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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021Hawthorn ( Jacq.) is a wild edible fruit tree of the genus , one of the most interesting genera of the Rosaceae family. This review is the first to consider, all... (Review)
Review
Hawthorn ( Jacq.) is a wild edible fruit tree of the genus , one of the most interesting genera of the Rosaceae family. This review is the first to consider, all together, the pharmaceutical, phytochemical, functional and therapeutic properties of based on numerous valuable secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, vitamin C, glycoside, anthocyanin, saponin, tannin and antioxidants. Previous reviews dealt with the properties of all species of the entire genera. We highlight the multi-therapeutic role that extracts could have in the treatment of different chronic and degenerative diseases, mainly focusing on flavonoids. In the first part of this comprehensive review, we describe the main botanical characteristics and summarize the studies which have been performed on the morphological and genetic characterization of the germplasm. In the second part, the key metabolites and their nutritional and pharmaceutical properties are described. This work could be an essential resource for promoting future therapeutic formulations based on this natural and potent bioactive plant extract.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antioxidants; Crataegus; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 34885847
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237266 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021Biostimulants and bioprotectants are derived from natural sources and can enhance crop growth and protect crops from pests and pathogens, respectively. They have... (Review)
Review
Biostimulants and bioprotectants are derived from natural sources and can enhance crop growth and protect crops from pests and pathogens, respectively. They have attracted much attention in the past few decades and contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural system. Despite not having been explored extensively, plant extracts and their component secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds have been shown to have biostimulant effects on plants, including enhancement of growth attributes and yield, as well as bioprotectant effects, including antimicrobial, insecticidal, herbicidal and nematicidal effects. Medicinal and aromatic plants are widely distributed all over the world and are abundant sources of phenolic compounds. This paper reviews the characterisation of phenolic compounds and extracts from medicinal and aromatic plants, including a brief overview of their extraction, phytochemical screening and methods of analysis. The second part of the review highlights the potential for use of phenolic compounds and extracts as biostimulants and bioprotectants in agriculture as well as some of the challenges related to their use.
Topics: Chemical Fractionation; Chemical Phenomena; Chromatography, Liquid; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Metabolome; Metabolomics; Phenols; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 34770752
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216343 -
Planta Medica Oct 2021With about 120 species, is one of the largest genera of the plant family Meliaceae (the mahogany plants). It is native to the tropical rainforests of the... (Review)
Review
With about 120 species, is one of the largest genera of the plant family Meliaceae (the mahogany plants). It is native to the tropical rainforests of the Indo-Australian region, ranging from India and Sri Lanka eastward to Polynesia and Micronesia. Various species have been investigated since the 1960s for their phytochemical constituents and biological properties, with the cyclopenta[]benzofurans (rocaglates or flavaglines) being of particular interest. Phytochemists, medicinal chemists, and biologists have conducted extensive research in establishing these secondary metabolites as potential lead compounds with antineoplastic and antiviral effects, among others. The varied biological properties of rocaglates can be attributed to their unusual structures and their ability to act as inhibitors of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), affecting protein translation. The present review provides an update on the recently reported phytochemical constituents of species, focusing on rocaglate derivatives. Furthermore, laboratory work performed on investigating the biological activities of these chemical constituents is also covered.
Topics: Aglaia; Australia; Benzofurans; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 33784769
DOI: 10.1055/a-1401-9562 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and are host to a plethora of endemic plant species, which have been utilized in traditional... (Review)
Review
The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and are host to a plethora of endemic plant species, which have been utilized in traditional Hawaiian medicine. This scientific review provides an in-depth analysis of the phytochemistry and biological studies of selected endemic Hawaiian plants, highlighting their medicinal properties and therapeutic potential. A literature search was conducted, utilizing major academic databases such as SciFinder, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Scientific Information Database. The primary objective of this search was to identify relevant scholarly articles pertaining to the topic of the review, which focused on the phytochemistry and biological studies of endemic Hawaiian plants. Utilizing these databases, a comprehensive range of literature was obtained, facilitating a comprehensive examination of the subject matter. This review emphasizes the rich phytochemical diversity and biological activities found in Endemic Hawaiian plants, showcasing their potential as sources of novel therapeutic agents. Given the unique biodiversity of Hawaii and the cultural significance of these plants, continued scientific exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of these valuable resources is necessary to unlock the full potential of these plant species in drug discovery and natural product-based therapeutics.
Topics: Plants, Medicinal; Ethnopharmacology; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Hawaii; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38003513
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216323 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2013The genus Gnaphalium, a herb distributed worldwide, comprises approximately 200 species of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family that belongs to the tribe Gnaphalieae. Some... (Review)
Review
The genus Gnaphalium, a herb distributed worldwide, comprises approximately 200 species of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family that belongs to the tribe Gnaphalieae. Some species are traditionally used as wild vegetables and in folk medicine. This review focuses on the phytochemical investigations and biological studies of plants from the genus Gnaphalium over the past few decades. More than 125 chemical constituents have been isolated from the genus Gnaphalium, including flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, phytosterols, anthraquinones, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, and other compounds. The extracts of this genus, as well as compounds isolated from it, have been demonstrated to possess multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal, anti-complement, antitussive and expectorant, insect antifeedant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antihypouricemic properties. The present review compiles the information available on this genus because of its relevance to food and ethnopharmacology and the potential therapeutic uses of these species.
