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Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021)

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2021) | Viewed by 46090

Special Issue Editors

Department of Plant Biology, Institute Biology and Medicine, Taras Shevchenko national university of Kyiv, 01033 Kyiv, Ukraine
Interests: secondary metabolites; phenolics; novel compounds; applied research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Plant Production and Processing, University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Markgrafenstr 16, 91746 Weidenbach, Germany
Interests: food biotechnology; innovative food; bio-active compounds; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, there has been a huge interest in bio-active compounds from natural sources. Plant biodiversity proposes a big quantity of bio-active compounds. Bio-active compounds are mostly some specific secondary metabolites with antioxidant, inflammatory, immunomodulative potential, antimicrobial property, etc. The bioactive compounds of classes of terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, stilbenes, etc. alongside the description of some their mechanisms of action are important to study. It is important to admit that use of plant extracts complicates identification of effects of antiviral, antimicrobial or other capacities of separate biologically active compounds, the effects of activities of solute compounds in extracts can be additive (the synergistic effect) or an antogonistic effect can come into play. In that context, the current issue is open for scientific research on the description of novel isolated bio-active compounds, as well as some their unknown effects, which are a priority for applied needs of humans in different areas of life.

Dr. Oksana Sytar
Prof. Dr. Iryna Smetanska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Secondary metabolites
  • Bio-active compounds
  • Plant biotechnology
  • Innovative food
  • Plant natural resources

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 190 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021)”
by Oksana Sytar and Iryna Smetanska
Molecules 2022, 27(6), 1929; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27061929 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1689
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a huge level of interest in bioactive compounds from natural sources [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

15 pages, 2934 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Characterization of Natural Nanoparticles in Naoluo Xintong Decoction and Their Brain Protection Research
by Guodong Zhao, Lu Hong, Mingming Liu, Huihui Jiang, Daiyin Peng, Ling He and Weidong Chen
Molecules 2022, 27(5), 1511; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27051511 - 23 Feb 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2265
Abstract
Currently, researchers use modern analytical techniques in a unique perspective of physical pharmacy to analyze the phase composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and have discovered that natural nanoparticles commonly exist in decoctions. This study aims to isolate and characterize the structure and [...] Read more.
Currently, researchers use modern analytical techniques in a unique perspective of physical pharmacy to analyze the phase composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and have discovered that natural nanoparticles commonly exist in decoctions. This study aims to isolate and characterize the structure and composition of nanoparticles in Naoluo Xintong (NLXT) and investigate whether the brain protection effect of NLXT is closely related to NLXT-Nanoparticles (NLXT-NPs). Firstly, the dialysis-centrifugation method was used to separate the nanoparticles and then their size distribution, potential, and morphology were characterized. In addition, infrared spectroscopy and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology were used to analyze the composition of nanoparticles. As for the pharmacodynamic experiment, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham, Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, NLXT, NLXT with nanoparticles removing (NLXT-RN), NLXT-RN+Nanoparticles (NLXT-RN+NPs), and NLXT-NPs groups. After administration, the neurological function, histopathological changes, oxidative stress, and apoptosis level were measured. Our research showed that NLXT-NPs are mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and saponins, with typical characteristics of two hundred-nanometer size and negatively loaded. NLXT can improve nerve function, reduce oxidative stress, and inhibit cell apoptosis. However, removing nanoparticles can significantly reduce the brain-protective effect of NLXT, which indicates that NLXT-NPs play an essential role in the efficacy of NLXT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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19 pages, 2222 KiB  
Article
Interactions of Ascorbic Acid, 5-Caffeoylquinic Acid, and Quercetin-3-Rutinoside in the Presence and Absence of Iron during Thermal Processing and the Influence on Antioxidant Activity
by Layla Engelhardt, Tobias Pöhnl and Susanne Neugart
Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7698; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26247698 - 20 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2446
Abstract
Bioactive compounds in fruit and vegetables influence each other’s antioxidant activity. Pure standards, and mixtures of the common plant compounds, namely ascorbic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, and quercetin-3-rutinoside (sum 0.3 mM), in the presence and absence of iron, were analyzed pre- and post-thermal processing [...] Read more.
