scholarly journals Phytotoxic Effects and Mechanism of Action of Essential Oils and Terpenoids

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1571
Author(s):  
Mercedes Verdeguer ◽  
Adela M. Sánchez-Moreiras ◽  
Fabrizio Araniti
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Herbicidal Activity ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Modes Of Action ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Phytotoxic Activity ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Potential Mode

Weeds are one of the major constraints in crop production affecting both yield and quality. The excessive and exclusive use of synthetic herbicides for their management is increasing the development of herbicide-resistant weeds and is provoking risks for the environment and human health. Therefore, the development of new herbicides with multitarget-site activity, new modes of action and low impact on the environment and health are badly needed. The study of plant–plant interactions through the release of secondary metabolites could be a starting point for the identification of new molecules with herbicidal activity. Essential oils (EOs) and their components, mainly terpenoids, as pure natural compounds or in mixtures, because of their structural diversity and strong phytotoxic activity, could be good candidates for the development of new bioherbicides or could serve as a basis for the development of new natural-like low impact synthetic herbicides. EOs and terpenoids have been largely studied for their phytotoxicity and several evidences on their modes of action have been highlighted in the last decades through the use of integrated approaches. The review is focused on the knowledge concerning the phytotoxicity of these molecules, their putative target, as well as their potential mode of action.

Herbicidal Activity of Three Sesquiterpene Lactones on Wild Oat (Avena fatua) and Their Possible Mode of Action

Weed Science ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir A. M. Abdelgaleil ◽  
Neama Abdel-Razeek ◽  
Salah A. Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Acetolactate Synthase ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Herbicidal Activity ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Oat ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Phytotoxic Activity ◽  
Starting Point

Inhibitory effects of two sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide and parthenolide, isolated from dichloromethane extract of the stem bark of southern magnolia and a parthenolide derivative, 1,10-epoxyparthenolide, were evaluated on germination and seedling growth of wild oat. The sesquiterpene lactones effected a significant reduction of seed germination, particularly at the highest concentrations of 200, 400, and 600 mg L−1, with costunolide being the most active one. Furthermore, the three sesquiterpenes strongly inhibited root and shoot growth of the weed. However, the inhibition of root growth by all compounds was greater than that of shoot growth. Parthenolide inhibited growth of both root and shoot more strongly than the other compounds and a reference herbicide imazamethabenz. At a concentration of 100 mg L−1, parthenolide caused 87 and 41% growth inhibition of root and shoot, respectively. Parthenolide was tested for its effect on acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity. The compound inhibited the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner, with 50% inhibition of 51.44 µM. The results of this study indicated that the herbicidal activity of the isolated sesquiterpene may be attributed to inhibition of ALS. The promising phytotoxic activity of sesquitepene lactones reported here could be considered a starting point for developing environmentally safer herbicides.

scholarly journals Multi-Targeting Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Essential Oils as Kinase Inhibitors

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Maruca ◽  
Delia Lanzillotta ◽  
Roberta Rocca ◽  
Antonio Lupia ◽  
Giosuè Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Target Action ◽  
Potential Resource

Essential oils (EOs) are popular in aromatherapy, a branch of alternative medicine that claims their curative effects. Moreover, several studies reported EOs as potential anti-cancer agents by inducing apoptosis in different cancer cell models. In this study, we have considered EOs as a potential resource of new kinase inhibitors with a polypharmacological profile. On the other hand, computational methods offer the possibility to predict the theoretical activity profile of ligands, discovering dangerous off-targets and/or synergistic effects due to the potential multi-target action. With this aim, we performed a Structure-Based Virtual Screening (SBVS) against X-ray models of several protein kinases selected from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) by using a chemoinformatics database of EOs. By evaluating theoretical binding affinity, 13 molecules were detected among EOs as new potential kinase inhibitors with a multi-target profile. The two compounds with higher percentages in the EOs were studied more in depth by means Induced Fit Docking (IFD) protocol, in order to better predict their binding modes taking into account also structural changes in the receptor. Finally, given its good binding affinity towards five different kinases, cinnamyl cinnamate was biologically tested on different cell lines with the aim to verify the antiproliferative activity. Thus, this work represents a starting point for the optimization of the most promising EOs structure as kinase inhibitors with multi-target features.

