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1.
Pharmacological and chemical features of Nepeta L. genus: Its importance as a therapeutic agent.
Süntar, I, Nabavi, SM, Barreca, D, Fischer, N, Efferth, T
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2018;(2):185-198
Abstract
Medicinal plants have always had great value for the human population due to their valuable constituents and potential bioactivities. The objective of this review is to present an updated overview of an important medicinal plant genus Nepeta L., from the family Lamiaceae, revealing its traditional utilization, biological activity, phytoconstituents, and mechanisms of action. For this purpose, a literature survey was carried out by using SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science followed by a revision of the bibliographies of the related articles. We have described and analyzed the role of plants in drug discovery and the importance of Nepeta species. Information on the utilization purposes of Nepeta species in folk medicine has been emphasized, and scientific studies on the biological effects and secondary metabolites are addressed. Nepeta species are characterized by terpenoid-type compounds and phenolic constituents, which exert several activities such as an antimicrobial, repellent against major pathogen vector mosquitoes, insecticide, larvicide against Anopheles stephensi, cytotoxic anticarcinogen, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent, and antidepressant, revealing its importance in medicinal and agricultural fields. On the basis of numerous studies, the Nepeta genus demonstrates remarkable therapeutic effects against various diseases. However, clinical studies are warranted to confirm preclinical findings.
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2.
[Recent research progress of selenium polysaccharides from medicinal plants].
Liang, H, Huang, J, Wang, L, Chen, J, Tian, ML
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2018;(15):3080-3092
Abstract
Selenium polysaccharides (Se polysaccharides) are a kind of organic selenium compounds which obtain the activities from Se and polysaccharides. Comparing to Se or polysaccharides, Se polysaccharides exhibit improved biological activities and are more prone to be absorbed by human bodies, therefore, they have been widely used in medical applications, such as immunomodulation, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-aging. Due to their unique pharmacological activities, Se polysaccharides from medicinal plants have gradually become a research hotspot. However, only a few of Se polysaccharides have been separated and purified in recent years. The structure of polysaccharides is also very complex, therefore, determination of the chemical structure and mechanism of bioactivity of Se polysaccharide in vivo remain to be further studied. This article systematically introduced the main source and biological activities of Se polysaccharides from medicinal plants. The purpose of this review is to provide a basis for the further research of Se polysaccharides.
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3.
Role of plant phytochemicals and microbial enzymes in biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles.
Ovais, M, Khalil, AT, Islam, NU, Ahmad, I, Ayaz, M, Saravanan, M, Shinwari, ZK, Mukherjee, S
Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 2018;(16):6799-6814
Abstract
Metal-based nanoparticles have gained tremendous popularity because of their interesting physical, biological, optical, and magnetic properties. These nanoparticles can be synthesized using a variety of different physical, chemical, and biological techniques. The biological means are largely preferred as it provides an environmentally benign, green, and cost-effective route for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. These bioresources can act as a scaffold, thereby playing the role of reducing as well as capping agents in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Medicinal plants tend to have a complex phytochemical constituent such as alcohols, phenols, terpenes, alkaloids, saponins, and proteins, while microbes have key enzymes which can act as reducing as well as stabilizing agent for NP synthesis. However, the mechanism of biosynthesis is still highly debatable. Herein, the present review is directed to give an updated comprehensive overview towards the mechanistic aspects in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles via plants and microbes. Various biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites in plants and key enzyme production in microbes have been discussed in detail, along with the underlying mechanisms for biogenic NP synthesis.
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4.
Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Capparis spinosa as a Medicinal Plant.
