Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

For many years, pomegranate peel has been applied for treating several diseases such as dysentery, diarrhea, ulcers, and different pains. Numerous phytochemicals are identified in pomegranate peel extract (PPE), including alkaloids, organic acids, tannins, volatile oils, and flavonoids, which have an extensive range of health effects against both acute and chronic diseases. PPE has nutrigenomic potential that regulates several molecular pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa-B, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (caspase), and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor. The main reason for the therapeutic activity of PPE is its high phenolic levels, e.g. ellagitannins and their gut microbial metabolites and urolithins. Over the last ten years, a variety of research has emerged regarding the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects of pomegranate peel compounds, emphasizing their role in managing and preventing diabetes, cancer, heart disease, UV-related skin damage, and dental and bacterial issues. Additional possible applications include addressing male infertility, obesity, neonatal cerebral ischemia, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. So, it seems that PPE has enough potential to be used in various dietary supplements. This study offers a comprehensive exploration of PP extract, encompassing its chemical compositions, traditional uses, standardization, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and biological mechanisms.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a crucial early microvascular difficulty of diabetes mellitus, remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. DN progresses through multifactorial molecular mechanisms triggered by persistent hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Although conventional strategies, including the utilization of RAAS and ACE inhibitors, provide symptomatic relief, they often fail to halt disease progression. Therefore, plant-derived bioactive compounds with multi-target potential have come to light as promising alternatives for DN management. The current review critically investigates the molecular mechanisms of DN pathogenesis and focuses on phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins that potentially target major DN signalling pathways. By bridging existing knowledge gaps and focusing on natural therapies, this review offers a comprehensive understanding of DN progression and explores innovative therapeutic strategies to mitigate its burden. Advancing research through randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses of plant-based treatments may pave the way for more effective and safer approaches to DN management.

Graphical Abstract

Molecular Insights and plant based treatment for diabetic nephropathy.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata) is a Food & Medicine Homology plant, which is a rich source of multiple biological active components such as flavonoid, volatile oil and polysaccharide that exhibit therapeutic potential and healthy benefits. Because of its unique flavor, H. cordata has been eaten as a common food for thousands of years. As nutraceuticals, H. cordata makes a great contribution to improving the body function of immunity and antioxidant system. Besides, it also contributes to the animal farming industry by promoting the growth of animals and improving their production efficiency. Medically, H. cordata exerts significant therapeutic effects in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-cancer, and anti-allergy properties, showing a wide range of application in the treatment of human and animal diseases. However, due to some serious side effects in clinical application, the medical safety of H. cordata injection needs to be further evaluated. In addition, H. cordata has a strong enrichment capacity for heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can bring about a solution for biological soil remediation, while on the other hand, it poses a potential threat to consumption. In this paper, the active ingredients and application status of H. cordata were reviewed, in order to fully demonstrate its application value, potential risks and future development prospect.

