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Nutrients Apr 2022Phytonutrients comprise many different chemicals, including carotenoids, indoles, glucosinolates, organosulfur compounds, phytosterols, polyphenols, and saponins. This... (Review)
Review
Phytonutrients comprise many different chemicals, including carotenoids, indoles, glucosinolates, organosulfur compounds, phytosterols, polyphenols, and saponins. This review focuses on the human healthcare benefits of seven phytochemical families and highlights the significant potential contribution of phytonutrients in the prevention and management of pathologies and symptoms in the field of family health. The structure and function of these phytochemical families and their dietary sources are presented, along with an overview of their potential activities across different health and therapeutic targets. This evaluation has enabled complementary effects of the different families of phytonutrients in the same area of health to be recognized.
Topics: Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Delivery of Health Care; Flavonoids; Humans; Phytochemicals; Polyphenols
PubMed: 35565680
DOI: 10.3390/nu14091712 -
Nutrients Apr 2023Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in food ingredients with a variety of health-promoting properties. Phytochemicals improve host health through their direct... (Review)
Review
Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in food ingredients with a variety of health-promoting properties. Phytochemicals improve host health through their direct systematic absorption into the circulation and modulation of the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota increases the bioactivity of phytochemicals and is a symbiotic partner whose composition and/or diversity is altered by phytochemicals and affects host health. In this review, the interactions of phytochemicals with the gut microbiota and their impact on human diseases are reviewed. We describe the role of intestinal microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, amino acid derivatives, and vitamins, from a therapeutic perspective. Next, phytochemical metabolites produced by the gut microbiota and the therapeutic effect of some selected metabolites are reviewed. Many phytochemicals are degraded by enzymes unique to the gut microbiota and act as signaling molecules in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and metabolic pathways. Phytochemicals can ameliorate diseases by altering the composition and/or diversity of the gut microbiota, and they increase the abundance of some gut microbiota that produce beneficial substances. We also discuss the importance of investigating the interactions between phytochemicals and gut microbiota in controlled human studies.
Topics: Humans; Microbiota; Colon; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Intestines; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37111207
DOI: 10.3390/nu15081989 -
The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical... Jun 2022Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a basidiomycete in the Ganodermataceae family that has been used traditionally to prevent epileptic attacks and constant crying in babies.... (Review)
Review
Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a basidiomycete in the Ganodermataceae family that has been used traditionally to prevent epileptic attacks and constant crying in babies. However, AR has not been widely studied scientifically. In this review, we summarize the phytochemical components and pharmacological properties of AR that have been reported in the literature. Chemical analyses have revealed that the components of AR include sterols, flavonoids, fatty acids and esters, aromatic acids and esters, phenols, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. Pharmacological properties of AR include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-epileptic, and antibacterial effects. These findings suggest that AR and its bioactive ingredients have potential therapeutic applications, particularly for age-related diseases.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Esters; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Polyporaceae
PubMed: 35548873
DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12554 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2020(Saxifragaceae) genus is native to central Asia and encompasses 32 known species. Among these, nine are of pharmacological relevance. In the Indian system of... (Review)
Review
(Saxifragaceae) genus is native to central Asia and encompasses 32 known species. Among these, nine are of pharmacological relevance. In the Indian system of traditional medicine (Ayurveda), "Pashanabheda" (stone breaker) is an elite drug formulation obtained from the rhizomes of . species also possess several other biological activities like diuretic, antidiabetic, antitussive, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-bradykinin, antiviral, antibacterial, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, anticancer, antioxidant, antiobesity, and adaptogenic. This review provides explicit information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological significance of the genus . The extant literature concerned was systematically collected from various databases, weblinks, blogs, books, and theses to select 174 references for detailed analysis. To date, 152 chemical constituents have been identified and characterized from the genus that belong to the chemical classes of polyphenols, phenolic-glycosides, lactones, quinones, sterols, tannins, terpenes, and others. alone possesses 104 bioactive compounds. Meticulous pharmacological and phytochemical studies on species and its conservation could yield more reliable compounds and products of pharmacological significance for better healthcare.
Topics: Chemical Phenomena; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Saxifragaceae
PubMed: 33256153
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235555 -
Natural Product Reports Sep 2018Covering: 2006 to 2018 Phytochemicals are important sources for the discovery and development of agricultural and pharmaceutical compounds, such as pesticides and... (Review)
Review
Covering: 2006 to 2018 Phytochemicals are important sources for the discovery and development of agricultural and pharmaceutical compounds, such as pesticides and medicines. However, these compounds are typically present in low abundance in nature, and the biosynthetic pathways for most phytochemicals are not fully elucidated. Heterologous production of phytochemicals in plant, bacterial, and yeast hosts has been pursued as a potential approach to address sourcing issues associated with many valuable phytochemicals, and more recently has been utilized as a tool to aid in the elucidation of plant biosynthetic pathways. Due to the structural complexity of certain phytochemicals and the associated biosynthetic pathways, reconstitution of plant pathways in heterologous hosts can encounter numerous challenges. Synthetic biology approaches have been developed to address these challenges in areas such as precise control over heterologous gene expression, improving functional expression of heterologous enzymes, and modifying central metabolism to increase the supply of precursor compounds into the pathway. These strategies have been applied to advance plant pathway reconstitution and phytochemical production in a wide variety of heterologous hosts. Here, we review synthetic biology strategies that have been recently applied to advance complex phytochemical production in heterologous hosts.
Topics: Bacteria; Biosensing Techniques; Coculture Techniques; Enzymes; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified; Phytochemicals; Plants; Synthetic Biology; Yeasts
PubMed: 29897091
DOI: 10.1039/c8np00028j -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Recent studies on the ethnomedicinal use of suggest promising anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and antiviral properties for this plant. Extraction of the leaves... (Review)
Review
Recent studies on the ethnomedicinal use of suggest promising anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and antiviral properties for this plant. Extraction of the leaves with polar and nonpolar solvents has yielded many C-glycosyl flavones, including schaftoside, isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, and vitexin. Aside from studies with different extracts, there is increasing interest to understand the properties of these components, especially regarding their ability to exert anti-inflammatory effects on cells and tissues. A major focus for this review is to obtain information on the effects of extracts and its phytochemical components on inflammatory signaling pathways in the peripheral and central nervous system. Particular emphasis is placed on their role to target the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-NF-kB pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines, the antioxidant defense pathway involving nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); and the phospholipase A (PLA) pathway linking to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and production of eicosanoids. The ability to provide a better understanding of the molecular targets and mechanism of action of extracts and their phytochemical components should encourage future studies to develop new therapeutic strategies for better use of this herb to combat inflammatory diseases.
Topics: Acanthaceae; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 35684542
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113607 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2023(family Amaryllidaceae) is used empirically for medicinal purposes. It is distributed throughout Asian countries, especially Indonesia. This study aimed at...
(family Amaryllidaceae) is used empirically for medicinal purposes. It is distributed throughout Asian countries, especially Indonesia. This study aimed at standardizing the plant, analyzing its phytochemical profile, and evaluating its pharmacological effects. The powder from each organ (root, stem, and leaves) was standardized organoleptically and microscopically. Samples were extracted by graded maceration using hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. The extracts were determined for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Antioxidant (radical scavenging and metal ion reduction) and antityrosinase activities were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Extracts were analysed for phytochemical profiles by LC-ESI-MS. The highest TPC and TFC were found in the ethanolic extract of the root organ (68.63 ± 2.97 mg GAE/g) and the ethyl acetate extract of the stem (14.33 ± 0.71 mg QE/g extract). High antioxidant activities were found in the ethanolic root extract (20.42 ± 0.33 g/mL) and ethanolic stem extract (45.65 ± 0.77 g/mL) by DPPH• and NO• assays, respectively. The ion reduction activity (by CUPRAC assay) was most significant in the ethyl acetate stem extract (390.42 ± 14.49 mol GAEAC/g extract). Ethanolic root extract was the most active in inhibiting tyrosinase (IC value of 108.5 g/mL). The correlation matrix between TPC and antioxidant activities showed a moderate to robust correlation, whereas the TPC and antityrosinase activity showed a robust correlation. The TFC and antioxidant or antityrosinase activities showed a weak to moderate correlation. The LC-ESI-MS data identified major phenols in the active extracts, including methyl 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzoate, quercetin, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid-1, and curculigoside. Overall, this study suggests that extracts from the plant offer potent antioxidant and antityrosinase activities, allowing them to be used as natural antioxidants and candidates for skin-lightening compounds.
