Plants

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17 pages, 4263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Screening and Isolation of New Ent-Clerodane Diterpenoids from Croton guatemalensis Lotsy

by Sonia Marlen Escandón-Rivera, Adolfo Andrade-Cetto, Daniel Genaro Rosas-Ramírez and Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa

Plants 2022, 11(22), 3159; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11223159 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1818

Abstract

Phytochemical screening of an ethanol–water extract (EWE) from the bark of Croton guatemalensis led to the isolation and identification of eight compounds, among them: five ent-clerodane diterpenoids [junceic acid (1), 6(s)-acetoxy-15,16-diepoxy-ent-cleroda-3,13(16),14-trien-20-oic acid (crotoguatenoic acid A) ( [...] Read more.

Phytochemical screening of an ethanol–water extract (EWE) from the bark of Croton guatemalensis led to the isolation and identification of eight compounds, among them: five ent-clerodane diterpenoids [junceic acid (1), 6(s)-acetoxy-15,16-diepoxy-ent-cleroda-3,13(16),14-trien-20-oic acid (crotoguatenoic acid A) (2), 6(s)-hydroxyoxy-15,16-diepoxy-ent-cleroda-3,13(16),14-trien-20-oic acid (crotoguatenoic acid B) (3), formosin F (4), bartsiifolic acid (5)], and three flavonoids [rutin (6), epicatechin (7), and quercetin (8)]. Of these, 2 and 3 are reported here for the first time. Structures were established through conventional spectroscopy methods and their absolute configurations were determined by optical rotation and comparison of experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and theoretical calculated ECD spectra. A suitable high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for quantifying rutin (6) was developed and validated according to standard protocols. Affinity-directed fractionation was used to identify possible in vitro active compounds on α-glucosidases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. HPLC-ESI-MS was used to identify the inhibitors as free ligands after being released from the enzymatic complex by denaturing acidic conditions. The affinity studies led to the identification of ent-clerodane diterpenoids as active compounds. In silico analysis allowed us to determine the best conformational rearrangement for the α-glucosidase inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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11 pages, 465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extracts of Spiraea hypericifolia L. and Spiraea crenata L.: The Phenolic Profile and Biological Activities

by Olga A. Kaidash, Vera A. Kostikova, Elena V. Udut, Vladimir V. Shaykin and Denis R. Kashapov

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2728; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202728 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1983

Abstract

The comparative phytochemical analysis in this study revealed differences in the type and levels of phenolic compounds between Spiraea hypericifolia L. and Spiraea crenata L. The compounds in water–ethanol extracts of aerial parts of both species were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography as [...] Read more.

The comparative phytochemical analysis in this study revealed differences in the type and levels of phenolic compounds between Spiraea hypericifolia L. and Spiraea crenata L. The compounds in water–ethanol extracts of aerial parts of both species were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography as chlorogenic, gentisic, and cinnamic acids; quercetin; kaempferol; hyperoside; isoquercetin; nicotiflorin; and apigenin. In the extract of S. hypericifolia, p-coumaric acid and luteolin were also found, which were absent in the extract of S. crenata. Such compounds as avicularin, astragalin, and isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside proved to be specific to S. crenata (and were not found in the S. hypericifolia extract). The viability of liver cancer HepG2 cells and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells significantly decreased after cultivation with the S. crenata extract. In addition, the S. crenata extract showed higher antioxidant activity than the S. hypericifolia extract. It is most likely that these effects can be explained by the higher content of individual flavonoids in the extract of S. crenata. Thus, the extract of S. crenata holds promise for more extensive research on the mechanism of its action on tumor cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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15 pages, 2079 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Assay-Guided Fractionation and Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolite Profiling of Annona muricata L. Cytotoxic Compounds against Lung Cancer A549 Cell Line

by Edcyl Lee O. Salac, Michael Russelle Alvarez, Rnie Shayne Gaurana, Sheryl Joyce B. Grijaldo, Luster Mae Serrano, Florence de Juan, Rowell Abogado, Isagani Padolina Jr., Froila Marie Deniega, Kimberly Delica, Kimberly Fernandez, Carlito B. Lebrilla, Marlon N. Manalo, Francisco M. Heralde III, Gladys Cherisse J. Completo and Ruel C. Nacario

Plants 2022, 11(18), 2380; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182380 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3938

Abstract

Annona muricata L. (Guyabano) leaves are reported to exhibit anticancer activity against cancer cells. In this study, the ethyl acetate extract from guyabano leaves was purified through column chromatography, and the cytotoxic effects of the semi-purified fractions were evaluated against A549 lung cancer [...] Read more.

