Helichrysum species (Asteraceae) are renowned for their diverse phytochemical profiles and traditional medicinal applications. Among their specialized metabolites, phloroglucinol-α-pyrone derivatives represent a structurally unique and pharmacologically significant class of compounds. This review consolidates over five decades of phytochemical research, documenting 52 distinct compounds isolated from 11 Helichrysum species across the Mediterranean, African, and Iranian regions. The compounds are organized into structural subclasses, including monopyrones, dipyrones, and various phloroglucinol derivatives distinguished by their molecular scaffolds. Isolation yields reported in the literature range from trace amounts to relatively abundant constituents (0.48% w / w ), with arzanol emerging as the most extensively studied compound. Bioactivity profiles reveal anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiparasitic properties, with arzanol demonstrating potent dual inhibition of mPGES-1 and 5-LOX. This review provides comprehensive reference data for future investigations into the chemistry and therapeutic potential of α-pyrone secondary metabolites from Helichrysum species.

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The first comprehensive plant checklist for the Bvumba massif, situated in the Manica Highlands along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border, is presented. Although covering only 276 km 2 , the flora is rich with 1250 taxa (1127 native taxa and 123 naturalised introductions). There is a high proportion of Orchidaceae and Pteridophyta, with both groups showing a higher richness than for adjacent montane areas, which may be due to the massif's relatively high moisture levels as a result of frequent cloud cover. However, in contrast to other mesic montane regions in southern Africa, there are relatively few near-endemic or range-restricted taxa: there is only one local endemic, Aeranthes africana , an epiphytic forest orchid. This is likely to be an effect of the massif having limited natural grassland compared to forest, the former being the most endemic-rich habitat in southern African mountains outside of the Fynbos Biome. Six other near-endemic taxa with limited distribution in this portion of the Manica Highlands are highlighted. The high number of invasive species is probably a result of diverse human activities in the area. The main species of concern are Acacia melanoxylon , a tree that is invading grassland and previously cultivated land, the forest herb Hedychium gardnerianum which in places is transforming forest understorey with an adverse effect on some forest birds, and the woody herb Vernonanthura polyanthes which invades cleared forest areas after fire. Future botanical work in the massif should focus on a more detailed exploration of the poorly known Serra Vumba on the Mozambican side and on the drier western slopes. This will allow for a more detailed analysis of patterns of endemism across the Manica Highlands.

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Since the beginning of the epidemic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected around 70 million people worldwide, most of whom reside is sub-Saharan Africa. There have been very promising developments in the treatment of HIV with anti-retroviral drug cocktails. However, drug resistance to anti-HIV drugs is emerging, and many people infected with HIV have adverse reactions or do not have ready access to currently available HIV chemotherapies. Thus, there is a need to discover new anti-HIV agents to supplement our current arsenal of anti-HIV drugs and to provide therapeutic options for populations with limited resources or access to currently efficacious chemotherapies. Plant-derived natural products continue to serve as a reservoir for the discovery of new medicines, including anti-HIV agents. This review presents a survey of plants that have shown anti-HIV activity, both in vitro and in vivo.

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