Secondary Metabolites from Gorgonian Corals of the Genus Eunicella: Structural Characterizations, Biological Activities, and Synthetic Approaches

Gorgonian corals, which belong to the genus Eunicella, are known as natural sources of diverse compounds with unique structural characteristics and interesting bioactivities both in vitro and in vivo. This review is focused primarily on the secondary metabolites isolated from various Eunicella species. The chemical structures of 64 compounds were divided into three main groups and comprehensively presented: a) terpenoids, b) sterols, and c) alkaloids and nucleosides. The observed biological activities of depicted metabolites with an impact on cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities were reviewed. The most promising biological activities of certain metabolites point to potential candidates for further development in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other industries, and are highlighted. Total synthesis or the synthetic approaches towards the desired skeletons or natural products are also summarized.

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Associated microflora of medicinal ferns: biotechnological potentials and possible applications

International Journal of Bioassays ◽

10.21746/ijbio.2016.03.0017 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (03) ◽

pp. 4927 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shubhi Srivastava ◽

Paul A. K.

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Growth Promotion ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽

In Vitro Production ◽

Wide Range ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Bacteria And Fungi

Plant associated microorganisms that colonize the upper and internal tissues of roots, stems, leaves and flowers of healthy plants without causing any visible harmful or negative effect on their host. Diversity of microbes have been extensively studied in a wide variety of vascular plants and shown to promote plant establishment, growth and development and impart resistance against pathogenic infections. Ferns and their associated microbes have also attracted the attention of the scientific communities as sources of novel bioactive secondary metabolites. The ferns and fern alleles, which are well adapted to diverse environmental conditions, produce various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, triterpenoid compounds, variety of amino acids and fatty acids along with some unique metabolites as adaptive features and are traditionally used for human health and medicine. In this review attention has been focused to prepare a comprehensive account of ethnomedicinal properties of some common ferns and fern alleles. Association of bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere and endosphere of these medicinally important ferns and their interaction with the host plant has been emphasized keeping in view their possible biotechnological potentials and applications. The processes of host-microbe interaction leading to establishment and colonization of endophytes are less-well characterized in comparison to rhizospheric and phyllospheric microflora. However, the endophytes are possessing same characteristics as rhizospheric and phyllospheric to stimulate the in vivo synthesis as well as in vitro production of secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities such as plant growth promotion by production of phytohormones, siderophores, fixation of nitrogen, and phosphate solubilization. Synthesis of pharmaceutically important products such as anticancer compounds, antioxidants, antimicrobials, antiviral substances and hydrolytic enzymes could be some of the promising areas of research and commercial exploitation.

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Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13091441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1441

Author(s):

Yangpeng Lu ◽

Yanan Jia ◽

Zihan Xue ◽

Nannan Li ◽

Junyu Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Health Food ◽

Inonotus Obliquus ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharide ◽

Future Work

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is a kind of medicine and health food widely used by folk in China, Russia, Korea, and some occidental countries. Among the extracts from Inonotus obliquus, Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOPS) is supposed to be one of the major bioactive components in Inonotus obliquus, which possesses antitumor, antioxidant, anti-virus, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. In this review, the current advancements on extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and biological activities of IOPS were summarized. This review can provide significant insight into the IOPS bioactivities as their in vitro and in vivo data were summarized, and some possible mechanisms were listed. Furthermore, applications of IOPS were reviewed and discussed; IOPS might be a potential candidate for the treatment of cancers and type 2 diabetes. Besides, new perspectives for the future work of IOPS were also proposed.

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The Natural Compound Hydrophobic Usnic Acid and Hydrophilic Potassium Usnate Derivative: Applications and Comparisons

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26195995 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (19) ◽

pp. 5995

Author(s):

Hallysson Douglas Andrade de Araújo ◽

Hianna Arely Milca Fagundes Silva ◽

José Guedes da Silva Júnior ◽

Mônica Camelo Pessoa de Azevedo Albuquerque ◽

Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Usnic Acid ◽

Raw Material ◽

Structural Modifications ◽

Hydrophobic Molecule ◽

Antiparasitic Agents ◽

Toxic Molecule

Usnic acid is the best-studied lichen metabolite, presenting several biological activities, such as antibacterial, immunostimulating, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic agents; despite these relevant properties, it is a hydrophobic and toxic molecule. In this context, scientific research has driven the development of innovative alternatives, considering usnic acid as a source of raw material in obtaining new molecules, allowing structural modifications (syntheses) from it. The purpose is to optimize biological activities and toxicity, with less concentration and/or response time. This work presents a literature review with an analogy of the hydrophobic molecule of usnic acid with its hydrophilic derivative of potassium usnate, emphasizing the elucidation and structural characteristics, biological activities, and toxicological aspects of both molecules, and the advantages of using the promising derivative hydrophilic in different in vitro and in vivo assays when compared to usnic acid.

