Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC.: A Review on Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. (Family: Rubiaceae), commonly known as cat’s claw, is a tropical medicinal vine originating at the Amazon rainforest and other areas of South and Central America. It has been traditionally used to treat asthma, abscesses, fever, urinary tract infections, viral infections, and wounds and found to be effective as an immune system rejuvenator, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agent. U. tomentosa is rich in many phytoconstituents such as oxindole and indole alkaloids, glycosides, organic acids, proanthocyanidins, sterols, and triterpenes. Biological activities of U. tomentosa have been examined against various microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and Plasmodium, Babesia and Theileria parasites. Several formulations of cat’s claw (e.g., tinctures, decoctions, capsules, extracts, and teas) are recently available in the market. The current review covers the chemical constituents, biological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxic properties of U. tomentosa extracts.

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Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Cordia Myxa L.: A Review

The Natural Products Journal ◽

10.2174/2210315511666210210161803 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Varinder Singh ◽

Ankita Sood ◽

Simran Pruthi ◽

Manjinder Singh ◽

Balraj Saini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Functional Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Health Food ◽

Toxicological Evaluation ◽

Cordia Myxa ◽

Chronic Fever ◽

Tract Infections

Background: Cordia myxa L. (CM) is a valuable ethnomedicinal plant from Boraginaceae family. Traditionally, CM parts especially fruits and leaves are used in chest and urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, dysentery, tuberculosis, liver and spleen disorders, chronic fever, malaria etc. Objective: Despite of known importance and uses, CM has gained relatively less attention of researchers and concise reviews revealing the medicinal potential of CM are scanty. The present review summarizes the chemical constituents and biological activities of CM and aims to stimulate future research to develop it as a functional health food. Results: Analysis of literature on CM showed that its fruits are a rich source of nutrients and are frequently employed in wide ailments such as urinary and respiratory tract infections, chronic fever, liver disorders, asthma, used as anthelmintic, diuretic, expectorant and purgative. Scientific studies have shown the antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, antiulcer and antimicrobial activities of CM. More than 45 compounds belonging to carbohydrates, steroids, carotenoids, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids have been reported from various parts of CM. Conclusion: Systematic preclinical studies support the traditional claims of CM. The analysis of available literature showed that CM could be developed as a drug. Further, studies such as detailed pharmacological and toxicological evaluation, isolation of bioactive compounds, quantitative phytochemistry and structure activity relationship are scanty and thus, crucial to be addressed for uplifting the scientific value of this revered medicinal plant.

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The Pharmacological Activity, Biochemical Properties, and Pharmacokinetics of the Major Natural Polyphenolic Flavonoid: Quercetin

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9030374 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 374 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Gaber El-Saber Batiha ◽

Amany Magdy Beshbishy ◽

Muhammad Ikram ◽

Zohair S. Mulla ◽

Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Natural Substances ◽

Current Review ◽

Flavonoid Quercetin ◽

Small Intestines ◽

The Brain

Flavonoids are a class of natural substances present in plants, fruits, vegetables, wine, bulbs, bark, stems, roots, and tea. Several attempts are being made to isolate such natural products, which are popular for their health benefits. Flavonoids are now seen as an essential component in a number of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and medicinal formulations. Quercetin is the major polyphenolic flavonoid found in food products, including berries, apples, cauliflower, tea, cabbage, nuts, and onions that have traditionally been treated as anticancer and antiviral, and used for the treatment of allergic, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders, eye and cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis. Pharmacologically, quercetin has been examined against various microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and Plasmodium, Babesia, and Theileria parasites. Additionally, it has shown beneficial effects against Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and this activity is due to its inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase. It has also been documented to possess antioxidant, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, hepatoprotective, and cytotoxic activity. Quercetin has been documented to accumulate in the lungs, liver, kidneys, and small intestines, with lower levels seen in the brain, heart, and spleen, and it is extracted through the renal, fecal, and respiratory systems. The current review examines the pharmacokinetics, as well as the toxic and biological activities of quercetin.