Steroidal saponins with diverse bioactivities have gained considerable attention. The genus Trillium, a group of perennial flowering plants, is a prominent source of these compounds, historically esteemed in both Native American and East Asian medicinal traditions. This review integrates traditional knowledge with modern scientific findings to explore the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of Trillium-derived steroidal saponins. Through an exhaustive literature review utilizing databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, CNKI, and Google Scholar, 134 pivotal papers up to October 17, 2023, were selected for analysis. This emphasizes the medicinal importance of the Trillium genus, particularly highlighting Trillium Tschonoskii, and identifies steroidal saponins as the primary bioactive components among various compounds. The pharmacological activities of Trillium species reveals that steroidal saponins exhibit various bioactivities, including anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. Specifically, these saponins have shown potential in inhibiting tumor growth, enhancing insulin sensitivity, protecting neuronal cells from oxidative stress, slowing the aging process, and reducing inflammation through various cellular and molecular mechanisms. Such findings underscore the therapeutic potential of steroidal saponins in addressing a multitude of health conditions, suggesting their role in developing innovative therapeutic solutions. However, despite these promising bioactivities, there remains a crucial need for in-depth clinical studies to validate the therapeutic efficacy of Trillium-derived steroidal saponins fully. Looking forward, the multifarious bioactivities of these compounds present a compelling case for continued scientific exploration, with the potential to revolutionize the realm of natural medicine by offering new avenues for the treatment and management of various diseases.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a bioactive ingredient extracted in large amounts from green tea, is worthy of consideration for the prevention of renal injury. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of comprehensive and rigorous preclinical evidence to substantiate the therapeutic efficacy of EGCG in renal injury. To assess the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of EGCG in rodent models of renal injury for future clinical research by meta-analysis and machine learning, a systematic search of preclinical rodent studies published before April 2, 2024, was conducted using four databases. Meta-analyses were performed on a variety of indicators, utilizing the STATA software. Additionally, a machine learning model was constructed using the Python software, which in turn predicted the relationship between the dosage and efficacy of EGCG in renal injury. Thirty-seven studies and 726 animals were included in the analysis. The findings suggest that EGCG can ameliorate kidney functional parameters in animals. This paper presents preliminary evidence indicating that consumption of EGCG may result in a statistically significant reduction in Scr, BUN, and urine protein levels while simultaneously increasing CCr. Moreover, EGCG can improve renal injury, which is highly correlated with the systemic regulation of multiple phenotypes. The results of machine learning analyses indicated a modest correlation between EGCG dosage and efficacy, with optimal dosages ranging from 94.25 to 107.76 mg/kg/d. With regard to potential mechanisms for the treatment of renal injury, EGCG exerted the renoprotective properties possibly through Nrf2/ heme oxygenase-1, HIF-1α/ANGPTL4, Tgf-β1/Smad, Mapk, Erk, Tnf-α, Nf-κb, Nlrp3/Il-1β, and 67 kD laminin receptor pathways.

Graphical abstract

Eugenia involucrata (Myrtaceae) is an underutilized Brazilian fruit native to the Atlantic Forest. A systematic review was conducted to compile information on the phytochemical composition and therapeutic applications of E. involucrata and its synonyms. Twenty-seven papers were elected, with recurrent themes: phytochemistry (n = 25), antioxidant activity (n = 13), phenolic compounds (n = 12), and antimicrobial activity (n = 7). A total of 184 secondary metabolites were identified, with terpenoids and phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, being the most abundant. Leaves were the most studied part, with 109 phytochemicals identified, followed by fruits (n = 72), seeds (n = 21), fruit peel (n = 18) and bark (n = 5). The essential oil from the leaves contained predominantly sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, with no monoterpenes detected. Spathulenol, β-caryophyllene and bicyclogermacrene were the prominent compounds in the leaves, while cyanidin and delphinidin derivatives predominated in the fruits. Epicatechin and ellagic acid were notable and recurring compounds found in both fruits and leaves. Fruits, peel, seeds, and leaves showed high antioxidant activity. Antimicrobial activity was observed in leaves, fruit, barks and root. Anti-inflammatory properties were observed in leaves and fruits. Antitumor potential was present in the leaves, seeds and fruits. Additionally, leaf extract and leaf essential oil showed gastroprotective, insecticidal and antinociceptive properties. Further research is needed to explore untapped pharmacological applications and to elucidate the compounds and synergies responsible for the reported therapeutic effects.

Graphical abstract

The black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), a member of the Moraceae family, is a resilient plant known for thriving in diverse climates. It is valued for its rich composition of both primary and secondary metabolites, which contribute to a wide range of health benefits. Among the most significant of these are anthocyanins, which are responsible for the plant's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Traditionally, Morus nigra has been widely used in Chinese and Indian medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent scientific studies have supported these traditional uses, highlighting the plant's potential in modern medicine. Specifically, Morus nigra has demonstrated positive effects on cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, and tissue protection. The fruit of the mulberry is rich in primary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, and essential fatty acids, enhancing its nutritional value. Secondary metabolites, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, are particularly important for their role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, Morus nigra has shown promising antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects, influencing metabolic pathways related to insulin resistance and lipid regulation. Despite its many health benefits, caution is needed when using Morus nigra in supplement form, particularly in high doses. While the fruit is generally safe for consumption, studies on leaf extracts have revealed potential toxicity at elevated doses, emphasizing the need for careful dosage. Further research is essential to determine optimal intake levels and fully explore the plant's pharmacological potential.

