scholarly journals Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Elegia Species: A Review

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.

Medicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou ◽  
Christina Barda ◽  
Helen Skaltsa

Background: The genus Stachys L. (Lamiaceae) includes about 300 species as annual or perennial herbs or small shrubs, spread in temperate regions of Mediterranean, Asia, America and southern Africa. Several species of this genus are extensively used in various traditional medicines. They are consumed as herbal preparations for the treatment of stress, skin inflammations, gastrointestinal disorders, asthma and genital tumors. Previous studies have investigated the chemical constituents and the biological activities of these species. Thus, the present review compiles literature data on ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, clinical studies and the toxicity of genus Stachys. Methods: Comprehensive research of previously published literature was performed for studies on the traditional uses, bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties of the genus Stachys, using databases with different key search words. Results: This survey documented 60 Stachys species and 10 subspecies for their phytochemical profiles, including 254 chemical compounds and reported 19 species and 4 subspecies for their pharmacological properties. Furthermore, 25 species and 6 subspecies were found for their traditional uses. Conclusions: The present review highlights that Stachys spp. consist an important source of bioactive phytochemicals and exemplifies the uncharted territory of this genus for new research studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Ting He ◽  
Xiuhuan Wang ◽  
Meng Shen ◽  
Xin Yan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mohammad Mukim ◽  
Atul Kabra ◽  
Christophe Hano ◽  
Samantha Drouet ◽  
Duangjai Tungmunnithum ◽  
...  

Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy is a robust woody climbing shrub of the genus Rivea which is found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. R. hypocrateriformis is a promising medicinal herb with enormous helpful and wellbeing advancing impacts. R. hypocrateriformis has been utilized as a customary medication for a long time to treat rheumatic pain, fever, urogenital problem, snake bite, cough, piles, malaria, and skin disease. Apart from the traditional uses its leaves and young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable and for preparation of bread with millet flour. This review comprehensively summarizes the up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity study of R. hypocrateriformis. Phytochemical investigation has been revealed that alkaloids, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, xanthones, stilbenes, and other organic compounds are contained in R. hypocrateriformis. Crude extracts and isolated compounds have exhibited numerous pharmacological activities such as anovulatory effect, antifertility activity, antiarthritic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antilithiatic, antimitotic. R. hypocrateriformis is a promising restorative spice with monstrous remedial and wellbeing advancing impacts. Along these lines, further investigations on the bioactive mixtures and systems of R. hypocrateriformis are justified. Extra clinical and toxicological examinations are expected to assess its wellbeing.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asie Shojaii ◽  
Hossein Azizi ◽  
Saloumeh Ghafari ◽  
Roshanak Ghods ◽  
Mahboubeh Salmanian ◽  
...  

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 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 13829-13849

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are commonly known grape species that belong to the Vitis genus in the Vitaceae family and come from western Asia and southern Europe. This review consists of traditional uses, phytochemical compounds, nutritional constituents, pharmacological activities, genotoxicological studies, and toxicity studies of V. vinifera. The data were obtained from scientific databases and search engines such as PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Frontiers, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and MDPI. In some countries, grapes used for traditional uses, such as drug therapy for blood-forming, anemia, allergies, wound care, colds and flu, carminative, bronchitis, diarrhea, and anti-phlegm. The main phytochemical compounds in V. vinifera are phenolic compounds, aromatic acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and stilbenoids. Nutritional constituents can be found in grapevines, i.e., proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Parts of the grapevines had a wide variety of biological activities, i.e., antioxidant, antiviral, antiplatelet, antifungal, anticataract, antiobesity, anticholinergic, anti-sunburn, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities. The phytochemical compounds content in each part of the grapevines were different. Each pharmacological activity depends on the grapevine's phytochemical compounds, components used, and extraction type. However, more studies are needed regarding the genotoxicity and toxicity of V. vinifera.


2020 ◽  
pp. 19-45
Author(s):  
Natal'ya Valeriyevna Petrova ◽  
Nina Anatol'yevna Medvedeva

The subject of the review is the component composition and biological activity of species of genus Viola L. (Violaceae) from the flora of the Russian Federation according publications appeared over the past few decades. Chemical constituents and biological activities have been reported for 24 species of the 100 Viola species occurring in Russian. Components of various structures: flavonoids, cyclotides, anthocyanidins, phenylpropanoic acids, coumarins, alkaloids, fatty acids and its derivatives and ect. were found in the roots, aerial parts, flowers and leaves. Composition of 137 flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins etc. was expanded with references to their chemical formulas and literature sources. Data of the essential oils isolated from the leaves of V. tricolor L., V. arvensis Murray, V. yedoensis Makino и V. odorata L. is systematized. It was demonstrated that extracts, their fractions, and some components showed different types of biological activity, including anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antiviral ones. The revealed range of biological activity partially confirmed expediency of using species of genus Viola in folk and standard practice medicine.


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>


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106
Author(s):  
Alev Önder ◽  
Lutfun Nahar ◽  
Sushmita Nath ◽  
Satyajit D. Sarker

The genus Opopanax W.D.J. Koch is a member of the Apiaceae family, distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and comprises only three recognized and well-defined species, O. chironium (L.) W.D.J. Koch, O. hispidus (Friv.) Griseb. and O. persicus Boiss. The species of this genus with yellow flowers are well-known in traditional medicine and consumed as food. This review critically appraises published literature on the phytochemistry, traditional usages, and pharmacological activities of the genus Opopanax. In addition, it provides evidence to suggest that the plants from this genus have potential phytotherapeutic applications. Previous phytochemical and bioactivity studies revealed that the genus Opopanax predominantly produces coumarins, diterpenes, phenolics, and phthalides, and possesses various biological and pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities of the genus Opopanax could be useful for further study and might find additional medicinal applications in evidence-based phytotherapy


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document