Bioactive compounds in fruit and vegetables influence each other’s antioxidant activity. Pure standards, and mixtures of the common plant compounds, namely ascorbic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, and quercetin-3-rutinoside (sum 0.3 mM), in the presence and absence of iron, were analyzed pre- and post-thermal processing in an aqueous solution. Antioxidant activity was measured by total phenolic content (TPC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (TEAC) radical-scavenging assays. Ionic ferrous iron (Fe2+) and ferric iron (Fe3+) were measured photometrically. For qualification and quantification of reaction products, HPLC was used. Results showed that thermal processing does not necessarily lead to a decreased antioxidant activity, even if the compound concentrations decreased, as then degradation products themselves have an antioxidant activity. In all used antioxidant assays the 2:1 ratio of ascorbic acid and 5-caffeoylquinic acid in the presence of iron had strong synergistic effects, while the 1:2 ratio had strong antagonistic effects. The pro-oxidant iron positively influenced the antioxidant activity in combination with the used antioxidants, while ferrous iron itself interacted with common in vitro assays for total antioxidant activity. These results indicate that the antioxidant activity of compounds is influenced by factors such as interaction with other molecules, temperature, and the minerals present. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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22 pages, 44615 KiB  
Article
Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. at the Southern Border of the Geographical Range of the Species in Europe
by Piotr Sugier, Łukasz Sęczyk, Danuta Sugier, Rafał Krawczyk, Małgorzata Wójcik, Joanna Czarnecka, Sylwia Okoń and Andrzej Plak
Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7692; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26247692 - 20 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4568
Abstract
The bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng.) is a source of herbal material—bearberry leaf (Uvae ursi folium), which is highly valued and sought by pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. For many years, leaves of this plant have been used in traditional medicine [...] Read more.
The bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng.) is a source of herbal material—bearberry leaf (Uvae ursi folium), which is highly valued and sought by pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. For many years, leaves of this plant have been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agent for various diseases of the urogenital tract. The bearberry has also been proposed as a natural antioxidant additive due to the high contents of phenolic compounds in its leaves. The study was focused on characterization of the basic phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts derived from bearberry leaves collected from plants located at the southern border of the geographical range of the species in Europe. The investigated herbal material is characterized by a different chemical profile compared to the chemical profiles of bearberry found in other parts of the continent. Bearberry extracts from plants growing in two different habitat types—heathlands and pine forests showed a wide range of variation, especially in the concentration of hyperoside, corilagin, and methylartutin and the total flavonoid contents. In addition to arbutin, bearberry can be a valuable source of phenolic compounds, which are mainly responsible for the antioxidant properties of extracts. The high content of phenols and high values of antioxidant parameters indicate a high potential of bearberry leaves to be used as a powerful natural source of antioxidants in herbal preparations. Therefore, the A. uva-ursi populations can be a source of plant material for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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13 pages, 4250 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Photosensitizing Dyes Fagopyrin and Hypericin on Planktonic Growth and Multicellular Life in Budding Yeast
by Oksana Sytar, Konstantia Kotta, Dimitrios Valasiadis, Anatoliy Kosyan, Marian Brestic, Venetia Koidou, Eleftheria Papadopoulou, Maria Kroustalaki, Christina Emmanouilidou, Alexandros Pashalidis, Ilias Avdikos and Zoe Hilioti
Molecules 2021, 26(16), 4708; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26164708 - 04 Aug 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2625
Abstract
Naphthodianthrones such as fagopyrin and hypericin found mainly in buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) and St. John’s wort (SJW) (Hypericum perforatum L.) are natural photosensitizers inside the cell. The effect of photosensitizers was studied under dark conditions on growth, morphogenesis and induction of [...] Read more.
