Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kirandeep Samby, Dominique Besson, Anirban Dutta, Buddhadev Patra, Angelique Doy, Paul Glossop, James Mills, Gavin Whitlock, Rob Hooft van Huijsduijnen, Alessandra Monaco, Graeme Bilbe, Charles Mowbray, Benjamin Perry, Anna Adam, Timothy N. C. Wells, Paul A. Willis
Summary: The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of investing in the search for new medicines to address emerging health threats. Researchers have assembled the Pandemic Response Box, a collection of 400 compounds, to facilitate drug discovery in emerging infectious diseases.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Evgeniy S. Izmest'ev, Svetlana V. Pestova, Alena I. Kolesnikova, Diana R. Baidamshina, Airat R. Kayumov, Svetlana A. Rubtsova
Summary: This study synthesized terpene-containing conjugates of fluoroquinolones and evaluated their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The compounds with a linker between a fluoroquinolone and a terpene fragment showed high activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with ciprofloxacin derivatives demonstrating the best performance. Camphor sulfonamides exhibited high antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sarah Tubiana, Jeanne Sibiude, Philippe Herlemont, Jerome Drouin, Olivier Picone, Xavier Duval, Alain Weill, Mahmoud Zureik, Rosemary Dray-Spira
Summary: This study investigated the trends in anti-infective use during pregnancy from 2010 to 2019 using the French national health data system. The study found a decrease in the use of antibacterials and an increase in the use of antiviral agents. The study also suggested room for improvement in influenza vaccination.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kalichamy Alagarasu, Poonam Patil, Meenakshi Kaushik, Deepika Chowdhury, Rajesh K. Joshi, Harsha V. Hegde, Mahadeo B. Kakade, Sugeerappa Laxmanappa Hoti, Sarah Cherian, Deepti Parashar
Summary: This study conducted in vitro antiviral screening of plant extracts and purified compounds for their activities against dengue and chikungunya viruses. The extracts from Plumeria alba, Ancistrocladus heyneanus, Bacopa monnieri, and Cucurbita maxima showed activity against both viruses, while the extract from Vitex negundo only showed activity against dengue virus. Among the purified compounds, anacardic acid, chloroquinone, and methyl gallate showed activity against dengue virus, and only methyl gallate had activity against chikungunya virus. These findings provide potential candidates for the development of phytopharmaceutical drugs against dengue and chikungunya.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Thang Lam Lun, Shunya Tojo, Toshiaki Teruya, Hisashi Kato-Noguchi
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and identify the allelopathic substances from Polygonum chinense and determine their biological activity on cress, alfalfa, and Italian ryegrass. The findings suggest that the extracts of P. chinense have growth-inhibitory potential and two compounds, dehydrovomifoliol and loliolide, may contribute as allelopathic agents.
Article
Oncology
Sareh Kamran, Ajantha Sinniah, Mahfoudh A. M. Abdulghani, Mohammed Abdullah Alshawsh
Summary: Cancer is a life-threatening disease and remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Chemoresistance, severe toxicity, relapse, and metastasis are major challenges in cancer therapy. Terpenoids, derived from plant sources, have shown diverse anticancer activities and can inhibit different stages of cancer progression. Significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of action and signaling pathways through which terpenoids exert their anticancer effects.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xunzhi Zhu, Yangmin Yi, Ling Huang, Chi Zhang, Hua Shao
Summary: The study revealed through laboratory bioassay and metabolomics analysis that the noxious weed Eupatorium adenophorum possesses allelopathic properties, impacting metabolic pathways in the recipient plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Metabolites related to mineral absorption, ABC transporters, amino acid biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, and plant secondary metabolites were significantly affected. The findings indicate suppression of the citrate cycle, disruption of amino acid metabolism, and inhibition of phosphate absorption in the recipient plant, highlighting the allelopathic nature of E. adenophorum.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Adrian-Alexandru Somesan, Sabina-Madalina Vieriu, Alexandru Craciun, Cristian Silvestru, Paul Chiroi, Andreea Nutu, Ancuta Jurj, Raduly Lajos, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe, Richard A. Varga
Summary: This study investigates the cytotoxic activity of several organotin(IV) compounds on lung cancer cell lines and normal lung cells, and discusses their synthetic protocols and structural characteristics.
APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Yin, Rui-Hang Hu, Xing-Xiang Long, Yong-Qiang Zhou, Xin Wei, Shuang Zhang, Ting-Ting Feng, Ying Zhou
Summary: Three new terpenoids, ardisiacrispins G-I (1, 4 and 8), and eight known compounds were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crispa. The chemical structures of all compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 8 and 9 showed moderate cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gabriele Soriano, Claudia Petrillo, Marco Masi, Mabrouka Bouafiane, Aminata Khelil, Angela Tuzi, Rachele Isticato, Monica Fernandez-Aparicio, Alessio Cimmino
Summary: In order to meet the increasing demand for food, modern agriculture relies on the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals. However, this strategy has led to severe environmental damage and poses risks to human health. A sustainable alternative to agrochemicals is the use of plant metabolites and plant-based pesticides, which have minimal environmental impact. Retama raetam, a shrub found in the desert areas of Algeria, has been traditionally used in medicine due to its antiseptic and antipyretic properties. Its allelopathic features can also be utilized to effectively control phytopathogens in agriculture.
Review
Plant Sciences
Ferdoushi Rahaman, Abdul Shukor Juraimi, Mohd Y. Rafii, Kamal Uddin, Lutful Hassan, Abul Kashem Chowdhury, Sarker Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Bashir Yusuf Rini, Oladosu Yusuff, H. M. Khairul Bashar, Akbar Hossain
Summary: Rice is an important crop for global food demand and security, but it faces significant weed problems. Allelochemicals, secondary metabolites of allelopathic plants, are effective tools for eco-friendly weed management. Understanding the concepts, types, modes of action, biosynthesis, and factors influencing the production of allelochemicals in rice is crucial for developing new weed control strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sevgi Irtegun Kandemir, Hilal Saruhan Fidan, Ismail Yener, Nuriye Mete, Abdulselam Ertas, Gulacti Topcu, Ufuk Kolak
Summary: Salvia species have been traditionally used in medicine and cuisine. Studies have shown that secondary metabolites from Salvia species have various pharmacological and biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant activities. Some compounds also exhibit potential anticancer properties.
JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Mei Ma, Kai Wang, Xian-Hua Meng, Yi-Dan Zheng, Cheng-Bo Wang, Tian Chai, Mohammad Reza Naghavi, Chun-Yan Sang, Jun-Li Yang
Summary: Five new compounds and fifteen known analogs were isolated from Nardostachys jatamansi. Some of these compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, the study found that nardostachin induced cell apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tarfah Al-Warhi, Leena S. Alqahtani, Ghadi Alsharif, Matokah Abualnaja, Ola A. Abu Ali, Safa H. Qahl, Hussam Awwadh E. Althagafi, Fahad Alharthi, Ibrahim Jafri, Fahmy G. Elsaid, Ali A. Shati, Salman Aloufi, Eman Fayad, Islam Zaki, Martha M. Morcoss
Summary: In this study, a new series of cis-vinylamide derivatives containing trimethoxyphenyl moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activities. Compound 3 showed potent cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and exerted its antitumor effect through inhibiting microtubule polymerization.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robson Willian Nunes Lopes, Estefenson Marques Morais, Julian Junio de Jesus Lacerda, Francisca Diana da Silva Araujo
Summary: This study investigated the allelopathic effects of the plant species Dipteryx lacunifera Ducke, Ricinus communis L., Piper tuberculatum Jacq., and Jatropha gossypiifolia L. on the weed Bidens bipinnata L. In vitro bioassays showed that the aqueous extracts of these plant species were able to inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of B. bipinnata, with R. communis exhibiting the strongest allelopathic effect. Pot experiments confirmed that the foliar application of R. communis and P. tuberculatum extracts caused yellowing of leaves, affecting chlorophyll content and reducing growth. The presence of allelochemical compounds, such as phenolics and terpenoids, associated with allelopathic activity was identified using ATR FT-MIR spectroscopy combined with PCA. Overall, this study provides valuable information on the allelopathic inhibitory effects of R. communis and P. tuberculatum on B. bipinnata, which can be used for the development of eco-friendly bioherbicides.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Biljana M. Nikolic, Iris Dordevic, Marina Todosijevic, Zorica Mitic, Milena A. Stefanovic, Jovana M. Stankovic, Srdjan Bojovic, Vele Tesevic, Petar D. Marin