Annona muricata L. (Guyabano) leaves are reported to exhibit anticancer activity against cancer cells. In this study, the ethyl acetate extract from guyabano leaves was purified through column chromatography, and the cytotoxic effects of the semi-purified fractions were evaluated against A549 lung cancer cells using in vitro MTS cytotoxicity and scratch/wound healing assays. Fractions F15-16C and F15-16D exhibited the highest anticancer activity in the MTS assay, with % cytotoxicity values of 99.6% and 99.4%, respectively. The bioactivity of the fractions was also consistent with the results of the scratch/wound healing assay. Moreover, untargeted metabolomics was employed on the semi-purified fractions to determine the putative compounds responsible for the bioactivity. The active fractions were processed using LC-MS/MS analysis with the integration of the following metabolomic tools: MS-DIAL (for data processing), MetaboAnalyst (for data analysis), GNPS (for metabolite annotation), and Cytoscape (for network visualization). Results revealed that the putative compounds with a significant difference between active and inactive fractions in PCA and OPLS-DA models were pheophorbide A and diphenylcyclopropenone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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16 pages, 1331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. Herb Extract with Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Properties

by Natalia Huzio, Andriy Grytsyk, Ain Raal, Lyubov Grytsyk and Oleh Koshovyi

Plants 2022, 11(18), 2371; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182371 - 11 Sep 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2514

Abstract

The most promising plant from the genus Agrimony (Agrimonia L.) of the Rosaceae family for use in medical practice is Agrimonia eupatoria L. Phytochemical and pharmacological research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb extract, obtained with using 40% ethanol solution as an extractant [...] Read more.

The most promising plant from the genus Agrimony (Agrimonia L.) of the Rosaceae family for use in medical practice is Agrimonia eupatoria L. Phytochemical and pharmacological research in Agrimonia eupatoria L. herb extract, obtained with using 40% ethanol solution as an extractant were carried out. A total of 11 free and 17 bound monosaccharides, 17 amino acids were found in the studied extract, 9 of which are essential. Gallic and ellagic acids, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, catechin, epicatechin, and epicatechin gallate were identified in the extract of A. eupatoria by the HPLC method; as well as hydroxycinnamic acids: hydroxyphenylacetate, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, cinnamic and quinic acid; flavonoids: quercetin-3-D-glucoside (isoquercitrin), neohesperidin, naringenin, luteolin were found, and their quantitative content was determined, as well by spectrophotometric methods. The herb extract of A. eupatoria belongs to practically non-toxic substances and has pronounced anti-inflammatory (at a dose of 10.0 mg/kg anti-exudative activity reached a maximum in 5 h (88.17%)) and hepatoprotective activity (at a dose of 25 mg/kg it reduce AlAt level by 1.1 and 1.2 times, respectively; AsAt by 1.2 and 1.1 times, respectively), reduces the level of lipid peroxidation and stabilizes the membrane structures of liver cells. Thus, the herb extract of A. eupatoria is a promising substance for the creation of phytomedicines with anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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10 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hirsutanone Isolated from the Bark of Alnus japonica Attenuates Melanogenesis via Dual Inhibition of Tyrosinase Activity and Expression of Melanogenic Proteins

by Takuhiro Uto, Nguyen Huu Tung and Yukihiro Shoyama

Plants 2022, 11(14), 1875; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11141875 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2057

Abstract

Hirsutanone (Hir) and oregonin (Ore) are diarylheptanoids isolated from the bark of Alnus japonica. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of Hir and Ore in B16-F1 murine melanoma and normal human epidermal melanocytes (HEMn-DP) and elucidated the mechanisms of action. [...] Read more.

