Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

Diabetes and its associated comorbidities have garnered significant attention in recent decades, leading to continuous exploration of diagnostic and treatment options. Urotensin II (U-II), a cyclic peptide amino acid, is notable for its potent vasoconstrictive properties and its direct association with diabetes. Concurrently, silymarin, a potent antioxidant, is frequently utilized for hepatoprotection. Prior research has indicated that silymarin possesses antagonistic properties against U-II. Given these findings, our study aims to investigate the potential of silymarin as a modulator of U-II to address type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and mitigate the early onset of associated comorbidities. This study adopts a comprehensive approach, reviewing existing literature to assess the effects of silymarin on U-II and glucose metabolism, as well as its potential therapeutic implications for T2DM and related comorbidities. Both animal and clinical studies are examined to elucidate the pharmacokinetic properties of silymarin and its efficacy in managing cardiovascular complications, atherosclerosis, diabetes, renal dysfunction, and obesity. Specifically, silymarin shows promise in addressing cardiovascular issues, atherosclerosis, renal dysfunction, obesity, PCOS, and gestational T2DM through its antagonistic effects on U-II and modulation of glucose metabolism. Silymarin's ability to modulate U-II levels and its favorable pharmacokinetic profile make it a promising candidate for further investigation and potential clinical use.

Melons exhibit broad phenotypic variation, with fruits undergoing both climacteric and non-climacteric maturation patterns that directly impact the texture of the endocarp. The loss of fruit firmness is intricately linked to the degradation of cell wall components, mainly cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins. The cell wall serves multiple functions, including providing mechanical resistance, regulating osmotic pressure, acting as a diffusion barrier, controlling cell adhesion and expansion, and protecting the plasma membrane from damage and pathogens. The biochemical changes influencing the physical properties of the wall are orchestrated by gene expression and interactions with epigenetic and hormonal factors. Establishing knowledge of these interactions and understanding the structural changes that occur during maturation are essential for elucidating the primary causes of firmness loss in melon fruits. In this review we summarize knowledge on the expression of cell wall genes in melon and how they contribute to the synthesis, loosening, and depolymerization of the cell wall during maturation. Such information provides a valuable foundation for advanced postharvest management strategies and future physiological and molecular studies to enhance fruit quality and extend shelf life.

Structure complexed flavonoid glycosides are phytochemicals important for plant defense against environmental stresses as well as human health. Biotechnology production of valuable flavonoid glycosides meets the necessity of higher yield and purity than plant extraction. The huge gene families of plant UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) contribute to the complex structures and the diverse bioactivities of flavonoid glycosides, and they play important roles in heterologous production of these compounds. However, it is difficult to find suitable UGTs to introduce into bioengineering pathway. In recent years, many plant UGTs with specific functions were identified based on the development of multi-omics technology, which paved the way to metabolic engineering in microorganisms for industrial production of valuable flavonoid glycosides. This review summarizes the diversity of flavonoid glycosides, functionally identified UGTs, and mechanism of substrate recognition, especially multi-glycosylated flavonoids and their branch-forming UGTs. Finally, we proposed a vision in which the functional diverse plant UGTs as an important gene bank for producing high value flavonoid glycosides with synthetic biotechnology.

Overweight and obesity are global health challenges associated with an increased risk of life-threatening comorbidities. Whereas a healthy diet and a lifestyle with a sufficient amount of exercise is the first recommendation to avert complications arising from overweight, a variety of prescription medicines is recognised as potential aids in weight loss. However, concerns about adverse effects of many prescription weight-loss agents has made that may drugs are now prohibited in some countries, though not in all countries. This has given rise to a clandestine market which has made proper monitoring of safety of products on sale increasingly complex. In addition to pharmaceutical products, a wide range of food substitutes or food supplements that are marketed as aids in weight loss is available. Regulation of food ingredients is considerably less stringent than regulation for pharmaceutical products; whereas pharmaceutical companies need to provide evidence of safety and efficacy before they are allowed marketing of any products, manufacturers of herbal and dietary supplements are just expected to ensure safety of their products. A sustainable reduction in food intake can be a major challenge, and people on weight-loss programmes have to fight cravings and hunger pangs. Appetite suppression-based therapies are the novel and promising treatments to control obesity. Recently, the peptide Semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®) has emerged as a very popular appetite suppressing prescription drug, which is administered by injection, though oral formulations have been developed too. Appetite suppressing herbal supplements have often been used traditionally since ages and are therefore generally regarded as safe. The aim of present review is to reflect on the most popular herbal supplements that are currently marketed as appetite suppressants, and that are widely promoted as aids in weight loss exercises. Notably, members of the family Apocynaceae, e.g. Caralluma spp. and Hoodia spp. contain pregnane glycosides that have been shown to restore sensitivity to the appetite suppressant hormone leptin in obese mice. The anti-obesity effect of Garcinia spp. (Clusiaceae) has been attributed to the presence of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which inhibits fatty acid and triglyceride biosynthesis. In addition, HCA administration has been shown to increase serotonin levels, which in turn results in reduced appetite. A similar mechanism of action is seen with extracts of Griffonia simplicifolia (Fabaceae) that are particularly rich in the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan. A third mechanism of action is seen in Gymnema sylvestre (Apocynaceae) which contains gymnemic acids that selectively inhibit oral sweet taste sensation in humans, thus lessening the appeal of sweets and pastries.

