scholarly journals Euphorbia characias: Phytochemistry and Biological Activities

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1468
Author(s):  
Antonella Fais ◽  
Giovanna Lucia Delogu ◽  
Sonia Floris ◽  
Benedetta Era ◽  
Rosaria Medda ◽  
...  

The aim of this review is to summarize all the compounds identified and characterized from Euphorbia characias, along with the biological activities reported for this plant. Euphorbia is one of the greatest genera in the spurge family of Euphorbiaceae and includes different kinds of plants characterized by the presence of milky latex. Among them, the species Euphorbia characias L. is an evergreen perennial shrub widely distributed in Mediterranean countries. E. characias latex and extracts from different parts of the plant have been extensively studied, leading to the identification of several chemical components such as terpenoids, sterol hydrocarbons, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, cerebrosides and phenolic and carboxylic acids. The biological properties range between antioxidant activities, antimicrobial, antiviral and pesticidal activities, wound-healing properties, anti-aging and hypoglycemic properties and inhibitory activities toward target enzymes related to different diseases, such as cholinesterases and xanthine oxidase. The information available in this review allows us to consider the plant E. characias as a potential source of compounds for biomedical research.

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Speranza ◽  
Natalizia Miceli ◽  
Maria Fernanda Taviano ◽  
Salvatore Ragusa ◽  
Inga Kwiecień ◽  
...  

Isatis tinctoria L. (Brassicaceae), which is commonly known as woad, is a species with an ancient and well-documented history as an indigo dye and medicinal plant. Currently, I. tinctoria is utilized more often as medicinal remedy and also as a cosmetic ingredient. In 2011, I. tinctoria root was accepted in the official European phytotherapy by introducing its monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia. The biological properties of raw material have been known from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Over recent decades, I. tinctoria has been investigated both from a phytochemical and a biological point of view. The modern in vitro and in vivo scientific studies proved anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, and antioxidant activities. The phytochemical composition of I. tinctoria has been thoroughly investigated and the plant was proven to contain many valuable biologically active compounds, including several alkaloids, among which tryptanthrin, indirubin, indolinone, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides as well as glucosinolates, carotenoids, volatile constituents, and fatty acids. This article provides a general botanical and ethnobotanical overview that summarizes the up-to-date knowledge on the phytochemistry and biological properties of this valuable plant in order to support its therapeutic potential. Moreover, the biotechnological studies on I. tinctoria, which mainly focused on hairy root cultures for the enhanced production of flavonoids and alkaloids as well as on the establishment of shoot cultures and micropropagation protocols, were reviewed. They provide input for future research prospects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axelle Septembre-Malaterre ◽  
Mahary Lalarizo Rakoto ◽  
Claude Marodon ◽  
Yosra Bedoui ◽  
Jessica Nakab ◽  
...  

Traditional remedies have been used for thousand years for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries. Of growing interest, the plant Artemisia annua, known for its malarial properties, has been studied for its numerous biological activities including metabolic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and immunomodulatory properties. Artemisia annua is very rich in secondary metabolites such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds, of which the biological properties have been extensively studied. The purpose of this review is to gather and describe the data concerning the main chemical components produced by Artemisia annua and to describe the state of the art about the biological activities reported for this plant and its compounds beyond malaria.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
Mohamed Bouhrim ◽  
Saliha Bouknana ◽  
Hayat Ouassou ◽  
Salima Boutahiri ◽  
Nour Elhouda Daoudi ◽  
...  

Summary Opuntia species belong to semi-arid and arid regions of Mexico and the United States. O. ficus-indica and O. dillenii are commonly used in alternative medicine to treat various diseases. Up to date, several scientific works have been carried out on the different parts of these plants. However, over the last few years, studies have been focusing on the oil obtained from the fruit seeds of these species. For this reason, this study aims to draw the attention of researchers toward the phytochemical and the pharmacological effects of these two Opuntia oils, which would help set up other scientific projects that promote these products. Phytochemical studies have shown that these oils are rich in biologically active molecules, such as unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols (mainly linoleic acid and β-sitosterol), as well as vitamin E, which is represented only by the γ-tocopherol. Besides, these oils are rich in polyphenols that protect them from photo-oxidation. Moreover, several studies have shown their antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and gastroprotective activities, as well as their hypolipidemic properties. The beneficial effects of these oils include also their ability to block the weight loss, and what makes them more interesting is their safety, according to the literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Mohamed Marouane Saoudi ◽  
Jalloul Bouajila ◽  
Khaled Alouani

