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The use of phytochemicals is gaining interest for the treatment of metabolic syndromes over the synthetic formulation of drugs. Senna is evolving as one of the important plants which have been vastly studied for its beneficial effects. Various parts of Senna species including the root, stem, leaves, and flower are found rich in numerous phytochemicals. In vitro, in vivo, and clinical experiments established that extracts from Senna plants have diverse beneficial effects by acting as a strong antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. In this review, Senna genus is comprehensively discussed in terms of its botanical characteristics, traditional use, geographic presence, and phytochemical profile. The bioactive compound richness contributes to the biological activity of Senna plant extracts. The review emphasizes on the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant and anti-infectious properties of the Senna plant. Preclinical studies confirmed the beneficial effects of the Senna plant extracts and its bioactive components in regard to the health-promoting activities. The safety, side effects, and therapeutic limitations of the Senna plant are also discussed in this review. Additional research is necessary to utilize the phenolic compounds towards its use as an alternative to pharmacological treatments and even as an ingredient in functional foods.

Santalum genus belongs to the family of Santalaceae, widespread in India, Australia, Hawaii, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, and valued as traditional medicine, rituals and modern bioactivities. Sandalwood is reported to possess a plethora of bioactive compounds such as essential oil and its components (α-santalol and β-santalol), phenolic compounds and fatty acids. These bioactives play important role in contributing towards biological activities and health-promoting effects in humans. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown the role of sandalwood extract as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, neuroleptic, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. Safety studies on sandalwood essential oil (EO) and its extracts have proven them as a safe ingredient to be utilized in health promotion. Phytoconstituents, bioactivities and traditional uses established sandalwood as one of the innovative materials for application in the pharma, food, and biomedical industry.

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In this study, the fatty acid, carbohydrate, and mineral profiles and proximate composition of Halopteris scoparia, Padina pavonica, Zanardinia typus, Cladostephus spongiosum, Sargassum vulgare, and Sargassum acinarium brown macroalgae collected from Türkiye seas were determined. According to the results, the ash and total carbohydrate contents of all macroalgae ranged from 20.79 to 53.49% in dry weight (dw) and from 15.32 to 55.13% dw, respectively. Their protein, lipid and crude fiber contents changed between 4.22 and 9.89% dw, 0.25 and 0.90% dw, and 12.28 and 16.01% dw, respectively. Palmitic acid (29.36–48.55% dw) and oleic acid (8.92–20.92% dw) were at the highest levels in all brown macroalgae. In addition, they included prominent levels of saturated fatty acids (51.87–69.56% dw of total fatty acid content). Magnesium (6.97–18.78 mg/kg dw), potassium (1.34–3.78 mg/kg dw), iron (1.27–8.24 mg/kg dw), and manganese (63.10–252.23 μg/kg dw) were found to be the major minerals. The main soluble carbohydrates of macroalgae were found to be mannitol (1149.99–8676.31 mg/kg dw), glucose (368.78–1305.59 mg/kg dw), myo-inositol (225.96–956.78 mg/kg dw), fructose (137.05–689.21 mg/kg dw), and sucrose (189.55–328.06 mg/kg dw). This study revealed that brown macroalgae are particularly rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc and they may have potential for use in the food industry.