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PloS One 2023Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels have shown numerous health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. These health activities are...
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels have shown numerous health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. These health activities are owed to the unique phytochemical components present in pomegranate peels. Variations in the pomegranate cultivar, geographical region, and extraction methods significantly affect the phytochemical composition and concentrations of pomegranate fruits and their peels, hence their health outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the phytochemical contents of pomegranate peels of Jordanian origin and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Among the 6 extracts of pomegranate peels tested, the ethanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC = 297.70 ± 1.73 mg GAE/g DW), highest total flavonoids content (TFC = 116.08 ± 3.46 mg RE/g DW), highest hydrolyzable tannins (HT) contents (688.50 ± 3.54 mg TE/g DW). Whereas the highest condensed tannins (CT) content was found in both the ethanol (13.87 ± 0.58 mg CE/g DW) and methanol (13.84 ± 0.55 mg CE/g DW) extracts. For the antioxidant activities, the water extract of pomegranate peels displayed the highest inhibitory effect on DPPH radicals (9.43 ± 0.06 μmole TE/g DW), while for the ABTS+ assay the methanol and ethanol extracts exhibited the highest activities of 11.09 ± 0.02 and 11.09 ± 0.06 μmole TE/g DW, respectively. For the FRAP assay, the aqueous methanol extract exhibited the highest reducing activity (1.60 ± 0.09 mmole Fe (II)/g DW). As for the antimicrobial activities of various extracts of pomegranate peels, the highest antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus was achieved by the ethanol extract (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL), whereas the lowest antimicrobial activity was observed against Candida krusei using the methanol extract (MIC = 100 mg/mL). These results indicate that pomegranate peels of Jordanian origin are rich in phytochemical content and exhibited strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities making these agroindustrial by-products potential candidates for various medical applications and possible safe sources for important bioactive components.
Topics: Antioxidants; Fruit; Pomegranate; Plant Extracts; Jordan; Methanol; Phytochemicals; Ethanol; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 38032959
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295129 -
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2024(the family Thymelaeaceae) consists of medicinal plants which established great value in traditional medicines for many years. For instance, W. indica is always... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
(the family Thymelaeaceae) consists of medicinal plants which established great value in traditional medicines for many years. For instance, W. indica is always recommended for treatments of syphilis, arthritis, whooping cough, and cancer. No systematic review of bioactive compounds from this genus has been recorded to date.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the current study is to review phytochemical investigations and pharmacological effects of plant extracts and isolates.
METHODS
By searching on the internet, the relevant data about medicinal plants were retrieved from internationally renowned scientific databases, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Sci-Finder, Pubmed, and so on.
RESULTS
More than 290 structurally diverse metabolites were separated and identified from this genus. They include terpenoids, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, mono-phenols, diarylpentanoids, fatty acids, phytosterols, anthraquinones, and others. Pharmacological records indicated that plant crude extracts and their isolated compounds bring out various beneficial effects, such as anticancer, antiinflammatory, anti-aging, anti-viral, antimicrobacterial, antimalarial, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities.
CONCLUSION
has been regarded as a worthy genus with numerous phytochemicals and various pharmacological potentials. Modern pharmacological studies have successfully provided evidence for traditional uses. Nonetheless, their action mechanisms need to be further investigated. Although various secondary metabolites were identified from plants, the current pharmacological research mainly concentrated on terpenoids, lignans, flavonoids, and coumarins.
Topics: Humans; Wikstroemia; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Animals; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 37282648
DOI: 10.2174/1389201024666230606122116 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jul 2022Osmanthus fragrans Lour., is a medicinal plant distributed widely in some Asian countries including Japan and Korea and southwestern China. It has been used... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Osmanthus fragrans Lour., is a medicinal plant distributed widely in some Asian countries including Japan and Korea and southwestern China. It has been used traditionally for the treatment of weakened vision, halitosis, panting, asthma, cough, toothache, stomachache, diarrhea, rheumatism, physique pain and hepatitis.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
Recent advances in traditional uses, botanical characteristics, distribution, taxonomy, phytochemical constituents, biological effects as well as the toxicities of O. fragrans are comprehensively presented and critically evaluated, and the underlying mechanism associated with the bioactivities of extracts, essential oil and components from this plant is also well summarized. In order to provide comprehensive scientific basis for the medical application and help interested researchers discover food and medicinal natural products from O. fragrans.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All information was systematically gathered from globally accepted scientific databases by Internet databases, including Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, Springer, SciFinder, ACS Publications, CNKI, WanFang, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, The Plant List Database, and other literature sources (Ph.D. and MSc dissertations). All published contributions on O. fragrans different languages were included and cited. The chemical structures of all isolated compounds were drawn by using ChemBioDraw Ultra 14.0 software.
