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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 -
Heliyon Jun 2023(MO), has been studied extensively, and has numerous medicinal and socioeconomic benefits. Emerging research has investigated the efficacy of MO extract and/or its... (Review)
Review
(MO), has been studied extensively, and has numerous medicinal and socioeconomic benefits. Emerging research has investigated the efficacy of MO extract and/or its phytochemical derivatives against ischemic stroke . To date, no studies comprehensively reviewing the effects of MO extract and/or its phytochemical derivatives against ischemic stroke have been published. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of MO extract and/or its phytochemical derivatives against focal ischemic stroke, modeled . Compared with control groups, significant reduction in infarct volume and malondialdehyde levels, and signficant increase in antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The primary mechanism of action of MO extract and its phytochemical derivatives which confers neuroprotection is reduction in oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzymes. On the whole, the present systematic review critically assessed evidence which demonstrated that MO extract may confer protective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. Although effect size may have been overestimated due to the limited number of included studies, small sample sizes and possible publication bias, results generated in this meta-analysis dmeonstrate that MO extract may be a promising neuroprotective agent against human ischemic stroke.
PubMed: 37303567
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16622 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023The socioeconomic burden of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) stems from its characteristic multifactorial etiology and, implicitly, the difficulties associated with its... (Review)
Review
The socioeconomic burden of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) stems from its characteristic multifactorial etiology and, implicitly, the difficulties associated with its treatment. With the increase in life expectancy and health awareness, nutraceuticals and functional foods are filling in the gaps left by the limitation of classical medical treatment in chronic conditions associated with lifestyle factors, such as neurological disorders. Processes, such as fermentation that enhance food phytochemical content are garnering increased attention due to their functional and health-related properties. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the evidence of phytochemicals from fermented food sources inducing therapeutic outcomes and cognitive benefits from in vivo experimental models of Alzheimer's Disease. The present systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) by two independent reviewers. Titles and abstracts yielded by the search were screened for eligibility against the inclusion criteria. The search strategy yielded 1899 titles, encompassing studies from 1948 to 2022. After the removal of duplicates, and screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, thirty three studies obtained from the original search strategy and seven studies from references satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the present systematic review. Several studies have emphasized the potential of fermentation to yield small-molecule phytochemicals that are not present in raw products. When these phytochemicals are combined, their collective strength has demonstrated the ability to exceed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective benefits of individual phytochemicals when given in their pure form. Among the various fermented foods that have been studied, soy isoflavones obtained through fermentation have shown the most substantial evidence of altering phytochemical content and improving outcomes in animal models of AD. While promising in initial results, other fermented foods and traditional medicines require more detailed research in order to establish their effectiveness and proper utilization. As is, many of the experimental designs lacked phytochemical analysis of the used fermented product or comparison with the non-fermented counterpart. This, coupled with proper reporting in animal studies, will significantly raise the quality of performed studies as well as the weight of obtained results.
PubMed: 37297345
DOI: 10.3390/foods12112102 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023species represent a source of bioactive compounds that have been widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to synthesize the anticancer and anti-proliferative... (Review)
Review
species represent a source of bioactive compounds that have been widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to synthesize the anticancer and anti-proliferative potential of species through a systematic review. Searches were performed in the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Scielo and via a manual search. or studies that evaluated the anticancer or anti-proliferative effect of at least one species were included. In total, 942 studies were identified, with 33 articles read in full and 17 studies included for qualitative synthesis. Of these, 14 (82.35%) refer to assays, one (5.88%) was , and two (11.76%) were designed as and assays. Different extracts and isolated compounds from species were evaluated through cytotoxic analysis against various cancer cells lines (especially hepatocellular carcinoma-HepG2; n = 7, 41.18%). was the most evaluated species. The possible cellular mechanism involved in the anticancer activity of some species included the inhibition of enzymatic activities and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which suggested anti-metastatic effects, anti-melanogenic activity, cell proliferation inhibition pathways, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. The results reinforce the potential of species as a source for the discovery and development of new potential cytotoxic and anticancer agents. However, further studies and improvements in experimental designs are needed to better demonstrate the mechanism of action of all of these compounds.
PubMed: 37259435
DOI: 10.3390/ph16020293 -
Exploration of Targeted Anti-tumor... 2023One in eight fatalities globally are considered cancer-related. The need for cancer therapy is growing. Natural products continue to play a role in drug development, as... (Review)
Review
AIM
One in eight fatalities globally are considered cancer-related. The need for cancer therapy is growing. Natural products continue to play a role in drug development, as up to 50% of authorized drugs in the last 30 years have been isolated from natural sources.
METHODS
Anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and other actions have all been reported in research papers using plants from the genus in the treatment and prevention of disease.
RESULTS
Results from the anticancer test showed that the genus, especially , and had significant promise as an anticancer agent against several cancer cell lines. Numerous factors, including phytochemical composition, increased apoptotic activity, decreased cell proliferation, stopped angiogenesis, and reduced inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS
These results, despite preliminary, show promise for further purification and investigation of bioactive compounds and extracts within the genus for their anticancer properties.
PubMed: 37205310
DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00134 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2023Magnolin is a naturally occurring, multi-bioactive lignan molecule with inherent anticancer effects. This study aims to summarize the botanical origins and anticancer... (Review)
Review
Magnolin is a naturally occurring, multi-bioactive lignan molecule with inherent anticancer effects. This study aims to summarize the botanical origins and anticancer properties of magnolin. For this, a recent (as of March 2023) literature review was conducted using various academic search engines, including PubMed, Springer Link, Wiley Online, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. All the currently available information about this phytochemical and its role in various cancer types has been gathered and investigated. Magnolin is a compound found in many different plants. It has been demonstrated to have anticancer activity in numerous experimental models by inhibiting the cell cycle (G1 and G2/M phase); inducing apoptosis; and causing antiinvasion, antimetastasis, and antiproliferative effects via the modulation of several pathways. In conclusion, magnolin showed robust anticancer activity against many cancer cell lines by altering several cancer signaling pathways in various non- and pre-clinical experimental models, making it a promising plant-derived chemotherapeutic option for further clinical research.