Naphthodianthrones such as fagopyrin and hypericin found mainly in buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) and St. John’s wort (SJW) (Hypericum perforatum L.) are natural photosensitizers inside the cell. The effect of photosensitizers was studied under dark conditions on growth, morphogenesis and induction of death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fagopyrin and hypericin induced a biphasic and triphasic dose response in cellular growth, respectively, over a 10-fold concentration change. In fagopyrin-treated cells, disruptions in the normal cell cycle progression were evident by microscopy. DAPI staining revealed several cells that underwent premature mitosis without budding, a striking morphological abnormality. Flow Cytometric (FC) analysis using a concentration of 100 µM showed reduced cell viability by 41% in fagopyrin-treated cells and by 15% in hypericin-treated cells. FC revealed the development of a secondary population of G1 cells in photosensitizer-treated cultures characterized by small size and dense structures. Further, we show that fagopyrin and the closely related hypericin altered the shape and the associated fluorescence of biofilm-like structures. Colonies grown on solid medium containing photosensitizer had restricted growth, while cell-to-cell adherence within the colony was also affected. In conclusion, the photosensitizers under dark conditions affected culture growth, caused toxicity, and disrupted multicellular growth, albeit with different efficiencies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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20 pages, 2599 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study on Seed Characteristics, Antioxidant Activity, and Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents in Accessions of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench
by Bimal-Kumar Ghimire, Ji-Won Seo, Chang-Yeon Yu, Seung-Hyun Kim and Ill-Min Chung
Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3964; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26133964 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2559
Abstract
Sorghum is a major cereal food worldwide, and is considered a potential source of minerals and bioactive compounds. Its wide adaptive range may cause variations in its agronomic traits, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical content. This extensive study investigated variations in seed characteristics, antioxidant [...] Read more.
Sorghum is a major cereal food worldwide, and is considered a potential source of minerals and bioactive compounds. Its wide adaptive range may cause variations in its agronomic traits, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical content. This extensive study investigated variations in seed characteristics, antioxidant properties, and total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) of sorghum collected from different ecological regions of 15 countries. The antioxidant potential of the seed extracts of various sorghum accessions was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Significant variations in TPC were observed among the sorghum accessions. All 78 sorghum accessions used in this study exhibited significant variations in TFC, with the lowest and highest amount observed in accessions C465 and J542, respectively. DPPH scavenging potential of the seed extracts for all the accessions ranged from 11.91 ± 4.83 to 1343.90 ± 81.02 µg mL−1. The ABTS assay results were similar to those of DPPH but showed some differences in the accessions. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a wide variation range in the correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC, as well as TFC, among the sorghum accessions. A wide diversity range was also recorded for the seed characteristics (1000-seed weight and seed germination rate). A dendrogram generated from UPGMA clustering, based on seed traits, antioxidant activity, TPC, and TFC was highly dispersed for these accessions. Variations among the accessions may provide useful information regarding the phytoconstituents, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical contents of sorghum and aid in designing breeding programs to obtain sorghum with improved agronomic traits and bioactive properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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10 pages, 1134 KiB  
Article
Determination of Organic Compounds, Fulvic Acid, Humic Acid, and Humin in Peat and Sapropel Alkaline Extracts
by Laurynas Jarukas, Liudas Ivanauskas, Giedre Kasparaviciene, Juste Baranauskaite, Mindaugas Marksa and Jurga Bernatoniene
Molecules 2021, 26(10), 2995; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26102995 - 18 May 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4828
Abstract
Black, brown, and light peat and sapropel were analyzed as natural sources of organic and humic substances. These specific substances are applicable in industry, agriculture, the environment, and biomedicine with well-known and novel approaches. Analysis of the organic compounds fulvic acid, humic acid, [...] Read more.
Black, brown, and light peat and sapropel were analyzed as natural sources of organic and humic substances. These specific substances are applicable in industry, agriculture, the environment, and biomedicine with well-known and novel approaches. Analysis of the organic compounds fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin in different peat and sapropel extracts from Lithuania was performed in this study. The dominant organic compound was bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) carbonate, which varied from 6.90% to 25.68% in peat extracts. The highest mass fraction of malonic acid amide was in the sapropel extract; it varied from 12.44% to 26.84%. Significant amounts of acetohydroxamic, lactic, and glycolic acid derivatives were identified in peat and sapropel extracts. Comparing the two extraction methods, it was concluded that active maceration was more efficient than ultrasound extraction in yielding higher amounts of organic compounds. The highest amounts of fulvic acid (1%) and humic acid and humin (15.3%) were determined in pure brown peat samples. This research on humic substances is useful to characterize the peat of different origins, to develop possible aspects of standardization, and to describe potential of the chemical constituents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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16 pages, 2092 KiB  
Article
Dynamics of Isomeric and Enantiomeric Fractions of Pinene in Essential Oil of Picea abies Annual Needles during Growing Season
by Liucija Kamaitytė-Bukelskienė, Kristina Ložienė and Juozas Labokas
Molecules 2021, 26(8), 2138; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26082138 - 08 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1969
Abstract
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) is one of the most important commercial tree species distributed naturally in the Boreal and subalpine forest zone of Europe. All parts of spruce trees, including needles, accumulate essential oils with a variety of chemical [...] Read more.