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Hemoglobin F (HbF) inducers; History, Structure and Efficacies

Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1389557521666210521221615 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Zahra Hashemi ◽

Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Natural Products ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Beta Thalassemia ◽

Gene Promoters ◽

Hemoglobin F ◽

Chemical Structures

Abstract: Inherited beta-thalassemia is a major disease caused by irregular production of hemoglobin through reducing beta-globin chains. It has been observed that increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production improves symptoms in the patients. Therefore, an increase in the level of HbF has been an operative approach for treating patients with beta-thalassemia. This review represents compounds with biological activities and pharmacological properties that can promote the HBF level and therefore used in the β-thalassemia patients' therapy. Various natural products with different mechanisms of action can be helpful in this medication cure. Clinical trials were efficient in improving the signs of patients. Association of in vivo, and in vitro studies of HbF induction and γ-globin mRNA growth displays that in vitro experiments could be an indicator of the in vivo response. The current study shows that; (a) HbF inducers can be grouped in several classes based on their chemical structures and mechanism of actions; b) According to several clinical trials, well-known drugs such as hydroxyurea and decitabine are useful HbF inducers; (c) The cellular biosensor K562 carrying genes under the control of the human γ-globin and β-globin gene promoters were applied during the researches; d) New natural products and lead compounds were found based on various studies as HbF inducers.

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DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL 1-((DIMETHYLAMINO)METHYL)-3-(4-(3-(SUBSTITUTE DPHENYL)-4-OXOTHIAZOLIDIN-2-YL)PHENYLIMINO)-5-NITROINDOLIN-2-ONES AS POTENT ANTITUBERCULAR AGENTS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2019.v12i5.31965 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 200-207

Author(s):

KOSARAJU LAHARI ◽

RAJA SUNDARARAJAN

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Mannich Bases ◽

Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽

Design And Synthesis ◽

Group Variation

Objective: Isatins have emerged as antimicrobial agents due to their broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. In addition, thiazolidinone also reported to possess various biological activities particularly antimicrobial activity. Due to the importance, we planned to synthesize compounds with isatin functionality coupled with thiazolidinone as possible antitubercular and antimicrobial agents which could furnish better therapeutic results. Methods: In vitro Mycobacterium tuberculosis method and agar streak dilution test are used to estimate antitubercular and antimicrobial potency of title analogs, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration of entire title compounds was determined against all tested microorganism such as M. tuberculosis, four Gram-positive, three Gram-negative bacteria, and two fungi. Results: A series of new thiazolidinone substituted Schiff and Mannich bases of 5-nitroisatins were designed and synthesized by a multistep synthesis from isatin. Structures of synthesized compounds are characterized using Fourier-transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, and bases of elemental analysis. Mild to good antitubercular and antimicrobial activity was showed by synthesized 5-nitroisatin analogs. The relationship between the biological activity and the functional group variation of the tested compounds was discussed. Conclusion: 3-(4-(3-(4-Aminophenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-2-yl)phenylimino)-1-((dimethyl amino)methyl)-5-nitroindolin-2-one 6 and 3-(4-(3- (2-aminophenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-2-yl)phenylimino)-1-((dimethylamino)methyl)-5-nitroindolin-2-one 13 were found to be the most potent compounds of this series which might be extended as a novel class of antimicrobial agents.

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Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Thymus broussonetii Boiss

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/6350035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Hanae Naceiri Mrabti ◽

Latifa Doudach ◽

Naoual El Menyiy ◽

Mohammed Bourhia ◽

Ahmad Mohammad Salamatullah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Aerial Parts ◽

Toxicological Studies ◽

Toxicological Investigation ◽

Antioxidant Effects

Thymus broussonetii Boiss (T. broussonetii) is a rare medicinal and aromatic plant. It is widely used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases, including diarrhea, fever, cough, irritation, skin diseases, rheumatism, respiratory ailments, influenza, and digestion problems. In this review, we have critically summarized previous data on T. broussonetii about its phytochemistry, botanical and geographical distribution, toxicological investigation, and pharmacological properties. Using scientific research databases such as Wiley Online, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Scopus Wiley Online, and Google Scholar, the data on T. broussonetii were collected and discussed. The presented data regrouped bioactive compounds and biological activities of T. broussonetii. The findings of this work showed that essential oils and extracts of T. broussonetii exhibited numerous pharmacological activities (in vitro and in vivo), particularly antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antipyretic, antinociceptive, and immunological and behavioral effects. While toxicological studies of T. broussonetii essential oils and extracts are lacking, modern scientific tools revealed the presence of different classes of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, quinones, carotenoids, and steroids. T. broussonetii essential oils, especially from the aerial parts, exhibited potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects. An in-depth toxicological investigation is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of T. broussonetii extracts and essential oils and their secondary metabolites. However, further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies should be performed to validate its bioavailability.