Topics: Humans; Lignans; Signal Transduction; Cell Cycle; Neoplasms; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37175081
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093671 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2023Many biological activities are described for the Clusiaceae family. Clusia fluminensis, a species from Brazilian flora, is mainly employed for ornamental purposes. This... (Review)
Review
Many biological activities are described for the Clusiaceae family. Clusia fluminensis, a species from Brazilian flora, is mainly employed for ornamental purposes. This review aimed to depict the current knowledge of C. fluminensis from a bioprospecting standpoint. "Clusia fluminensis" search term was applied in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Bireme databases according to PRISMA-ScR statement. Selected papers on Phytochemistry or Bioactivity followed hand searching procedures. Bioactivity preclinical studies considered in vitro or in vivo biological systems, treated with plant extracts or isolated compounds. The outcomes were compared with standard or no treatment control groups. Critical appraisal of individual trials considered completeness in the research fields. Our results showed that 81% of the selected papers presented high level of completeness, 69% revealed phytochemical parameters and 31% biological applications of plant extracts and isolated compounds. Polyisoprenylated benzophenones, terpenoids, sterols and phenolic compounds were identified. Antiviral, insecticidal and snake antivenom activities were reported. In conclusion, the phytochemical data reinforce the reported activities. Potential applications in personal care, nutritional supplementation and pharmaceutical, food, chemical or textile industries were also identified. Toxicological and phytochemical complementary studies may be required.
Topics: Clusia; Bioprospecting; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37132746
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320211605 -
Journal of Experimental Pharmacology 2023The Urticaceae family contains 54 genera and more than 2000 species that can be found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates all over the world. This family... (Review)
Review
The Urticaceae family contains 54 genera and more than 2000 species that can be found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates all over the world. This family includes the largest genus in the world, , which is also known as stinging nettle. Stinging hairs are present on the lower surface of the leaves and beneath the stems of , also known as the stinging nettle, herbal nettle that is dioecious, upright, and unbranched. For the treatment of conditions like gastritis, heart disease, diabetes, gonorrhea, and malaria, people employ various portions of in a variety of ways in traditional medicine. The leaves are rich in variety of active secondary phytochemical constituents including terpenoids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, polyphenols, sterols, oxalate, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). According to different reports, it possesses a variety of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antiproliferative, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antiulcer, antibacterial, and antifungal actions. The current review summarizes published and unpublished information about the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, ethnopharmacological, and toxicological reports of and summarizes all the research work carried out on this plant to provide updated information for future work.
PubMed: 37035014
DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S404506 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023In the last few decades, scientific evidence has stressed the importance of plants in the prevention and/or supportive treatment of a plethora of diseases, many of them... (Review)
Review
In the last few decades, scientific evidence has stressed the importance of plants in the prevention and/or supportive treatment of a plethora of diseases, many of them chronic, age-associated disorders. L. is a traditional plant that has been integrated into traditional medicine since ancient times. Due to the presence of biologically active compounds, walnut was used in the treatment of various maladies. Recently, investigations have focused on the walnut by-products and waste products, with research on their valuable constituents and active properties. Among these secondary products, walnut septum was analyzed in several studies, its phytochemical profile described, and some of the biological activities examined. However, compared to other walnut by-products, no comprehensive review to gather all the pertinent scientific knowledge was found in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to critically assess the information furnished by peer-reviewed articles regarding the walnut septum chemical composition and the related biological activities, including antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory effects, antimicrobial properties, antidiabetic activities, anti-tumor properties, and anti-aging potential. In conclusion, as these preclinical studies showed that walnut septum metabolites were responsible for a wide range of preventive and therapeutic uses, further research should confirm the beneficial outcomes in clinical trials.
PubMed: 36978850
DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030604 -
Heliyon Mar 2023The genus is traditionally used in folk medicine in Brazil and other tropical American countries and is represented by 282 species in this region. It is a multifaceted... (Review)
Review
The genus is traditionally used in folk medicine in Brazil and other tropical American countries and is represented by 282 species in this region. It is a multifaceted genus of medicinal plants widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pain, inflammatory diseases, and many more therapeutic applications. In the present study, we systematically identify and discuss the literature on and studies focusing on the therapeutic potentials and related molecular mechanisms of the genus. The review also assessed phytochemicals and their pharmacological properties and considered safety concerns related to the genus. Literature searches to identify studies on the genus were carried out through four main electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science limited to Medical Subjects Headings (MeSH) and Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DCS) (Health Sciences Descriptors) to identify studies published up to December 2022. The relevant information about the genus was gathered using the keywords ', 'biological activities', 'therapeutic mechanisms', 'animal model, 'cell-line model', 'antinociceptive', 'hyperalgesia', 'anti-inflammatory', and 'inflammation'. The therapeutic potentials and mechanisms of action of 14 species from genus were examined in 18 studies and included their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antibacterial, cytotoxic, mutagenic, antioxidant, anti-leishmanial, antinociceptive, schistosomicidal, and anti-osteoarthritis potentials, and in eight studies, assessing their analgesic, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-osteoarthritis activities. Some of the main related molecular mechanisms identified are the modulation of cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and prostaglandin synthesis. The limited number of studies showed that commonly available species from the genus are safe for consumption. Sw.Triana and (Bonpl.) DC was the most frequently used species and showed significant efficacy and potential for developing safe drugs to treat pain and inflammation.
PubMed: 36967930
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14609