-
Marine Drugs Jul 2018Seaweeds are known to be a good supply of key nutrients including carbohydrates, protein, minerals, polyunsaturated lipids, as well as several other health-promoting... (Review)
Review
Seaweeds are known to be a good supply of key nutrients including carbohydrates, protein, minerals, polyunsaturated lipids, as well as several other health-promoting compounds capable of acting on a wide spectrum of disorders and/or diseases. While these marine macroalgae are deeply rooted in the East Asian culture and dietary habits, their major application in Western countries has been in the phycocolloid industry. This scenario has however been gradually changing, since seaweed consumption is becoming more common worldwide. Among the numerous edible seaweeds, members of the genus have a high nutritional value and are considered good sources of dietary fibers and minerals, especially iodine. Additionally, their wealth of bioactive compounds such as fucoidan, phlorotannins, fucoxanthin and others make them strong candidates for multiple therapeutic applications (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-obesity, anti-coagulant, anti-diabetes and others). This review presents an overview of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of spp., and their claimed biological activities, as well as the beneficial effects associated to their consumption. Furthermore, the use of seaweeds and/or their components as functional ingredients for formulation of novel and enhanced foods is also discussed.
Topics: Fucus; Functional Food; Nutritive Value; Phytochemicals; Plants, Edible; Seaweed
PubMed: 30060505
DOI: 10.3390/md16080249 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2020The genera and (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae) are still poorly resolved phylogenetically. Plants of these genera are commonly distributed in Africa, China, Southeast... (Review)
Review
The genera and (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae) are still poorly resolved phylogenetically. Plants of these genera are commonly distributed in Africa, China, Southeast Asia, and America. Most of them are cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes and are used in various traditional medicines due to the wide range of ethnopharmacological properties. Extensive in vivo and in vitro tests have been carried out to prove the ethnopharmacological claims and other bioactivities. These investigations have been accompanied by the isolation and identification of hundreds of phytochemical constituents. The most characteristic metabolites are steroids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and saponins; many of them exhibit potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. This review highlights the structures and bioactivities of flavonoids and stilbenoids isolated from and .
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Dracaena; Flavonoids; Humans; Phytochemicals; Sansevieria; Stilbenes
PubMed: 32503357
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112608 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022Naturally occurring bioactives, also known as phytochemicals, have been widely recognized and researched owing to their multiple potentialities [...].
Naturally occurring bioactives, also known as phytochemicals, have been widely recognized and researched owing to their multiple potentialities [...].
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 36232312
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911016 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Jul 2022The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities and phytochemical composition of the leaves extracts of Boscia coriacea Graells and Uvaria...
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities and phytochemical composition of the leaves extracts of Boscia coriacea Graells and Uvaria leptocladon Oliv.
METHODS
The powdered leaves of Boscia coriacea Graells and Uvaria leptocladon Oliv were extracted by maceration and soxhlet extraction methods. Anti-inflammatory activity of the leaves extracts of Boscia coriacea Graells and Uvaria leptocladon Oliv were evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Standard methods were used for analysis of phytochemical composition of the leaves extracts of Boscia coriacea Graells and Uvaria leptocladon Oliv. Data analysis was done using one way analysis of variance.
RESULTS
U. leptocladon Oliv (200 mg/kg) and B. coriacea Graells (200 mg/kg) showed percent inhibition on mice paw edema of 86% and 75% after six hours of carrageenan injection, respectively. The ethanol fraction (100 mg/kg) of U. leptocladon Oliv showed the highest anti-inflammatory effect after six hours of carrageenan injection. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves extracts of B. coriacea and U. leptocladon revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, phenols, quinones, and saponins.
