-
Journal of Medicine and Life Aug 2022Medicinal plants have been widely used in healthcare based on traditional knowledge. We investigated the antimicrobial activities and phytochemical contents of a plant...
Medicinal plants have been widely used in healthcare based on traditional knowledge. We investigated the antimicrobial activities and phytochemical contents of a plant known as (), which Sabah native people have used for health benefits. Methanolic extracts and fractions of the leaves of were tested for their phytochemical contents and their antimicrobial activities against four Gram-negative and five Gram-positive strains of bacteria. The extracts of showed antimicrobial activities against three Gram-positive, and one Gram-negative bacteria, with the zone of inhibition ranging from 7.8 mm±0.41 to 10.5 mm±0.71. Fraction CE.F7 exerted the broadest antimicrobial activity towards four Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The phytochemical constituents identified in the extracts were alkaloid, flavonoid, steroid, and cardiac glycosides. The plant extract demonstrated antimicrobial activities and contained multiple phytochemical constituents. Further investigations into potential antimicrobial agents containing promising fractions would validate the medicinal properties of used in Sabah.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Asteraceae; Cardiac Glycosides; Flavonoids; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Steroids
PubMed: 36188644
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2021-0296 -
Nutrients Jul 2019Phenols are a wide family of phytochemicals that are characterized by large chemical diversity and are considered to bioactive molecules of foods, beverages, and... (Review)
Review
Phenols are a wide family of phytochemicals that are characterized by large chemical diversity and are considered to bioactive molecules of foods, beverages, and botanicals. Although they have a multitude of biological actions, their beneficial effects are rarely evidenced in clinical practice. This may occur due to the presence of numerous confounders, such as the modulation of phenol bioavailability, which can be regulated by microbiota, age, sex-gender. Sex-gender is an important determinant of health and well-being, and has an impact on environmental and occupational risks, access to health care, disease prevalence, and treatment outcomes. In addition, xenobiotic responses may be strongly influenced by sex-gender. This review describes how sex-gender differentially influences the activities of phenols also in some critical periods of women life such as pregnancy and lactation, considering also the sex of fetuses and infants. Thus, sex-gender is a variable that must be carefully considered and should be used to propose directions for future research on the road to tailored medicine and nutrition.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Phytochemicals; Sex Factors
PubMed: 31319627
DOI: 10.3390/nu11071637 -
Marine Drugs Apr 2019Mangroves are ecologically important plants in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries. In addition to their key ecological importance, various... (Review)
Review
Mangroves are ecologically important plants in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries. In addition to their key ecological importance, various parts of mangroves are widely used in folklore medicine and claimed to effectively manage a panoply of human pathologies. To date, no comprehensive attempt has been made to compile and critically analyze the published literature in light of its ethnopharmacological uses. This review aims to provide a comprehensive account of the morphological characteristics, ethnobotany, global distribution, taxonomy, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological activities of traditionally used mangroves. Out of 84 mangrove species, only 27 species were found to be traditionally used, however not all of them are pharmacologically validated. The most common pharmacological activities reported were antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Mangroves traditionally reported against ulcers have not been extensively validated for possible pharmacological properties. Terpenoids, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were the main classes of phytochemicals isolated from mangroves. Given that mangroves have huge potential for a wide array of medicinal products and drug discovery to prevent and treat many diseases, there is a dire need for careful investigations substantiated with accurate scientific and clinical evidence to ensure safety and efficient use of these plants and validate their pharmacological properties and toxicity.
Topics: Animals; Avicennia; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Rhizophoraceae
PubMed: 31003533
DOI: 10.3390/md17040231 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2017This paper is intended to review advances in the botanical, phytochemical, traditional uses and pharmacological studies of the genus . Until now, 138 chemical... (Review)
Review
This paper is intended to review advances in the botanical, phytochemical, traditional uses and pharmacological studies of the genus . Until now, 138 chemical constituents have been isolated and characterized from these plants, particularly from and . Among these compounds, lignans, triterpenoids, and flavonoids are the major bioactive constituents. Studies have shown that plants from the genus exhibit an extensive range of pharmacological properties both in vivo and in vitro, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antitumor, antiviral and antibacterial activities. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) culture, drugs that include stems have been used to cure rheumatism, gonarthritis, backache and pharyngitis, although there are few reports concerning the clinical use and toxicity of these plants. Further attention should be paid to gathering information about their toxicology data, quality-control measures, and the clinical value of the active compounds from genus .
Topics: Animals; Apocynaceae; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 28837110
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091406 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022Plant-derived natural products are significant resources for drug discovery and development including appreciable potentials in preventing and managing oxidative stress,... (Review)
Review
Plant-derived natural products are significant resources for drug discovery and development including appreciable potentials in preventing and managing oxidative stress, making them promising candidates in cancer and other disease therapeutics. Their effects have been linked to phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities. The abundance and complexity of these bio-constituents highlight the need for well-defined in vitro characterization and quantification of the plant extracts/preparations that can translate to in vivo effects and hopefully to clinical use. This review article seeks to provide relevant information about the applicability of cell-based assays in assessing anti-cytotoxicity of phytochemicals considering several traditional and current methods.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Toxicity Tests
PubMed: 35164354
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27031087 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jul 2022Curatella americana L. is employed in popular medicine for treating diabetes. However, the understanding around its outcomes during pregnancy is unclear.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Curatella americana L. is employed in popular medicine for treating diabetes. However, the understanding around its outcomes during pregnancy is unclear.
