scholarly journals Pharmacological potential of naturally occurring nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP)

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 307-310
Author(s):  
Dhwani T. Dave ◽  
◽  
Gaurang B. Shah ◽  

Since ancient times, plants have been serving as a promising source of medicines and in recent times, extensive research has been made to isolate, characterize and screen a number of phytoconstituents/secondary plant metabolites for their pharmacological activities and safety in various disease models – both in vitro and in vivo. One such category of phytoconstituents is “polysaccharides”. These are found in different parts of the plant such as roots, leaves, stem and leaves and are extracted maximally in polar solvent – for eg. water extract of the afore mentioned plant parts contain the crude polysaccharide fraction. These are non-starch type in nature and can be a mixture of more than one type of polysaccharide too. In this review, an attempt has been made to discuss such therapeutically active plant polysaccharides in terms of their wide pharmacologically active profile along with methods to isolate and characterize them in brief.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1094-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viliam Brezani ◽  
Karel Smejkal ◽  
Jan Hosek ◽  
Veronika Tomasova

Background: Natural phenolics are secondary plant metabolites, which can be divided into several categories with the common structural feature of phenolic hydroxyl. The biological activity of phenolics is often modified and enhanced by prenylation by prenyl and geranyl; higher terpenoid chains are rare. The type of prenyl connection and modification affects their biological activity. Objective: This review summarizes information about prenylated phenols and some of their potential sources, and provides an overview of their anti-inflammatory potential in vitro and in vivo. Method: The literature search was performed using SciFinder and keywords prenyl, phenol, and inflammation. For individual compounds, an additional search was performed to find information about further activities and mechanisms of effects. Result: We summarized the effects of prenylated phenolics in vitro in cellular or biochemical systems on the production and release of inflammation-related cytokines; their effects on inhibition of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases; the effects on production of nitric oxide, antiradical and antioxidant activity; and the effect on the inhibition of the release of enzymes and mediators from neutrophils, mast cells and macrophages. The information about the antiphlogistic potential of prenylated phenolics is further supported by a review of their action in animal models. Conclusion: Almost 400 prenylated phenols were reviewed to overview their antiinflammatory effect. The bioactivity of several prenylated phenols was confirmed also using in vivo assays. A pool of natural prenylated phenols represents a source of inspiration for synthesis, and prenylated phenols as components of various medicinal plants used to combat inflammation could be their active principles.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Wen Wang ◽  
Tzu-Wen Hong ◽  
Yu-Ling Tai ◽  
Ying-Jing Wang ◽  
Sheng-Hong Tsai ◽  
...  

The substantial merit ofCordyceps s.l.spp. in terms of medicinal benefits is largely appreciated. Nevertheless, only few studies have characterized and examined the clinical complications of the use of health tonics containing these species. Here, we epitypifiedC. formosanaisolates that were collected and characterized asOphiocordyceps formosanabased on morphological characteristics, molecular phylogenetic analyses, and metabolite profiling. Thus, we renamed and transferredC. formosanato the new protologueOphiocordyceps formosana(Kobayasi & Shimizu) Wang, Tsai, Tzean & Shencomb. nov.Additionally, the pharmacological potential ofO. formosanawas evaluated based on the hot-water extract from its mycelium. The relative amounts of the known bioactive ingredients that are unique toCordyceps s.l.species inO. formosanawere found to be similar to the amounts inO. sinensisandC. militaris, indicating the potential applicability ofO. formosanafor pharmacological uses. Additionally, we found thatO. formosanaexhibited antioxidation activitiesin vitroandin vivothat were similar to those ofO. sinensisandC. militaris. Furthermore,O. formosanaalso displayed conspicuously effective antitumor activity compared with the testedCordyceps s.l.species. Intrinsically,O. formosanaexhibited less toxicity than the otherCordycepsspecies. Together, our data suggest that the metabolites ofO. formosanamay play active roles in complementary medicine.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4025
Author(s):  
Linda Nezbedova ◽  
Tony McGhie ◽  
Mark Christensen ◽  
Julian Heyes ◽  
Noha Ahmed Nasef ◽  
...  

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Epidemiological studies have strongly linked a diet high in fruits to a lower incidence of cancer. Furthermore, extensive research shows that secondary plant metabolites known as phytochemicals, which are commonly found in fruits, have onco-preventive and chemo-protective effects. Apple is a commonly consumed fruit worldwide that is available all year round and is a rich source of phytochemicals. In this review, we summarize the association of apple consumption with cancer incidence based on findings from epidemiological and cohort studies. We further provide a comprehensive review of the main phytochemical patterns observed in apples and their bioavailability after consumption. Finally, we report on the latest findings from in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting some of the key molecular mechanisms targeted by apple phytochemicals in relation to inhibiting multiple ‘hallmarks of cancer’ that are important in the progression of cancer.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 6559
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Al-Karmalawy ◽  
Mai M. Farid ◽  
Ahmed Mostafa ◽  
Alia Y. Ragheb ◽  
Sara H. Mahmoud ◽  
...  

Flavonoids are important secondary plant metabolites that have been studied for a long time for their therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases because of their cytokine-modulatory effects. Five flavonoid aglycones were isolated and identified from the hydrolyzed aqueous methanol extracts of Anastatica hierochuntica L., Citrus reticulata Blanco, and Kickxia aegyptiaca (L.) Nabelek. They were identified as taxifolin (1), pectolinarigenin (2), tangeretin (3), gardenin B (4), and hispidulin (5). These structures were elucidated based on chromatographic and spectral analysis. In this study, molecular docking studies were carried out for the isolated and identified compounds against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) compared to the co-crystallized inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (α-ketoamide inhibitor (KI), IC50 = 66.72 µg/mL) as a reference standard. Moreover, in vitro screening against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated. Compounds 2 and 3 showed the highest virus inhibition with IC50 12.4 and 2.5 µg/mL, respectively. Our findings recommend further advanced in vitro and in vivo studies of the examined isolated flavonoids, especially pectolinarigenin (2), tangeretin (3), and gardenin B (4), either alone or in combination with each other to identify a promising lead to target SARS-CoV-2 effectively. This is the first report of the activity of these compounds against SARS-CoV-2.


Author(s):  
Evelina Gudoityte ◽  
Odeta Arandarcikaite ◽  
Ingrida Mazeikiene ◽  
Vidmantas Bendokas ◽  
Julius Liobikas

Ursolic and oleanolic acids are secondary plant metabolites that are known to be involved in the plant defence system against water loss and pathogens. Nowadays these triterpenoids are also regarded as potential pharmaceutical compounds and there is mounting experimental data that either purified compounds or triterpenoid-enriched plant extracts exert various beneficial effects, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, on model systems of both human or animal origin. Some of those effects have been linked to the ability of ursolic and oleanolic acids to modulate intracellular antioxidant systems and also inflammation- and cell death-related pathways. Therefore, our aim was to review the current knowledge about the distribution of ursolic and oleanolic acids in plants, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of these triterpenoids and their derivatives, and to discuss their neuromodulatory effects in vitro and in vivo.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaiah Oluwafemi Ademola

AbstractBioactive compounds from marine and terrestrial organisms have been used extensively in the treatment of many diseases in both their natural form and as templates for synthetic modifications. This review summarizes present knowledge about anthelmintic effects of the extracts of bioactive plants in Nigeria against helminth parasites of ruminants. Plants traditionally used in livestock production are discussed. The main focus is hinged on in vitro and in vivo activities of secondary plant metabolites against nematodes of livestock. This review provides insight into preliminary studies of medicinal plants, which can be investigated further to discover promising molecules in the search for novel anthelmintic drugs and nutraceuticals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4599
Author(s):  
Evelina Gudoityte ◽  
Odeta Arandarcikaite ◽  
Ingrida Mazeikiene ◽  
Vidmantas Bendokas ◽  
Julius Liobikas

Ursolic and oleanolic acids are secondary plant metabolites that are known to be involved in the plant defence system against water loss and pathogens. Nowadays these triterpenoids are also regarded as potential pharmaceutical compounds and there is mounting experimental data that either purified compounds or triterpenoid-enriched plant extracts exert various beneficial effects, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, on model systems of both human or animal origin. Some of those effects have been linked to the ability of ursolic and oleanolic acids to modulate intracellular antioxidant systems and also inflammation and cell death-related pathways. Therefore, our aim was to review current studies on the distribution of ursolic and oleanolic acids in plants, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of these triterpenoids and their derivatives, and to discuss their neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Assia Berrani ◽  
Ilias Marmouzi ◽  
Abdelhakim Bouyahya ◽  
Mourad Kharbach ◽  
Maha El Hamdani ◽  
...  

Vitex agnus-castus is a medicinal plant of the Verbenaceae family, widely used in traditional medicine. This study is aimed at investigating the functional variability of phenolic compounds in different parts (leaves, stems, flowers, roots, and seeds) of Vitex agnus-castus methanolic extracts and at assessing their in vitro antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. The results of HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS indicated the presence of 25 phenolic compounds with a remarkable variability between plant parts; high levels were registered in chlorogenic, vanillic, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acids; hesperidin; and luteolin. V. agnus castus fruits and stems presented higher antioxidant activities. The extracts inhibited the growth of five pathogenic bacteria with MIC values documented between 7.81 and 31.25 mg/mL. In vitro antihyperglycemic effect revealed higher effect in flowers (2921.84 μg/mL) and seeds (2992.75 μg/mL) against α-glucosidase and of leaves (2156.80 μg/mL) and roots (2357.30 μg/mL) against α-amylase. The findings of this showed that V. agnus castus is a promising source for antidiabetic bioactive compounds. However, further investigations regarding the evaluation of in vivo antidiabetic effects of these compounds are needed.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza ◽  
Anna Oniszczuk ◽  
Tomasz Oniszczuk ◽  
Maciej Combrzyński ◽  
Dominika Nowakowska ◽  
...  

There is increased interest in following a healthy lifestyle and consuming a substantial portion of secondary plant metabolites, such as polyphenols, due to their benefits for the human body. Food products enriched with various forms of fruits and vegetables are sources of pro-health components. Nevertheless, in many cases, the level of their activities is changed in in vivo conditions. The changes are strictly connected with processes in the digestive system that transfigure the structure of the active compounds and simultaneously keep or modify their biological activities. Much attention has focused on their bioavailability, a prerequisite for further physiological functions. As human studies are time consuming, costly and restricted by ethical concerns, in vitro models for investigating the effects of digestion on these compounds have been developed to predict their release from the food matrix, as well as their bioaccessibility. Most typically, models simulate digestion in the oral cavity, the stomach, the small intestine and, occasionally, the large intestine. The presented review aims to discuss the impact of in vitro digestion on the composition, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of food polyphenols. Additionally, we consider the influence of pH on antioxidant changes in the aforementioned substances.


Planta Medica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S1-S381
Author(s):  
YC Oh ◽  
YH Jeong ◽  
WK Cho ◽  
SJ Lee ◽  
JY Ma

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