RESULTS
To date, more than 183 compounds were isolated and structurally identified from different plant parts of O. fragrans. Among them, ionone, ionol, flavonoids, polyphenols and iridoids, as the major bioactive substances, have been extensively studied and displayed the best bioactivity. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that O. fragrans and its active components had a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-thrombotic, anti-melanogenesis, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities, etc. CONCLUSION: O. fragrans, as a food and medicinal resource, has a good health care function and important edible and medicinal value, and thus has good prospects for utilization. However, many studies on biological activities were mainly based on extracts and the bioactive ingredients of this plant, and the mechanism responsible for these extracts and ingredients have not been well identified and there is a gap in research regarding clinical effect and safety. Therefore, the detail in vitro and in vivo studies on the mechanisms of action of the pure bioactive compounds and more clinical studies are encouraged to be conducted to ensure safety and effectiveness of the plant for human use.
Topics: Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Oleaceae; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 35405258
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115273 -
Clinica Chimica Acta; International... Jun 2020Cervical cancer is common among women with a recurrence rate of 35% despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy... (Review)
Review
Cervical cancer is common among women with a recurrence rate of 35% despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy routinely experience several side effects including toxicity, non-targeted damage of tissues, hair loss, neurotoxicity, multidrug resistance (MDR), nausea, anemia and neutropenia. Phytochemicals can interfere with almost every stage of carcinogenesis to prevent cancer development. Many natural compounds are known to activate/deactivate multiple redox-sensitive transcription factors that modulate tumor signaling pathways. Polyphenols have been found to be promising agents against cervical cancer. However, applications of phytochemicals as a therapeutic drug are limited due to low oral bioavailability, poor aqueous solubility and requirement of high doses. Nano-sized phytochemicals (NPCs) are promising anti-cancer agents as they are required in minute quantities which lowers overall treatment costs. Several phytochemicals, including quercetin, lycopene, leutin, curcumin, green tea polyphenols and others have been packaged as nanoparticles and proven to be useful in nano-chemoprevention and nano-chemotherapy. Nanoparticles have high biocompatibility, biodegradability and stability in biological environment. Nano-scale drug delivery systems are excellent source for enhanced drug specificity, improved absorption rates, reduced drug degradation and systemic toxicity. The present review discusses current knowledge in the involvement of phytochemical nanoparticles in cervical cancer therapy over conventional chemotherapy.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Biological Availability; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; Humans; Nanoparticles; Phytochemicals; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 32017926
DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.01.035 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2021Sweet cherries ( L.) are among the most appreciated fruits worldwide because of their organoleptic properties and nutritional value. The accurate phytochemical... (Review)
Review
Sweet cherries ( L.) are among the most appreciated fruits worldwide because of their organoleptic properties and nutritional value. The accurate phytochemical composition and nutritional value of sweet cherries depends on the climatic region, cultivar, and bioaccessibility and bioavailability of specific compounds. Nevertheless, sweet cherry extracts are highly enriched in several phenolic compounds with relevant bioactivity. Over the years, technological advances in chemical analysis and fields as varied as proteomics, genomics and bioinformatics, have allowed the detailed characterization of the sweet cherry bioactive phytonutrients and their biological function. In this context, the effect of sweet cherries on suppressing important events in the carcinogenic process, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, was widely documented. Interestingly, results from our research group and others have widened the action of sweet cherries to many hallmarks of cancer, namely metabolic reprogramming. The present review discusses the anticarcinogenic potential of sweet cherries by addressing their phytochemical composition, the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of specific bioactive compounds, and the existing knowledge concerning the effects against oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, deregulated cell proliferation and apoptosis, invasion and metastization, and metabolic alterations. Globally, this review highlights the prospective use of sweet cherries as a dietary supplement or in cancer treatment.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals; Prunus avium
PubMed: 34063349
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102941 -
Chemistry & Biodiversity Nov 2023Mikania micrantha is utilized as a therapeutic for the treatment of various human ailments including insect bites, rashes and itches of skin, chicken pox, healing of... (Review)