Hirsutanone (Hir) and oregonin (Ore) are diarylheptanoids isolated from the bark of Alnus japonica. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of Hir and Ore in B16-F1 murine melanoma and normal human epidermal melanocytes (HEMn-DP) and elucidated the mechanisms of action. In B16-F1 cells, Hir and Ore suppressed melanin synthesis induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) without cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effect of Hir on melanin synthesis was much stronger than that of Ore. In addition, Hir reduced melanin content in HEMn-DP cells. As tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin synthesis, the effect of Hir on tyrosinase activity was assessed. The results demonstrated that Hir partially decreased tyrosinase activity and intracellular tyrosinase activity. Moreover, Hir suppressed the protein expression of melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2, leading to reduced melanin biosynthesis. Hir also led to the suppression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression, which control the expression of melanogenic enzymes. These results suggest that Hir suppressed melanin synthesis by dual inhibition of tyrosinase activity and the CREB/MITF pathway leading to the expression of melanogenic enzymes and may be a potent cosmetic and therapeutic agent for hyperpigmentation disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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15 pages, 676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Comparison of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Panax ginseng Sprouts by Different Cultivation Systems in a Plant Factory

by Kye Man Cho, Hee Yul Lee, Du Yong Cho, Jea Gack Jung, Min Ju Kim, Jong Bin Jeong, Seong-Nam Jang, Ga Oun Lee, Han-Sol Sim, Min Ji Kang, Ye Lin Kim, Ji Hyun Lee, Sooyeon Lim and Ki-Ho Son

Plants 2022, 11(14), 1818; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11141818 - 10 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2346

Abstract

In this study, the primary (such as amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals) and secondary (including ginsenosides, phenolic acids, and flavonols) metabolites and antioxidant effects of Panax ginseng sprouts (PGSs) by different cultivation systems, such as soil–substrate cultivation (SSC) and deep-water cultivation (DWC), [...] Read more.

In this study, the primary (such as amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals) and secondary (including ginsenosides, phenolic acids, and flavonols) metabolites and antioxidant effects of Panax ginseng sprouts (PGSs) by different cultivation systems, such as soil–substrate cultivation (SSC) and deep-water cultivation (DWC), in a plant factory has been observed. There was no significant difference in the total fatty acid (FA) contents. Particularly, the major FAs of PGSs were palmitic acid (207.4 mg/100 g) of saturated FAs and linoleic acid (397.6 mg/100 g) and α-linolenic acid (222.6 mg/100 g) of unsaturated FAs in the SSC system. The values of total amino acids were all higher in SSC than in DWC. In the case of ginsenosides, the total protopanaxtriol product was 30.88 mg/g in SSC, while the total protopanaxdiol product was 34.83 mg/g in DWC. In particular, the values of total phenolic acids and total flavonols were 133.36 and 388.19 ug/g, respectively, and SSC had a higher content than DWC. In conclusion, the SSC system was shown to be higher in nutritional constituents and antioxidant activities in soil cultivation, suggesting that PGS with SSC has a positive effect on the quality of PGS in a plant factory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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14 pages, 563 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial, Multidrug Resistance Reversal and Biofilm Formation Inhibitory Effect of Origanum majorana Extracts, Essential Oil and Monoterpenes

by Tasneem Sultan Abu Ghazal, Zsuzsanna Schelz, Lívia Vidács, Nikoletta Szemerédi, Katalin Veres, Gabriella Spengler and Judit Hohmann

Plants 2022, 11(11), 1432; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111432 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3023

Abstract

Origanum majorana L. is a widely used medicinal plant; its distilled oil and preparations are extensively utilised in the phytotherapy and food industries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the extracts and the essential oil (EO) of Origanum majorana L, and [...] Read more.