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Insightful Valorization of the Biological Activities of Pani Heloch Leaves through Experimental and Computer-Aided Mechanisms

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25215153 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (21) ◽

pp. 5153

Author(s):

Naureen Banu ◽

Najmul Alam ◽

Mohammad Nazmul Islam ◽

Sanjida Islam ◽

Shahenur Alam Sakib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Methanol Extract ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Clot Lysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Pani heloch (Antidesma montanum) is traditionally used to treat innumerable diseases and is a source of wild vegetables for the management of different pathological conditions. The present study explored the qualitative phytochemicals; quantitative phenol and flavonoid contents; in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic effects; and in vivo antipyretic and analgesic properties of the methanol extract of A. montanum leaves in different experimental models. The extract exhibited secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, flavanols, phytosterols, cholesterols, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, fixed oils, emodines, coumarins, resins, and tannins. Besides, Pani heloch showed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 99.00 µg/mL), while a moderate percentage of clot lysis (31.56%) in human blood and significant anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.001) was achieved with the standard. Moreover, the analgesic and antipyretic properties appeared to trigger a significant response (p < 0.001) relative to in the control group. Besides, an in silico study of carpusin revealed favorable protein-binding affinities. Furthermore, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analysis and toxicological properties of all isolated compounds adopted Lipinski’s rule of five for drug-like potential and level of toxicity. Our research unveiled that the methanol extract of A. montanum leaves exhibited secondary metabolites that are a good source for managing inflammation, pyrexia, pain, and cellular toxicity. Computational approaches and further studies are required to identify the possible mechanism which responsible for the biological effects.

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Biomedical Effects of Popular Phytonutrients and Their Phytochemicals: A Comprehensive Review

10.20944/preprints202106.0371.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yamixa Delgado ◽

Céline Cassé ◽

Yancy Ferrer-Acosta ◽

Ivette J. Suárez-Arroyo ◽

José Rodríguez-Zayas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Immune Response ◽

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Primary Metabolites ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Plant Foods

Phytonutrients are plant foods that contain many natural bioactive compounds, called phytochemicals, which expose specific biological activities. These phytonutrients and their phytochemicals may play an important role in health care maintaining normal organism functions (as preventives) and fighting against diseases (as therapeutics). Phytonutrient’s components are the primary metabolites (i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and phytochemicals or secondary metabolites (i.e., phenolics, alkaloids, organosulfides, and terpenes). For years, several phytonutrients and their phytochemicals have demonstrated specific pharmacological and therapeutic effects in human health such as anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and immune response. This review summarizes the effects of the most studied or the most popular phytonutrients (i.e., turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, graviola, and oregano), and any contraindication found. This article also calculated the physicochemical properties of the main phytochemicals in the selected phytonutrients using Lipinski’s, Veber’s and Ghose’s rules. Based on our revisions for this article, all these phytonutrients have consistently shown several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies with great potential as preventives and therapeutics on many diseases.

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Toxicity of secondary metabolites

Physical Sciences Reviews ◽

10.1515/psr-2018-0116 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (12) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Abraham Madariaga-Mazón ◽

Ricardo Bruno Hernández-Alvarado ◽

Karla Olivia Noriega-Colima ◽

Adriana Osnaya-Hernández ◽

Karina Martinez-Mayorga

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Primary Source ◽

Toxicity Assessment ◽

New Drugs ◽

Human Beings ◽

Food Preservatives ◽

Living Organisms

Abstract Secondary metabolites, commonly referred to as natural products, are produced by living organisms and usually have pharmacological or biological activities. Secondary metabolites are the primary source for the discovery of new drugs. Furthermore, secondary metabolites are also used as food preservatives, biopesticides or as research tools. Although secondary metabolites are mainly used by their beneficial biological activity, the toxicity of some of them may limit their use. The toxicity assessment of any compound that is prone to be used in direct contact with human beings is of vital importance. There is a vast spectrum of experimental methods for toxicity evaluation, including in vitro and in vivo methodologies. In this work, we present an overview of the different sources, bioactivities, toxicities and chemical classification of secondary metabolites, followed by a sketch of the role of toxicity assessment in drug discovery and agrochemistry.

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An Update on Oligosaccharides and Their Esters from Traditional Chinese Medicines: Chemical Structures and Biological Activities

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/512675 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Xiang-Yang Chen ◽

Ru-Feng Wang ◽

Bin Liu

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicines ◽

Chinese Medicines ◽

Chemical Structures ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Chinese Medicinal Plants

A great number of naturally occurring oligosaccharides and oligosaccharide esters have been isolated from traditional Chinese medicinal plants, which are used widely in Asia and show prominent curative effects in the prevention and treatment of kinds of diseases. Numerousin vitroandin vivoexperiments have revealed that oligosaccharides and their esters exhibited various activities, including antioxidant, antidepressant, cytotoxic, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cerebral protective, antidiabetic, plant growth-regulatory, and immunopotentiating activities. This review summarizes the investigations on the distribution, chemical structures, and bioactivities of natural oligosaccharides and their esters from traditional Chinese medicines between 2003 and 2013.

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