Phytochemistry and bioactivities of selected plant species with volatile secondary metabolites

Medicinal plants still represent an interesting and a challenging field of science. Plants generally contain complex mixtures of biologically active secondary metabolites with multiple target effects and often low toxicity. In this study, well-known analytical, chemical and biological methods were used in order to investigate the phytochemistry and bioactivities of secondary metabolites of 28 medicinal plant from the flora of Tajikistan and Germany. Many of these plants are endemic plants of Tajikistan and Central Asia, which are widely used in traditional medicine. For the first time, the chemical composition and bioactivity of the essential oils of Ferula clematidifolia, Galagania fragrantissima, Philadelphus x purpureomaculatus, Polychrysum tadshikorum and Salvia discolor were investigated. The main component of the essential oils of Ferula clematidifolia, Galagania fragrantissima, Philadelphus x purpureomaculatus, Polychrysum tadshikorum and Salvia dsicolor were analysed by GLC-MS and identified as pinene, 2E-dodecenal, viridiflorol, terpinen-4-ol and trans-caryophyllene, respectively. The antioxidant activity of essential oils are strongly dependent to the presence of phenolic metabolites. Essential oil of Origanum tyttanthum which contain phenols (carvacrol and thymol) exhibited a high antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 0.1-0.3 mg/ml. Also the antioxidant activity of methanol extracts is directly proportional to their phenol contents. Galagania fragrantissima essential oil (GFEO) was very active against gram-positive bacteria (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MIC and MBC values were 0.04 and 0.08 mg/ml respectively. GFEO shows high anti-inflammatory activity, it inhibited 5-LOX enzyme with an IC50 value of 7.3 μg/ml. Essential oils from Origanum tyttanthum, Galagania fragrantissima and Mentha longifolia exhibited a high cytotoxic effect against five human tumour cell lines (HeLa, CaCo-2, MCF-7, CCRF-CEM and CEM/ADR 5000). Their IC50 values ranged between 7.5-78 μg/ml. The combinations of doxorubicin with essential oils of Mentha longifolia, Anethum graveolens, Origanum tyttanthum, Galagania fragrantissima and Artemisia absinthium exhibit synergistic activity. The ratio of IC50 values of doxorubicin could be enhanced in dual combinations with essential oils 3-15 fold. Synergistic effects of essential oils seem promising area for future research. Methanol extracts from Polychrysum tadshikorum and Tanacetum parthenium were most cytotoxic against CCRF-CEM and CEM/ADR 5000 cell lines. Their IC50 ranged between 7.3-32.5 μg/ml. Results of cytotoxicity for the total extracts show that CCRF-CEM cells, which do not express ABC transporters were more sensitive than the derived CEM/ADR5000 (multidrug resistant) cells. This indicate that some components of the extracts are substrates of ABC transporters. In general, essential oils from Galagania fragrantissima, Origanum tyttanthum and methanol extracts from Polychrysum tadshikorum and Tanacetum parthenium are interesting candidates for a use in phytotherapy

Biological activity and applications of natural compounds

(This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue Biological Activity and Applications of Natural Compounds that was published in Applied Sciences).Nature represents an amazing source of inspiration since it produces a great diversity of natural compounds selected by evolution, which exhibit multiple biological activities and applications. A large and very active research field is dedicated to identifying biosynthesized compounds, to improve/develop new methodologies to produce/reuse natural compounds and to assess their potential for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, among others, and also to understand their mechanism of action.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Essential oil composition of Mentha longifolia from wild populations growing in Tajikistan

Mentha longifolia selections, collected from three different sites in south-central Tajikistan, were analyzed to determine essential oil constituency. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation of the plants and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. A total of 82 compounds were identified, representing 84.5-99.0% of total oil composition. Although qualitatively similar, the Tajikistan M. longifolia samples did show quantitative differences. The major components and their percentage of the oil were cis-piperitone epoxide (7.8-77.6%), piperitenone oxide (1.5-49.1%), carvone (0.0-21.5%), pulegone (0.3-5.4%), menthone (0.0-16.6%), thymol (1.5-4.2%), β-thujone (0.2-3.2%), carvacrol (0.0-2.7%), and (E)-caryophyllene (0.9- 2.5%)

Applications of sesquiterpene lactones : a review of some potential success cases