Rumex roseus L. (R. roseus) is acknowledged as an aromatic plant. For its excellent biological properties, it was used as a traditional medicine. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the chemical components and their effect as the biological activities of Tunisian extracts of R. roseus. Consecutive extractions by cold maceration of the aerial part with solvents of increasing polarity (cyclohexane (CYH), dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH)) were performed, and the different chemical groups (phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, etc.) were identified. In addition, the volatile compounds of the obtained extracts were identified before and after derivatization. Moreover, their antioxidant and anticancer activities were evaluated. The analysis of HPLC-DAD revealed the identification of 18 components from organic extracts, among them are, for example, chlorogenic acid and shikonin, while GC-MS analysis allowed the detection of 34 volatile compounds. Some of those compounds were identified for the first time in plant extracts such as pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine-3,4(2H,5H)-dione (1); L-proline (16); 2-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (19); L-(-)-arabitol (23); D-(-)-fructopyranose (25); and D-(+)-talopyranose (27). DPPH tests revealed that the most important antioxidant activity was found in the methanolic extract with 75.2% inhibition at 50 mg/L and that the highest cytotoxic activity against HCT-116 and MCF-7 was recorded in the dichloromethane extract with 62.1 and 80.0% inhibition at 50 mg/L, respectively. The biological activities were fully correlated with the chemical composition of the different extracts. So, we can suggest that R. roseus is a source of bioactive molecules that could be considered potential alternatives for use in dietary supplements for the prevention or treatment of diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celiwe Innocentia Nxumalo ◽  
Londeka Sibusisiwe Ngidi ◽  
Jabulani Siyabonga Emmanuel Shandu ◽  
Tsolanku Sidney Maliehe

Abstract Background Endophytes, especially those that are found from ethnopharmacologically noteworthy medicinal plants have attracted attention due to their diverse bioactive metabolites of pharmacological importance. Methods This study aimed at isolating endophytic bacterium from the leaves of Anredera cordifolia CIX1 for its bioactive metabolites. The endophytic isolates were identified by 16S rRNA sequence and investigated for antibiotic sensitivity using different antibiotics. The secondary metabolites were evaluated for antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains. The 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2′-azinobis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) methods were used to assess their scavenging activities. The chemical components were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results Out of 13 isolates, Isolate 1 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa CP043328.1. It was resistant to clindamycin, ertapenem, penicillin G, amoxicillin, cephalothin and kanamycin but sensitive to imipenem, meropenem, and gentamycin. Its extract demonstrated antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration value of 0.098 against Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10102) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25925) and 0.391 mg/ml against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 25933). The extract revealed DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration value of 0.650 mg/ml and 0.15 mg/ml, respectively. The GC-MS revealed a total of 15 compounds with diisooctyl phthalate (50.51%) and [1, 2, 4] oxadiazole, 5-benzyl-3 (10.44%) as major components. Conclusions P. aeruginosa CP043328.1 produced secondary metabolites with antibacterial and antioxidant activities.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1784
Author(s):  
Azher Arafah ◽  
Muneeb U. Rehman ◽  
Tahir Maqbool Mir ◽  
Adil Farooq Wali ◽  
Rayeesa Ali ◽  
...  

Extensive research has been carried out during the last few decades, providing a detailed account of thousands of discovered phytochemicals and their biological activities that have the potential to be exploited for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. These phytochemicals, which are pharmacologically important for clinical use, primarily consist of polyphenols, followed by terpenoids and alkaloids. There are numerous published reports indicating the primary role of phytochemicals proven to possess therapeutic potential against several diseases. However, not all phytochemicals possess significant medicinal properties, and only some of them exhibit viable biological effects. Naringenin, a flavanone found in citrus fruits, is known to improve immunity, repair DNA damage, and scavenge free radicals. Despite the very low bioavailability of naringenin, it is known to exhibit various promising biological properties of medicinal importance, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This review focuses on the various aspects related to naringenin, particularly its physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties. Furthermore, various pharmacological activities of naringenin, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, and gastroprotective effects, have been discussed along with their mechanisms of action.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Javad Sharifi-Rad ◽  
Cristina Quispe ◽  
Cristian Valdés Vergara ◽  
Dusanka Kitic ◽  
Milica Kostic ◽  
...  