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) is one of the most important commercial tree species distributed naturally in the Boreal and subalpine forest zone of Europe. All parts of spruce trees, including needles, accumulate essential oils with a variety of chemical properties and ecological functions, such as modulating plant–insect communication. Annual needle samples from 15 trees (five from each of three habitats) of 15–17 years old were assayed for essential oils and their major compounds, including α-pinene, β-pinene, (1S)-(−)-α-pinene, and (1R)-(+)-α-pinene across a growing season. Results showed strong positive correlation between percentages of α- and β-pinene isomers (r = 0.69, p < 0.05) and between pinene isomers and essential oils: α-pinene correlated with essential oil stronger (r = 0.62, p < 0.05) than β-pinene (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Correlation analyses performed with some weather conditions, including average monthly temperature, growing sum of effective temperatures over 5 °C, duration of sunshine, accumulated precipitation, relative humidity, and pressure, showed that temperature is the most important weather condition related to pinene dynamics: negative correlations of moderate strength were established between percentages of α- and β- pinenes and average monthly temperatures (r = −0.36, p < 0.01, n = 75 and r = −0.33, p < 0.01, n = 75, respectively). Out of pinene enantiomers, only (1S)-(−)-α-pinene showed some negative correlation with monthly temperature (r = −0.26, p < 0.05, n = 75). Different patterns of essential oil and pinene dynamics during growing season within separate habitats suggested that some genetic variables of Picea abies might be involved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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10 pages, 1783 KiB  
Article
Implications of Fagopyrin Formation In Vitro by UV Spectroscopic Analysis
by Anatolij Kosyan and Oksana Sytar
Molecules 2021, 26(7), 2013; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26072013 - 01 Apr 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2111
Abstract
The present work aims at studying the possible biosynthesis of fagopyrin in buckwheat plants with an attempt to address the existing gaps. The developed method of differential spectrophotometry can be used for identification of naphthodianthrones fagopyrins. It was found that in the vegetative [...] Read more.
The present work aims at studying the possible biosynthesis of fagopyrin in buckwheat plants with an attempt to address the existing gaps. The developed method of differential spectrophotometry can be used for identification of naphthodianthrones fagopyrins. It was found that in the vegetative mass of buckwheat plants, fagopyrin precursor-2-(piperidine-2-yl)-emodindianthron could be present. As fagopyrin can be produced by light effect, the temperature factor may influence the formation of protofagopyrin in vitro. An optimum temperature range was estimated for protofagopyrin formation. A possible fagopyrin biosynthesis under in vitro conditions was suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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16 pages, 2050 KiB  
Article
α-Terpinyl Acetate: Occurrence in Essential Oils Bearing Thymus pulegioides, Phytotoxicity, and Antimicrobial Effects
by Vaida Vaičiulytė, Kristina Ložienė, Jurgita Švedienė, Vita Raudonienė and Algimantas Paškevičius
Molecules 2021, 26(4), 1065; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26041065 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3043
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrence of T. pulegioides α-terpinyl acetate chemotype, as source of natural origin α-terpinyl acetate, to determine its phytotoxic and antimicrobial features. Were investigated 131 T. pulegioides habitats. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrence of T. pulegioides α-terpinyl acetate chemotype, as source of natural origin α-terpinyl acetate, to determine its phytotoxic and antimicrobial features. Were investigated 131 T. pulegioides habitats. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Phytotoxic effect of essential oil of this chemotype on monocotyledons and dicotyledons through water and air was carried out in laboratory conditions; the broth microdilution method was used to screen essential oil effect against human pathogenic microorganisms. Results showed that α-terpinyl acetate was very rare compound in essential oil of T. pulegioides: it was found only in 35% of investigated T. pulegioides habitats. α-Terpinyl acetate (in essential oil and pure) demonstrated different behavior on investigated plants. Phytotoxic effect of α-terpinyl acetate was stronger on investigated monocotyledons than on dicotyledons. α-Terpinyl acetate essential oil inhibited seeds germination and radicles growth for high economic productivity forage grass monocotyledon Poa pratensis, but stimulated seed germination for high economic productive forage legume dicotyledon Trifolium pretense. α-Terpinyl acetate essential oil showed high antimicrobial effect against fungi and dermatophytes but lower effect against bacteria and Candida yeasts. Therefore, T. pulegioides α-terpinyl acetate chemotype could be a potential compound for developing preventive measures or/and drugs for mycosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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14 pages, 1858 KiB  
