scholarly journals Recent Progress of Propolis for Its Biological and Chemical Compositions and Its Botanical Origin

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Cristina Toreti ◽  
Helia Harumi Sato ◽  
Glaucia Maria Pastore ◽  
Yong Kun Park

Propolis is the generic name given to the product obtained from resinous substances, which is gummy and balsamic and which is collected by bees from flowers, buds, and exudates of plants. It is a popular folk medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities. These biological properties are related to its chemical composition and more specifically to the phenolic compounds that vary in their structure and concentration depending on the region of production, availability of sources to collect plant resins, genetic variability of the queen bee, the technique used for production, and the season in which propolis is produced. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journal, and several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the chemical compounds and biological activity of propolis. This paper presents a review on the publications on propolis and patents of applications and biological constituents of propolis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Mohamed Marouane Saoudi ◽  
Jalloul Bouajila ◽  
Rami Rahmani ◽  
Khaled Alouani

Rumex crispus L. (R. crispus) is regarded as an aromatic plant. It was used for its excellent biological properties in traditional medicine. The aerial part was extracted successively by maceration with three solvents increasing polarity (cyclohexane (CYH), dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH)) to evaluate their chemical compositions and biological activities. The extracts were rich in phenolic compounds (13.0 to 249.8 mg GAE/g of dry weight (dw)). The MeOH extract has presented remarkable IC50 = 6.2 μg/mL for anti-DPPH and 31.6 μg/mL for anti-AChE. However, the DCM extract has the highest cytotoxic activity against the two cancer cells (HCT-116 and MCF-7) (69.2 and 77.2% inhibition at 50 μg/mL, respectively). Interestingly, GC-MS analysis enabled to identify three new compounds in R. crispus extracts, such as L-(−)-arabitol (5), D-(−) fructopyranose (7) detected only in MeOH extract, and 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (3) detected in all extracts. For HPLC chromatograms, cardamonin (8), 5-hydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone (17), and 3′-hydroxy-b-naphthoflavone (18) showed the highest concentrations of 74.0, 55.5, and 50.4 mg/g of dw, respectively, among others who are identified. Some phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC in more than one organic extract, such as 4′, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (13), 4′, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (14), 5-hydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone (17), and 3′-hydroxy-b-naphthoflavone (18), were found for the first time in the R. crispus extracts. Our results showed that the biological activities of this plant might be linked to their phenolic compounds and that the polar extracts could be considered as new natural supplements to be used in food and pharmaceuticals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-393
Author(s):  
Fernanda W.F. Bezerra ◽  
Priscila do N. Bezerra ◽  
Mozaniel S. de Oliveira ◽  
Wanessa A. da Costa ◽  
Gracialda C. Ferreira ◽  
...  

Background: Croton species are widely spread around the world, and present a varied chemical composition distributed in many classes of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoides, alkaloids, phenolic compounds and phenylpropanoids. These compounds can be obtained by different extraction methods, and more recently, with supercritical fluids. The crude and isolated extracts may have applications due to their biological activities in animals and humans. Methods: The text was written based on literature data from 1996 onwards. Results: The research showed in a concise way the botanical and taxonomic aspects of Croton and the success of its application is in studies related to the biological activities of the plant parts. It was also related to the chemical composition of its extracts and isolated compounds, obtained by many methods. Conclusion: In summary, the review feature studies reported the use of extracts and isolated Croton compounds due to their biological effects with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antitumor, anticancer, cytotoxic, insecticidal and allelopathic activities, with potential application in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals products.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Garzoli ◽  
Valentina Laghezza Masci ◽  
Elisa Ovidi ◽  
Giovanni Turchetti ◽  
Daniele Zago ◽  
...  

