Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

Abstract

Phytochemicals are widely known for the pharmacological effects in treating various human conditions and in recent years, new compounds are being discovered with substantial health benefits. Karanjin is a furanoflavonoid mainly isolated from Millettia pinnata L., emerging in the field of pharmacology and exerting potential therapeutic values in pre-clinical studies. The review aims to highlight the potential of karanjin as a neuroprotective agent with the significance of modulating the underlying molecular mechanistic pathways. Common neurodegenerative diseases reported globally include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The main problem in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is the effect of the prescribed drugs for the underlying conditions is only momentary whereby a permanent solution is unavailable. Bioactive compounds under the class of flavonoids have largely been acknowledged for neuroprotection in pre-clinical studies and partial clinical trials through various mechanism of action such as modulation of NF-kB pathway, inhibition of oxidative stress, modulation of PI3K/Akt, and more. Molecular docking results of karanjin have proven the potential against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease through modulation of molecular targets adenosine A2A receptor, α-synuclein, catechol-O-methyltransferase, monoamine oxidase B, angiotensin converting enzyme, β-site APP cleaving enzyme, glycogen synthase kinase-3, TNF-α converting enzyme, and acetylcholinesterase involved in the disease progression, compared to commercial standard drugs. The review emphasizes the optimization method for the isolation of karanjin and the various impending mechanistic effects of karanjin in modulating neurodegenerative diseases.

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is an amalgamation of symptoms encompassing insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated fasting blood glucose levels, and hepatic steatosis. Emerging evidence suggests that the hallmark of MS lies in alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota and its metabolites. These alterations traverse a compromised intestinal barrier, exerting an impact on various metabolic organs, thereby precipitating the onset of MS. In recent years, the rapid advancement of sequencing methodologies, bioinformatics, and metagenomic technologies has rendered the exploration of the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota feasible. The manipulation of the gut microbiota is now considered a highly promising novel strategy for the treatment of MS. Ginsenosides, serving as the principal bioactive constituents of the esteemed herb ginseng, have been unequivocally validated to possess a diverse array of pharmacological activities, encompassing anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular protective properties. Nevertheless, the intricacies of the therapeutic mechanisms underlying ginsenosides in the treatment of MS remain unclear, owing to the challenge posed by their inherently low absorption rates. Recent studies indicate that when ginsenosides enters the gastrointestinal tract, ginsenosides can interact with the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota may represent a potential mechanism for the therapeutic effects of ginsenosides in treating MS. Based on this, this review aims to summarize the latest research progress of ginsenosides targeting the gut microbiota and its metabolites for the treatment of MS, and provide evidence to confirm that ginsenosides have the potential to become modulators of gut microbiota for the treatment of MS.

Natural products are highly prevalent in Himalayan region clustered in medicinal and aromatic plants including weeds. Toxic weed plants are of serious concerns due to their hazardous effects to humans, environment, and animals. The cause of toxicity of these toxic weed plants is due to the presence of toxic secondary metabolites. Several toxic secondary metabolites have been reported and characterised in these weed plants. There are several functionalities (toxicophores) in these secondary metabolites which have been identified responsible for the toxic effects of these naturally occurring molecules. The eradication of these toxic weed plants is the major strategy to minimize the hazardous effects. Albeit, there are possibilities for the utilization of these abundantly available toxic secondary metabolites as the valuable scaffolds by their synthetic modification to alter their toxicophores. Herein, we have compiled the reports based on the synthetic modification of the toxicophores present in these secondary metabolites and evaluated for their various pharmacological potential. Several molecules have been illustrated which are present in good amount in the toxic weeds and utilised as valuable bioactive scaffolds through intervention of synthetic modifications. The current review will be highly beneficial for the future developments utilising the abundantly available toxic molecules isolated from toxic weed plants and will also provide the alternative and effective strategy for the utilization of these toxic weeds.

Graphical abstract

Abstract

In the present review, we concentrated on primary signaling and regulatory events in plant cells that are rapidly evoked in response to extracellular polyamines in vivo and induce cellular and biochemical responses. Downstream pathways that allow polyamines to regulate plant growth, development, and stress tolerance are analyzed. The results of the recent studies on polyamine metabolism and its regulatory mechanisms are also discussed. Taken together, the data suggest that endogenously and exogenously regulated polyamines by activating ion transport, calcium dynamics, lipid, protein kinase, protein conjugation, and nucleic acid regulation mechanisms modulate downstream transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and hormonal pathways affecting growth, development, and stress tolerance.