The ten countries that make up southern Africa are collectively a hot-spot of medicinal plant knowledge, with a unique preference for the utilization of bark over leaves from possibly hundreds of species. The most popular 86 medicinal bark species were identified in an earlier survey of various muthi markets around Johannesburg, and are listed in the current review, out of which chemical data was found for 63 and tabulated. The chemistry of medicinal bark species is, however, incomplete, since many scholars focused their research on metabolites of interest to their research groups, such as essential oils, lipophilic compounds, alkaloids or saponins, to the exclusion of other specialized metabolites present in the respective biota. From the current phytochemical analysis, the medicinal potential of bark relative to leaves is not obvious, as it is dependent on factors such as quantity of specialized metabolites (potency), their identities and anecdotal accounts from traditional healers. Nevertheless, the preference for bark may be due to empirical outcomes in therapy. Southern African medicinal bark species demonstrate an extremely diverse pool of unique/new or relatively unheard of natural products, such as calondendrolide from C. capense, combretastatin from C. caffrum, capensin from C. capense, crotohalimaneic acid from C. sylvaticus, ekebergins from E. capensis, entandrophragmin from E. caudatum, lysisteisoflavone from E. lysistemon, kigelinone from K. africana, holstinones from O. holstii, piptadeniaoside from P. africanum, rauvolfianoids from R. caffra, tetrapterosides from T. tetraptera, voacangine from V. thouarsii, warburganal from W. salutaris and mucronine from Z. mucronata. The review concludes by briefly commenting on pharmacokinetic aspects associated with ingestion or topical application of bark metabolites.

The Pinus species of Indian Himalayan Region have a plethora of pharmacological attributes due to the presence of secondary metabolites in various plant parts such as needle, bark, wood, and cone. Pinus species fall under the purview of both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. Notably, five indigenous pine species thrive in the Indian Himalayas: (1) Pinus gerardiana, (2) Pinus roxburghii , (3) Pinus wallichiana, (4) Pinus merkusii and (5) Pinus kesiya. These species produce large number of specialized metabolites, including terpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins, demonstrating efficacy against asthma, cancer, liver and kidney disorders, inflammation, as well as in various antimicrobial diseases. The Pinus species are also known for the extraction of oleoresin composed of rosin and turpentine. The improved chemical processing such as hydration, hydrogenation, oxidation, isomerization, and esterification of various compounds present in oleoresin yielded a variety of compounds used in the pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetic, paint, varnish, adhesive and various other industries. This review aims to accentuate the distribution, biosynthetic pathways, phytochemistry, pharmacology and industrial applications of Pinus species found in India.

Cuminaldehyde (CUM) is a bioactive compound majorly present in the seeds of Cuminum cyminum. The plant C. cyminum is the hub of numerous bioactive compounds that have various pharmacological significance, and CUM is one of them. Various extraction and purification methodologies have been developed to isolate CUM from plant origins and study its effectiveness in treating a range of disorders. The present study comprises recent pharmacological properties of CUM that have been reported to exert various pharmacological properties, such as anti-microbial, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-parasitic. Additionally, CUM improved the effects of other anti-microbial drugs, including vancomycin, tobramycin, and ciprofloxacin. Similarly, we have outlined many targeted delivery systems that have been used to deliver CUM to the disease-specific target system, such as microemulsions, inclusion complexes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and smart hydrogel. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles of CUM have also been predicted using SwissADME and Deep-PK. Moreover, this review provides a complete overview of CUM’s isolation and purification processes, its synthetic analogues, biological activities with mechanisms of action, novel delivery systems, and pK-pD profile with in silico ADMET parameters. All of this will be beneficial for researchers assessing CUM’s pre-clinical and clinical outcomes in the near future.

Graphical Abstract