CONCLUSION
The crude leaves extracts of B. coriacea Graells and U. leptocladon Oliv contain phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory activities.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Carrageenan; Edema; Mice; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Uvaria
PubMed: 35950076
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i4.19 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2021(Oliv.) Harms (Araliaceae), also known as and () in Chinese, is a widely used traditional Chinese herb with the effects of expelling wind and removing dampness,... (Review)
Review
(Oliv.) Harms (Araliaceae), also known as and () in Chinese, is a widely used traditional Chinese herb with the effects of expelling wind and removing dampness, relaxing the muscles and stimulating the blood circulation, and regulating the flow of to alleviate pain in the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (AH, thereafter) possesses ginseng-like activities and is known as ginseng-like herb. In the past decade, a great number of phytochemical and pharmacological studies on AH have been carried out. Several kinds of chemical compositions have been reported, including terpenoids (monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, and triterpenoid saponins), phenylpropanoids, caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives, flavonoids, lignans, sterols, fatty acids, etc., among which, triterpenoid saponins were considered to be the most active components. Considerable pharmacological experiments in vitro have demonstrated that AH possessed anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-adipogenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, anti-AChE, anti-BuChE, and antihyaluronidase activities. The present review is an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of AH.
Topics: Eleutherococcus; Ethnopharmacology; Phytochemicals; Research
PubMed: 33921386
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082215 -
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 -
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 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2020Mushrooms have a long history of uses for their medicinal and nutritional properties. They have been consumed by people for thousands of years. Edible mushrooms are... (Review)
Review
Mushrooms have a long history of uses for their medicinal and nutritional properties. They have been consumed by people for thousands of years. Edible mushrooms are collected in the wild or cultivated worldwide. Recently, mushroom extracts and their secondary metabolites have acquired considerable attention due to their biological effects, which include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory activities. Thus, in addition to phytochemists, nutritionists and consumers are now deeply interested in the phytochemical constituents of mushrooms, which provide beneficial effects to humans in terms of health promotion and reduction of disease-related risks. In recent years, scientific reports on the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of mushroom have been overwhelming. However, the bioactive compounds and biological properties of wild edible mushrooms growing in Southeast Asian countries have been rarely described. In this review, the bioactive compounds isolated from 25 selected wild edible mushrooms growing in Southeast Asia have been reviewed, together with their biological activities. Phytoconstituents with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities have been highlighted. Several evidences indicate that mushrooms are good sources for natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.
Topics: Agaricales; Antioxidants; Asia, Southeastern; Biological Products; Humans; Molecular Structure; Phenotype; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 32340227
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081972 -
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 -
PloS One 2021Medicinal plants represent a great source of antimicrobial and phytochemical constituents which are increasingly used to treat microbial infections and other ailments...
Medicinal plants represent a great source of antimicrobial and phytochemical constituents which are increasingly used to treat microbial infections and other ailments such as tuberculosis, anemia, and trachoma. Despite the use of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance continues to be a world issue, in as much as nutrition. This study investigated the presence of phytochemicals, proximate compositions, and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of Carapa procera bark. The bark of Carapa procera was collected, cleaned and air dried for 72 h. The powder obtained was treated with diethyl ether and soaked in methanol (99%) for 72 h to obtain crude extract. The extract was used to test for the presence of phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities. The raw bark was used for proximate analysis. The result showed presence of steroids, tannins and saponins, but no alkaloids present. The 100 mg/mL extract had the highest inhibition zone on all tested organisms from 24.00 ± 0.94 to 26.67 ± 1.18, and 50 mg/mL showed the least (16.67 ± 1.24) on Candida albicans. Staphylococcus aureus showed the lowest minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 3.12 mg/mL, whereas the Gram-negative bacteria exhibited variations in their sensitivity with E. coli having the highest MIC of 25 mg/mL. The extract had high MIC (6.25 mg/mL) on Candida albicans than clotrimazole (50 mg/mL). The proximate compositions of Carapa procera were moisture (6.07 ± 0.07%), ash (12.46 ± 0.46%), crude protein (9.54 ± 0.12%), crude fat (1.42 ± 0.06%) and carbohydrate (70.50 ± 0.35%). The energy value was 1413.17 kj. Thus, Carapa procera possesses both antimicrobial and nutritional potentials worth exploring and domesticating for sustainable management and conservation.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Candida albicans; Meliaceae; Phytochemicals; Plant Bark; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 34941952
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261755