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Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom10020202 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 202 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Gaber El-Saber Batiha ◽

Luay M. Alkazmi ◽

Lamiaa G. Wasef ◽

Amany Magdy Beshbishy ◽

Eman H. Nadwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Food Preservation ◽

Syzygium Aromaticum ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

New Findings ◽

Hepatitis C Viruses ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy ◽

Pharmaceutical Molecules

Herbal medicinal products have been documented as a significant source for discovering new pharmaceutical molecules that have been used to treat serious diseases. Many plant species have been reported to have pharmacological activities attributable to their phytoconstituents such are glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenes, etc. Syzygium aromaticum (clove) is a traditional spice that has been used for food preservation and possesses various pharmacological activities. S. aromaticum is rich in many phytochemicals as follows: sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, hydrocarbon, and phenolic compounds. Eugenyl acetate, eugenol, and β-caryophyllene are the most significant phytochemicals in clove oil. Pharmacologically, S. aromaticum has been examined toward various pathogenic parasites and microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria, Plasmodium, Babesia, Theileria parasites, Herpes simplex, and hepatitis C viruses. Several reports documented the analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiseptic, anti-depressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activity of eugenol against several pathogenic bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus. Moreover, eugenol was found to protect against CCl4−induced hepatotoxicity and showed a potential lethal efficacy against the multiplication of various parasites including Giardia lamblia, Fasciola gigantica, Haemonchus contortus, and Schistosoma mansoni. This review examines the phytochemical composition and biological activities of clove extracts along with clove essential oil and the main active compound, eugenol, and implicates new findings from gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis.

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Bioactive Membranes of Polymeric Micro and Nanocomposites Prepared with the Natural Anionic Marine Polysaccharide (Alginate) Functionalized with Extracts of Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Aloe vera

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.1007.131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1007 ◽

pp. 131-136

Author(s):

Suyeon Kim ◽

Mariela Elgegren ◽

Alonso Donayre ◽

Betty Galaretta ◽

Javier Nakamatsu

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Aloe Vera ◽

Bioactive Compound ◽

Poloxamer 407 ◽

Uncaria Tomentosa ◽

Inflammatory Agent ◽

Al Nanoparticles ◽

The Stability ◽

Marine Polysaccharide

In this research, the nanostructured alginate (AL) membranes were prepared with natural bioactive compound, Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) extract (UT). UT is broadly used as an anti-inflammatory agent and the effect on the treatment of Rheumatism was proved by many scientists. For this reason, we added this bioactive compound in the process of AL membrane formulation to improve the biological activities. 2-dimentional (2-D) and 3-dimentional (3-D) AL membranes were prepared with and without addition of UT extracts. 3-D AL membranes were prepared using ultrasound with high intensity. The wettability of AL membranes depending on the concentration of AL was studied by measuring contact angle and surface energy. Stabilization agent, poloxamer 407, was used to improve the stability of AL nanoemulsion. The effects of UT in 3-D AL membranes were studied by measuring swelling behavior and contact angle. The surface morphology was measured with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparing to 2-D AL membranes, 3-D AL membranes presented rougher surface due to AL nanoparticles presence. When UT was incorporated in AL membranes, strong antioxidant activity and higher contact angle and swelling ratio were observed than non-UT incorporated AL membranes.

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Recent Advances in Kaempferia Phytochemistry and Biological Activity: A Comprehensive Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11102396 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2396 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elshamy ◽

Mohamed ◽

Essa ◽

Abd-ElGawad ◽

Alqahtani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Diseases ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Principal Component ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Traditional Uses ◽

