Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

The mechanism of decline in continuous plantations is currently a popular research topic in forestry. Continuous cropping is a common obstacle in poplar production and management, and maintaining productivity is a technical challenge. Recent studies have shown that continuous cropping of poplars leads to a reduction in biomass, but there is a lack of information summarizing the effects of plant secondary compounds on belowground interactions. This paper explores the allelopathic phenomenon, which refers to the inhibitory or promoting effects of poplar tissue extracts on plants. The paper also considers the environmental behaviors of allelochemicals derived from poplars, including their secretion, degradation, adsorption, retention, and phytotoxicity. A conceptual model of the autotoxicity mechanism of continuous cropping poplar is proposed from three aspects: microorganisms, soil enzymes, and nutrient changes, with the goal of overcoming poplar autotoxicity. Finally, the research results and potential application prospects of biotechnological methods related to the allelopathic effects of poplar are presented.

Abstract

Gmelina asiatica is one of medicinal plants that is famous in traditional medicines. It is known as Asian bushbeech under the family Lamiaceae. Gmelina asiatica is widely used in Indian folklore to treat many illnesses and disorders, such as treatment of jaundice, hemorrhoids, dysuria, arthritis, edema, liver diseases, neurological disorders, fever, heart diseases, dandruff, skin infections, acne, diabetes mellitus, catarrh of the bladder, syphilis, as antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, contraceptive and blood purifier. As well as, there are various reports on the pharmacological activities of this plant that scientifically support some of its traditional uses. These activities have been shown to include anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antipyretic, nematicidal, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and analgesic activity. Gmelina asiatica is rich in furofuran lignans and flavonoids and contains many other secondary and primary metabolites, but only a few studies have been conducted to identify and isolate its phytoconstituents. The current review aims to provide the published information on Gmelina asiatica, its features, traditional uses, ethnobotanical uses by different tribes, pharmacological activities, and reported phytoconstituents, from 1961 to September 2023, which was collected from books and online databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online Library.

A wide range of natural products important for the engineering and drug design of pharmaceuticals comprise largely of nitrogen-based heterocycles. Fungal natural products have proven to be a rich source of the industrially-important molecules, many of which are promising drug leads. Although, natural products containing a phthalimidine core tends not to be given distant classification, but compounds containing these structures exhibit antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antimalarial and insecticidal activities, and are among the potential target for discovering new drug candidates. Intriguingly, these are primarily isolated from fungal sources and to a very lesser extent from plants or bacteria. This review surveys fungal-derived phthalimidine metabolites published until the end of 2022, isolated from both terrestrial and aquatic or marine sources with emphasis on their unique chemistry, bioactivities, biogenesis and taxonomic classification. Their unique chemistry and diverse bioactivities (including antiviral, antiproliferative, antioxidant and antimicrobial) provide a chemical library with high medicinal potential, representing a treasure trove for synthetic chemists.

Graphical Abstract

Anthocyanins, a sub-class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites, are the subject of research in numerous pharmacological chemical studies and food industries. These molecules exhibit a wide array of pharmacological benefits own fascinating different molecular architectures and reflect colorful hues, which have made them popular targets for their studies. The potential application of anthocyanins (natural pigment) has attracted numerous widespread industrial interest. The beautiful colorant unveiled by anthocyanins has widened the scope of anthocyanin applications in food. This review summarizes the isolation of more than 200 new anthocyanins during 2010–2023 along with a discussion of their structural diversities, structural elucidation, biosynthetic pathway and more importantly, their industrial relevance in food. These molecules are classified into acylated anthocyanins and non-acylated anthocyanins, which are further divided according to their substitution pattern i.e. O-methylated anthocyanins, 3-deoxyanthocyanins. These are systematized into their derivative viz. pyranoanthocyanins, pyranoanthocyanins dimers, and metalloanthocyanins. The present review also focuses on the structural characterization of anthocyanins by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Graphical abstract

Medicinal plants are used by many of the global population because they are safe and effective alternative to other treatments. Over the last few decades, using plant cells to produce natural or recombinant chemicals of economic interest has become a great intention. Secondary metabolites are recognized to have a significant role in plant adaptation to their environment and are also a valuable source of medication. The increasing economic importance of secondary metabolites has recently sparked a lot of interest in biotransformation, particularly in using tissue culture techniques to modify the production of bioactive plant metabolites. Plants of the family Amaryllidaceae have been used to extract several different alkaloids, each of which has the potential to be involved in a variety of pharmacological processes. Due to its multiple biological functions and divergent structure, lycorine has received significant interest in the medicinal field. Lycorine and other alkaloids from the Amaryllidaceae family have limited bioavailability by nature. In vitro culture provides an alternate method for producing lycorine sustainably due to the pharmaceutical industries dramatically increasing demand for it and the insufficient availability of natural resources. Many medicinal plants have been reported to produce lycorine in vitro in plant cell suspension cultures, and bioreactors play an effective role in their commercial production. This article focuses on the production of lycorine in in vitro systems from plants and its potential in the treatment of cancer. This study also aims to provide different biotechnological strategies for the production of this important alkaloid using in vitro system.