Origanum majorana L. is a widely used medicinal plant; its distilled oil and preparations are extensively utilised in the phytotherapy and food industries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the extracts and the essential oil (EO) of Origanum majorana L, and its monoterpenes for antimicrobial, bacterial multidrug resistance reversing, and biofilm formation inhibitory potency. The composition of EO and n-hexane extract was characterized by GC-MS. In the essential oil terpinen-4-ol (24.92%), trans-sabinene hydrate (25.18%), γ-terpinene (6.48%), cis-sabinene hydrate (5.44%), p-cymene (4.72%), sabinene (4.53%), α-terpineol (4.43%), and α-terpinene (3.00%) were found as the main constituents while trans-sabinene hydrate (1.43%), and terpinen-4-ol (0.19%) were detected in the n-hexane extract besides a series of hydrocarbons. The antibacterial activity of EO and terpinen-4-ol, α-terpinene, and linalool was also assessed against sensitive and drug-resistant S. aureus, and E. coli strains with MIC values of 0.125–0.250% and 30–61 µM, respectively. In the efflux pump (EP) inhibitory assay, made by the ethidium bromide accumulation method in E. coli ATCC 25922, and AG100 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, and MRSA ATCC 43300 strains, EO exhibited substantial activity, especially in the E. coli ATCC 25922 strain. Among the EO constituents, only sabinene was an EP inhibitor in sensitive Escherichia strain. In the case of S. aureus strains, EO and sabinene hydrate exhibited moderate potency on the drug-resistant phenotype. The antibiofilm effects of the samples were tested by crystal violet staining at sub-MIC concentration. γ-Terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, sabinene, sabinene hydrate and linalool were found to be effective inhibitors of biofilm formation (inhibition 36–86%) on E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, while EO was ineffective on these strains. In contrast to this, biofilms formed by E. coli AG100 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 were significantly inhibited by the EO; however, it was not affected by any of the monoterpenes. This observation suggests that the antibiofilm effect might be altered by the synergism between the components of the essential oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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16 pages, 2308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuroprotective Potential of Guiera senegalensis (Combretaceae) Leaf Hydroethanolic Extract against Cholinergic System Dysfunctions and Oxidative Stress in Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

by Jorelle Linda Kamda Damo, Razvan Stefan Boiangiu, Ion Brinza, Léa Blondelle Kenko Djoumessi, Roland Nhouma Rebe, Balbine Nkwingwa Kamleu, Simon Désiré Nyayi Guedang, Guillaume Woumitna Camdi, Parfait Bouvourné, Eglantine Wado Keugong, Hervé Hervé Abaïssou Ngatanko, Oana Cioanca, Monica Hancianu, Harquin Simplice Foyet and Lucian Hritcu

Plants 2022, 11(9), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091149 - 24 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3354

Abstract

Guiera senegalensis JF Gmel. (Combretaceae) (GS) is a plant used in traditional medicine in West Africa for the treatment of several diseases, such as epilepsy and depression. However, its potential benefits in improving scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment and brain oxidative stress in zebrafish [...] Read more.

Guiera senegalensis JF Gmel. (Combretaceae) (GS) is a plant used in traditional medicine in West Africa for the treatment of several diseases, such as epilepsy and depression. However, its potential benefits in improving scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment and brain oxidative stress in zebrafish have been investigated. In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were treated with GS (1, 4, and 8 μg/L) for 19 days as well as Sco (100 µM) 30 min before behavioral tests. Behavioral performance was assessed by the Y-maze test and novel object recognition test (NOR), whereas anxiety response was evaluated in the novel tank diving test (NTT). Subsequently, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to evaluate the GS chemical composition. Sco promoted oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Moreover, both oxidative stress parameters and AChE activity were ameliorated by GS treatment. Accordingly, the present findings further provided the potential use of GS as a natural, alternative treatment against cognitive disorders associated to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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18 pages, 1036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Essential Oils and Extracts of Juniperus macrocarpa Sm. and Juniperus oxycedrus L.: Comparative Phytochemical Composition and Anti-Proliferative and Antioxidant Activities

by Luciano Meringolo, Marco Bonesi, Vincenzo Sicari, Simone Rovito, Nicodemo Giuseppe Passalacqua, Monica Rosa Loizzo and Rosa Tundis

Plants 2022, 11(8), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11081025 - 9 Apr 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3636

Abstract

In this work, we conducted a comparative phytochemical, chemotaxonomic, and biological study of essential oils (EOs) and extracts (ethyl acetate and methanol) obtained from the leaves of Juniperusmacrocarpa and J. oxycedrus. The dominant compounds of J. macrocarpa EO, analysed by gas [...] Read more.

