the application of PLPs in fields such as medicine, functional foods, and cosmetics.

Aim of the study: Inflammation is a vital immune response to injury, infection, or harmful stimuli, and prolonged inflammation leads to various disorders. Traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda offer a rich repository of plant-based remedies for inflammatory conditions.

Results: Extracts of Adenanthera microsperma, Physalis minima, Rhododendron arboreum, Schleichera oleosa, and Volkameria inermis exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in rat paw edema as compared to indomethacin. Marker compounds, quercitrin (1.06% w/w), physalin H (0.101% w/w), hyperoside (0.36% w/w), betulinic acid (0.60% w/w), and acacetin (0.58% w/w), were isolated using column chromatography and confirmed in the respective bioactive extracts/fractions by analytical HPLC using a spiking method. These phytoconstituents have been reported to modulate inflammatory pathways, including NF-κB and MAPK signaling. The study provides experimental validation of traditional claims and highlights these plants as promising candidates for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Aim of the study: Five new withanolides (1-5) along with five known ones (6-10) were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis minima Linn.

Results: Five new withanolides (1-5) along with five known ones (6-10) were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis minima Linn. The chemical structures of the new compounds were identified as (20S,22R) 15a-acetoxy-5β,6β-epoxy-4β,14a,28-trihydroxy-3β-methoxy-1-oxowitha-16,24-dienolide (1), (20S,22R) 15a-acetoxy-5β,6β-epoxy-3β,4β,14β,17β,20β-pentahydroxy-1-oxowitha-24-enolide (2), (20R,22R) 15α-acetoxy-4β,5α,6β,14α,20β-pentahydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (3), (20R,22R) 15α-acetoxy-5α,6β,14α,20β-tetrahydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (4), and (20S,22R) 5α,6β,14β-trihydroxy-1,15-dioxowitha-2,16,24-trienolide (5) on the basis of integration combining IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR analyses. Biologically, compounds (1-10) were subjected to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities via inhibiting nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 cells in vitro.

Aim of the study: Five new 5,6-β-epoxywithanolides (1-5) were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis minima L. Their structural elucidations were achieved by the extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR).

Results: Their structural elucidations were achieved by the extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR). The isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells and cytotoxic activities against three cancer cell lines, viz. A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, SMMC-7721 hepatic carcinoma cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells by using the MTT-based assay. All of them possessed moderate inhibition to the production of nitric oxide with IC50 values from 42.18 to 73.26 μM, and the IC50 values of the cytotoxic activities were in the range of 31.25 to 80.14 μM.

Aim of the study: The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria underscores the need for new antimicrobials. In uropathogenic Escherichia coli, quorum sensing and adhesion play central roles in pathogenicity; therefore, luxS and fimH were selected as virulence targets.

Results: Anthocyanins and DPPH activity were undetectable in both extracts. The ethanolic extract completely inhibited EC3 at 10 mg/mL, although no MBC was observed for EC1, EC2 or any isolate exposed to the aqueous extract. In EC2, the ethanolic extract produced larger but variable inhibition zones, reduced biofilm by approximately 63% and significantly downregulated luxS and fimH (p < 0.05), supporting the potential of P. alkekengi as a natural antivirulence agent.

Aim of the study: Several inflammatory diseases are thought to be related to oxidative injury and free oxygen radicals have been proposed as important causative agents of heart disease and aging.

Results: The SOD activity of the Piper cubeba group and the catalase activity of the Piper cubeba and Rosa hybrida groups were significantly increased compared with the control group, while the SOD and catalase activities of the Physalis angulata group were not significantly changed (p<0.05). TBARS, a marker of lipid peroxidation, was significantly lower in all experimental groups compeered with the control group. No significant changes occurred in the TG, total- and LDL-cholesterol of all groups, but the HDL-cholesterol of the Physalis angulata group was significantly increased. This study showed that the intake of medicinal plants in rats results in an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and HDL-cholesterol, and a decrease in malondialdehyde, which may reduce the risk of inflammatory and heart disease.

Aim of the study: A comprehensive phytochemical investigation of the leaves and twigs of Physalis angulata. var.

Results: The antiproliferative activities of all isolated withanolides were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (HEL, HCT-116, Colo320DM, and MDA-MB-231). Among them, eight derivatives (2, 5-8, 14, 15, and 23) exhibited significant inhibitory effects, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.18 ± 0.03 to 17.02 ± 0.21 μmol·L-1. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis suggested that the presence of an epoxide ring enhances anticancer activity, potentially through increased reactivity or specific interactions with molecular targets involved in cancer progression. These findings underscore the pharmacological potential of withanolides as promising lead compounds for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics.