Editorial: Plastid-derived Natural Products of Medicinal Use – (Part I)

Bacterial infections of skin and wounds may seriously decrease the quality of life and even cause death in some patients. One of the largest concerns in their treatment is the growing antimicrobial resistance of bacterial infectious agents and the spread of resistant strains not only in the hospitals but also in the community. This trend encourages researchers to seek for new effective and safe therapeutical agents. The pharmaceutical industry, focusing mainly on libraries of synthetic compounds as a drug discovery source, is often failing in the battle with bacteria. In contrast, many of the natural compounds, and/or the whole and complex plants extracts, are effective in this field, inactivating the resistant bacterial strains or decreasing their virulence. Natural products act comprehensively; many of them have not only antibacterial, but also anti-inflammatory effects and may support tissue regeneration and wound healing. The European legislative is in the field of natural products medicinal use formed by European Medicines Agency (EMA), based on the scientific work of its Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). HMPC establishes EU monographs covering the therapeutic uses and safe conditions for herbal substances and preparations, mostly based on folk medicine, but including data from scientific research. In this review, the medicinal plants and their active constituents recommended by EMA for skin disorders are discussed in terms of their antibacterial effect. The source of information about these plant products in the review is represented by research articles listed in scientific databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) published in recent years.

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Mechanochemical Solid State Reactions of Natural Products for Medicinal Use Containing Hydroxyanthraquinone Derivatives

YAKUGAKU ZASSHI ◽

10.1248/yakushi1947.111.11_665 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 111 (11) ◽

pp. 665-671 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Masayuki KUZUYA ◽

Hideya SAKATA ◽

Shinichi KONDO ◽

Akihiro NOGUCHI

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Solid State ◽

Solid State Reactions ◽

Medicinal Use

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A Review on Pharmacological Properties of Zingerone (4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone)

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2015/816364 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Bilal Ahmad ◽

Muneeb U. Rehman ◽

Insha Amin ◽

Ahmad Arif ◽

Saiema Rasool ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Reactive Nitrogen Species ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Pharmacological Properties ◽

Immune Stimulation ◽

Nitrogen Species ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Medicinal Use ◽

Shed Light ◽

Human And Animal Diseases

Humans have been using natural products for medicinal use for ages. Natural products of therapeutic importance are compounds derived from plants, animals, or any microorganism. Ginger is also one of the most commonly used condiments and a natural drug in vogue. It is a traditional medicine, having some active ingredients used for the treatment of numerous diseases. During recent research on ginger, various ingredients like zingerone, shogaol, and paradol have been obtained from it. Zingerone (4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone) is a nontoxic and inexpensive compound with varied pharmacological activities. It is the least pungent component ofZingiber officinale. Zingerone is absent in fresh ginger but cooking or heating transforms gingerol to zingerone. Zingerone closely related to vanillin from vanilla and eugenol from clove. Zingerone has potent anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antilipolytic, antidiarrhoeic, antispasmodic, and so forth properties. Besides, it displays the property of enhancing growth and immune stimulation. It behaves as appetite stimulant, anxiolytic, antithrombotic, radiation protective, and antimicrobial. Also, it inhibits the reactive nitrogen species which are important in causing Alzheimer’s disease and many other disorders. This review is written to shed light on the various pharmacological properties of zingerone and its role in alleviating numerous human and animal diseases.

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