scholarly journals Natural Molecules and Neuroprotection: Kynurenic Acid, Pantethine and α-Lipoic Acid

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 403
Author(s):  
Fanni Tóth ◽  
Edina Katalin Cseh ◽  
László Vécsei
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Kynurenic Acid ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Glutamate Excitotoxicity ◽  
Neuroprotective Agents ◽  
Starting Point

The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases has increased greatly worldwide due to the rise in life expectancy. In spite of notable development in the understanding of these disorders, there has been limited success in the development of neuroprotective agents that can slow the progression of the disease and prevent neuronal death. Some natural products and molecules are very promising neuroprotective agents because of their structural diversity and wide variety of biological activities. In addition to their neuroprotective effect, they are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects and often serve as a starting point for drug discovery. In this review, the following natural molecules are discussed: firstly, kynurenic acid, the main neuroprotective agent formed via the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, as it is known mainly for its role in glutamate excitotoxicity, secondly, the dietary supplement pantethine, that is many sided, well tolerated and safe, and the third molecule, α-lipoic acid is a universal antioxidant. As a conclusion, because of their beneficial properties, these molecules are potential candidates for neuroprotective therapies suitable in managing neurodegenerative diseases.

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of essential oils and their components including modes of action

2017 ◽  
pp. 99-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio A. Zygadlo ◽  
María P. Zunino ◽  
Romina P. Pizzolitto ◽  
Carolina Merlo ◽  
Alejandra Omarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Modes Of Action

scholarly journals Potential for sustainable irrigation expansion in a 3 °C warmer climate

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (47) ◽  
pp. 29526-29534
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Rosa ◽  
Davide Danilo Chiarelli ◽  
Matteo Sangiorgio ◽  
Areidy Aracely Beltran-Peña ◽  
Maria Cristina Rulli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Irrigation Water Demand ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sustainable Irrigation

Climate change is expected to affect crop production worldwide, particularly in rain-fed agricultural regions. It is still unknown how irrigation water needs will change in a warmer planet and where freshwater will be locally available to expand irrigation without depleting freshwater resources. Here, we identify the rain-fed cropping systems that hold the greatest potential for investment in irrigation expansion because water will likely be available to suffice irrigation water demand. Using projections of renewable water availability and irrigation water demand under warming scenarios, we identify target regions where irrigation expansion may sustain crop production under climate change. Our results also show that global rain-fed croplands hold significant potential for sustainable irrigation expansion and that different irrigation strategies have different irrigation expansion potentials. Under a 3 °C warming, we find that a soft-path irrigation expansion with small monthly water storage and deficit irrigation has the potential to expand irrigated land by 70 million hectares and feed 300 million more people globally. We also find that a hard-path irrigation expansion with large annual water storage can sustainably expand irrigation up to 350 million hectares, while producing food for 1.4 billion more people globally. By identifying where irrigation can be expanded under a warmer climate, this work may serve as a starting point for investigating socioeconomic factors of irrigation expansion and may guide future research and resources toward those agricultural communities and water management institutions that will most need to adapt to climate change.

scholarly journals Sphinganine-Analog Mycotoxins (SAMs): Chemical Structures, Bioactivities, and Genetic Controls

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Jia Chen ◽  
Zhimin Li ◽  
Yi Cheng ◽  
Chunsheng Gao ◽  
Litao Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene Cluster ◽  
Sphingolipid Metabolism ◽  
Interspecific Difference ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Chemical Structures

Sphinganine-analog mycotoxins (SAMs) including fumonisins and A. alternata f. sp. Lycopersici (AAL) toxins are a group of related mycotoxins produced by plant pathogenic fungi in the Fusarium genus and in Alternaria alternata f. sp. Lycopersici, respectively. SAMs have shown diverse cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity, causing adverse impacts on plants, animals, and humans, and are a destructive force to crop production worldwide. This review summarizes the structural diversity of SAMs and encapsulates the relationships between their structures and biological activities. The toxicity of SAMs on plants and animals is mainly attributed to their inhibitory activity against the ceramide biosynthesis enzyme, influencing the sphingolipid metabolism and causing programmed cell death. We also reviewed the detoxification methods against SAMs and how plants develop resistance to SAMs. Genetic and evolutionary analyses revealed that the FUM (fumonisins biosynthetic) gene cluster was responsible for fumonisin biosynthesis in Fusarium spp. Sequence comparisons among species within the genus Fusarium suggested that mutations and multiple horizontal gene transfers involving the FUM gene cluster were responsible for the interspecific difference in fumonisin synthesis. We finish by describing methods for monitoring and quantifying SAMs in food and agricultural products.

