Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

Background: Pittosporum (the family Pittosporaceae) contains flowering plants, which was used as folk medicines in some countries of Asia, Europe, and Africa. Traditional use and pharmacological values of plants in this genus were deduced from a great role of their secondary metabolites. Objective: The ultimate goal of the review fully provides significant information on traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Pittosporum plants. Methods: The search for reference data is mostly based on electronic resources, such as Google Scholar, Sci-Finder, and Web of Science. “Pittosporum” is the most important keyword, in which it was used alone or combined with other words to seek literature documents. Results: Traditionally, Pittosporum species are on the recommended list for medicinal purposes and fragrance preparation. From the 1960s to the present, more than 270 metabolites have been isolated with the derivatives type terpenoids, saponins, and lignans being the main phytochemical classes. Essential oils derived from Pittosporum species were dominated by terpenoids and fatty acids. Accumulating evidence has firmly revealed that Pittosporum constituents generated a wide variety of pharmacological activities, including cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiarrhythmic, antinociceptive, antimalarial, enzyme inhibitory, and hepatoprotective activities. Conclusion: Technological advances in the chromatographic isolation of huge amounts are desirable. Toxicological assessments are needed. In vivo pharmacological experiments, molecular mechanisms of action, and clinical evaluations are warranted.

This article is a critical review of the taxonomy and phytochemistry of the genus Zephyranthes Herb., a group of plants known for their beautiful flowers and traditional medicinal uses. The present review summarizes the occurrence, isolation, and identification of specialized metabolites, which have recently been frequently studied because of their important biological activities. Among the accepted 203 species, only 27 have been phytochemically investigated. This paper provides an overview of the different types of specialized metabolites identified in these plants and considers problematic taxonomic evolution within this species. The differences between two internationally recognized databases, which classify only 41% of the species in the same way, are briefly summarized. In addition, there are many reports on their metabolites, especially alkaloids, but some of the data in the literature are occasionally inaccurate and sometimes even erroneous. This critical review aims to discuss, summarize, and evaluate up-to-date (up to July of 2023) information about metabolites of the genus Zephyranthes, focusing on phytochemistry and taxonomy.

Graphical abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that can lead to various complications affecting the heart, kidney, and eye. Several synthetic and natural products have been used for disease management, but the disease still remains a global challenge. The use of plants as an alternative management for diabetes has been on the rise. Regrettably, the comprehensive repository is not available to guide future research in the area of plants with a related mechanism of action for the development of an effective drug. To identify and compile medicinal plants frequently used with proven scientific hypoglycaemic properties and their possible modes of action. This was done through a literature search of scientific databases using search tools like DOAJ, EMBASE, Europe PMC, FSTA, Google Scholar, HubMed, Indian Citation Index, Medline Plus, Merck Index, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Science3open, Science Open, SciFinder, Scirus, Core, Scopus, Semantic Scholar, Shodhganga, and World Wide Science. Search keywords included: medicinal plants, antidiabetics, hypoglycaemic, alpha-amylases/glucosidase inhibition, glucose metabolic enzymes, antihyperglycaemia, insulin secretion/surrogate, β-cell amelioration, phytochemicals, diabetes management, anti-oxidant, and enhance glucose transporters. The study excludes plants used in the management of diseases other than diabetes mellitus. From the search, 611 authenticated medicinal plants with anti-diabetic properties were eligible and grouped according to their reported probable mode of action. Precisely 20.6% of the plants exhibited their anti-diabetic effect via prevention of oxidative stress; 11.6% acted through stimulation of insulin secretion, inhibition of insulin degradation, and reduction of insulin resistance. Also, 10.8% inhibited enzymes of carbohydrate gastrointestinal digestion, 2.8% were postulated to regulate enzymes of glucose metabolism, and 54.2% acted via nonspecific or multiple means, as well as those whose anti-diabetic mode of action was yet to be identified. This study has shown that the exact mechanisms or mode of action of the majority of plants with hypoglycaemic properties are yet to be explored. Scientists would therefore find this paper useful in their future research. This paper may also serve as a potential lead for the easy harmonization of plants with a related mode of action in the drug discovery process targeted at the management of diabetes mellitus.