In this work, we conducted a comparative phytochemical, chemotaxonomic, and biological study of essential oils (EOs) and extracts (ethyl acetate and methanol) obtained from the leaves of Juniperusmacrocarpa and J. oxycedrus. The dominant compounds of J. macrocarpa EO, analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), are α-pinene, sabinene, manoyl oxide, and germacrene D, whereas α-pinene, limonene, (Z,E)-farnesol, β-pinene, and γ-cadinene are the most representative volatiles of J. oxycedrus EOs. A multivariate analysis of EOs, included a selection of literature data comparing our samples to samples of J. oxycedrus/macrocarpa/deltoides from the Mediterranean area, was performed. As evident by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses, apigenin, (−)-epicatechin, and luteolin were abundant in J. oxycedrus extracts, while gallic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and protocatechuic acid were the dominant constituents of J. macrocarpa extracts. EOs and extracts have been investigated for their potential antioxidant properties and anti-proliferative activity against lung adenocarcinoma (A549), breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), and lung large cell carcinoma (COR-L23) human cell lines. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of J. oxycedrus exerted the most valuable antioxidant activity and exhibited the most promising activity against the COR-L23 cell line with an IC₅₀ of 26.0 and 39.1 μg/mL, respectively, lower than that obtained with the positive control (IC₅₀ of 45.5 μg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report highlighting the anti-proliferative activity of J. oxycedrus and J. macrocarpa extracts against this lung cancer cell line. Our results indicate that J. oxycedrus may be considered a source of natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects that could be suitable for future applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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10 pages, 766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Triterpenes and Phenolic Compounds from Euphorbia deightonii with Antiviral Activity against Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2

by Muhammad Bello Saidu, Norbert Kúsz, Yu-Chi Tsai, Máté Vágvölgyi, Róbert Berkecz, Dávid Kókai, Katalin Burián, Judit Hohmann and Dóra Rédei

Plants 2022, 11(6), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060764 - 13 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2540

Abstract

Two undescribed compounds, 3β,7β-dihydroxy-24-methylenelanosta-8-ene-11-one (1) and neolignane deightonin (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia deightonii Croizat together with six known compounds, namely, kansenone (2), euphorbol-7-one (3), dehydrodiconiferyl diacetate [...] Read more.

Two undescribed compounds, 3β,7β-dihydroxy-24-methylenelanosta-8-ene-11-one (1) and neolignane deightonin (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia deightonii Croizat together with six known compounds, namely, kansenone (2), euphorbol-7-one (3), dehydrodiconiferyl diacetate (5), marylaurencinol D (6), scoparon (7), and 3,4,3′-tri-O-methylellagic acid (8). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HRESIMS, 1D (¹H, ¹³C JMOD) and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, ¹H–¹H COSY, NOESY) spectroscopic analysis, and by comparison of the assignments with literature data. The anti-herpes simplex virus type-2 activity of the isolated compounds were investigated by qRT-PCR assay on Vero cells after determining cytotoxic concentration 50% (CC₅₀). Compounds 1, 3, 4, and 7 exhibited inhibitory effects with respective IC₅₀ values of 7.05, 2.42, 11.73, and 0.032 µM. Scoparon (7) showed the strongest anti-HSV activity with a selectivity index of 10.93. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

36 pages, 1547 KiB

Open AccessReview

Wheat and Rice beyond Phenolic Acids: Genetics, Identification Database, Antioxidant Properties, and Potential Health Effects

by Fereidoon Shahidi, Renan Danielski, Samantha Ottani Rhein, Lee A. Meisel, Jocelyn Fuentes, Hernan Speisky, Andrés R. Schwember and Adriano Costa de Camargo

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3283; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233283 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2979

Abstract

Wheat and rice play a vital role in human nutrition and food security. A better understanding of the potential health benefits associated with consuming these cereals, combined with studies by plant scientists and food chemists to view the entire food value chain from [...] Read more.

