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Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Apr 2016The recent progresses on chemical components and pharmacological activities of the genus Valerianawere summarized.Besides-essential oil, the chemical composition of... (Review)
Review
The recent progresses on chemical components and pharmacological activities of the genus Valerianawere summarized.Besides-essential oil, the chemical composition of Valerianais mainly focused on monoterpenoids,sesquiterpenoids,lignans, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. Iridoids are the main chemical components ofmonoterpenoids. There are two types ofiridoidson the basis of the cyclopentane open or not. The Valerianahas been drawmuch attention for their significant sedation,spasmolysis,antidepression,antitumor, against adenosine A1 receptors and cytotoxicityactivity,and had certain function for cardiovascular disease treatment. Given to the fact of the lack of systematic review and summary of studies on the Valeriana, we summarized and analyze the study literatures on the pharmacological activity of Valerianain recent years, and providedsome basisfor further study.
Topics: Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Iridoids; Valerian
PubMed: 28884531
DOI: 10.4268/cjcmm20160807 -
Nutrition Reviews Feb 2018The results of human clinical trials investigating the effects of flaxseed on glucose control and insulin sensitivity are inconsistent. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
The results of human clinical trials investigating the effects of flaxseed on glucose control and insulin sensitivity are inconsistent.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to systematically review and analyze randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of flaxseed consumption on glycemic control.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Medline via Ovid, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Sciences databases were searched up to November 2016.
STUDY SELECTION
Clinical trials in which flaxseed or its products were administered as an intervention were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
The outcomes were fasting blood glucose, insulin concentration, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin sensitivity (QUIKI), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
RESULTS
A total of 25 randomized clinical trials (30 treatment arms) were included. Meta-analysis suggested a significant association between flaxseed supplementation and a reduction in blood glucose (weighted mean difference [WMD], -2.94 mg/dL; 95%CI, -5.31 to - 0.56; P = 0.015), insulin levels (WMD, -7.32 pmol/L; 95%CI, -11.66 to -2.97; P = 0.001), and HOMA-IR index (WMD, -0.49; 95%CI,: -0.78 to - 0.20; P = 0.001) and an increase in QUIKI index (WMD, 0.019; 95%CI, 0.008-0.031; P = 0.001). No significant effect on HbA1c (WMD, -0.045%; 95%CI, -0.16 to - 0.07; P = 0.468) was found. In subgroup analysis, a significant reduction in blood glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR and a significant increase in QUIKI were found only in studies using whole flaxseed but not flaxseed oil and lignan extract. Furthermore, a significant reduction was observed in insulin levels and insulin sensitivity indexes only in the subset of trials lasting ≥12 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS
Whole flaxseed, but not flaxseed oil and lignan extract, has significant effects on improving glycemic control. Further studies are needed to determine the benefits of flaxseed on glycemic parameters.
Topics: Blood Glucose; Dietary Supplements; Flax; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29228348
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nux052 -
Functional & Integrative Genomics May 2023Dirigent proteins (DIRs) are a new class of proteins that were identified during the 8-8' lignan biosynthetic pathway and involves the formation of ( +) or... (Review)
Review
Dirigent proteins (DIRs) are a new class of proteins that were identified during the 8-8' lignan biosynthetic pathway and involves the formation of ( +) or ( -)-pinoresinol through stereoselective coupling from E-coniferyl alcohol. These proteins are known to play a vital role in the development and stress response in plants. Various studies have reported the functional and structural characterization of dirigent gene family in different plants using in silico approaches. Here, we have summarized the importance of dirigent proteins in plants and their role in plant stress tolerance by analyzing the genome-wide analysis including gene structure, mapping of chromosomes, phylogenetic evolution, conserved motifs, gene structure, and gene duplications in important plants. Overall, this review would help to compare and clarify the molecular and evolutionary characteristics of dirigent gene family in different plants.
Topics: Plant Proteins; Phylogeny; Genome; Plants; Gene Duplication; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
PubMed: 37202648
DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01095-z -
Phytochemistry Jun 2023A. calamus var. angustatus Besser is an important traditional medicinal herb commonly used in China and other Asian countries. This study is the first systematic review... (Review)
Review
A. calamus var. angustatus Besser is an important traditional medicinal herb commonly used in China and other Asian countries. This study is the first systematic review of the literature to thoroughly analyze the ethnopharmacological application, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetic properties of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser and provides a rationale for future research and prospects for application in clinical treatment. Information on relevant studies investigating A. calamus var. angustatus Besser was collected from SciFinder, the Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Elsevier, ResearchGate, ACS, Flora of China, and Baidu Scholar, etc. up to December 2022. In addition, information was also obtained from Pharmacopeias, books on Chinese herbal classics, local books, as well as PhD and MS dissertations. A. calamus var. angustatus Besser has played an important role in the herbal treatment of coma, convulsion, amnesia, and dementia for thousands of years. Studies investigating the chemical constituents of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser have isolated and identified 234 small-molecule compounds and a few polysaccharides. Among them, simple phenylpropanoids represented by asarone analogues and lignans are the two main active ingredients, which can be considered characteristic chemotaxonomic markers of this herb. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies indicated that crude extracts and active compounds from A. calamus var. angustatus Besser display a wide range of pharmacological activities, especially as treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and anticonvulsant, antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, anti-fatigue, anti-Parkinson, neuroprotection, and brain protection properties, providing more evidence to explain the traditional medicinal uses and ethnopharmacology. The clinical therapeutic dose of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser does not present any toxic effects, but its main active ingredients α-asarone and β-asarone at excessive dose may lead to toxicity, and in particular, their respective epoxide metabolites may exert potential toxicity to the liver. This review provides a reference and further information for the future development and clinical application of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser.
