Genus Viburnum: Therapeutic Potentialities and Agro-Food-Pharma Applications

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.

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Lactoferrin, a bird’s eye view

Biochemistry and Cell Biology ◽

10.1139/o2012-016 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. 233-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 132

Author(s):

Hans J. Vogel

Keyword(s):

Bone Growth ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Bovine Milk ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Iron Binding ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Bodily Fluids ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Iron Binding Protein ◽

Orally Active

Lactoferrin is an abundant iron-binding protein in milk. This 80 kDa bilobal glycoprotein is also present in several other secreted bodily fluids, as well as in the secondary granules of neutrophils. The potent iron-binding properties of lactoferrin can locally create iron deficiency, and this is an important factor in host defense as it prevents bacteria from growing and forming biofilms. In addition to having antibacterial activity, lactoferrin is now known to have a long list of other beneficial biological properties. It has direct antiviral, antifungal, and even some anticancer activities. It can also promote wound healing and bone growth, or it can act as an iron carrier. Moreover, lactoferrin displays a cytokine-like “alarmin” activity, and it activates the immune system. Simultaneously, it can bind endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), and in doing so, it modulates the activity of the host immune response. The majority of these intriguing biological activities reside in the unique positively charged N-terminal region of the protein. Interestingly, several peptides, which retain many of the beneficial activities, can be released from this region of lactoferrin. An isoform of the human protein, known as delta-lactoferrin, is expressed inside many cells, where it acts as a transcription factor. Lactoferrin purified from human and bovine milk have very similar but not completely identical properties. Lactoferrin receptors have been identified on the surface of various cells, and some of these can bind both the human and the bovine protein. Because of the extensive health-promoting effects of lactoferrin, there has been considerable interest in the use of bovine or human lactoferrin as a “protein nutraceutical” or as a therapeutic protein. When lactoferrin is used as a “biologic drug”, it seems to be orally active in contrast to most other therapeutic proteins.

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Phenolic Compounds of Rumex roseus L. Extracts and Their Effect as Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/2029507 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Mohamed Marouane Saoudi ◽

Jalloul Bouajila ◽

Khaled Alouani

Keyword(s):

Volatile Compounds ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Chemical Components ◽

Cytotoxic Activities ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Before And After ◽

Hydroxybutanoic Acid ◽

Chemical Groups

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.

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An Insight into Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Nutritional Properties of Arbutus unedo L. from Morocco

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/1794621 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Mohammed El Haouari ◽

Najat Assem ◽

Sushil Changan ◽

Manoj Kumar ◽

Sevgi Durna Daştan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scientific Evidence ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Toxicity Tests ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Arbutus Unedo ◽

Biochemical Compounds ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Phytochemical Compounds ◽

Insight Into ◽

Important Medicinal Plant

Arbutus unedo L. (Ericaceae) is an evergreen shrub widely distributed in the Mediterranean region, particularly through the Moroccan forests. It is an important medicinal plant of great scientific interest due to its nutritional, pharmacological, and chemical properties. The objective of this review is to provide insights into traditional medicinal uses and phytochemical and pharmacological properties of A. unedo from Morocco. In Morocco, the plant has been used as a traditional medicine to treat several pathological conditions. Many phytochemical compounds have been reported in the plant, of which vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and their derivatives are the most prevalent. Leaves and fruits of A. unedo contain the most significant number of phytochemicals among the species. Furthermore, researchers have demonstrated that A. unedo exhibited antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiaggregant, and antihypertensive activities due to the presence of many biochemical compounds with health-promoting properties. According to different toxicity tests, the use of A. unedo is devoid of any significant side effects and/or toxicity. Despite its nutraceutical and health-promoting properties, Moroccan A. unedo remains underexploited mainly, and most of its traditional uses have not yet undergone scientific evidence-based research; therefore, improved knowledge about the potential value of the plant would allow understanding of its biological activity based on its phytochemical compounds that may contribute to the species preservation and valorization.

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Plant Foods and Underutilized Fruits as Source of Functional Food Ingredients: Chemical Composition, Quality Traits, and Biological Properties

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9101474 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1474 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dario Donno ◽

Federica Turrini

Keyword(s):

Functional Food ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Well Being ◽

Food Supplement ◽

Biological Properties ◽

The Novel ◽

Food Ingredients ◽

Health Maintenance ◽

Plant Foods ◽

Health Promoting

Changes in lifestyle and demographics, rising consumer incomes, and shifting preferences due to advanced knowledge about the relationships between food and health contribute to generate new needs in the food supply. Today, the role of food is not only intended as hunger satisfaction and nutrient supply but also as an opportunity to prevent nutrition-related diseases and improve physical and mental well-being. For this reason, there is a growing interest in the novel or less well-known plant foods that offer an opportunity for health maintenance. Recently, interest in plant foods and underutilized fruits is continuously growing, and agrobiodiversity exploitation offers effective and extraordinary potentialities. Plant foods could be an important source of health-promoting compounds and functional food ingredients with beneficial properties: the description of the quality and physicochemical traits, the identification and quantification of bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of their biological activities are important to assess plant food efficacy as functional foods or source of food supplement ingredients.