Graphical abstract

Fungi of the genus Diplodia have a worldwide distribution and are typically associated with plants. Diplodia is well‐known for the diseases it causes on economically and ecologically relevant plants. In particular, this fungal genus is responsible of various symptoms of plant diseases, including shoot blights, dieback, cankers and fruit rots. In the last decades, literature concerning metabolites produced by Diplodia species has been significantly enriched by many reports dealing with the biosynthetic potential of this fungal genus. Several polyketide- and terpenoid-derived compounds have been reported, demonstrating the biosynthetic arsenal of this fungal genus. Investigations on the biological properties of compounds isolated from in vitro cultures of these fungi have proved a broad spectrum of biological functions. In particular, bioassays disclosed that antimicrobial and phytotoxic activities are the most notable bioactivities of secondary metabolites isolated from this genus. Hence, the present review is intended as reference guide to metabolites produced by fungi currently belong to the genus Diplodia, emphasizing the implication of their occurrence, absolute configuration determinations and the structure–activity relationships.

The co-existence of plants and microorganisms throughout their evolution resulted in an intertwined ecological network that serves as the basis for the functioning of today’s terrestrial ecosystems. The interactions between plants, bacteria, and fungi are often multipartite and occur both within and among kingdoms. Apart from the textbook examples of tight mutualistic associations such as root nodule symbiosis or mycorrhizas, there are also looser interactions, e.g., those between plants and plant growth-promoting bacteria and fungi. Additionally, plants are also targets of microbial pathogens. Thus, intricate mechanisms of how plants and microorganisms recognize each other have evolved, mediated by chemical signals resulting in a differential gene expression and, eventually, a physiological response. This paper aims to review the molecular basis of such signaling, the apparatus of signal sensing and transduction in bacteria and plants are outlined and exemplified. Moreover, examples of recent discoveries in the field of plant–microbe signaling are presented, i.e., quorum quenching and the involvement of small RNAs. Last but not least, suggestions are provided for the potential exploitation of plant–microbe communication networks for human benefit, e.g., in the field of sustainable agriculture, aiming at crop growth promotion and protection against pathogens.

Herbal medicinal products are widely considered beneficial and gaining importance in preventing and treating several diseases. Urtica dioica L. (UD) is a medicinal plant that has been used as an herbal remedy and dietary supplement for centuries based on traditional experience or random trials without the know-how of phytoconstituents. UD is one of those herbs with a long record of anti-inflammatory activity and several mechanisms of action have been discussed. Plant part, extraction solvent, and phytoconstituents have a determinant effect on both efficacy and therapeutic objective. Current literature mainly elaborates on the antioxidant effect of Urtica species, with the anti-inflammatory role of UD still being a matter of discussion, as in vitro and in vivo studies have only been characterized to such an extent. In order to elaborate on this topic, the present review aims to characterize the anti-inflammatory action of several UD extracts according to in vitro and in vivo results, as well as the possible molecules and respective mechanism responsible for its anti-inflammatory effect on several pathologies. Despite the knowledge gathered so far surrounding the anti-inflammatory activity of UD, further studies are required to characterize the mechanism of action and discriminate between the molecules underlying the beneficial effects of nettle on inflammatory diseases.

Intensive agriculture has long been associated with the excessive use of synthetic pesticides, leading to environmental pollution, health risks, and the development of pesticide-resistant insect populations. In response, significant scientific efforts are underway to seek safer alternatives for eco-friendly pest management, such as utilizing natural compounds, including essential oils derived from plants in the Lamiaceae family. This review explores the existing literature on Lamiaceae-derived bioactive compounds and their efficacy as alternative biopesticides. It delves into their chemical composition, mechanism of action, and practical application in pest management strategies. The multifaceted impact of these oils on insect pests is profound, with components like monoterpene, monoterpenoid, sesquiterpenoid, and aliphatic phenylpropanoids exhibiting diverse modes of action. These mechanisms may involve rupturing cell membranes, neurotoxic effects, antifeedant effects, repellent properties, and growth regulatory effects that make them effective natural alternatives to synthetic pesticides. However, their development as alternative biopesticides is often hindered by challenges such as standardization and formulation, regulatory approval, resistance development in insects, cost-effectiveness, as well as knowledge and awareness gaps. This synthesis of knowledge contributes to the evolving landscape of sustainable pest management practices, reducing the ecological footprint of intensive agriculture, and mitigating risks associated with conventional insecticides.