AIM OF THE STUDY
To evaluate the phytochemical and hypoglycemic analysis of the C. americana extract and its maternal-fetal effect on diabetic rats.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Diabetes was chemically induced 24 h after birth in Wistar female newborn rats. At adulthood, after diabetes status confirmation, the rats were mated and randomized into four experimental groups: Nondiabetic (Control): given water; Treated: given C. americana extract; Diabetic, and Treated Diabetic rats. The aqueous extract of C. americana leaves (300 mg/kg) was administered daily through oral route during pregnancy. Maternal toxicity and biochemical profile, reproductive outcomes, fetal development, and phenolic composition and biogenic amines in aqueous extract were analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Phytochemical analysis revealed that the main phenolic components are 3-hydroxytyrosol, kaempferol, and quercetin, while tryptophan and putrescine derivatives were identified as the dominant amines. C. americana extract treatment improved the lipid profile, although no effect on hyperglycemic control in diabetic rats was observed. Maternal diabetes or C. americana extract caused embryo losses confirmed by the lower number of pre-embryos in early pregnancy and higher percentage of abnormal morphologically pre-embryos. C. americana extract previously caused premature pre-embryo fixation before implantation window in nondiabetic and diabetic mothers and intrauterine growth restriction in the fetuses of treated nondiabetic dams, complicating the embryo fetal development. These findings reinforce the caution of indiscriminate use of medicinal plants, especially during pregnancy.
Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Dilleniaceae; Female; Hypoglycemic Agents; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Water
PubMed: 35421527
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115287 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021Functional plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and berries) can improve health, have a preventive effect, and diminish the risk of different chronic diseases... (Review)
Review
Functional plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and berries) can improve health, have a preventive effect, and diminish the risk of different chronic diseases during in vivo and in vitro studies. Berries contain many phytochemicals, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. The primary phytochemicals in berry fruits are phenolic compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids. Since berries have a high concentration of polyphenols, it is possible to use them for treating various diseases pharmacologically by acting on oxidative stress and inflammation, which are often the leading causes of diabetes, neurological, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review examines commonly consumed berries: blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, black raspberries, and strawberries and their polyphenols as potential medicinal foods (due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds) in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and other diseases. Moreover, much attention is paid to the bioavailability of active berry components. Hence, this comprehensive review shows that berries and their bioactive compounds possess medicinal properties and have therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, future clinical trials are required to study and improve the bioavailability of berries' phenolic compounds and extend the evidence that the active compounds of berries can be used as medicinal foods against various diseases.
Topics: Fruit; Functional Food; Humans; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 34202412
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133904 -
BioMed Research International 2020Linn. known as "Eepin" in Yoruba language, or sand paper tree, is a monoecious fig tree whose leaves, bark, seeds, and roots have been used locally in treating many...
Linn. known as "Eepin" in Yoruba language, or sand paper tree, is a monoecious fig tree whose leaves, bark, seeds, and roots have been used locally in treating many infectious and noninfectious diseases. The study is aimed at investigating the bacteriological and phytochemical potential of Linn. The roots of the plant were harvested and washed, and phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard analytical techniques. Infusion was aseptically prepared, and incubation for 24 hours and microbiological analysis were carried out using the pour plate method on Plate Count Agar (PCA) and Nutrient Agar (NA). Microorganisms were subcultured and identified using morphological and biochemical tests according to "Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology." Phytochemical analysis of the fresh and dry roots revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, and saponins, while anthraquinones and tannins were absent. Total heterotrophic bacteria count on PCA was 5.6 × 10 CFU/ml, while on NA, it was 2.3 × 10 CFU/ml, and four classes of bacteria were isolated including sp., , sp., and sp. Although the presence of medicinal phytochemicals in Linn. indicates strong potentials for its use in infusions, the presence of potential pathogens found in the infusions makes it unsafe for consumption.
Topics: Alkaloids; Bacteria; Ficus; Nigeria; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Saponins
PubMed: 32509877
DOI: 10.1155/2020/9762639 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023For many decades, natural resources have traditionally been employed in skin care. Here, we explored the phytochemical profile of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts...
For many decades, natural resources have traditionally been employed in skin care. Here, we explored the phytochemical profile of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Greene and assessed their antioxidant, antiaging and antibacterial activities in vitro. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis led to the tentative identification of 67 compounds consisting mainly of phenolic and fatty acids, diterpene acids, proanthocyanidins and flavonoid and biflavonoid glycosides. The aqueous extract demonstrated substantial in vitro antioxidant potential at FRAP and DPPH assays and inhibited the four target enzymes (collagenase, elastase, tyrosinase, and hyaluronidase) engaged in skin remodeling and aging with IC values close to those of the standard drugs. Moreover, the aqueous extract at 25 mg/mL suppressed biofilm formation by , a bacterial pathogen causing common skin manifestations, and decreased its swarming and swimming motilities. In conclusion, leaves can be considered a promising candidate for potential application in skin aging.
Topics: Cupressus; Cosmeceuticals; Antioxidants; Chromatography, Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Cupressaceae; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 36770704
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031036 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2022is a genus of herbaceous and perennial plants belonging to the Commelinaceae family and organized into three infrageneric classifications and 12 sections. More than 80... (Review)
Review
is a genus of herbaceous and perennial plants belonging to the Commelinaceae family and organized into three infrageneric classifications and 12 sections. More than 80 species within the genus have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Phytochemical compounds (from various species of the genus) such as coumarins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and terpenoids have recently been characterized and described with antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer or antimicrobial properties. The objective of this review is to describe the different aspects of the genus including its botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological activities, and safety aspects.
Topics: Antioxidants; Medicine, Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Tradescantia
PubMed: 35748273
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2706197