Composite family contains a wide variety of plants and many of them possess high medicinal value. Various constituents have been isolated from members of Composite family. Sesquiterpenoids prove to be the characteristic constituents. In recent years, phytochemical studies on natural sesquiterpenoids, especially the sesquiterpenoid dimers from Composite have been a hot spot. As an important class of bioactive natural products, about 260 novel sesquiterpenoid dimers were isolated from plants of Compositae family since 2018 till date and most of them displayed significant therapeutic potential including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, and other effects. In this review, the structural features, plant resources, and biological activities of these newly discovered sesquiterpenoid dimers were summarized.

Graphical abstract

This mini-review is a compilation of research data on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and various therapeutic potentials of Argemone mexicana. A. mexicana is a well-known medicinal plant that is used in several ethnomedicinal treatments including for the treatment and management of skin diseases, inflammations, warts, tumors, malaria, jaundice, rheumatism, leprosy, and microbial infections. The plant consists of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, long-chain aliphatic alcohol, amino acids, carboxylic acid, steroids, carbohydrates, and phenols. The ethnopharmacological relevance of the plant includes the application of the plant extract in Ayurveda and other traditional healthcare as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and larvicidal, as well as for wound healing, hepatoprotection, and sterilizing activities. It can be concluded from this mini-review that A. mexicana has broad applications that are connected to various pharmacological and phytochemical properties of the plant. This work provides some detailed evidence and suggestions for the medicinal application of this plant to improve the condition of mankind.

Artemisia argyi, a perennial herb of the genus Artemisia, is recorded as medicine for the treatment of various diseases, such as metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, irregular menstruation, hemorrhage, dysmenorrhea, eczema and skinitch. The dried leaves of A. argyi can be made into moxa floss, which is the raw material of moxibustion. In addition, A. argyi is also one of the symbols of the Dragon Boat Festival in China and its shoots and seedlings can be used as tea and vegetables. Therefore, A. argyi has attracted extensive attentions due to its various chemical constituents and biological activities, as well as its extensive clinical and folk applications. Phytochemical investigation of A. argyi has led to the isolation of sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, triterpeniods, volatile oils, and others, especially sesquiterpenoids, which are the most characteristic components. The crude extracts and the isolated compounds from A. argyi reveal diverse biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, etc. Although most biological activities are only the results of in vitro experiments. The aim of this review is to provide a summary on the traditional efficacy, folk application, phytochemistry and modern pharmacological research of A. argyi, which will bring more attention to other researchers for further study.

Encapsulation is a drug or food ingredient loaded-delivery system that entraps active components, protecting them from decomposition/degradation throughout the processing and storage stages and facilitates their delivery to the target tissue/organ, improving their bioactivities. The application of this technology is expanding gradually from pharmaceuticals to the food industry, since dietary bioactive ingredients, including polyphenols, are susceptible to environmental and/or gastrointestinal conditions. Polyphenols are the largest group of plants' secondary metabolites, with a wide range of biological effects. Literature data have indicated their potential in the prevention of several disorders and pathologies, ranging from simpler allergic conditions to more complex metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the promising health effects in preclinical studies, the clinical use of dietary polyphenols is still very limited due to their low bioaccessibility and/or bioavailability. Encapsulation can be successfully employed in the development of polyphenol-based functional foods, which may improve their bioaccessibility and/or bioavailability. Moreover, encapsulation can also aid in the targeted delivery of polyphenols and may prevent any possible adverse events. For the encapsulation of bioactive ingredients, several techniques are applied such as emulsion phase separation, emulsification/internal gelation, film formation, spray drying, spray-bed-drying, fluid-bed coating, spray-chilling, spray-cooling, and melt injection. The present review aims to throw light on the existing literature highlighting the possibility and clinical benefits of encapsulated polyphenols in health and disease. However, the clinical data is still very scarce and randomized clinical trials are needed before any conclusion is drawn.

Graphical abstract

The biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids is regulated by a complex molecular, biochemical and physiological network. Modulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism occurs by endogenous (transcription and post-transcription factors, homeostasis modulators, hormones) and extrinsic (biotic and abiotic agents) signals, both during the growth and development of strawberries. In the context of endogenous modulation, during the transition from maturation to ripening of strawberries, the most significant alteration in the synthesis and accumulation of phenylpropanoids occurs, and phytohormones are intensely involved in regulating this event. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is highlighted, which plays a central role in strawberry ripening and seems necessary for anthocyanin synthesis. In this review, we report the main mechanisms involved before and during the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid compounds in strawberry ripening, focusing on anthocyanin synthesis.