Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

Digera muricata (L.) Mart. or False Amaranth (Family: Amaranthaceae) is an annual edible herb with remarkable therapeutic and nutritional significance. The present study aims to build an interconnection between traditional uses and scientific studies by critically assessing fragmented literature on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and nanotechnological studies of D. muricata. This plant is native to Eastern tropical and northeastern areas of Madagascar and Africa but is also distributed in subtropical Asia, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. Since antiquity, it has been reputed for its medicinal values, including stomachic, bowel complaints, urinary disorders, constipation, lactation purposes, renal protection, fever, laxatives, diuretics, etc. The traditional medicinal values of this plant developed the keen interest of scientists to investigate the bioactive compounds and pharmacological potential of D. muricata. This study reveals that various phytoconstituents belonging to classes flavonoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, cyanazines, and fatty alcohols have been identified from this plant. Crude extracts and bioactive compounds showed various pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-testicular, anti-inflammatory, renal protection, etc. D. muricata has also been utilized in the field of nanotechnology for the biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles to improve its biological efficacies. However, this plant is still less explored for molecular mechanisms underlying biological efficacies, and bioactive compound isolation, presenting a research gap. Further, more pharmacological studies are needed to fill this research gap. Comprehensive analytical studies on the structural activity relationship of isolated bioactive compounds may improve biological efficacies and scientific exploitation of traditional uses of Digera muricata in future.

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Diterpenoids from the Euphorbiaceae family are gaining increasing attention due to their diverse pharmacological activities and considerable potential as active ingredients. Diterpenoids from Euphorbia lathyris have emerged as a focal point in natural drug development. Previous studies have documented the ethnopharmacological applications of E. lathyris while providing analyses of its phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological properties, and toxicological profiles. However, systematic reviews critically evaluating the structural diversity, pharmacological activities, and derivatization approaches of E. lathyris-derived diterpenoids remains scarce. Therefore, the main content of this review is to summarize the most recent research reports on diterpenoids isolated from E. lathyris up to now, including structural features, pharmacological activity and structural derivatization of the diterpenoids isolated from the plant, and to summarize the structure–activity relationships (SAR) and the derivatization methods being used for the confirmation of the action targets of the compounds. In addition, this article discusses the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) regularities of lathyrane diterpenoids with a Z-Δ¹² double bond, which provides a reference for structure elucidation.

The genus Salvia belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is widely distributed worldwide, including about 1000 accepted species. Traditionally, Salvia spp. have been used to treat several ailments, including digestive disorders, inflammations, and skin disorders. In Greece, 25 Salvia taxa (species and subspecies) occur in different areas. In-depth research of previously published literature was performed on electronic databases with several key search words for the collection of the available data focused on the phenolic constituents of Greek native Salvia taxa. A total of 109 scientific studies have been used since 2002. Overall, 21 Greek native Salvia taxa have been studied with S. officinalis being the most extensively researched. So far, 251 fully elucidated chemical structures of phenolic constituents from native Greek Salvia taxa were reported, including phenolic acids/caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids and biosynthetically related metabolites, flavonolignans and lignans, coumarins, phenylethanoid/phenylpropanoid glycosides and other constituents. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge of the phenolic content of Salvia plants, revealing the uncharted scientific territory and may provide critical information for future perspectives on these valuable plants.

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Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (S. tetrandra) is an essential traditional Chinese medicine used to treat arthralgia from rheumatism, wet beriberi, dysuria, eczema, and inflamed sores. S. tetrandra contains numerous active components and demonstrates diverse pharmacological properties. Notably, its potent anticancer activity has increasingly been the focus of attention. Despite this, comprehensive reviews on the anticancer effects of S. tetrandra are scarce. Recent research has shown that S. tetrandra alkaloids exhibit anticancer properties through several molecular mechanisms, including apoptosis induction, autophagy induction, inhibition of invasion and metastasis, cell cycle arrest, reversal of multidrug resistance, and enhancement of radiation sensitization in cancer cells. This review provides a detailed summary of the research developments and challenges associated with the anticancer activities of S. tetrandra in cancer. It specifically explores the underlying molecular mechanisms of its anticancer effects, both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, this review investigates the structural modification of active alkaloids in S. tetrandra to improve its anticancer efficacy and offers suggestions for further research. Therefore, this review aims to offer robust theoretical support for further clinical research and the development of anticancer agents based on S. tetrandra.

Traditional Chinese medicine has a history of thousands of years with a profound understanding and treatment of nervous system diseases. Natural products with neuroprotective activity have become potential neuroprotective agents. This review summarized the natural products and Chinese medicine prescriptions frequently used for treating neurological disorders, discussed the relationship between their regulatory effect and gut-brain axis, in order to provide scientific basis for clinical application. 81 compounds and 10 Chinese medicine prescriptions were analyzed for their significant neuroprotective activities, which are mediated through the regulation of the gut-brain axis. These compounds were meticulously classified based on their chemical structures, encompassing flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and carbohydrates. Notably, terpenoids constituted the largest share of these compounds. The pharmacological potential of these compounds was predominantly characterized by their anti-depressive (38.4%), anti-Alzheimer’s disease (20.0%), anti-cognitive impairment (13.6%), and anti-Parkinson's disease activity (7.2%). The underlying mechanisms to treat neurological disorders by mediating the gut-brain axis are mainly through inhibiting nervous system inflammation, Aβ aggregation, neuronal damage and synaptic dysfunction, improving neurotransmitter system dysfunction, repairing intestinal mucosa and blood–brain barrier, regulating metabolism, immunity, and intestinal flora homeostasis. The Chinese natural medicines and prescriptions show promise in treating a range of neurological disorders, particularly in the treatment of depression, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, and Parkinson's disease by balancing the gut microbiome, which not only provide new insights into the complex mechanisms of action of these medicines but also hold the potential for developing innovative therapeutic strategies.