Review
Mikania micrantha is utilized as a therapeutic for the treatment of various human ailments including insect bites, rashes and itches of skin, chicken pox, healing of sores and wounds, colds and fever, nausea, jaundice, rheumatism, and respiratory ailments. This study aimed at summarizing the traditional uses, phytochemical profile, and biological activities of M. micrantha based on obtainable information screened from different databases. An up-to-date search was performed on M. micrantha in PubMed, Science Direct, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases with specific keywords. No language restrictions were imposed. Published articles, theses, seminar/conference papers, abstracts, and books on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological evidence were considered. Based on the inclusion criteria, this study includes 53 published records from the above-mentioned databases. The results suggest that fresh leaves and whole plant are frequently used in folk medicine. The plant contains more than 150 different phytochemicals under the following groups: essential oils, phenolics and flavonoids, terpenes, terpene lactones, glycosides, and sulfated flavonoids. It contains carbohydrates and micronutrients including vitamins and major and trace minerals. M. micrantha possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-dermatophytic, anti-protozoal, anthelmintic, cytotoxic, anxiolytic, anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering and antidiabetic, spasmolytic, memory-enhancing, wound-healing, anti-aging, and thrombolytic activities. No clinical studies have been reported to date. M. micrantha might be one of the potential sources of phytotherapeutic compounds against diverse ailments in humans. Studies are required to confirm its safety profile in experimental animals prior to initiating clinical trials. Moreover, adequate investigation is also crucial to clarify exact mechanism of action for each biological effect.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Phytotherapy; Mikania; Ethnopharmacology; Ethnobotany; Phytochemicals; Flavonoids; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37715705
DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202300392 -
The phytochemical analysis and pharmacological potentials of husk and straw as paddy waste products.Journal of the Science of Food and... Sep 2020Rice serves as a staple food for one-half of the global population. However, rice production, particularly the rice milling process, results in a substantial amount of... (Review)
Review
Rice serves as a staple food for one-half of the global population. However, rice production, particularly the rice milling process, results in a substantial amount of paddy waste products (e.g. bran, husk and straw) annually. Because the potentials of bran have been extensively explored in prior studies, the present review focuses exclusively on the phytochemical analysis and pharmacological potentials of husk and straw. This comprehensive review establishes a solid foundation for promoting husk and straw as medicinal substances given their promising pharmacological potentials as bioactive compound sources with therapeutic functions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topics: Dietary Fiber; Oryza; Phytochemicals; Waste Products
PubMed: 32248531
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10406 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Aug 2021Centaurium erythraea is an important medicinal plant in many countries, e.g. Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and countries of Balkan Peninsula. It is used in... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Centaurium erythraea is an important medicinal plant in many countries, e.g. Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and countries of Balkan Peninsula. It is used in folk medicine to treat various illnesses. It is also used as an antiapoplectic, anticoagulant, anticholagogue, antipneumonic, hematocathartic, and as a hypotensive agent.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
In this review, previous reports on the taxonomy, botanical description, geographic distribution, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and toxicity of Centaurium erythraea were critically summarized.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Scientific search engines including PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley Online, SciFinder, and Google Scholar were consulted to collect data on C. erythraea. The data presented in this work summarized the main reports on C. erythraea phytochemical compounds, ethnomedicinal uses, and pharmacological activities.
RESULTS
C. erythraea is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as diabetes, fever, rhinitis, stomach ailments, urinary tract infections, dyspeptic complaints, loss of appetite, and hemorrhoids, and as diuretic. The essential oils and extracts of C. erythraea exhibited numerous biological properties such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antileishmanial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, diuretic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, dermatoprotective, neuroprotective, and inhibitory agent for larval development. Phytochemical characterization of C. erythraea revealed the presence of several classes of secondary metabolites such as xanthonoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and fatty acids.
