Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

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.

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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.

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