Sesquiterpene lactones, a vast range of terpenoids isolated from Asteraceae species, exhibit a broad spectrum of biological effects and several of them are already commercially available, such as artemisinin. Here the most recent and impactful results of in vivo, preclinical and clinical studies involving a selection of ten sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone, arglabin, costunolide, cynaropicrin, helenalin, inuviscolide, lactucin, parthenolide, thapsigargin and tomentosin) are presented and discussed, along with some of their derivatives. In the authors’ opinion, these compounds have been neglected compared to others, although they could be of great use in developing important new pharmaceutical products. The selected sesquiterpenes show promising anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, acting on various targets. Moreover, they exhibit antifungal, anxiolytic, analgesic, and antitrypanosomal activities. Several studies discussed here clearly show the potential that some of them have in combination therapy, as sensitizing agents to facilitate and enhance the action of drugs in clinical use. The derivatives show greater pharmacological value since they have better pharmacokinetics, stability, potency, and/or selectivity. All these natural terpenoids and their derivatives exhibit properties that invite further research by the scientific community.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology; European Commission; QREN; European Commission; COMPETE; cE3c centre (UIDB/00329/2020); LAQV-REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020); QOPNA UID/QUI/00062/2019), Spanish Ministry Science and Research (MINECO RTI2018-094356-B-C21)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Therapeutic potential of allicin-rich garlic preparations : emphasis on clinical evidence toward upcoming drugs formulation

Garlic has been used for a long time in human history. Allicin, the main active compound present in freshly injured garlic, is enzymatically formed from alliin. Allicin has shown doubtless beneficial effects and even be conceived as medicine. The present review highlights allicin-associated studies. Indeed, clinical studies on healthy subjects have evidenced that standardized garlic treatment (900 mg/day) significantly reduces total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (c-LDL). Besides, allicin also led to a marked improvement in mouth opening, burning sensation, and oral health-related quality of life on stage II oral submucous fibrosis patients. Interestingly, in children, allicin also has been proposed for thrush prevention and as an alternative antibiotic therapy. Nonetheless, there is particular attention to allicin bioavailability, given its high instability. Although clinical evidence has promoted allicin release from garlic powder tablets under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, garlic tablets are those that have provided less alliinase protection due to its fast disintegration, releasing low allicin amounts9245555Natália Martins would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT–Portugal) for the Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and “NORTE2020—Programa Operacional Regional do Norte” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012

An Updated Review on The Properties of Melissa officinalis L.: Not Exclusively Anti-anxiety

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Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. Characterized by its potent anti-inflammatory effects, this ASU mixture is recommended to act as an adjuvant treatment for osteoarthritic pain and slow-acting symptomatic treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases; diffuse scleroderma and scleroderma-like states (e.g., morphea, sclerodactyly, scleroderma in bands). Besides, it was reported that it can improve the mood and quality of life of postmenopausal women in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This article aims to summarize the studies on biological effects of the avocado-soybean unsaponifiable, its chemical composition, pharmacotherapy as well as applications in auto-immune, osteoarticular and menopausal disorders. Finally, we will also discuss on its safety, toxicological and regulatory practices

Anticancer properties of bromelain: State-of-the-art and recent trends

Bromelain is a key enzyme found in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.); a proteolytic substance with multiple beneficial effects for human health such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic, traditionally used in many countries for its potential therapeutic value. The aim of this updated and comprehensive review focuses on the potential anticancer benefits of bromelain, analyzing the cytotoxic, apoptotic, necrotic, autophagic, immunomodulating, and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer cells and animal models. Detailed information about Bromelain and its anticancer effects at the cellular, molecular and signaling levels were collected from online databases such as PubMed/MedLine, TRIP database, GeenMedical, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The results of the analyzed studies showed that Bromelain possesses corroborated pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-edema, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticoagulant, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-trauma pain, anti-diarrhea, wound repair. Nonetheless, bromelain clinical studies are scarce and still more research is needed to validate the scientific value of this enzyme in human cancer diseases

Glycyrrhiza Genus: enlightening phytochemical components for pharmacological and health-promoting abilities

The Glycyrrhiza genus, generally well-known as licorice, is broadly used for food and medicinal purposes around the globe. The genus encompasses a rich pool of bioactive molecules including triterpene saponins (e.g., glycyrrhizin) and flavonoids (e.g., liquiritigenin, liquiritin). This genus is being increasingly exploited for its biological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The species Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and the compound glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) have been studied immensely for their effect on humans. The efficacy of the compound has been reported to be significantly higher on viral hepatitis and immune deficiency syndrome. This review provides up-to-date data on the most widely investigated Glycyrrhiza species for food and medicinal purposes, with special emphasis on secondary metabolites’ composition and bioactive effects