Biological Studies ◽

Tract Infections

Background: Plants belonging to the genus Kaempferia (family: Zingiberaceae) are distributed in Asia, especially in the southeast region, and Thailand. They have been widely used in traditional medicines to cure metabolic disorders, inflammation, urinary tract infections, fevers, coughs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal and gastrointestinal ailments, asthma, wounds, rheumatism, epilepsy, and skin diseases. Objective: Herein, we reported a comprehensive review, including the traditional applications, biological and pharmacological advances, and phytochemical constituents of Kaempheria species from 1972 up to early 2019. Materials and methods: All the information and reported studies concerning Kaempheria plants were summarized from library and digital databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Sci-finder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, MDPI, Web of Science, etc.). The correlation between the Kaempheria species was evaluated via principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), based on the main chemical classes of compounds. Results: Approximately 141 chemical constituents have been isolated and reported from Kaempferia species, such as isopimarane, abietane, labdane and clerodane diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenyl-heptanoids, curcuminoids, tetrahydropyrano-phenolic, and steroids. A probable biosynthesis pathway for the isopimaradiene skeleton is illustrated. In addition, 15 main documented components of volatile oils of Kaempheria were summarized. Biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, anti-obesity-induced dermatopathy, wound healing, neuroprotective, anti-allergenic, and anti-nociceptive were demonstrated. Conclusions: Up to date, significant advances in phytochemical and pharmacological studies of different Kaempheria species have been witnessed. So, the traditional uses of these plants have been clarified via modern in vitro and in vivo biological studies. In addition, these traditional uses and reported biological results could be correlated via the chemical characterization of these plants. All these data will support the biologists in the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of these plants.

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Advances in the study of emodin: an update on pharmacological properties and mechanistic basis

Chinese Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13020-021-00509-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qi Zheng ◽

Shuo Li ◽

Xiaojiaoyang Li ◽

Runping Liu

Keyword(s):

Targeted Delivery ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Molecular Targets ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Mechanistic Basis

AbstractRhei Radix et Rhizoma, also known as rhubarb or Da Huang, has been widely used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries, and is currently marketed in China as the principal herbs in various prescriptions, such as Da-Huang-Zhe-Chong pills and Da-Huang-Qing-Wei pills. Emodin, a major bioactive anthraquinone derivative extracted from rhubarb, represents multiple health benefits in the treatment of a host of diseases, such as immune-inflammatory abnormality, tumor progression, bacterial or viral infections, and metabolic syndrome. Emerging evidence has made great strides in clarifying the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms underlying the efficacious therapeutic potential of emodin, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-fibrosis, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic properties. This comprehensive review aims to provide an updated summary of recent developments on these pharmacological efficacies and molecular mechanisms of emodin, with a focus on the underlying molecular targets and signaling networks. We also reviewed recent attempts to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and biological activities of emodin by structural modification and novel material-based targeted delivery. In conclusion, emodin still has great potential to become promising therapeutic options to immune and inflammation abnormality, organ fibrosis, common malignancy, pathogenic bacteria or virus infections, and endocrine disease or disorder. Scientifically addressing concerns regarding the poor bioavailability and vague molecular targets would significantly contribute to the widespread acceptance of rhubarb not only as a dietary supplement in food flavorings and colorings but also as a health-promoting TCM in the coming years.

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Major Bioactive Alkaloids and Biological Activities of Tabernaemontana Species (Apocynaceae)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 313

Author(s):

Clarissa Marcelle Naidoo ◽

Yougasphree Naidoo ◽

Yaser Hassan Dewir ◽

Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy ◽

Salah El-Hendawy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Current Literature ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Tabernaemontana Divaricata ◽

Current Review

Several species belonging to the genus Tabernaemontana have been well researched and utilized for their wide-ranging biological activities. A few of the most prominent species include Tabernaemontana divaricata, Tabernaemontana catharinensis, Tabernaemontana crassa, and Tabernaemontana elegans. These species and many others within the genus often display pharmacological importance, which is habitually related to their chemical constituents. The secondary metabolites within the genus have demonstrated huge medicinal potential for the treatment of infections, pain, injuries, and various diseases. Regardless of the indispensable reports and properties displayed by Tabernaemontana spp., there remains a wide variety of plants that are yet to be considered or examined. Thus, an additional inclusive study on species within this genus is essential. The current review aimed to extensively analyze, collate, and describe an updated report of the current literature related to the major alkaloidal components and biological activities of species within the genus Tabernaemontana.

