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

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaber El-Saber Batiha ◽  
Luay M. Alkazmi ◽  
Lamiaa G. Wasef ◽  
Amany Magdy Beshbishy ◽  
Eman H. Nadwa ◽  
...  

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.

Author(s):  
Sowmyalakshmi Venkataraman ◽  
Gunda Srilakshmi

Context: The focus of the present review is to compile the different phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of bignoniaceous plants, namely Kigelia africana and Mansoa alliacea. Objective: Medicinal plants are routinely used in clinical practice for the treatment of various diseases of human beings over thousands of years across the world. In rural areas of the developing countries, they are still used in practice due to the easy availability of the medication. The main objective of this work is to explore the phytochemical studies and biological activities of plants belonging to Bignoniaceae family. Methods: The present study also discusses about the different phytochemical constituents of K. africana and M. alliacea that were isolated and characterized using various analytical methods. Different extracts of these plants were subjected to different in vitro anticancer, analgesic, antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities using earlier reported methods were also discussed. Results: K. africana is commonly referred to as sausage or cucumber tree due to its huge sausage or cucumber-like fruit. These plants find application as traditional medicine for treating several ailments such as malignant tumor, ulcer, aging, and malaria among others. It is conjointly used for the treatment of reproductive organ infections, renal ailments, dizziness, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, depression, metabolism disorders, skin grievance, leprosy, impetigo, helminthic infections, athlete’s foot, tumors, etc. These plant extracts have also been used as a cosmetic by enhancing the collagen action and thus exhibit antiaging properties. Conclusion: The present study attempts to provide collective information on various phytochemical constituents and pharmacological actions of K. africana and M. alliacea belonging to Bignoniaceae. This review in its present form is believed to help the researchers to provide adequate information about the chemical constituents and biological uses of these plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Lymperis ◽  
Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou ◽  
Marco Nuno De Canha ◽  
Namrita Lall ◽  
Helen Skaltsa

In South Africa, plants belonging to the Restionaceae family possess an ecological dominance. As a result, they have been the subject of numerous morphological, anatomical, and evolutionary studies. However, few studies have focused on their phytochemical profile and their potential pharmacological activities. The genus Elegia L. is the second largest of this family comprising 52 species, which are mainly used as materials for thatching. Limited studies on the chemical constituents of Elegia species and their importance as medicinal plants have been undertaken. This review provides constructive and extensive information about the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Elegia. A comprehensive search of previously published literature was performed for studies on this genus, using databases with different key search words. This survey documented 52 Elegia species summarizing their previous taxonomic classification. In addition, 14 species were found to be studied for their phytochemical profile, revealing 14 chemical compounds. Concerning their biological activities, only one species (E. tectorum (L.f.) Moline and H.P.Linder) is reported for its anti-wrinkle activity. Moreover, two species are locally used for thatching and as materials for brooms. The present review highlights the Elegia genus as an important source of bioactive phytochemicals with flavonol glycosides being the main metabolites and reveals the uncharted territory of this genus for new research studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charu Arora ◽  
Vinita Tamrakar

<p><em>Gmelina arborea </em>(<em>G. arborea</em>) is a bio-prospective plant belonging to family verbenaceae. It is widely used for it’s medicinal properties from ancient times. The present paper comprehensively reviewed the traditional uses, medicinal properties and chemical constituents isolated from <em>G. arborea</em> based on literature reported as well as critical analysis of the research. The present article is aimed to provide information on recent advances and new foundations and direction for further exploring <em>G. arborea </em>for its applications. Pharmacological research reviewed that <em>G. arborea </em>possess various medicinal properties and biological  activities including antidiuretic, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic, antianalgesic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, cardiopotective, insecticidal, antiulcer, gastro-protective, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic and immunomodulatory activity. It has been reported for its applications in treatment of bone fracture, hypertension and regeneration of β-cells. The main chemical constituents of <em>G. arborea</em> include lignans, iridoid glycoside, flavonoids, flavons, flavone glycoside and sterols. The present review provides all the references and beneficial directions to explore further application of <em>G. arborea.</em></p>


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaber El-Saber Batiha ◽  
Amany Magdy Beshbishy ◽  
Lamiaa G. Wasef ◽  
Yaser H. A. Elewa ◽  
Ahmed A. Al-Sagan ◽  
...  

