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International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Kiwiberry () is a perennial fruit tree belonging to the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwiberries are known to have an extremely high concentration of sugars, phenolics,...
Kiwiberry () is a perennial fruit tree belonging to the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwiberries are known to have an extremely high concentration of sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and possess delicious taste and health-promoting properties. Numerous studies have focused on kiwiberry fruits, demonstrating that they possess a higher phytochemical content and greater antioxidant activities than other berry fruits. The purpose of this study was to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of leaf, stem, root, and fruit extracts from twelve kiwiberry cultivars grown in Wonju, Korea, characterized by a Dwa climate (Köppen climate classification). In most kiwiberry cultivars, the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) phytochemical content was significantly higher in leaf and stem tissues, while the roots exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In fruit tissues, the TPC and TFC were higher in unripe and ripe kiwiberry fruits, respectively, and antioxidant activity was generally higher in unripe than ripe fruit across most of the cultivars. Based on our results, among the 12 kiwiberry cultivars, cv. Daebo and cv. Saehan have a significantly higher phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in all of the tissue types, thus having potential as a functional food and natural antioxidant.
Topics: Antioxidants; Actinidia; Plant Extracts; Ascorbic Acid; Phenols; Fruit; Flavonoids; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38338784
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031505 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Nov 2023Extracellular matrix (ECM) resolution by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a well-documented mechanism. MMPs play a dual and complex role in modulating ECM degradation... (Review)
Review
Extracellular matrix (ECM) resolution by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a well-documented mechanism. MMPs play a dual and complex role in modulating ECM degradation at different stages of liver fibrosis, depending on the timing and levels of their expression. Increased MMP-1 combats disease progression by cleaving the fibrillar ECM. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) increase expression of MMP-2, -9, and -13 in different chemicals-induced animal models, which may alleviate or worsen disease progression based on animal models and the stage of liver fibrosis. In the early stage, elevated expression of certain MMPs may damage surrounding tissue and activate HSCs, promoting fibrosis progression. At the later stage, downregulation of MMPs can facilitate ECM accumulation and disease progression. A number of phytochemicals modulate MMP activity and ECM turnover, alleviating disease progression. However, the effects of phytochemicals on the expression of different MMPs are variable and may depend on the disease models and stage, and the dosage, timing and duration of phytochemicals used in each study. Here, we review the most recent advances in the role of MMPs in the effects of phytochemicals on liver fibrogenesis, which indicates that further studies are warranted to confirm and define the potential clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals.
Topics: Animals; Liver Cirrhosis; Extracellular Matrix; Phytochemicals; Disease Progression
PubMed: 37461256
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7959 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024The relatively small family is represented by halophyte plants, growing in arid and semi-arid climates in saline, alkaline or calcareous soils. Due to their living... (Review)
Review
The relatively small family is represented by halophyte plants, growing in arid and semi-arid climates in saline, alkaline or calcareous soils. Due to their living conditions, they usually produce a large diversity of compounds, which often exhibit bioactivities. Some species of this genus have long been used as traditional herbal medicines to treat dysentery, diarrhea, gonorrhea, vaginal leucorrhea, respiratory diseases and wounds. To date, several studies on either phytochemical or pharmacological aspects, or both, have revealed that this genus is a rich source of diverse and novel bioactive chemicals, including phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and fatty acids. This review describes all the reported chemical profiles of species, as well as the corresponding biological properties, when available. The aim of this review is to show the potential of these plants for various applications, especially therapeutic ones.
Topics: Ethnopharmacology; Plants, Medicinal; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38474492
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29050980 -
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental... Sep 2023The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of crude aqueous leaf extracts of and . The predominant...
The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of crude aqueous leaf extracts of and . The predominant components present in these crude extracts of test plants identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in both plant extracts were phytochemicals including flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and phenols. The antibacterial activity of crude extracts of these plants against bacterial pathogens including sp., A and B, sp. , and were examined. Data demonstrated that the extracts of and exhibited significant antibacterial activity against and at the concentration of 50 mg/ml. aqueous extract displayed significant antioxidant activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazl (DPPH), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and hydrogen peroxide (HO) free radicals at the concentration of 90 mg/ml. The antioxidant activity was significantly higher with than extract of . Evidence indicates that both plant extracts may possess significant pharmaceutical potential as antibacterial and antioxidant agents.
Topics: Antioxidants; Hydrogen Peroxide; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37395392
DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2231484 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Moslae Herba (MH) can be used for both medicine and food and has a long history of medicine. MH has the effects of sweating and relieving the exterior, removing dampness... (Review)
Review
Moslae Herba (MH) can be used for both medicine and food and has a long history of medicine. MH has the effects of sweating and relieving the exterior, removing dampness and harmonizing, and is mainly used for colds caused by damp heat in summer. It is called "Xiayue Zhi Mahuang" in China. So far, 123 chemical compounds have been isolated and identified from MH, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical compounds. Its chemical components have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic sedation, antipyretic, immune regulation, insecticidal, and other effects. In addition, because of its aromatic odor and health care function, MH also has development and utilization value in food, chemical, and other fields. This paper reviewed the research progress of MH in botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology and provided a possible direction for further research.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antioxidants; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38675535
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081716 -
Biomolecules Jul 2023Prolonged exposure to inflammatory mediators can lead to tissue damage, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and altered cellular metabolism [...].
Prolonged exposure to inflammatory mediators can lead to tissue damage, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and altered cellular metabolism [...].