Anabasis salsa has been used to treat various diseases in kazakh folk medicine. Petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts were subjected to GC–MS analysis, and valuable bioactive compounds were identified from the chromatograms. Additionally, butanol extract was subjected to HPLC–UV analysis and it was confirmed the presence of gallic acid. Overall, results confirmed the presence of overall 108 various compounds from different chemical classes: fatty acids and derivatives, steroidal compounds, phenolic compounds and minor group compounds. In this study, A. salsa was preliminarily subjected to extraction, and the resultant extracts were then evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials. The antioxidant activity results of A. salsa demonstrated that the dichloromethane extract exhibited higher activity compared to the butanol and petroleum ether extracts in both methods (DPPH: 503.12 ± 8.34 mg/g and ABTS: 119.51 ± 6.23 mg/g). Moreover, the dichloromethane extract of A. salsa was found to be more effective against all tested microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1.250 mg/ml for S. aureus, 0.312 mg/ml for E. faecalis, 0.156 mg/ml for E. coli, 0.039 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa, and 0.009 mg/ml for C. albicans. As a result, A. salsa shows promise as a therapeutic alternative and deserves additional investigation for its possible biological advantages. Beyond its use in separating pure responsible components, this plant may hold additional applications in the field of medicine and research. For example, chemical composition analysis has shown the presence of different biologically active compounds with a broad spectrum of applications in pharmacology. Hence, further investigations are needed to uncover its full range of biological potentials.

Lignin, a polymer of hydroxycinnamyl alcohols and related monomers, is found in great abundance in the plant vasculature, where it confers mechanical strength and facilitates water transport. Lignin is also found in many other plant organs, including roots, flowers, fruits, and abscission zones. While in these organs impregnation of lignin is usually limited to a thin layer of cells, or just a few cells, this thin lignin linin often fulfills important physiological functions related to reproduction and plant fitness. In this perspective review, we focused on the lignin of flowers and fruits. After a brief introduction on the anatomy and morphology of these organs, we provided an overview of the molecular mechanisms governing the spatial and temporal regulation of lignin synthesis. We further described the consequences that perturbations of these processes have on the biochemical structure of lignin polymers, plant reproduction, and fitness. Recent discoveries on the chemical composition of seed coat lignin and the formation of the petal abscission zone are also discussed. With this Perspective review, we hope to bring the topic of lignin in reproductive organs to a wider audience, while highlighting the impact that future research could have on breeding and agriculture.

Bisindole alkaloids represent a notable class of natural compounds distinguished by their characteristic bisindole structure and recognized for their anticancer potential. Over the past nine decades, a plethora of bisindole alkaloids have been isolated from plants. The chemical compositions and cytotoxicity of these plant-derived bisindole alkaloids (PDBAs) have been elucidated. Currently, 735 PDBAs have been documented. Predominantly sourced from plants within the Apocynaceae family, these compounds demonstrate formidable cytotoxicity against various tumor types, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. This review comprehensively examines the sources, phytochemistry, and cytotoxicity of these compounds. Furthermore, it provides a summary of the structure–activity relationship (SAR) and the mechanisms through which PDBAs exert their cytotoxicity. In summary, the aim of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of the advancements in the investigation of PDBAs for their continued development and utilization.

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Epimedium is a traditional Chinese tonic in Chinese medicine, which is often used to treat bone diseases and strengthen the kidney. The 2020 edition of 'Chinese Pharmacopoeia' includes five kinds of medicinal Epimedium, including Epimedium brevicornu Maxim, Epimedium pubescens Maxim, Epimedium koreanum Nakai, Epimedium sagittatum Maxim and Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying. Modern studies have found that it contains a series of compounds, such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, organic acids, etc. Flavonoids, in particular, have been extensively studied and are considered the main active ingredients. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that these constituents possess a range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour, anti-hepatic injury, immunomodulatory, and hypoglycaemic effects. Therefore, it is a traditional Chinese medicine with significant clinical value. This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of its traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological effects. Special emphasis is placed on the mechanism of action of the main active components in Epimedium and its future development direction. The goal is to lay a foundation for further research and utilization of Epimedium resources.

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease that manifests with a malignancy of the mammary gland. Globally, the year 2020 witnessed 2.3 million diagnosis cases and 685,000 deaths due to breast cancer. Therefore, there is a dire need for the development of new anticancer drugs for BC. Traditional herbal medicine offers a rich source in the prospect of new drug discovery. In this pursuit, this review covers the discovery of compounds against breast cancer with the possible mechanisms of action, which can assist the development of novel phytomedicines in the drug discovery process. Specifically, the bioactives against breast cancer developed from 1999 to 2023 were categorized based on their chemical class based on a systematic search on PubMed and Embase. Over 70 + natural products belonging to different chemical classes and their mechanisms of action for anticancer activity with commonly used drugs in clinical practice are summarized for a simple understanding of the experimental data. The review draws attention to the vital need to isolate novel bioactive constituents and to develop new drugs based on these isolated bioactives using novel drug delivery systems, so as to increase the target specificity and thereby reduce the adverse effects.Finally, we highlighted the natural bioactives undergoing preclinical and clinical trials to determine their potential for use in the treatment of BC, which could pave the way towards new target-specific drugs against breast cancer.