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.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha Khalil ◽  
Mokhtar Bishr ◽  
Samar Desouky ◽  
Osama Salama

Ammi visnaga L. (Visnaga daucoides Gaertn., Family Apiaceae), also known as Khella Baldi or toothpick weed, is an annual or biennial herb indigenous to the Mediterranean region of North Africa, Asia, and Europe. The plant is known to have been used in traditional medicine a long time ago. Nowadays, it is used in modern medicine to treat many aliments such as renal colic and coronary insufficiency, and is used as an antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial, with a larvicidal effect on mosquito larvae. Peer-reviewed studies show that these pharmacological activities are due its valuable chemical constituents that include mainly essential oil, polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids, as well as γ-pyrones, represented mainly by khellin and visnagin. Its essential oil is reported to have antiviral, antibacterial, and larvicidal effects, while its flavonoid content is responsible for its antioxidant activity. Its γ-pyrone content has a powerful effect on facilitating the passage of kidney stones and relieving renal colic, in addition to having a relaxant effect on smooth muscle including that of the coronary arteries. The current review represents the progress in research on A. visnaga in terms of either its chemistry or biological activities. This review represents scientific support material for the use of the plant by the pharmaceutical industry.


Author(s):  
Zahra Majidi ◽  
Fatemeh Bina ◽  
Niloofar Kahkeshani ◽  
Roja Rahimi

Bunium persicum (Boiss) B. Fedtsh (Apiaceae, Persian name: Zireh Kermani) has been used to treat various diseases in traditional and folkloric medicine including gastrointestinal, respiratory, nasopharyngeal, cardiac, ocular, neurological, rheumatological and urinary tract diseases. Its essential oil contains different monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenyl propenes. Other chemical constituents identified in B. persicum are phenolic compounds, fatty acids, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. Wide range of biological and pharmacological activities including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, anticonvulsant, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory, anti-pancreatic lipase, anticancer, antidiabetic, antihistamine, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, antihematoxic, antityrosinase and antimicrobial activities have been reported from this plant in modern medicine. This article summarizes comprehensive information attributing traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Zireh Kermani.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahare Salehi ◽  
Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria ◽  
Rabin Gyawali ◽  
Salam A. Ibrahim ◽  
Jovana Rajkovic ◽  
...  

Piper species are aromatic plants used as spices in the kitchen, but their secondary metabolites have also shown biological effects on human health. These plants are rich in essential oils, which can be found in their fruits, seeds, leaves, branches, roots and stems. Some Piper species have simple chemical profiles, while others, such as Piper nigrum, Piper betle, and Piper auritum, contain very diverse suites of secondary metabolites. In traditional medicine, Piper species have been used worldwide to treat several diseases such as urological problems, skin, liver and stomach ailments, for wound healing, and as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, Piper species could be used as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in food preservation. The phytochemicals and essential oils of Piper species have shown strong antioxidant activity, in comparison with synthetic antioxidants, and demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities against human pathogens. Moreover, Piper species possess therapeutic and preventive potential against several chronic disorders. Among the functional properties of Piper plants/extracts/active components the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuropharmacological activities of the extracts and extract-derived bioactive constituents are thought to be key effects for the protection against chronic conditions, based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, besides clinical studies. Habitats and cultivation of Piper species are also covered in this review. In this current work, available literature of chemical constituents of the essential oils Piper plants, their use in traditional medicine, their applications as a food preservative, their antiparasitic activities and other important biological activities are reviewed.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 5416
Author(s):  
Sonia Caruntu ◽  
Alina Ciceu ◽  
Neli Kinga Olah ◽  
Ioan Don ◽  
Anca Hermenean ◽  
...  

Thuja occidentalis L. (Cupressaceae) has its origins in Eastern North America and is cultivated in Europe and Brazil as an ornamental tree, being known as the “tree of life” or “white cedar”. In traditional medicine, it is commonly used to treat liver diseases, bullous bronchitis, psoriasis, enuresis, amenorrhea, cystitis, uterine carcinomas, diarrhea, and rheumatism. The chemical constituents of T. occidentalis have been of research interest for decades, due to their contents of essential oil, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and proanthocyanidines. Pharmacology includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antiviral, protective activity of the gastrointestinal tract, radioprotection, antipyretic, and lipid metabolism regulatory activity. Therefore, the present review represents the synthesis of all the relevant information for T. occidentalis, its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and a thorough analysis of their pharmacological activities, in order to promote all the biological activities shown so far, rather than the antitumor activity that has promoted it as a medicinal species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 1315-1330
Author(s):  
Hui Lei ◽  
Peng Jiang ◽  
Dan Zhang

Gorgonian corals are considered as a rich source of secondary metabolites with unique structural features and biological activities. A large number of novel metabolites with potent pharmacological properties have been isolated from gorgonian corals. Some of these compounds have exhibited to possess new mechanisms of action, which hold great promises as potential lead compounds in future marine drug development. This review aims to provide an overview of chemical constituents and biological activities of gorgonian corals from 2015 to December, 2019. Some 145 metabolites, including 16 sesquiterpenoids, 62 diterpenoids, 62 steroids and 5 alkaloids were reported during this period and their pharmacological activities were investigated. Moreover, the peculiar structure and potential medicinal value of these new compounds are discussed in this review.


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