Topics: Antioxidants; Curculigo; Plant Extracts; Flavonoids; Phenols; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37829602
DOI: 10.1155/2023/5785259 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2021Thesium chinense Turcz. has been used to treat mastitis, pulmonitis, tonsillitis, iaryngopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections in the indigenous medicine of... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Thesium chinense Turcz. has been used to treat mastitis, pulmonitis, tonsillitis, iaryngopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections in the indigenous medicine of China for a long history. Presently, several pharmaceutics prepared by this medical herb have been clinically used for the therapy of infectious diseases.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review aims to comprehensively summarize the current researches on the ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of T. chinense, and discuss their possible opportunities for the future research.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Extensive database searches, including Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar and China Knowledge Resource Integrated, were performed using keywords such as 'Thesium chinense', 'Bai Rui Cao', and their chemical constituents. In addition, local classic herbal literature on ethnopharmacology and relevant textbooks were consulted to provide a comprehensive survey of this ethnomedicine.
RESULTS
Thirty four chemical constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have been identified from T. chinense. Of which, flavonoids are the predominant and characteristic constituents. The crude extracts, the purified constituents, and commercial available pharmaceutics have displayed diverse in vitro and in vivo pharmacological functions (e.g. anti-inflammation, antimicrobial activity, analgesic effect, hepaprotection), and are particularly useful as a potential therapeutic agent against inflammation-related diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
T. chinense is an important ethnomedical medicine and possesses a satisfying effect for treating inflammation, microbial infection, and upper respiratory diseases. It has received plenty of researches on its phytochemical and pharmacological aspects since 1970s. These findings definitely establish the link between chemical composition and pharmacological application, and support the ethnomedical use of T. chinense in the indigenous medicine of China. However, chemical composition of this plant and the molecular mechanisms of purified constituents have not been comprehensively investigated, and thus the trace constituents and the therapeutic targets of bioactive constituents deserve a further exploration. Collectively, the researchers should pay more attention to a better understanding and application of this ethnomedical plant.
Topics: Animals; Clinical Studies as Topic; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals; Santalaceae
PubMed: 33610713
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113950 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Apr 2018Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae) is a well-known traditional medicinal plant used from ancient times for treatment of various ailments. It is widely distributed and... (Review)
Review
Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae) is a well-known traditional medicinal plant used from ancient times for treatment of various ailments. It is widely distributed and an important part of therapeutics in Ayurveda and in Chinese medicines. The aim of this review is to present comprehensive and most up to date report on its ethnobotanical, ethnopharmacological, clinical, phytochemical, and side effects. Studies on the ethnobotanical, ethnopharmacological, clinical, phytochemical, and side effects of P. corylifolia were published until year 2017 and were searched using various scientific databases. The scientific literature searched revealed that these plant species has been extensively investigated in vivo and in vitro for various biological and phytochemical studies. It has cardiotonic, vasodilator, pigmentor, antitumor, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-helminthic properties and locally used for alopecia, inflammation, leukoderma, leprosy, psoriasis, and eczema. So far, about a hundred bioactive compounds have been isolated from seeds and fruits, and most important compounds identified belongs to coumarins, flavonoids, and meroterpenes groups. This review article summarized the most updated scientific literature on bioactive phytochemical and biological activities of P. corylifolia. This article will be a useful addition to providing information for future research, and more standard clinical trials are needed for the plant to be used as therapeutic agent.
Topics: Animals; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Phytochemicals; Plants, Medicinal; Psoralea
PubMed: 29243333
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6006 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2022has a long history of being consumed as a functional food and medicinal herb for preventing and managing diseases. The phytochemical studies revealed that contained... (Review)
Review
has a long history of being consumed as a functional food and medicinal herb for preventing and managing diseases. The phytochemical studies revealed that contained abundant bioactive compounds, such as bibenzyls, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The experimental studies showed that and its bioactive compounds exerted multiple biological properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulatory activities and showed various health benefits like anticancer, antidiabetes, cardiovascular protective, gastrointestinal modulatory, hepatoprotective, lung protective, and neuroprotective effects. In this review, we summarize the phytochemical studies, bioactivities, and the mechanism of actions of , and the safety and current challenges are also discussed, which might provide new perspectives for its development of drug and functional food as well as clinical applications.
Topics: Alkaloids; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Bibenzyls; Dendrobium; Flavonoids; Neuroprotective Agents; Phytochemicals; Polysaccharides
PubMed: 36160715
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6293355