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo (D. officinale), a valuable medicinal and edible homologous plant, is a synonym of Dendrobium catenatum Lindl. D. officinale has been used for thousands of years in daily health care and treatment of diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, and various cancers. During the cultivation and harvesting of D. officinale, its non-medicinal parts (leaves and flowers) are often discarded as waste, resulting in a huge waste of resources. Approximately 244 chemical constituents have been isolated from the stems, leaves, and flowers of D. officinale, mainly polysaccharides, bibenzyls, phenanthrenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other constituents. Among these substances, polysaccharides are the most abundant and main bioactive components. The stems, leaves, and flowers of D. officinale can all be used for food, medicine, cosmetic, or health care purposes. Among these, the flowers play many roles, such as antioxidant, neuroprotection, anti-depression, and learning and memory improvement functions, and can be used as a natural nutritional supplement to prevent neurologic disorders like depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Simultaneously, the leaves of D. officinale exhibit beneficial effects on metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and can used as a functional food for the prevention and treatment of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first systematic and comparative review of the traditional uses, bioactive compounds, pharmacological effects, and applications of different parts of D. officinale. We hope this review will provide a scientific reference for the development and utilization of this plant.

Graphical Abstract

Terrestrial plants rely on protection conferred by their outer coverings to defend against desiccation, bruising, and microbial invasion. For food staples such as potato tubers, the periderm contains the phellem (tuber skin) which creates a hydrophobic barrier by depositing macromolecular composites comprised of waxes, soluble phenolics, and a complex aliphatic suberin polyester (or suberin aliphatic domain) and lignin-like biopolymer (or suberin polyphenolic domain) within the previously formed polysaccharide cell wall. The antibacterial activity of both the soluble chemical constituents and their solid polymeric assemblies provides essential plant defense; their antioxidant and waterproofing properties also offer practical potential for sustainable food preservation and packaging applications. To characterize these phytochemical composites comprehensively and in molecular detail, we developed an approach that coordinates ‘bottom-up’ analysis of extracted metabolites that include suberin precursors, solid-state NMR spectroscopy of the polymers in intact skins or solid suspensions, and ‘top-down’ analysis of chemical breakdown products of suberin. The usefulness of analytical methods that include LC–MS, GC–MS, multivariate analysis, solid-state NMR, SEM, and TEM is illustrated for studies of molecular and supramolecular structures that underlie protective function in three potato periderm systems: (1) native tuber periderms versus suberized wound-healing tissues including closing layer and wound periderm; (2) metabolites unleashed in rapid response to wounding prior to formation of suberized tissues; (3) wild type versus genetically modified potato varieties with altered suberin deposition. We also demonstrate how enrichment with stable ¹³C and ¹⁵N isotopes can improve our understanding of how the suberin biopolymer molecular structure develops, increasing the reach of MS, 2D solid-state NMR, and dynamic nuclear polarization spectroscopic methods and revealing phenolic amide constituents that could represent an underappreciated part of the plant’s defensive arsenal.

Liver disease is a significant global health concern, leading to around two million fatalities annually. This disorder encompasses a broad range of causes, including both well-established factors such as lifestyle choices, as well as less understood origins such as pre-existing medical diseases. In the present scenario, liver cancer poses a significant worldwide health concern, with projections indicating that the number of cases is expected to exceed one million by the year 2025. According to the World Health Organization, numerous developing nations, such as India, continue to rely on the utilization of plants and plant-derived substances for the treatment of diverse ailments. Desmodium Desv., a genus within the Fabaceae family, encompasses about 350 species that are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. These plants have a long-standing history of traditional medicinal use in India, Thailand, and China, particularly for the treatment of liver diseases. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the ethnobotanical applications, phytoconstituents, and hepatoprotective properties associated with all species of Desmodium. The research employed various methodologies. Data on the Desmodium genus was collected up until the year 2022 through the examination of research articles, patents, and diverse online bibliographic databases such as PubMed, Research Gate, PubChem, Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, eOL, POWO, and IUCN. The online search was conducted using the following keywords: Desmodium species, review articles, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical constituents, and hepatoprotective property. In conclusion, it can be inferred that Ethnobotanical research has revealed that these particular species possess diverse pharmacological attributes, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, cytotoxic, and hepatoprotective activities. The analysis of phytochemistry reveals the presence of various compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, and other constituents inside these species. Out of a total of 350 species, it has been observed that 18 possess hepatoprotective properties. In order to substantiate the hepatoprotective applications and advance the development of prominent pharmaceuticals, additional pharmacological investigations including animal models and phytochemical explorations are necessary.

Graphical abstract