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Studies on the chemical constituents and their biological activities of the fruit of Garcinia multiflora

Planta Medica ◽

10.1055/s-0030-1264654 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

Author(s):

JJ Chen ◽

CW Ting ◽

MH Yen ◽

TL Hwang ◽

C Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Constituents

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Medicinal Chemistry of Alternative Therapeutics: Novelty and Hopes with Genus Ammannia

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026619666190412101047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (10) ◽

pp. 784-794 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Harish C. Upadhyay

Keyword(s):

Traditional Medicine ◽

Biological Activities ◽

World Health ◽

Biologically Relevant ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

Drug Molecules ◽

Health Organization ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Pharmacologically Active ◽

Herbal Formulations

The plants have formed the basis of folklore remedy since the beginning of human civilization. The cumulative human endeavor and experience over a period of thousands of years developed into well to organize traditional medicine systems viz. Ayurvedic, Unani, Chinese amongst others. Across the world, traditional medicine is either the mainstay of health care or serves as a complement to modern drugs. In view of worldwide use of traditional medicines, World Health Organization launched ‘WHO-Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023’ for the development of strong policies regarding knowledge-base, safety, quality-control and effectiveness of traditional/alternative therapeutics for national health systems. Besides their use in traditional medicine, plants have always been a good source of modern drug/pharmacologically active molecules. More than half of the modern pharmaceuticals are either plant isolates or their derivatives. The plant-based drugs are not only effective, but have better compatibility with human biological systems because of more biologically relevant chemistry, hence lesser side effects. Some of the species of genus Ammannia (Lythraceae) have been reported for their magical medicinal values. Many herbal formulations containing Ammannia spp. have been patented for treatment of serious diseases/disorders like cancer, spinal disease, human female infertility, chronic tonsillitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, treatment of bladder stones, urinary tract infections, dermatitis etc. The uses of Ammannia spp. in traditional medicine have been further verified by the biological activities of their extracts as well as isolation of bioactive phytomolecules. The current review provides details about Ammannia spp.; its use in folklore remedy, herbal formulations, biological activities of extracts, isolation of bioactive phytomolecules and SAR study of semi-synthetic derivatives to analyze the possibility of new drug molecules of plant origin.

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Biochemical Composition, Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Indian Medicinal Plants

Anti-Infective Agents ◽

10.2174/2211352518999200622152308 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Mulugeta Mulat ◽

Fazlurrahman Khan ◽

Archana Pandita

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Chloroform Extract ◽

Acetone Extract ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Ocimum Sanctum ◽

Agar Disc

Background: Medicinal plants have been used for treatments of various health ailments and the practices as a remedial back to thousands of years. Currently, plant-derived compounds used as alternative ways of treatment for multidrug-resistant pathogens. Objective: In the present study, various parts of six medical plants such as Solanum nigrum, Azadirachta indica, Vitex negundo, Mentha arvensis, Gloriosa superba, and Ocimum sanctum were extracted for obtaining biological active constituents. Methods: Soxhlet method of extraction was used for obtaining crude extracts. Agar disc diffusion and 96-well plate spectroscopic reading were used to detect the extract’s antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. Results: The obtained extracts were tested for antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties at 25 mg/mL concentrations. Maximum antibacterial activity was observed in O. sanctum chloroform extract (TUCE) against Staphylococcus aureus (24.33±1.52 mm), S. nigrum acetone extract (MAAC) against Salmonella Typhimurium (12.6 ± 1.5 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.0 ±2.0 mm). Only TUCE exhibited antibacterial activity at least a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.781 mg/mL. Better antibiofilm activities were also exhibited by petroleum extracts of G. superba (KAPE) and S. nigrum (MAPE) against Escherichia coli, S. Typhimurium, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Moreover, S. nigrum acetone extract (MAAC) and O. sanctum chloroform extract (TUCE) were showed anti-swarming activity with a reduction of motility 56.3% against P. aeruginosa and 37.2% against S. aureus. MAAC also inhibits Las A activity (63.3% reduction) in P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: Extracts of TUCE, MAAC, MAPE, and KAPE were exhibited antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. GCMS identified chemical constituents are responsible for being biologically active.

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