Topics: Ethnopharmacology; Gnaphalium; Herbal Medicine; Medicine, Traditional; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 23860277
DOI: 10.3390/molecules18078298 -
Cells Sep 2022Dunn (SSD) has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat several ailments. SSD and its active compounds are effective therapeutic agents for... (Review)
Review
Dunn (SSD) has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat several ailments. SSD and its active compounds are effective therapeutic agents for treating a variety of diseases with negligible side effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and potential therapeutic effects exclusively in cancer prevention and treatment. Phytochemical and pharmacological information was collected and arranged in a rational order. SSD has been frequently attributed to having antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Evidence has indicated that the bioactive constituents in SSD have attracted increasing scientific attention due to their preventive role in cancers. Further, the present review provides the current information on the health implications of SSD, thus allowing for future clinical trials to explore its restorative benefits. All data of in vitro and animal investigations of SSD, as well as its effect on human health, were obtained from an electronic search and library database. The diverse pharmacological potential of SSD provides an opportunity for preclinical drug discovery, and this comprehensive review strongly indicates that SSD is an excellent anti-tumorigenic agent that modulates or prevents breast cancer.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Fabaceae; Humans; Neoplasms; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 36139460
DOI: 10.3390/cells11182885 -
Current Opinion in Pharmacology Apr 2017Aldehydes are continuously formed in biological systems through enzyme-dependent and spontaneous oxidation of lipids, glucose, and primary amines. These highly reactive,... (Review)
Review
Aldehydes are continuously formed in biological systems through enzyme-dependent and spontaneous oxidation of lipids, glucose, and primary amines. These highly reactive, biogenic electrophiles can become toxic via covalent modification of proteins, lipids and DNA. Thus, agents that scavenge aldehydes through conjugation have therapeutic value for a number of major cardiovascular diseases. Several commonly-prescribed drugs (e.g., hydralazine) have been shown to have potent aldehyde-conjugating properties which may contribute to their beneficial effects. Herein, we briefly describe the major sources and toxicities of biogenic aldehydes in cardiovascular system, and provide an overview of drugs that are known to have aldehyde-conjugating effects. Some compounds of phytochemical origin, and histidyl-dipeptides with emerging therapeutic value in this area are also discussed.
Topics: Aldehydes; Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dipeptides; Humans; Oxidation-Reduction; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 28528297
DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2017.04.004 -
BMC Plant Biology May 2024Mentha longifolia L. is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has a wide distribution in the world. M. longifolia has many applications in the food...
BACKGROUND
Mentha longifolia L. is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has a wide distribution in the world. M. longifolia has many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its terpenoid and phenolic compounds. The phytochemical profile and biological activity of plants are affected by their genetics and habitat conditions. In the present study, the content, constituents and antifungal activity of the essential oil extracted from 20 accessions of M. longifolia collected from different regions of Iran and Iraq countries were evaluated.
RESULTS
The essential oil content of the accessions varied between 1.54 ± 0.09% (in the Divandarreh accession) to 5.49 ± 0.12% (in the Khabat accession). Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oils of the studied accessions, which accounted for 85.5-99.61% of the essential oil. The type and amount of dominant compounds in the essential oil were different depending on the accession. Cluster analysis of accessions based on essential oil compounds grouped them into three clusters. The first cluster included Baziyan, Boukan, Sarouchavah, Taghtagh, Darbandikhan, Isiveh and Harir. The second cluster included Khabat, Kounamasi, Soni and Mahabad, and other accessions were included in the third cluster. Significant correlations were observed between the essential oil content and components with the climatic and soil conditions of the habitats. The M. longifolia essential oil indicated antifungal activity against Fusarium solani in both methods used. In all studied accessions, the fumigation method compared to the contact method was more able to control mycelia growth. In both methods, the inhibition percentage of essential oil on mycelia growth increased with an increase in essential oil concentration. Significant correlations were found between the essential oil components and the inhibition percentage of mycelium growth.
CONCLUSION
The studied M. longifolia accessions showed significant differences in terms of the essential oil content and components. Differences in phytochemical profile of accessions can be due to their genetic or habitat conditions. The distance of the accessions in the cluster was not in accordance with their geographical distance, which indicates the more important role of genetic factors compared to habitat conditions in separating accessions. The antifungal activity of essential oils was strongly influenced by the essential oil quality and concentration, as well as the application method. Determining and introducing the elite accession in this study can be different depending on the breeder's aims, such as essential oil content, desired chemical composition, or antifungal activity.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Iran; Antifungal Agents; Mentha; Iraq; Phytochemicals; Plant Oils; Fusarium
PubMed: 38802729
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05135-z -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2022We investigated whether essential oil and aqueous and ethanolic extracts from M. vittoriana leaves have phytotoxic effects on the germination and initial development,...
We investigated whether essential oil and aqueous and ethanolic extracts from M. vittoriana leaves have phytotoxic effects on the germination and initial development, and cytogenotoxic effects on the cell cycle, of model plants. The essential oil and extracts of M. vittoriana were characterized and used as treatments in phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests. The results indicated a reduction in germinative parameters and plant growth, with the higher concentrations of extracts and essential oil having the most evident effects. The cell cycle was also affected with a reduction of the mitotic index and the presence of chromosomal and nuclear alterations. All treatments showed clastogenic and aneugenic modes of action. The results can be associated with the synergistic effects of metabolites found in the extracts and essential oil, mainly the presence of the sesquiterpene germacrene D in the essential oil and of catechins, saponins, and tannins in the extracts. These substances inhibit plant germination and growth, confirming the phytotoxic effects of M. vittoriana in plant models, which should now be tested under field conditions.
Topics: Alkaloids; Myrtaceae; Oils, Volatile; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 35857965
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220210820 -
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