Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

Plants have been used for their beneficial compounds especially therapeutic and medicinal properties over the centuries. Various applications of plants in industry and medicine are related to their distinct phytochemical molecules called secondary metabolites (bioactive chemicals). In reaction to stress, plants produce secondary metabolites that serve numerous physiological functions. Their complex chemical compositions make them valuable across various industries, including food, agriculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The chemicals are efficacious and have been deemed an optimal candidate for commercialization. From several decades ago, studies have suggested that elicitation is an effective strategy to increase the production of secondary metabolites in plants. This could help overcome the limitations of plant cell technology for commercial use. An external stimulus may enhance the synthesis of secondary metabolites by triggering various biosynthetic pathways, activating specific genes associated with defense or non-defense functions, stimulating distinct enzymes, and modifying proteins via phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. Upon new findings, it has found that nanoparticles (NPs) might stimulate the production of bioactive molecules, particularly secondary metabolites in plants. This review will highlight in vivo and in vitro studies using different carbon and metal nanoparticles as nano-elicitors to stimulate secondary metabolite production in various plants.

Mint essential oil (MEO) is an economically appreciated natural product with significant importance in the cosmetics, pharmaceutics, foods, and healthcare products due to its biological activities. Extraction is a critical step in the production of essential oils from aromatic plants, such as mint. Conventional extraction approaches, such as steam distillation and solvent extraction are commonly used for the extraction of MEO. However, they are energy and time-consuming processes with relatively low extraction yields. Consequently, emerging techniques, such as microwave-assisted, ohmic-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, pulsed electric field, and super and sub-critical fluid extraction methods have been developed to overcome these shortcomings. This review aims to investigate the influence of different extraction methods and conditions on the extraction yield, composition, physicochemical properties, and bioactivity of MEO. Overall, selection of appropriate extraction method and conditions is a crucial step in the extraction of MEO that can have significant effects on the quality and quantity of the isolated EOs. Inappropriate extraction of MEO may reduce the extraction yield, prolong the extraction duration, and increase the energy consumption. Additionally, it may deteriorate the physicochemical properties and bioactivity of the extracted MEO.

This review aims to provide information about the anticancer potential of harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid that was initially isolated in 1847 from the seeds and roots of Peganum harmala L. Various studies have revealed that it possesses a wide range of therapeutic qualities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, and, most notably, anticancer effects. This review discusses the anticancer capabilities of harmine and its derivatives against malignancies such as breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. Harmine uses mechanisms such as apoptosis and angiogenesis inhibition to fight cancer cells. It also influences the cell cycle by inhibiting specific cyclin-dependent kinases and slowing tumor cell proliferation. Synergistic effects have also been observed when harmine is used in combination with other anticancer medications. Harmine has the potential to be a potent anticancer medication that can help in the fight against cancer.

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Cannabis sativa L. is an annual dioecious species native from Central Asia, which has mainly been used for medical purposes by many ancient cultures and is currently used for the treatment of several diseases. The pharmacological properties of C. sativa are related to cannabinoids, a class of secondary metabolites entirely unique to this crop that are produced and stored at high levels in the inflorescences and leaves. In addition to cannabinoids, C. sativa plants also produce a large number of non-cannabinoid secondary metabolites including terpenes, phenolic compounds and others, which have also been associated with health-promoting activities. In recent decades, the interest in secondary metabolites from C. sativa has been increasing due to their potential applications not only as pharmaceuticals, but also as nutraceuticals, food additives, drugs, fragrances, and biopesticides. This has generated a significant increase in the development of effective strategies for improving the production of such bioactive compounds. In this context, elicitation has emerged as an effective tool based on the application of abiotic or biotic factors that induce physiological changes and stimulate defense or stress-related responses in plants, including the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The current review gives a comprehensive overview of the available studies on the different elicitation approaches used to enhance the accumulation of the major bioactive compounds in C. sativa, and highlights challenges and opportunities related to the use of external elicitors for improving the added value of this crop.

The genus Asphodelus L. (family: Asphodelaceae) comprises ca. 20 hardy herbaceous, perennial flowering plant species, and is native to Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean region, and temperate Europe, and naturalized in Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and some parts of the USA. The Asphodelus species have long been used as traditional medicines for the treatment of acne, alopecia, burns, earache, eczema, local inflammation, psoriasis, and toothache. Since the publication of the last review in 2019, which essentially covered the published literature until the end of 2018, several articles have been published reporting the identification of various secondary metabolites including anthraquinones, flavonoids and phenolic acids and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of the genus Asphodelus. This review article critically appraises the literature on this genus published during 2019–2023 on therapeutic potential and phytochemistry. During this period, among the identified compounds from various Asphodelus species, including A. aestivus Brot., A. albus Mill., A. bento-rainhae P. Silva, A. fistulosus L., A. macrocarpus Salzm. Viv., A. ramosus L. and A. tenuifolius Cav., the phytochemicals of the classes of anthraquinones, flavonoids and phenolic acids were the most dominating ones. Numerous studies established the therapeutic potential of the Asphodelus species mainly against cancer, diabetes, microbial infections, and various ailments caused by oxidative stress. None or negligible toxicity could be observed in the toxicological studies, suggesting an acceptable level of safety of Asphodelus products for potential therapeutic applications.