Zhang, H, Ma, ZF
Nutrients. 2018;(2)
Abstract
Over the past decades, there has been increasing attention on polyphenol-rich foods including fruits and vegetables on human health. Polyphenols have been shown to possess some potential beneficial effects on human health and they are widely found in foods consumed by populations worldwide. Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) is an important source of different secondary metabolites of interest to humankind. The traditional therapeutic applications of C. spinosa have been reported in Ancient Romans. Numerous bioactive phytochemical constituents have been isolated and identified from different parts (aerial parts, roots and seeds) of C. spinosa which are responsible alone or in combination for its various pharmacological activities. Therefore, this paper is a review of publications on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. spinosa. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that C. spinosa or its extracts are able to improve the biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, these studies used different parts of C. spinosa plant, methods of preparation and types of solvents, which cause the evaluation of activity of C. spinosa difficult and involve quite heterogeneous data. There is also evidence, although limited, to suggest benefits of C. spinosa in improving human health. Therefore, the relationship between C. spinosa and improved human health outcomes requires further study.
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5.
[Application of DNA molecular marker technologies in study of medicinal Physalis species].
Feng, SG, Zhu, YJ, Jiao, KL, Shen, CJ, Ying, QC, Wang, HZ
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2018;(4):672-675
Abstract
As traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, Physalis plants have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects, and have been used for the treatment of malaria, rheumatism, hepatitis, asthma, and cancer. In addition to the medicinal value, many Physalis species are also the high-grade nutrition health care fruits, can be made canned and candied etc. In the study, the application progress of DNA molecular marker technologies in medicinal Physalis plants in recent years was reviewed, in order to provide an important molecular technical basis for the identification, classification and rational development and protection of medicinal Physalis resources.
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6.
Matricaria genus as a source of antimicrobial agents: From farm to pharmacy and food applications.
Sharifi-Rad, M, Nazaruk, J, Polito, L, Morais-Braga, MFB, Rocha, JE, Coutinho, HDM, Salehi, B, Tabanelli, G, Montanari, C, Del Mar Contreras, M, et al
Microbiological research. 2018;:76-88
Abstract
Matricaria is a widespread genus of flowering plants of the family Asteraceae that grow in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Some of the species are also naturalized in Australia. Some species of this genus such as Chamomiles are recognized medicinal plants and cultivated in several countries for commercial purposes: to obtain its blue essence, as herbal tea, and for pharmaceutical or cosmeceutical uses. The phytochemical composition of Matricaria spp. includes volatile terpenoids (e.g., α-bisabolol, bisabolol oxide A and B, β-trans-farnesene and chamazulene), sesquiterpene lactones such as matricin, and phenolic compounds (flavonoids, coumarins and phenolic acids). Their essential oil is obtained from the fresh or dried inflorescences by steam distillation, and additionally cohobation of the remaining water. The volatile composition of the essential oil, especially the content of the valuable components α-bisabolol and chamazulene, depends on the plant part, origin and quality of the source, genetic, and environmental factors. Moreover, other parameters, such as season of harvest and methods of extraction, can affect the extraction yield of the essential oils/extracts, their composition and, therefore, their bioactivity. Due to the importance of this genus and particularly M. recutita (M. chamomilla), this review focus on its cultivation, factor affecting essential oils' composition and their role in traditional medicine, as antibacterial agents and finally as food preservatives.
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7.
Bioactive compounds and health benefits of edible Rumex species-A review.
Prakash Mishra, A, Sharifi-Rad, M, Shariati, MA, Mabkhot, YN, Al-Showiman, SS, Rauf, A, Salehi, B, Župunski, M, Sharifi-Rad, M, Gusain, P, et al
Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France). 2018;(8):27-34
Abstract
Medicinal and food plants as well as their bioactive fractions have been used by diverse human cultures since ancient times. These plants provide multiple health benefits because of the presence of a plethora of phytochemicals including phenylpropanoids, isoprenoids, alkaloids, sulphated compounds, peptides and polysaccharides that are responsible for various biological activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-dysenteric, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, anti-hypertensive and anticoagulant properties. The genus Rumex includes edible and medicinal herbs belonging to buckwheat (Polygonaceae) family, consisting of about 200 species rich in phenylpropanoids and anthraquinones. Some Rumex species have exhibited health-promoting effects and have been used as traditional foods and herbal remedies, though a limited information has been documented on their specific biological properties. Therefore, this survey aimed at reviewing the Rumex species with documented biological activity, focusing on preclinical evidences on their efficacy and safety.