Cinchonains are a group of naturally occurring flavonolignans that exhibit a plethora of biological activities. This comprehensive review provides a critical analysis of the research on cinchonains and their related compounds, aiming to describe their various biological activities, including but not limited to, cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. The occurrence and distribution of cinchonains in plants, their biosynthesis pathways, bioavailability, toxicity, and clinical investigations are also discussed. By synthesizing information from scientific literature, we present an informative and accessible overview of cinchonains' potential as a source of new therapeutics and highlight the importance of continued research on cinchonains and their related compounds to unlock their possible therapeutic merits.

Hearing loss is one of the major public health problems in the world, which brings huge adverse effects to individuals and society. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is responsible for the majority of hearing loss. Mechanisms contributing to SNHL include excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species; over-activation of inflammatory factors; impaired blood micro-circulation in the inner ear or Ca²⁺ homeostasis imbalance, etc. Natural products (NPs), which have a long history of use in traditional medicine and a favorable safety profile, can be developed into a library of drug candidates for the treatment or prevention of SNHL. In this paper, we summarized 24 NPs to exhibit their preventive or therapeutic effects on cellular and animal models of SNHL in terms of their anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, microcirculation-improving, and calcium antagonist effects, as well as 5 NPs in current clinical application. Further, combination with advanced technologies such as drug delivery systems and network pharmacology are applied to improve the research of NPs in the prevention of SNHL. Overall, this review provides a strong reference for the mining and development of NPs in the prevention and treatment of SNHL.

Phytosomes represent specialized vesicular structures akin to liposomes, encapsulating active phytoconstituents within a lipid core. Many phytoconstituents, such as glycosides and flavonoids, exhibit hydrophilic properties and encounter challenges traversing lipid-based cellular membranes. Nevertheless, the lipid core of phytosomes enhances their permeability across these barriers, thereby augmenting the bioavailability and efficacy of enclosed plant components. Cancer remains a prominent global cause of mortality, posing significant challenges for existing treatments, which often entail serious side effects associated with conventional approaches like surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In exploring alternative strategies, the utilization of herbal active compounds in cancer treatment shows considerable promise in synergizing with conventional methods. While natural plant-derived active components demonstrate robust in vitro pharmacological activity, their in vivo absorption is often limited. Addressing this constraint, phytosomes emerge as a burgeoning nanotechnology offering a solution by enhancing the adaptability of bioactive phytoconstituents within lipid-rich barriers. This study delves into a meta-analysis of the physicochemical attributes of phytosomes, elucidating their structural intricacies. Furthermore, the review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of phytosomes as carriers for herbal drugs, shedding light on patented phytosome technologies and associated clinical trials. Additionally, it examines several prominent phytosome-based herbal constituents showcasing notable anticancer properties. Lastly, the review addresses the challenges and potential future directions regarding the use of phytosomes in cancer therapy.

Abstract

The review comprehensively explores factors influencing enzyme activities in insects and their implications in defense against toxicants. It encompasses a diverse array of enzymes involved in metabolizing synthetic chemicals, emphasizing their dynamic regulation. Key factors affecting enzyme activities, such as external and internal influences, are discussed, shedding light on the intricate regulatory mechanisms. The inhibitory effects of various compounds on insect GST activity are thoroughly examined, providing insights into potential avenues for insect control. The implications of insect defenses against toxicants are elucidated, emphasizing the complexity of plant–insect interactions. The review delves into the evolutionary adaptations of insects to plant defense mechanisms, highlighting the role of enzymes like thioglucosidase and myrosinase in detoxifying glucosinolates. The co-evolutionary dynamics between insects and plants, particularly in the Brassicaceae family, are explored, underscoring the intricate biochemical strategies employed by both parties. Additionally, the review addresses the challenges associated with developing pest-resistant crop plants through traditional breeding or genetic engineering. It discusses the need for a nuanced approach, considering the adaptability of insects to various toxicants and the potential drawbacks of repeated exposures. The success of chemical plant defenses, particularly monoterpene synthesis in pine trees, is noted, along with the distinctive biodegradability of plant metabolites. The review provides a thorough examination of the mechanisms underlying insect responses to toxic plant metabolites, offering valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between insects and plants. It suggests potential targets for insect control programs and highlights the importance of understanding the co-evolutionary processes that shape these interactions.

Graphical abstract

The current global population is approximately 8 billion. So from a socio-economic point of view, governmental policies are intended to secure at least a minimum of the natural resources like food to the global population to minimize their uneven distribution. However, in the case of plants, the scenario seems different where an uneven distribution of resources seems to be required for the optimized growth. Therefore, a better understanding of this uneven distribution in plants is needed to generate stress-resilient plants with improved yield. It is known that all necessary functions in plants are governed by the efflux and influx of molecules/chemical species and their distribution make plants capable of performing crucial physiological processes as well as acclimating under stress conditions. In this review, we have discussed the role of uneven distribution of different molecules/chemical species in sustaining plant life in the surrounding environment with a few examples of physiological processes.