The genus Viburnum (Adoxaceae, Dipsacales) is of scientific interest due to the chemical components and diverse biological activities found across species of the genus, which includes more than 230 species of evergreen, semievergreen, or deciduous shrubs and small trees. Although frequently used as an ornament, the Viburnum species show biological properties with health-promoting effects. Fruits, flowers, and barks of certain species are used for pharmaceutical purposes or as cooking ingredients, hence containing biochemical compounds with health-promoting activity such are carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. However, its taxonomical determination is difficult, due to its wide distribution and frequent hybridizations; therefore, an objective classification would allow us to understand its biological activity based on its phytochemical components. More than sixty phytochemical compounds have been reported, where vibsanin-type diterpenes and their derivatives are the most prevalent. Leaves and twigs of V. dilatatum contain the largest number of phytochemicals among the genus. Through preclinical evidence, this study provides insight regarding antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and anticancer activities of genus Viburnum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1997-2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ze-Feng Wang ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Yong-An Yang ◽  
Hai-Liang Zhu

: Plants have always been an important source of medicines for humans, and licorice is a very significant herb in the development of humans. As a traditional herb, it is widely cultivated in China, Japan, Russia, Spain and India. With the development of organic chemistry and biochemistry, various chemical ingredients extracted from licorice have been studied and identified. Among them, many chemical components were considered to have strong pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, anticancer and so on. Based on those reports, licorice has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years, and they are devoted to discovering the active ingredients and mechanism of action of active compounds. Licorice flavonoids are one of the main extracts of licorice root and stem and have many potential biological properties. This paper aims to summarize the four kinds of licorice flavonoids, including liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone (including licochalcone A and licochalcone B) and glabridin, about their biological activities of anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial.


Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Cid-Pérez ◽  
Raúl Ávila-Sosa ◽  
Carlos Ochoa-Velasco ◽  
Blanca Rivera-Chavira ◽  
Guadalupe Nevárez-Moorillón

Poliomintha longiflora is a Mexican oregano, which has not been widely studied. This work aimed to describe the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities present in P. longiflora essential oil (EO), the hydrosol from EO extraction and extracts from waste solid residues (WSRs), identified as ethanol extract, ethyl acetate extract and the subfractions of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts. The chemical characterization of the EO, hydrosol and WSR extracts was performed by GC–MS and HPLC. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using two methods, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella Typhimurium. Thirty-one chemical components were identified in the EO. The subfractions from the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts contain methylmaleic anhydride, thymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, thymol acetate, carvacrol acetate, and phenolic acids. The EO presented the highest biological activities for antioxidant (136.05 mg equivalent of ascorbic acid/g (AAE/g); IC50 83.70 μg/mL of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) and antimicrobial tests (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 250–750 mg/L), while the hydrosol and the ethyl acetate extract from WSRs had the lowest antioxidant activity (14.16 and 12.29 mg AAE/g respectively), and the hydrosol had the lowest antimicrobial activity (MIC of 3000 mg/L). The data suggest that Mexican oregano P. longiflora hydrosol and extracts from waste solid residues can still have compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-201
Author(s):  
Ahmet Emir ◽  
Ceren Emir

Many species of the Allium genus, principally the cultivated forms, are widely used as vegetables, spices and natural therapeutics due to their beneficial health properties. This study aimed to identify the phenolic composition and biological activities of the bulb, stem and flower parts of Allium pallens L., collected from two different localities. A total of 28 phenolic compounds were investigated by LC-ESI-MS/MS, and gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and benzoic acid were found to be the major phenolic compounds in the plants from both locations. Total phenolic- and flavonoid-content analyses of samples were carried out using spectrophotometry, and the stem extracts were found to be rich in phenolics. DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC assays were used to determine the antioxidant capacities of the extracts. A linear relation was observed between the phenolic contents of the extracts and their antioxidant activities, and the stem extracts of plants from both locations were found to have potent antioxidant capacity. The inhibitory activities of the extracts against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and tyrosinase were determined using a 96-well microplate reader. The antibutyrylcholinesterase activity of the extracts was found to be the highest. The outcomes of these investigations were further explored, and the underlying structure of multivariate data was revealed using principal component analysis. This study presents the distribution of chemical constituents and biological activities of the different parts of A. pallens, and also contributes to further investigations of Allium species.


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