Natural products are still vital sources of structurally diverse and biologically active molecules; however, these products are often hard to discover due to the complexity of natural extracts and the isolation of known metabolites. Phytochemical dereplication is an effective tool for identification of known constituents prior to extensive purification and the selection of metabolites to study for possible chemical or biological novelty. The ability for rapid phytochemical investigation has greatly increased in the last few years with the development of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), molecular networking (MN), and artificial intelligence (AI). The accurate mass, chromatographic and fragmentation data obtained by LC–MS/MS is then used to correlate similar metabolites into molecular families through molecular networking, and to provide chemical context for unannotated features. Additional support can be provided by machine learning (ML) and AI for spectral classification, chemical-class prediction, candidate-structure generation, similarity assessment and bioactivity based prioritization. The integration then enables metabolite detection, computational metabolite annotation, molecular family analysis, metabolite candidate ranking, targeted isolation and experimental validation to be coupled together in a workflow. However, some important limitations include incomplete spectral libraries, structural isomerism, instrumental variability, training-data bias, limited model interpretability and false annotation. This means that the predictions made from a computer model should be interpreted as a structural hypothesis, unless backed up by suitable experimental evidence. This review explores how LC–MS/MS, molecular networking and AI/ML complement each other in the process of phytochemical dereplication, how they are used in the discovery of natural products, and the challenges and opportunities of explainable AI, multimodal data integration, better spectral databases, and increasingly automated dereplication workflows.

Dermatophytosis is among the most widespread fungal infections worldwide, affecting the keratinized tissues of the skin, hair, and nails and posing a persistent challenge to public health. Despite the availability of conventional antifungal drugs, treatment outcomes are often compromised by prolonged therapy, recurrence, adverse effects, and the growing threat of antifungal resistance. These limitations have accelerated the search for novel, nature-inspired therapeutics capable of offering safer and more effective disease management. In this context, medicinal plants have emerged as valuable sources of multifunctional bioactive compounds with significant antifungal potential. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem), a cornerstone of traditional medicine, has gained increasing scientific attention as a promising plant-derived therapeutic against dermatophytosis. Its pharmacological efficacy is attributed to a diverse array of phytochemicals, including azadirachtin, nimbidin, nimbin, gedunin, salannin, quercetin, and other limonoids, which collectively exhibit antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-protective activities. Unlike conventional agents that primarily target fungal growth, neem-derived compounds offer a multi-target approach by inhibiting dermatophyte proliferation, reducing oxidative stress, modulating inflammatory responses, and promoting tissue regeneration. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated significant activity of neem extracts and formulations against major dermatophytes, including Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species. Furthermore, advances in herbal nanotechnology, such as nanoemulsions and nanogels, have enhanced the delivery and therapeutic performance of neem bioactives. This review comprehensively examines the phytochemistry, antifungal mechanisms, experimental evidence, and future translational prospects of Azadirachta indica, highlighting its potential as a next-generation botanical strategy for the sustainable management of dermatophytosis.

Inflammation, while essential for host defense, becomes a driving force behind a wide spectrum of chronic disorders when dysregulated, including arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegeneration. Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies, though effective, are often constrained by adverse effects, drug resistance, and limited long-term safety, prompting a paradigm shift toward safer, multi-targeted natural interventions. In this context, Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), an eminent medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine, has emerged as a promising candidate owing to its diverse bioactive profile and broad-spectrum pharmacological activities. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the phytochemistry of Ocimum sanctum with a particular emphasis on its enzyme-mediated anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Tulsi contains a rich array of phytoconstituents, including eugenol, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and other flavonoids and terpenoids, which collectively orchestrate its therapeutic effects. These compounds exert potent anti-inflammatory actions by targeting key enzymatic pathways such as cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX), thereby attenuating the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Furthermore, Tulsi modulates intracellular signaling cascades, notably inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, resulting in suppressed expression of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Its strong antioxidant capacity further complements these effects by neutralizing reactive oxygen species and mitigating oxidative stress-induced tissue damage. Collectively, Ocimum sanctum represents a multi-mechanistic, plant-based anti-inflammatory agent with significant therapeutic promise. Future research should prioritize standardization, molecular-level validation, and well-designed clinical trials to facilitate its integration into evidence-based modern therapeutics.

Dermatophyte infections are superficial fungal infections that affect keratin-rich tissues such as the skin, hair, and nails, and are primarily caused by dermatophyte species including Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. These infections, commonly referred to as ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch, are highly prevalent worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, and are often associated with itching, inflammation, and recurrent infections. Conventional antifungal therapies are widely used for treatment; however, their prolonged use may lead to adverse effects, drug resistance, high treatment costs, and reduced patient compliance. These limitations have increased the demand for safer, cost-effective, and plant-based therapeutic alternatives for the management of dermatophyte infections. Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a well-known medicinal plant widely used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of various skin diseases and infections. Neem leaves are rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as nimbidin, nimbin, azadirachtin, nimbolide, quercetin, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, which contribute to its multiple pharmacological activities. Scientific studies have reported that neem leaf extract possesses significant antifungal activity against dermatophytes, along with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that help in reducing fungal growth, inflammation, and oxidative stress, thereby promoting skin healing and infection control. Furthermore, neem-based topical formulations such as gels, creams, and ointments have shown enhanced therapeutic efficacy in dermatological applications. However, further studies on extract standardization, toxicity evaluation, and clinical trials are required to establish its therapeutic potential.