Wheat and rice play a vital role in human nutrition and food security. A better understanding of the potential health benefits associated with consuming these cereals, combined with studies by plant scientists and food chemists to view the entire food value chain from the field, pre and post-harvest processing, and subsequent “fork” consumption, may provide the necessary tools to optimize wheat and rice production towards the goal of better human health improvement and food security, providing tools to better adapt to the challenges associated with climate change. Since the available literature usually focuses on only one food chain segment, this narrative review was designed to address the identities and concentration of phenolics of these cereal crops from a farm-to-fork perspective. Wheat and rice genetics, phenolic databases, antioxidant properties, and potential health effects are summarized. These cereals contain much more than phenolic acids, having significant concentrations of flavonoids (including anthocyanins) and proanthocyanidins in a cultivar-dependent manner. Their potential health benefits in vitro have been extensively studied. According to a number of in vivo studies, consumption of whole wheat, wheat bran, whole rice, and rice bran may be strategies to improve health. Likewise, anthocyanin-rich cultivars have shown to be very promising as functional foods Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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10 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessReview

Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi and Changes in Primary and Secondary Metabolites

by Mostafa Amani Machiani, Abdollah Javanmard, Reyhaneh Habibi Machiani and Amir Sadeghpour

Plants 2022, 11(17), 2183; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11172183 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3814

Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are able to synthesize a diverse group of secondary metabolites (SMs) such as terpenoids or terpenes, steroids, phenolics, and alkaloids with a broad range of therapeutic and pharmacological potentials. Extensive use of MAPs in various industries makes it [...] Read more.

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are able to synthesize a diverse group of secondary metabolites (SMs) such as terpenoids or terpenes, steroids, phenolics, and alkaloids with a broad range of therapeutic and pharmacological potentials. Extensive use of MAPs in various industries makes it important to re-evaluate their research, development, production, and use. In intensive agricultural systems, increasing plant productivity is highly dependent on the application of chemical inputs. Extreme use of chemical or synthetic fertilizers, especially higher doses of N fertilization, decrease the yield of bioactive compounds in MAPs. The plant–soil microbial interaction is an eco-friendly strategy to decrease the demand of chemical fertilizers. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), belongs to phylum Glomeromycota, can form mutualistic symbiotic associations with more than 80% of plant species. The AMF–plant symbiotic association, in addition to increasing nutrient and water uptake, reprograms the metabolic pathways of plants and changes the concentration of primary and secondary metabolites of medicinal and aromatic plants. The major findings reported that inoculation of AMF with MAPs enhanced secondary metabolites directly by increasing nutrient and water uptake and also improving photosynthesis capacity or indirectly by stimulating SMs’ biosynthetic pathways through changes in phytohormonal concentrations and production of signaling molecules. Overall, the AMF-MAPs symbiotic association can be used as new eco-friendly technologies in sustainable agricultural systems for improving the quantity and quality of MAPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

20 pages, 5885 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Inhibitory Activity of Saussurea costus Extract against Bacteria, Candida, Herpes, and SARS-CoV-2

by Hajo Idriss, Babeker Siddig, Pamela González-Maldonado, H. M. Elkhair, Abbas I. Alakhras, Emad M. Abdallah, Amin O. Elzupir and Pablo H. Sotelo

Plants 2023, 12(3), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030460 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4436

Abstract

Medicinal herbs have long been utilized to treat various diseases or to relieve the symptoms of some ailments for extended periods. The present investigation demonstrates the phytochemical profile, molecular docking, anti-Candida activity, and anti-viral activity of the Saussurea costus acetic acid extract. [...] Read more.

Medicinal herbs have long been utilized to treat various diseases or to relieve the symptoms of some ailments for extended periods. The present investigation demonstrates the phytochemical profile, molecular docking, anti-Candida activity, and anti-viral activity of the Saussurea costus acetic acid extract. GC-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 69 chemical compounds. The chemical compounds were alkaloids (4%), terpenoids (79%), phenolic compounds (4%), hydrocarbons (7%), and sterols (6%). Molecular docking was used to study the inhibitory activity of 69 identified compounds against SARS-CoV-2. In total, 12 out of 69 compounds were found to have active properties exhibiting SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. The binding scores of these molecules were significantly low, ranging from −7.8 to −5.6 kcal/mol. The interaction of oxatricyclo [20.8.0.0(7,16)] triaconta-1(22),7(16),9,13,23,29-hexaene with the active site is more efficient. Furthermore, the extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity (in vitro) against Candida albicans, which was the most susceptible microorganism, followed by Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. On the other hand, its antiviral activity was evaluated against HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and the results showed a significant positive influence against HSV-1 (EC₅₀ = 82.6 g/mL; CC₅₀ = 162.9 g/mL; selectivity index = 1.9). In spite of this, no impact could be observed in terms of inhibiting the entry of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities)

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