The pepper tree Schinus molle L. is an evergreen ornamental plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, native to South America and widespread throughout the world. It has biological activities and is used in folk medicine. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper knowledge of its chemical composition and biological properties. S. molle leaf extracts were obtained by sequential extraction with solvents of different polarities and subsequently tested on the HL-60 human leukaemia cell line to define a possible cytotoxic activity. Among the investigated extracts, the petroleum ether extract revealed a high cytotoxic activity, and its chemical composition was further investigated. By a silica column chromatography, eight fractions were obtained, and their compositions were determined by GC-MS analysis. Compounds and relative abundance differed widely among the fractions; sesquiterpenes resulted the main component and alcoholic sesquiterpenes the most abundant.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (17) ◽  
pp. 3831
Author(s):  
Nair Silva Macêdo ◽  
Zildene de Sousa Silveira ◽  
Antonio Henrique Bezerra ◽  
José Galberto Martins da Costa ◽  
Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho ◽  
...  

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart., popularly known as “Jucá” or “Pau-ferro”, belongs to the Fabaceae family, and is classified as a native and endemic species in Brazil. Numerous studies that portray its ethnobotany, chemical composition, and biological activities exist in the literature. The present study aimed to systematically review publications addressing the botanical aspects, uses in popular medicine, phytochemical composition, and bioactivities of C. ferrea. The searches focused on publications from 2015 to March 2020 using the Scopus, Periódicos Capes, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases. The leaves, fruits, seeds, and bark from C. ferrea are used in popular medicine to treat disorders affecting several systems, including the circulatory, immune, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and conjunctive systems. The most commonly found chemical classes in phytochemical studies are flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and other phenolic compounds. The biological properties of the extracts and isolated compounds of C. ferrea most cited in the literature were antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and healing potential. However, further studies are still needed to clarify a link between its traditional uses, the active compounds, and the reported pharmacological activities, as well as detailed research to determine the toxicological profile of C. ferrea.


2021 ◽  
pp. 5-26
Author(s):  
Erkin Khozhiakbarovich Botirov ◽  
Viktoriya Mikhaylovna Bonacheva ◽  
Natalya Eduardovna Kolomiets

The review summarizes the scientific literature on the degree of knowledge of the chemical composition and biological activity of metabolites and plant extracts of the genus Equisetum L. of the world flora. Many types of horsetail are widely used in folk medicine as a diuretic, hemostatic, as well as for pulmonary tuberculosis and skin diseases, ulcers, dropsy, jaundice, as a heart remedy, for diseases of the kidneys, bladder, etc. Based on extracts of the horsetail canes (Equisetum arvense L.) a number of drugs and biologically active additives with a wide spectrum of pharmacological action have been created. The review presents data on the structural diversity and biological activity of metabolites of plants of the genus Equisetum L. Information is provided on the composition of the metabolites of 16 species of the genus Equisetum L., the structure and sources of more than 200 natural substances related to terpenoids, phytosterols, brassinosteroids, vitamins, alkaloids and other nitrogen-containing compounds , lignans, styryl pyrones, indanones, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, hydrocarbons, aldehydes and phenolic compounds. The main biologically active substances of plants of the genus Equisetum are flavonoids and other plant phenolic compounds. Extracts and individual compounds possess antioxidant, diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antimutagenic, sedative, anxiolytic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory properties. An analysis of literature data shows that plants of the genus Equisetum are promising for the creation of new effective drugs. The information presented in the review can be used as reference literature by phytochemists, biologists, and pharmacologists, as well as to solve the problems of chemosystematics of plants of the genus Equisetum L.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Bety W. Hapsari ◽  
Manikharda ◽  
Widiastuti Setyaningsih

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), as an edible flower, has long provided an array of positive effects on human health. This benefit is a result of phenolic compounds that are naturally present mainly in the calyx. Plentiful medicinal remedies and functional foods based on this flower are available worldwide, as supported by the studies of phenolic compounds in recent decades. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the composition, biological activity, and beneficial effects on human health of phenolic compounds in roselle. This review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A structured search in the published literature for phenolics compositions in roselle was required prior to the evaluation on the validity of the reported analytical methods. Reliable identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in roselle can be achieved by employing the proper extraction and separation methods. With ample alternative analytical methods discussed here, this review provided an aid for comprehending and selecting the most appropriate method for a particular study. The applications of the analytical methods highlighted indicated that phenolic acids, flavonoids, and their derivatives have been identified and quantified in roselle with a range of biological activities and beneficial effects on human health. It was also disclosed that the composition and concentration of phenolic compounds in roselle vary due to the growth factors, cultivars, and environmental influence. Finally, apart from the research progress carried out with roselle during the last ten years, this review also proposed relevant future works.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Woźniak ◽  
Anna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Elżbieta Hołderna-Kędzia ◽  
Katarzyna Sosnowska ◽  
Lucyna Mrówczyńska ◽  
...  