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Alkaloids Produced by Endophytic Fungi: A Review

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1200700742 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 1934578X1200700 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Yanyan Zhang ◽

Ting Han ◽

Qianliang Ming ◽

Lingshang Wu ◽

Khalid Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endophytic Fungi ◽

Host Plants ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Research Progress ◽

Indole Derivatives ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Action Mechanisms ◽

The Future ◽

Potential Applications

In recent years, a number of alkaloids have been discovered from endophytic fungi in plants, which exhibited excellent biological properties such as antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, and anticancer activities. This review mainly deals with the research progress on endophytic fungi for producing bioactive alkaloids such as quinoline and isoquinoline, amines and amides, indole derivatives, pyridines, and quinazolines. The biological activities and action mechanisms of these alkaloids from endophytic fungi are also introduced. Furthermore, the relationships between alkaloid-producing endophytes and their host plants, as well as their potential applications in the future are discussed.

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Artemisia annua, a Traditional Plant Brought to Light

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21144986 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (14) ◽

pp. 4986 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Axelle Septembre-Malaterre ◽

Mahary Lalarizo Rakoto ◽

Claude Marodon ◽

Yosra Bedoui ◽

Jessica Nakab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Artemisia Annua ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Chemical Components ◽

Traditional Remedies ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Immunomodulatory Properties

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.

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Biological Properties of 6-Gingerol: A Brief Review

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1400900736 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 1934578X1400900 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Shaopeng Wang ◽

Caihua Zhang ◽

Guang Yang ◽

Yanzong Yang

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Inhibition Of Angiogenesis ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Pharmacologically Active

Numerous studies have revealed that regular consumption of certain fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of many diseases. The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (ginger) is consumed worldwide as a spice and herbal medicine. It contains pungent phenolic substances collectively known as gingerols. 6-Gingerol is the major pharmacologically-active component of ginger. It is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation. 6-Gingerol has been found to possess anticancer activities via its effect on a variety of biological pathways involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, cytotoxic activity, and inhibition of angiogenesis. Thus, due to its efficacy and regulation of multiple targets, as well as its safety for human use, 6-gingerol has received considerable interest as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases. Taken together, this review summarizes the various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological aspects of 6-gingerol and the underlying mechanisms.

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Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12030872 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 872 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Gaber El-Saber Batiha ◽

Amany Magdy Beshbishy ◽

Lamiaa G. Wasef ◽

Yaser H. A. Elewa ◽

Ahmed A. Al-Sagan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Allium Sativum ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Herbaceous Plant ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Active Constituent ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

Traditional Remedy

Medicinal plants have been used from ancient times for human healthcare as in the form of traditional medicines, spices, and other food components. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an aromatic herbaceous plant that is consumed worldwide as food and traditional remedy for various diseases. It has been reported to possess several biological properties including anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, renoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antihypertensive activities in traditional medicines. A. sativum is rich in several sulfur-containing phytoconstituents such as alliin, allicin, ajoenes, vinyldithiins, and flavonoids such as quercetin. Extracts and isolated compounds of A. sativum have been evaluated for various biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities among others. This review examines the phytochemical composition, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological activities of A. sativum extracts as well as its main active constituent, allicin.

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Biological Properties of Some Volatile Phenylpropanoids

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1601101041 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 1934578X1601101 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Radmila Ilijeva ◽

Gerhard Buchbauer

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Mechanism Of Action ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Pharmaceutical Industries ◽

Almost All

Plants and their extracts are the new field of interest for many scientists and also of some pharmaceutical industries. In order to provide more information for their usage in the prevention and treatment of diseases many clinical trials and researches are being carried out. In this review the biological activities and the mechanism of action of volatile phenylpropanoids (PPs) found in essential oils (EOs) are presented. The aim of this overview is to show that volatile PPs found in EOs can exert many of the biological activities which are generally attributed to EOs. Almost all of the PPs possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. These are related to the different substitution of the phenylpropane molecule. For each isolated group not only one, but more pharmacological activities can be credited.

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Underutilised fruits: a review of phytochemistry and biological properties

Journal of Food Bioactives ◽

10.31665/jfb.2018.1124 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmad Hasan Salahuddin Mirfat ◽

Ismail Amin ◽

Kassim Nur Kartinee ◽

Hamid Muhajir ◽

Mat Ali Mohd Shukri

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Fruit Species ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Health Significance ◽

Canarium Odontophyllum

Underutilised fruits are not only important sources of food and nutrition, but also secure household income especially for rural and farm communities. However, some of the underutilised fruits have not received much attention as compared to commercial fruits. This could be due to their lack of knowledge of their potential values. Hence, information about their health promoting properties is critical to increase the value of underutilised fruit species to enhance their preservation and sustainable use in strengthening food, nutrition, health and livelihood security. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the phytochemical properties and biological activities of underutilised fruit species grown in Malaysia focussing on health promoting aspects. With regard to phytochemistry, only 21 species of underutilised fruits have been identified and quantified. Phytochemical investigations of various parts of the fruits have revealed the presence of over 100 phytochemicals which are phenolics, terpenoids, carotenoids and other miscellaneous compounds. About 51 underutilised fruit species have been explored for interesting biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, cytotoxicity, antiatherosclerotic, antihyperlipidemia, antidiabetic, cytoprotective, cardioprotective and antiplatelet activities) supporting their diverse traditional uses. Different parts of the fruits have been analysed mainly in vitro and barely in vivo, with pulp being the most dominant. Of all the underutilised fruits studied, Mangifera species and Canarium odontophyllum have been the major focus for researchers. The gaps obtained from this review create further research opportunities to add to the current knowledge of health promoting properties of underutilised fruits in Malaysia. More studies are needed to confirm the health significance and explain their mechanisms of action in order to fully understand the real potential of this underutilised fruit species.

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