Topics: Acorus; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ethnopharmacology; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 36871902
DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113626 -
The Journal of Nutrition Apr 2015High blood pressure is a major health burden positively associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Flaxseed is a rich dietary source... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
High blood pressure is a major health burden positively associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Flaxseed is a rich dietary source of α-linolenic acid, lignans, and fiber, with a number of positive health benefits on blood pressure.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of flaxseed consumption on blood pressure. Further, the influence of baseline blood pressure, type of flaxseed supplementation, and duration of flaxseed supplementation on blood pressure was explored.
METHOD
PubMed (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library (Central) were searched through July 2014 for studies in which humans supplemented their habitual diet with flaxseed or its extracts (i.e., oil, lignans, fiber) for ≥2 wk.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies (14 trials) were included in the analysis. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for the mean difference in blood pressure. Results indicated that flaxseed supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure (-1.77 mm Hg; 95% CI: -3.45, -0.09 mm Hg; P = 0.04) and diastolic blood pressure (-1.58 mm Hg; 95% CI: -2.64, -0.52 mm Hg; P = 0.003). These results were not influenced by categorization of participants into higher baseline blood pressure (≥130 mm Hg). An improvement in diastolic blood pressure was observed in subgroup analysis for consuming whole flaxseed (-1.93 mm Hg; 95% CI: -3.65, -0.21 mm Hg; P < 0.05) and duration of consumption ≥12 wk (-2.17 mm Hg; 95% CI: -3.44, -0.89 mm Hg; P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The present meta-analysis suggests that consumption of flaxseed may lower blood pressure slightly. The beneficial potential of flaxseed to reduce blood pressure (especially diastolic blood pressure) may be greater when it is consumed as a whole seed and for a duration of >12 wk.
Topics: Blood Pressure; Databases, Factual; Diet; Flax; Humans; Hypertension; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Seeds; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 25740909
DOI: 10.3945/jn.114.205302 -
Phytochemistry Reviews : Proceedings of... Mar 2023Viral infections have always been the main global health challenge, as several potentially lethal viruses, including the hepatitis virus, herpes virus, and influenza... (Review)
Review
Viral infections have always been the main global health challenge, as several potentially lethal viruses, including the hepatitis virus, herpes virus, and influenza virus, have affected human health for decades. Unfortunately, most licensed antiviral drugs are characterized by many adverse reactions and, in the long-term therapy, also develop viral resistance; for these reasons, researchers have focused their attention on investigating potential antiviral molecules from plants. Natural resources indeed offer a variety of specialized therapeutic metabolites that have been demonstrated to inhibit viral entry into the host cells and replication through the regulation of viral absorption, cell receptor binding, and competition for the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Many active phytochemicals, including flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, etc., have been identified as potential candidates for preventing and treating viral infections. Using a systematic approach, this review summarises the knowledge obtained to date on the in vivo antiviral activity of specialized metabolites extracted from plant matrices by focusing on their mechanism of action.
PubMed: 37359711
DOI: 10.1007/s11101-023-09855-2 -
The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Mar 2022Plant-derived flavonolignans had been demonstrated to have various biological functions. They are an important class of natural products combined by a flavonoid unit and...
OBJECTIVES
Plant-derived flavonolignans had been demonstrated to have various biological functions. They are an important class of natural products combined by a flavonoid unit and a phenylpropanoid unit.
KEY FINDINGS
From the literature survey, 88 constituents from natural resources were identified. Different derivatives of flavonolignans were listed, fused phenylpropanoid unit with dioxane ring, or cyclic ether, or simple ether side chain, or lactone, and so on. Besides, the pharmacological effects of flavonolignans were summarized as well. It has a wide range of anti-tumour, antioxidant, anti-microorganic and anti-inflammatory effects.