Introduction. Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a resinous material collected by honeybees with numerous biological properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Due to its health-promoting properties, propolis is a component of many products, including dietary supplements, cosmetics and healthy food. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity of propolis extracts, as well as to compare the biological activity of propolis extracts, depending on the solvent used – ethyl alcohol or propylene glycol. Material and methods. Two propolis extracts were used in the research – the first was prepared in ethyl alcohol, and the second in propylene glycol. The antimicrobial activity of the examined extracts was determined against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The antioxidant activity was determined on the basis of the evaluation of their antiradical activity in the DPPH· test and Fe2+ chelating activity. Moreover, the total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the tested extracts was determined using the colorimetric method. Results. The tested propolis extracts, regardless of the solvent used (ethyl alcohol or propylene glycol), showed high antibacterial (against S. aureus), antifungal (against C. albicans) and antioxidant (antiradical activity in the DPPH· test and ferrous iron chelating potency in the ferrozine test) activity. Moreover, both tested extracts were characterized by a high and similar content of bioactive compounds – phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Conclusions. The results of the conducted tests showed that the solvent used did not affect determined biological activity and the content of bioactive substances in the tested propolis extracts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11097
Author(s):  
Ana Lima ◽  
Filipe Arruda ◽  
Jorge Medeiros ◽  
José Baptista ◽  
João Madruga ◽  
...  

The scientific community is paying increasing attention to plant waste valorization, and also to “greener” practices in the agriculture, food and cosmetic sectors. In this context, unused forest biomass (e.g., leaves, seed cones, branches/twigs, bark and sapwood) of Cryptomeria japonica, a commercially important tree throughout Asia and the Azores Archipelago (Portugal), is currently waste/by-products of wood processing that can be converted into eco-friendly and high added-value products, such as essential oils (EOs), with social, environmental and economic impacts. Plant-derived EOs are complex mixtures of metabolites, mostly terpenes and terpenoids, with valuable bioactivities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiviral and pesticide), which can find applications in several industries, such as pharmaceutical, medical, aromatherapy, food, cosmetic, perfumery, household and agrochemical (e.g., biopesticides), with manifold approaches. The EOs components are also of value for taxonomic investigations. It is known that the variation in EOs chemical composition and, consequently, in their biological activities and commercial use, is due to different exogenous and endogenous factors that can lead to ecotypes or chemotypes in the same plant species. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the chemical composition, biological properties and proposals of valorization of C. japonica EO from several countries, and also to indicate gaps in the current knowledge.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 1934578X0800301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria I. Bilan ◽  
Anatolii I. Usov

Sulfated polysaccharides of brown algae (“fucoidans”) constitute a wide variety of biopolymers from simple sulfated fucans up to complex heteropolysaccharides composed of several neutral monosaccharides, uronic acid and sulfate. The increased interest in this class of polysaccharides is explained by their high and versatile biological activities, and hence, by their possible use in new drug design. Structural analysis of several fucoidans demonstrates that their biological properties are determined not only by charge density, but also by fine chemical structure, although distinct correlations between structure and biological activity cannot be formulated at present. The aim of this review is to describe the methods of structural analysis currently used in fucoidan chemistry, and to discuss some new information on the structures of fucoidans presented in recent publications.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radu Claudiu Fierascu ◽  
Georgeta Temocico ◽  
Irina Fierascu ◽  
Alina Ortan ◽  
Narcisa Elena Babeanu

The strawberries represent in our days one of the main fresh fruits consumed globally, inevitably leading to large amounts of by-products and wastes. Usually appreciated because of their specific flavor, the strawberries also possess biological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, or anti-inflammatory effects. In spite of the wide spread of the Fragaria genus, few species represent the subject of the last decade scientific research. The main components identified in the Fragaria species are presented, as well as several biological properties, as emerging from the scientific papers published in the last decade.


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