Topics: Plants, Medicinal; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37627227
DOI: 10.3390/biom13081162 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Hochst. ex. A. DC is widely distributed throughout Africa and around the world. It is utilized ethnobotanically to treat fevers, wounds, malaria, diabetes mellitus, and... (Review)
Review
Hochst. ex. A. DC is widely distributed throughout Africa and around the world. It is utilized ethnobotanically to treat fevers, wounds, malaria, diabetes mellitus, and other diseases. This review aims to provide an exhaustive overview of the traditional uses, pharmacology, and phytochemical analysis of , with the objective of identifying its therapeutic potential for further research. Scientific resources, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, Pub Med, and Scopus, were used to find pertinent data on . Secondary metabolites tentatively identified from this species were primarily terpenoids, naphthoquinones, phenolics, and coumarins. has been reported to demonstrate pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-hypersensitivity, and antidiabetic properties. The phytochemicals and extracts from have been reported to have some pharmacological effects in in vivo studies and were not toxic to the animal models that were utilized. The information reported in this review provides researchers with a comprehensive summary of the current research status of this medicinal plant and a guide for further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Diospyros; Ebenaceae; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Anti-Infective Agents; Phytochemicals; Ethnopharmacology; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38067488
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237759 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Fruits, vegetables, and spices are natural sources of bioactive phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, curcuminoids, terpenoids, and... (Review)
Review
Fruits, vegetables, and spices are natural sources of bioactive phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, curcuminoids, terpenoids, and capsaicinoids, possessing multiple health benefits and relatively low toxicity. These compounds found in the diet play a central role in organism development and fitness. Given the complexity of the whole-body response to dietary changes, invertebrate model organisms can be valuable tools to examine the interplay between genes, signaling pathways, and metabolism. , an invertebrate model with its extensively studied genome, has more than 70% gene homology to humans and has been used as a model system in biological studies for a long time. The notable advantages of as a model system, such as their low maintenance cost, high reproductive rate, short generation time and lifespan, and the high similarity of metabolic pathways between and mammals, have encouraged the use of in the context of screening and evaluating the impact of phytochemicals present in the diet. Here, we review the benefits of as a model system for use in the study of phytochemical ingestion and describe the previously reported effects of phytochemical consumption in .
Topics: Humans; Animals; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila; Carotenoids; Diarylheptanoids; Phytochemicals; Mammals
PubMed: 37686177
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713365 -
Pharmacological Research Feb 2024Sciatica characterized by irritation, inflammation, and compression of the lower back nerve, is considered one of the most common back ailments globally. Currently, the... (Review)
Review
Sciatica characterized by irritation, inflammation, and compression of the lower back nerve, is considered one of the most common back ailments globally. Currently, the therapeutic regimens for sciatica are experiencing a paradigm shift from the conventional pharmacological approach toward exploring potent phytochemicals from medicinal plants. There is a dire need to identify novel phytochemicals with anti-neuropathic potential. This review aimed to identify the potent phytochemicals from diverse medicinal plants capable of alleviating neuropathic pain associated with sciatica. This review describes the pathophysiology of sciatic nerve pain, its cellular mechanisms, and the pharmacological potential of various plants and phytochemicals using animal-based models of sciatic nerve injury-induced pain. Extensive searches across databases such as Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were conducted. The findings highlights 39 families including Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Apocyanaceae and Cucurbitaceae, effectively treating sciatic nerve injury-induced pain. Flavonoids made up 53% constituents, phenols and terpenoids made up 15%, alkaloids made up 13%, and glycosides made up 6% to be used in neuorpathic pain. Phytochemicals derived from various medicinal plants can serve as potential therapeutic targets for both acute and chronic sciatic injury-induced neuropathic pain.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Sciatica; Neuralgia; Sciatic Neuropathy; Inflammation; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38237646
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107076 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Medicinal plants can be potential sources of therapeutic agents. Traditional healers use a medicinal plant from Ethiopia, Bersama abyssinica Fresen, to treat various...
Medicinal plants can be potential sources of therapeutic agents. Traditional healers use a medicinal plant from Ethiopia, Bersama abyssinica Fresen, to treat various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical components and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of B. abyssinica seed extracts (BASE). Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis was used to determine the phytochemical compositions of BASE. The antioxidant activities were assessed by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) assay, ferric chloride reducing assay and hydroxyl scavenging capacity assay. Antimicrobial activity was investigated using the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins, steroids, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 30 volatile compounds; α-pinene (23.85%), eucalyptol (20.74%), β-pinene (5.75%), D-limonene (4.05%), and o-cymene (5.02%). DPPH-induced free radical scavenging (IC = 8.78), TBARS (IC = 0.55 µg/mL), and hydroxyl radicals' scavenging capacities assays (IC = 329.23) demonstrated high antioxidant effects of BASE. Reducing power was determined based on Fe-Fe transformation in the presence of extract. BASE was found to show promising antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa (zone of inhibition 15.7 ± 2.5 mm, 16.0 ± 0.0 mm, and 16.7 ± 1.5 mm, respectively), but excellent antifungal activities against C. albican and M. furfur (zone of inhibition 22.0 ± 2.0 mm and 22.0 ± 4.0 mm, respectively). The seeds of B. abyssinica grown in Ethiopia possess high antioxidant potential, promising antibacterial and superior antifungal activity. Therefore, seeds of B. abyssinica provide a potential source for drug discovery.
Topics: Antioxidants; Plant Extracts; Antifungal Agents; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Phytochemicals; Plants, Medicinal; Magnoliopsida; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38491116
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56659-1