The genus Vernonia is one of the largest in the family Asteraceae (Compositae) with almost 3,257 species. It is recognised as a rich source of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), an important class of bioactive secondary metabolites known for their high structural diversity and significant biological activities. We provide herein a first comprehensive review on the SLs from the genus Vernonia, comprising in addition compounds from closely related plants of the tribe Vernonieae that were only recently reclassified into other genera. Between 1968 and January 2025, chemical investigations of these plants have led to the isolation and characterization of a total of 294 distinct SLs, including 262 naturally occurring compounds and 32 synthetic derivatives, organized into eight main subclasses. These include 125 germacrolides (or germacranolides) comprising 11 synthetic derivatives, 77 hirsutinolides, 34 elemanolides featuring 11 synthetic congeners, 19 guaianolides, 5 vernomargolides, 5 vernogalcanolides, 7 eudesmanolides and 22 dimeric SLs. Additionally, information on the chemistry, distribution, biosynthesis and biological activities (cytotoxic, antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomial, antiinflammatory, antimetastatic and antimicrobial) of these SLs are provided, along with tentative structure–activity relationships for some closely related compounds, which will be valuable for future pharmacological investigations of SLs from present and former members of the genus Vernonia.

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Honokiol, a polyphenol derived from the Magnolia plant, has demonstrated significant anticancer potential in various cancer models. However, the translation to clinical applications of honokiol is limited due to its low bioavailability, hydrophobicity, and rapid degradation. Thus, nano-formulation approaches have emerged as effective strategies to overcome such limitations and may improve the therapeutic potential of honokiol. In this review, we have highlighted the in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to evaluate the anticancer potential of honokiol in lung, kidney, breast, colon, prostate, brain and thyroid cancer models. Furthermore, we have provided a comprehensive summary of the various nanocarriers that have been utilized for the delivery of honokiol to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. These nanocarriers include liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, nanoemulsions, and dendrimers. We have discussed the formulation strategies employed, such as thin-film hydration, solvent evaporation, and self-assembly techniques. Additionally, we have also discussed the benefits of nanocarrier-based delivery systems that can improve the bioavailability, cellular uptake, and therapeutic efficacy of honokiol, leading to enhanced anticancer activity and reduced toxicity. Overall, this review highlights significant advancements in NDDS for honokiol delivery and offers valuable insights into their potential for effective cancer therapy.

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Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang (C. yanhusuo), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a long history, is highly esteemed for its medicinal properties. This review, drawing on ethnopharmacological research, elucidates that C. yanhusuo exhibits various efficacies, such as promoting blood circulation, promoting qi, and alleviating pain, after undergoing different processing methods and when combined with other herbs. To date, approximately 160 compounds have been isolated and identified from C. yanhusuo, with 92 of them being alkaloids. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that these alkaloids, through regulating neurotransmitter systems, inflammatory responses, signaling pathways, and other mechanisms, exhibit significant therapeutic effects in various areas, including analgesia, antiepileptic activity, sedation, antidepression, antianxiety, anti-addiction, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antithrombosis, anti-myocardial infarction, anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, anti-gastric ulcer, liver protective, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies have shown that processing methods and compatibility significantly influence the pharmacological effects of C. yanhusuo. Finally, this review outlines future research directions for C. yanhusuo, aiming to provide a solid foundation for in-depth studies and effective utilization of this herbal resource.

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Retrochalcones represent a group of secondary metabolites only rarely occur in nature. Although retrochalcones are not very abundant as can be found especially in Glycyrrhiza species, several recent studies report their presence also out of genus Glycyrrhiza. Therefore, this review describes the biosynthesis, occurrence, and biological activities of natural retrochalcones. In addition, confusing information found in the literature is pointed out and clarified. Search in the literature revealed 18 compounds classified as retrochalcones possessing anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial activities at very least. Biological activities are reported with emphasis on those of neglected retrochalcones to arouse the attention of scientists to focus more on these unique substances. This review demonstrates that retrochalcones display diverse biological activities with even more diverse mechanisms of action and could therefore find application in various fields of medicine and cosmetics.

Side effects associated with the use of synthetic drugs have led to renewed interest in plants for safer alternatives. Phyllanthus amarus (Schum. and Thonn) is a weed that has, in the past, been considered a waste but has found applications extensively in traditional medicine and has drawn the attention of researchers over time regarding its chemical components. This review study shows the nutritive, elemental composition and explores the frontiers of applications of P. amarus. The plant is a reservoir of diverse phytochemicals including alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, polyphenolic compounds and lignans that are responsible for various medicinal effects. Several biological activities of the plant, including antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatitis, analgesic, antimicrobial, hepato-protective, anti-plasmodium, and antioxidant, among others, are revealed in this study. The plant is also fast becoming a key instrument in boosting agricultural production, in the removal of pollutants and in the inhibition of corrosion in industrial processes. Overall, Phyllanthus amarus is a weed of great importance that could be a potential nuclei in drug discovery and various industrial processes.