Article
Hetiamacin E and F, New Amicoumacin Antibiotics from Bacillus subtilis PJS Using MS/MS-Based Molecular Networking
by Ting Wang, Qinpei Lu, Chenghang Sun, Dmitrii Lukianov, Ilya Andreevich Osterman, Petr Vladimirovich Sergiev, Olga Anatolievna Dontsova, Xinxin Hu, Xuefu You, Shaowei Liu and Gang Wu
Molecules 2020, 25(19), 4446; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25194446 - 27 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3103
Abstract
To combat escalating levels of antibiotic resistance, novel strategies are developed to address the everlasting demand for new antibiotics. This study aimed at investigating amicoumacin antibiotics from the desert-derived Bacillus subtilis PJS by using the modern MS/MS-based molecular networking approach. Two new amicoumacins, [...] Read more.
To combat escalating levels of antibiotic resistance, novel strategies are developed to address the everlasting demand for new antibiotics. This study aimed at investigating amicoumacin antibiotics from the desert-derived Bacillus subtilis PJS by using the modern MS/MS-based molecular networking approach. Two new amicoumacins, namely hetiamacin E (1) and hetiamacin F (2), were finally isolated. The planar structures were determined by analysis of extensive NMR spectroscopic and HR–ESI–MS data, and the absolute configurations were concluded by analysis of the CD spectrum. Hetiamacin E (1) showed strong antibacterial activities against methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis at 2–4 µg/mL, and methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus at 8–16 µg/mL. Hetiamacin F (2) exhibited moderate antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus sp. at 32 µg/mL. Both compounds were inhibitors of protein biosynthesis demonstrated by a double fluorescent protein reporter system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

34 pages, 5815 KiB  
Review
Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Nutraceutical Profile of Carissa Species: An Updated Review
by Jyoti Dhatwalia, Amita Kumari, Rachna Verma, Navneet Upadhyay, Ishita Guleria, Sohan Lal, Shabnam Thakur, Kasahun Gudeta, Vikas Kumar, Jane C.-J. Chao, Somesh Sharma, Ashwani Kumar, Amanda-Lee Ezra Manicum, José M. Lorenzo and Ryszard Amarowicz
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 7010; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26227010 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4205
Abstract
Carissa, a genus of the Apocynaceae family, consists of evergreen species, such as shrubs as well as small trees that are native to Asia, Africa, and Oceania’s subtropical and tropical regions. Most of the Carissa species are traditionally used to treat various [...] Read more.
Carissa, a genus of the Apocynaceae family, consists of evergreen species, such as shrubs as well as small trees that are native to Asia, Africa, and Oceania’s subtropical and tropical regions. Most of the Carissa species are traditionally used to treat various diseases, such as chest pain, headaches, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, syphilis, oedema, rabies, stomach pain, hepatitis, cardiac diseases, and asthma. The pharmacological studies on Carissa species revealed its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, antipyretic, analgesic, wound healing, anticonvulsant, antiarthritic, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities, thus validating its use in indigenous medicine systems. The review article summarised the comprehensive literature available, including morphology, indigenous uses, bioactive composition, nutraceutical, and pharmacological activities of Carissa species. A total of 155 research papers were cited in this review article. The Carissa fruits are rich in dietary fibre, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamin C, and macro- and micro-elements. A total of 121 compounds (35 polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids), 30 lignans, 41 terpenoids, 7 steroids, 2 coumarins, and 6 cardiac glycosides) have been extracted from C. spinarum, C. carandas, and C. macrocarpa. Among all chemical constituents, lupeol, carissol, naringin, carisssone, scopoletin, carissaeduloside A, D, J, carandinol, sarhamnoloside, carissanol, olivil, carinol, 3β-hydroxyolean-11-en-28,13β-oilde, ursolic acid, and carissone are the key bioactive constituents responsible for pharmacological activities of genus Carissa. The gathered ethnopharmacological information in the review will help to understand the therapeutic relevance of Carissa as well as paving a way for further exploration in the discovery of novel plant-based drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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11 pages, 248 KiB  
Review
Scrophulariae Radix: An Overview of Its Biological Activities and Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Applications
by Hae-Jin Lee, Hae-Lim Kim, Dong-Ryung Lee, Bong-Keun Choi and Seung-Hwan Yang
Molecules 2021, 26(17), 5250; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26175250 - 30 Aug 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2387
Abstract
Scrophulariae Radix (SR) has an important role as a medicinal plant, the roots of which are recorded used to cure fever, swelling, constipation, pharyngitis, laryngitis, neuritis, sore throat, rheumatism, and arthritis in Asia for more than two thousand years. In this paper, the [...] Read more.