CONCLUSIONS
Ethnomedicinal studies demonstrated the use of C. erythraea for the treatment of various disorders. Pharmacological reports showed that C. erythraea especially its aerial parts and roots exhibited potent, and beneficial activities. These findings confirmed the link between the traditional medicinal use and the results of the scientific biological experiments. Considering these results, further investigation using diverse in vivo pharmacological assays are strongly recommended to validate the results of its traditional use. Toxicological tests and pharmacokinetic studies are also required to validate the safety and efficacy of C. erythraea and its bioactive contents.
Topics: Animals; Centaurium; Ethnobotany; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 33940085
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114171 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Dec 2023The plant kingdom has long been considered a valuable source for therapeutic agents, however, some plant species still untapped and need to be phytochemically and...
BACKGROUND
The plant kingdom has long been considered a valuable source for therapeutic agents, however, some plant species still untapped and need to be phytochemically and biologically explored. Although several Atriplex species have been investigated in depth, A. leucoclada, a halophytic plant native to Saudi Arabian desert, remains to be explored for its phytochemical content and biological potentials. Herein, the current study investigated the metabolic content and the anti-inflammatory potential of A. leucoclada.
METHODS
Powdered aerial parts of the plant were defatted with n-hexane then the defatted powder was extracted with 80% methanol. n-Hexane extract (ATH) was analyzed using GC-MS, while the defatted extract (ATD) was subjected to different chromatographic methods to isolate the major phytoconstituents. The structures of the purified compounds were elucidated using different spectroscopic methods including advanced NMR techniques. Anti-inflammatory activity of both extracts against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes were examined in vitro. Molecular docking of the identified compounds into the active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes was conducted using pdb entries 6Y3C and 5IKV, respectively.
RESULTS
Phytochemical investigation of ATD extract led to purification and identification of nine compounds. Interestingly, all the compounds, except for 20-hydroxy ecdysone (1), are reported for the first time from A. leucoclada, also luteolin (6) and pallidol (8) are isolated for the first time from genus Atriplex. Inhibitory activity of ATD and ATH extracts against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes revealed concentration dependent activity of both fractions with IC 41.22, 14.40 μg/ml for ATD and 16.74 and 5.96 μg/ml for ATH against COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. Both extracts displayed selectivity indices of 2.86 and 2.80, respectively as compared to 2.56 for Ibuprofen indicating a promising selectivity towards COX-2. Molecular docking study supported in vitro testing results, where purified metabolites showed binding affinity scores ranged from -9 to -6.4 and -8.5 to -6.6 kcal/mol for COX-1 and 2, respectively, in addition the binding energies of GC-MS detected compounds ranged from -8.9 to -5.5 and -8.3 to -5.1 kcal/mol for COX-1 and 2, respectively as compared to Ibuprofen (-6.9 and -7.5 kcal/mol, respectively), indicating high binding affinities of most of the compounds. Analysis of the binding orientations revealed variable binding patterns depending on the nature of the compounds. Our study suggested A. leucoclada as a generous source for anti-inflammatory agents.
Topics: Atriplex; Plant Extracts; Molecular Docking Simulation; Cyclooxygenase 2; Ibuprofen; Saudi Arabia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38104070
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04281-5 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Sep 2019Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) is an invasive aromatic herb with immense therapeutic importance. The herb is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.... (Review)
Review
Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) is an invasive aromatic herb with immense therapeutic importance. The herb is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. A. conyzoides has imparted numerous ethnomedicinal uses because it has been used to cure various ailments that include leprosy, skin disorders, sleeping sickness, rheumatism, headaches, dyspnea, toothache, pneumonia and many more. A number of phytoconstituents have been scrutinized such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, chromenes, and sterols from almost every part of this plant. These phytoconstituents have shown diverse pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, spasmolytic, allelopathy, and many more. The plant A. conyzoides has provided a platform for doing pharmaceutical and toxicological research in order to isolate some promising active compounds and authenticate their safety in clinical uses. A. conyzoides provides principal information for advanced studies in the field of pharmaceutical industries and agriculture. Present review article describes the cytogenetics, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicological aspects of A. conyzoides.
Topics: Ageratum; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 31290201
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6405