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8.
Biological clocks, some clock-related diseases, and medicinal plants.
Deng, TS
PsyCh journal. 2018;(4):197-205
Abstract
Progress in chronobiology thus far has been built on botanical field investigation records, experiments on the development of biological clocks, open questions, established rules, and molecular mechanisms. In this review, three clock-related diseases, namely cancer, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and depression, are discussed. Evidence-based mechanisms of action of active compounds, namely epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), curcumin, and melatonin, from three medicinal plants, Camellia sinensis K., Curcuma longa L., and Hypericum perforatum L., respectively, as potential therapies against cancer, AD, and depression, respectively, have been explained. Feedback loops of basic inputs and application outputs of various studies will lead to the development of chronobiology for applications in time-keeping, disease prevention, and control, and future agricultural practices.
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9.
Antifungal activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Sapindaceae) against Trichophyton rubrum occurs through molecular interaction with fungal Hsp90.
Gaziano, R, Campione, E, Iacovelli, F, Marino, D, Pica, F, Di Francesco, P, Aquaro, S, Menichini, F, Falconi, M, Bianchi, L
Drug design, development and therapy. 2018;:2185-2193
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection limited to the stratum corneum of the epidermis, or to the hair and nails, and constitutes an important public health problem because of its high prevalence and associated morbidity. Dermatophyte fungi, especially 2 species, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, are the predominant pathogens. Topical antifungal drugs, mainly azoles or allyamines, are currently used for the treatment of dermatophytoses, although in some cases, such as in nail and hair involvement, systemic treatment is required. However, therapeutic efficacy of current antifungal agents can be limited by their side effects, costs, and the emergence of drug resistance among fungi. Plant extracts represent a potential source of active antimicrobial agents, due to the presence of a variety of chemical bioactive compounds. In the present work, we evaluated in silico and in vitro the antifungal activity of an extract of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum against T. rubrum suggesting a potential interaction with Hsp90 as playing an important role in both pathogenicity and drug susceptibility of T. rubrum. METHODS We investigated in vitro the effect of different concentrations of C. halicacabum (from 500 to 31.25 µg) against a clinical isolate of T. rubrum. Furthermore, using a computational assessment, the interaction between different C. halicacabum active compounds and the fungal Hsp90 was also investigated. RESULTS Our results indicate a clear-cut antifungal activity of the total plant extract at the highest concentrations (500 and 250 µg). Among all tested C. halicacabum compounds, the luteolin and rutin molecules have been identified in silico as the most important potential inhibitors of Hsp90. Based on these data, luteolin and rutin were also individually assessed for their antifungal activity. Results demonstrate that both substances display an antifungal effect, even if lower than that of the total plant extract. CONCLUSION Our data indicate a strong fungistatic effect of C. halicacabum against T. rubrum, suggesting its potential therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of dermatophytoses. Additionally, C. halicacabum compounds, and particularly luteolin and rutin, are all possible Hsp90 interactors, explaining their fungistatic activity.
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10.
Colorectal cancer and medicinal plants: Principle findings from recent studies.
Benarba, B, Pandiella, A
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2018;:408-423
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in the world. Although recent advances in chemotherapy have improved management and survival of colorectal cancer patients, side effects and resistance to chemotherapy have shown the limitations of current chemotherapy and led to the search for alternative treatments. In this context, medicinal plants provide a large number of molecules with proven cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities against several types of cancers including colorectal cancer. These molecules belong to various phytochemical families and trigger different signaling pathways. Here, we review the recent findings regarding the anti-colorectal cancer activities of several plants, both in vitro and in vivo, and the phytochemical molecules possibly responsible for these activities. Besides, their effects on several cancer signaling pathways are discussed. This review highlights the importance of medicinal plants as promising sources of lead anti-colorectal molecules.