Gram-negative bacteria are nonfermentative and opportunistic and are among the most important causes of nosocomial infections. These bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli, are resistant to various antibiotics worldwide. This level of antibiotic resistance as well as the overuse of drugs can be among the most important reasons for the tendency toward naturally occurring products. Although the majority of natural products have much greater antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative ones, in this review, we presented natural products with anti-gram-negative bacteria and their mechanisms of action. Phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids and organosulfur compounds are among the most important classes of antimicrobial natural products and are briefly discussed.

Polyphenols are known to have positive effects on health. Consuming fruits rich in polyphenols can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Drinking fruit juices or other fruit-derived beverages can be an enjoyable way to incorporate fruit’s nutritional benefits and flavor into the diet. However, concerns have been raised that drinking fruit juices and contain too little fiber compared to whole fruit, can lead to weight gain. Despite the differences in chemical composition and health effects, fruit-derived beverages are still a healthy option. This article summarizes the chemical composition and health benefits of commonly consumed fruit juices and beverages made from polyphenol-rich fruits. Based on the reviewed papers, apple, blackberry, cherry, Citrus, cranberry, grape and pomegranate juices have preventive effects on degenerative diseases like cardiovascular and neurological illness and diabetes. Furthermore, some juice has also different favourable effects ie. cranberry juice is important for the prevention of mainly urinary tract infections and Helicobacter infections, Citrus juices have antimicrobial action against a wide range of pathogens. In view of their use as food, increasing studies on fruit drinks are extremely important for health.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar levels, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, dyslipidemia, increased angiogenesis, and a multitude of associated complications. The use of herbs in the treatment of diabetes has been a longstanding practice, proving effective in preventing and treating diabetic symptoms. However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying their effectiveness remain largely unexplored. A versatile class of phytochemicals, the chalcone, serves as precursor to a wide range of flavonoids, obtained naturally and derived synthetically as well as semi synthetically found effective in treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Natural chalcones and its plant metabolites were reported effective in treating diabetes and related complications by virtue of their interaction with diverse metabolic targets involved in glucose homeostasis. This review specifically explores studies on such natural chalcones, its plant metabolites and phyto-complexes conducted within the last decade on drug targets of Type 2 diabetes mellitus like α-glucosidase, PTP1B, α-amylase, DPP-IV, aldose reductase, PPARγ.

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Type 2 diabetes is marked by elevated blood sugar levels and linked to impaired insulin secretion and resistance to insulin. Researchers are continuously investigating different classes of phytochemicals including natural pigments for their potential direct or indirect advantages in the prevention and/or control of diabetes. In this review, clinical trials, animal studies, and cell culture models, as well as in vitro enzyme inhibition assays and in silico molecular docking studies were covered for pigmented phytochemicals including anthocyanins, carotenoids, betalains, chlorophylls, curcumin, and phycocyanins. Recent research has shown that the anti-diabetic effects of pigments include (1) inhibition of ROS formation, (2) downregulation of inflammatory response like inhibiting COX, or regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), (3) regulation of multiple signal pathways such as NF-κB, AMPK, MAPK, (4) inhibition of cell apoptosis, according to the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax; and cell proliferation via PI3K/Akt pathways, and (5) digestive enzyme inhibition, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, among others.

Bergamottin (BGM), major furanocoumarins present in citrus fruits such as grapefruit. BGM is found in both the skin and flesh of grapefruit and has been reported in flavedo at concentrations as high as 666.54 μg g⁻¹ dry weight.BGM has been reported to induce elevated bioavailability of drugs via the inhibition of multiple cytochrome P450 enzymes, such as CYPs3A4. The present review will focus on anti-cancer, ant-inflammatory, anti-obesity potential of bergamottin through literature review and in silico study. Thorough literature search was carried out utilizing specialized and dedicated search platforms.In different types of cancer BGM has anticancer effect. NF-κB inhibition by BGM is a desirable way to manage inflammation.In diabetes treatment, it increased glucose uptake by 41.6% after a 24-h period. In obese patients, BGM affected the expression of adipogenic factors during 3T3-L1 differentiation and ampK signalling activation.Role of bioactive compound against inflammation, cancer and diabetes analyzed through network pharmacology (ADME, Networking and Docking). Gene ontology and Kegg analysis showed BGM is effective through dfferent cancer and immune system pathways. Docking analysis performed by receptor protein 6Y3C (Human COX-1) and 6DWM that have best fit with the compound: Bergamottin having docking scores of −8.46 and −11.1 respectively. In conclusion, BGM can be characterized as novel compound in drug development.