SUMMARY
This review had provided a full-scale profile of flavonolignans on its plant sources, phytochemistry and pharmacology, and also proposed some issues and perspectives which may be of concern in the future. It was greatly anticipated that the commercialization of the flavonolignans would lead to uplift the financial abilities of communities attending the growing of the flavonolignans and the relevant and potential production becoming an international herbal and pharmaceutical commodity.
Topics: Animals; Flavonolignans; Humans; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 34923582
DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgab159 -
Food Chemistry Jan 2018Translating food intake data into phytochemical outcomes is a crucial step in investigating potential health benefits. The aim of this review was to examine the tools... (Review)
Review
Translating food intake data into phytochemical outcomes is a crucial step in investigating potential health benefits. The aim of this review was to examine the tools for determining dietary-derived polyphenol intakes for estimated intake studies. Published studies from 2004 to 2014 reporting polyphenol food composition information were sourced with 157 studies included. Six polyphenol subclasses were identified. One quarter of studies (n=39) reported total flavonoids intake with 27% reporting individual flavonoid compounds. Assessing multiple compounds was common with approximately 10% of studies assessing seven (n=13), six (n=12) and five (n=14) subclasses of polyphenol. There was no pattern between reported flavonoids compounds and subclass studied. Approximately 60% of studies relied on publicly accessible food composition data to estimate dietary polyphenols intake with 33% using two or more tools. This review highlights the importance of publicly accessible composition databases for estimating polyphenol intake and provides a reference for tools available globally.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Diet; Flavonoids; Food; Humans; Polyphenols
PubMed: 28867085
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.11.010 -
Thrombosis and Haemostasis Jun 2022Cardiovascular disease, in particular due to arterial thrombosis, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, with crucial roles of platelets in thrombus formation....
Cardiovascular disease, in particular due to arterial thrombosis, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, with crucial roles of platelets in thrombus formation. For multiple plant-derived phytochemicals found in common dietary components, claims have been made regarding cardiovascular health and antiplatelet activities. Here we present a systematic overview of the published effects of common phytochemicals, applied in vitro or in nutritional intervention studies, on agonist-induced platelet activation properties and platelet signaling pathways. Comparing the phytochemical effects per structural class, we included general phenols: curcuminoids (e.g., curcumin), lignans (honokiol, silybin), phenolic acids (caffeic and chlorogenic acid), derivatives of these (shikimic acid), and stilbenoids (isorhapontigenin, resveratrol). Furthermore, we evaluated the flavonoid polyphenols, including anthocyanidins (delphinidin, malvidin), flavan-3-ols (catechins), flavanones (hesperidin), flavones (apigenin, nobiletin), flavonols (kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin), and isoflavones (daidzein, genistein); and terpenoids including carotenes and limonene; and finally miscellaneous compounds like betalains, indoles, organosulfides (diallyl trisulfide), and phytosterols. We furthermore discuss the implications for selected phytochemicals to interfere in thrombosis and hemostasis, indicating their possible clinical relevance. Lastly, we provide guidance on which compounds are of interest for further platelet-related research.
Topics: Blood Platelets; Flavonoids; Hemostasis; Humans; Phenols; Phytochemicals; Thrombosis
PubMed: 34715717
DOI: 10.1055/a-1683-5599 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Feb 2023The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) "Shihu" has a long history of medicinal use in China from some species of Dendrobium. D. officinale is a major source of "Shihu"... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) "Shihu" has a long history of medicinal use in China from some species of Dendrobium. D. officinale is a major source of "Shihu" and is widely cultivated in south of China and listed separately as "Tiepi Shihu" by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia in now time. Traditionally, D. officinale has been widely used in daily health care and the treatment of diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases.
AIM OF THIS REVIEW
In order to better develop and utilize D. officinale, we conducted this systematic review of previous studies, showed clear structure of all isolates from D. officinale together with pharmacological progress, hoping to provide references for further research and utilization. In addition, specific display of the chemical components and the research progress of related activities can help to better understand the traditional records and modern pharmaceutical applications of the plant medicine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Information on phytochemistry and pharmacological studies of D. officinale was collected from various scientific databases including Web of Science, SciFinder, ACS, Springer, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and CNKI.
RESULTS
More than 180 compounds isolated from D. officinale, including bibenzyls, phenols, phenylpropanoids, lignans, flavonoids and polysaccharides are listed in this review. Furthermore, modern pharmacological researches such as hypoglycemia, immune regulation, antioxidant, cardiovascular regulation and gastrointestinal protection are summarized.
CONCLUSION
Based on the summary of the research work of D. officinale, we systematically show the chemical composition of the plant, and concluded the relationship of those composition with plant habitat together with the relationship between the structure of chemical components and pharmacological activity. Moreover, we suggest that some of small molecule compounds could also be quality control of D. officinale besides polysaccharides.
Topics: Dendrobium; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Quality Control; Bibenzyls; Phytochemicals; Ethnopharmacology
PubMed: 36351476
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115912