Scrophulariae Radix (SR) has an important role as a medicinal plant, the roots of which are recorded used to cure fever, swelling, constipation, pharyngitis, laryngitis, neuritis, sore throat, rheumatism, and arthritis in Asia for more than two thousand years. In this paper, the studies published on Scrophularia buergeriana (SB) and Scrophularia ningpoensis (SN) in the latest 20 years were reviewed, and the biological activities of SB and SN were evaluated based on in vitro and in vivo studies. SB presented anti-inflammatory activities, immune-enhancing effects, bone disorder prevention activity, neuroprotective effect, anti-amnesic effect, and anti-allergic effect; SN showed a neuroprotective effect, anti-apoptotic effect, anti-amnesic effect, and anti-depressant effect; and SR exhibited an immune-enhancing effect and cardioprotective effects through in vitro and in vivo experiments. SB and SN are both known to exert neuroprotective and anti-amensice effects. This review investigated their applicability in the nutraceutical, functional foods, and pharmaceutical industries. Further studies, such as toxicological studies and clinical trials, on the efficacy and safety of SR, including SB and SN, need to be conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
29 pages, 1454 KiB  
Review
A Review of the Ethnomedicinal Uses, Biological Activities, and Triterpenoids of Euphorbia Species
by Douglas Kemboi, Xolani Peter, Moses Langat and Jacqueline Tembu
Molecules 2020, 25(17), 4019; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25174019 - 03 Sep 2020
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 5942
Abstract
The genus Euphorbia is one of the largest genera in the spurge family, with diversity in range, distribution, and morphology. The plant species in this genus are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, ranging from respirational infections, body and [...] Read more.
The genus Euphorbia is one of the largest genera in the spurge family, with diversity in range, distribution, and morphology. The plant species in this genus are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, ranging from respirational infections, body and skin irritations, digestion complaints, inflammatory infections, body pain, microbial illness, snake or scorpion bites, pregnancy, as well as sensory disorders. Their successes have been attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemicals like polycyclic and macrocyclic diterpenes with various pharmacological properties. As a result, Euphorbia diterpenes are of interest to chemists and biochemists with regard to drug discovery from natural products due to their diverse therapeutic applications as well as their great structural diversity. Other chemical constituents such as triterpenoids have also been reported to possess various pharmacological properties, thus supporting the traditional uses of the Euphorbia species. These triterpenoids can provide potential leads that can be developed into pharmaceutical compounds for a wide range of medicinal applications. However, there are scattered scientific reports about the anticancer activities of these constituents. Harnessing such information could provide a database of bioactive pharmacopeia or targeted scaffolds for drug discovery. Therefore, this review presents an updated and comprehensive summary of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and the anticancer activities of the triterpenoids of Euphorbia species. Most of the reported triterpenoids in this review belong to tirucallane, cycloartanes, lupane, oleanane, ursane, and taraxane subclass. Their anticancer activities varied distinctly with the majority of them exhibiting significant cytotoxic and anticancer activities in vitro. It is, therefore, envisaged that the report on Euphorbia triterpenoids with interesting anticancer activities will form a database of potential leads or scaffolds that could be advanced into the clinical trials with regard to drug discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Natural Sources (2020, 2021))
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