scholarly journals Phytotoxic activity of benzenesulfonamide derivatives. Part IV. Herbicidal activity of N-(2,3-epoxypropyl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives.

1985 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 3265-3269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi YONEYAMA ◽  
Nobumasa ICHIZEN ◽  
Makoto KONNAI ◽  
Tetsuo TAKEMATSU ◽  
Kazuyuki USHINOHAMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbicidal Activity ◽  
Phytotoxic Activity

scholarly journals Colletotrichum higginsianum as a Model for Understanding Host–Pathogen Interactions: A Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqin Yan ◽  
Qinfeng Yuan ◽  
Jintian Tang ◽  
Junbin Huang ◽  
Tom Hsiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Structure ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Infection Structure ◽  
Colletotrichum Higginsianum ◽  
Excellent Starting Point ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Extensive Information ◽  
Ascomycetous Fungus

Colletotrichum higginsianum is a hemibiotrophic ascomycetous fungus that causes economically important anthracnose diseases on numerous monocot and dicot crops worldwide. As a model pathosystem, the Colletotrichum–Arabidopsis interaction has the significant advantage that both organisms can be manipulated genetically. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the system and to point out recent significant studies that update our understanding of the pathogenesis of C. higginsianum and resistance mechanisms of Arabidopsis against this hemibiotrophic fungus. The genome sequence of C. higginsianum has provided insights into how genome structure and pathogen genetic variability has been shaped by transposable elements, and allows systematic approaches to longstanding areas of investigation, including infection structure differentiation and fungal–plant interactions. The Arabidopsis-Colletotrichum pathosystem provides an integrated system, with extensive information on the host plant and availability of genomes for both partners, to illustrate many of the important concepts governing fungal–plant interactions, and to serve as an excellent starting point for broad perspectives into issues in plant pathology.

scholarly journals Effect of Short and Long Term Irrigation with Treated Wastewater on Chemical Composition and Herbicidal Activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. Essential Oils

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 1374-1381
Author(s):  
Aya MAALOUL ◽  
Mercedes VERDEGUER SANCHO ◽  
Martina ODDO ◽  
Ezzeddine SAADAOUI ◽  
Monia JEBRI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis ◽  
Herbicidal Activity ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Digital Object Identifier ◽  
Phytotoxic Activity ◽  
Old Trees

Water shortage throughout the world, especially in arid regions in the later decades has led to search for alternatives to save potable fresh water. Treated wastewater (TWW) appears to be an opportunity for irrigation. However, it could represent a stress factor for plants, and influence their metabolism, changing their secondary metabolites and, consequently, their biological properties. Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil (EO) had been reported to possess phytotoxic activity. The main objective of this work was to compare the chemical composition and herbicidal activity of E. camaldulensis EO obtained from leaves of young plants and old trees irrigated with well water (WW) and TWW. Germination tests were performed in vitro against Amaranthus hybridus, Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli and Lolium perenne. The EOs composition was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A high percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes, with 1,8-cineole as main compound, was found in the EOs from leaves of young plants irrigated with both types of water. The EO from leaves of old trees irrigated with WW contained a main fraction of monoterpene hydrocarbons (45.17%) with p-cymene as principal compound. The highest herbicidal potential was shown by the EO from young plants irrigated with TWW. It completely inhibited A. hybridus and L. perenne germination, and nearly blocked the others at all concentrations assayed. It also showed strong phytotoxic activity on seedling length. The results suggest the possible use of TWW to irrigate Eucalyptus crops as it enhances the EOs herbicidal potential that could be used as natural herbicides.   In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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