Summary: This study examined the content of nonacosan-10-ol and n-alkanes in needle waxes of 12 different Pinus taxa and investigated the carbon preference index and average chain length values in selected taxa. The results showed significant chemical composition differences among different Pinus taxa.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jelena P. Stojanovic, Gordana S. Stojanovic, Zorica Z. Stojanovic-Radic, Bojan K. Zlatkovic, Jovana D. Ickovski, Ivana G. Zlatanovic, Snezana C. Jovanovic, Zorica S. Mitic
Summary: This study is the first comparative study on the antimicrobial activity of essential oils from six Achillea species. The results show that the essential oils have inhibitory effects on all studied strains, but also exhibit high toxicity.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ana M. Dzamic, Jelena S. Matejic
Summary: The beneficial effect of plants in treating diabetes has been recognized in traditional medicine and scientific studies. Testing the antidiabetic activity of plant extracts and bioactive compounds involves in vitro and in vivo experiments, clinical trials, and molecular docking studies. Recent research has focused on plant extracts and compounds for treating diabetes and reducing complications. The goal is to find new antidiabetic drugs with fewer toxic effects. This review collects and discusses the latest findings on plant extracts, compounds, and antidiabetic effects using various models. Isolating new compounds may provide a rich source for diabetes treatment. Clinical trials with proper monitoring provide the best evidence of efficacy and safety. The importance of medicinal herbs in diabetes treatment has been confirmed by many studies.
MINI-REVIEWS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Milos Jovanovic, Jelena Mudric, Zorica Drinic, Jelena Matejic, Dusanka Kitic, Dubravka Bigovic, Katarina Savikin
Summary: Willow gentian is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The study optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from its underground parts, using response surface methodology and artificial neural network modeling to achieve high extraction yields. The developed extraction model can be used for further separation, purification, and bioactivity studies of the selected compounds.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zorica S. Mitic, Zorica Z. Stojanovic-Radic, Snezana C. Jovanovic, Vladimir J. Cvetkovic, Jelena S. Nikolic, Jovana D. Ickovski, Tatjana Lj Mitrovic, Biljana M. Nikolic, Bojan K. Zlatkovic, Gordana S. Stojanovic
Summary: This study focused on the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of essential oils from three indigenous Balkan Abies species. The results showed that all three oils exhibited antimicrobial activity and toxicity towards insects, although the specific levels of toxicity varied.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biljana M. Nikolic, Dalibor A. Ballian, Iris Z. Dordevic, Nemanja F. Rajcevic, Marina M. Todosijevic, Jovana M. Stankovic Jeremic, Zorica S. Mitic, Srdjan R. Bojovic, Vele V. Tesevic
Summary: The population variability of n-alkanes in the cuticular waxes of Serbian spruce needles from Bosnia and Herzegovina was studied for the first time. The n-alkanes showed composition variability ranging from C18 to C35. Statistical analysis using PCA, DA, and CA confirmed the divergence of populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to previously investigated Serbian populations. This suggests the presence of two possible spruce chemotypes, one related to the Bosnian-Herzegovinian populations and the other to the Serbian populations. Climate parameters such as precipitation, temperature, wind, and solar radiation supported this conclusion.
BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMATICS AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jelena P. Stojkovic, Zorica Z. Stojanovic-Radic, Snezana C. Jevtovic, Jovana D. Ickovski, Ivana G. Zlatanovic, Bojan K. Zlatkovic, Gordana S. Stojanovic, Zorica S. Mitic
Summary: This study investigates the chemical profiles and activity evaluation of essential oils from five Achillea species native to Serbia. The results show that these oils possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and have high toxicity.
JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL BEARING PLANTS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lazar D. Zarkovic, Ksenija S. Mileski, Jelena S. Matejic, Uros M. Gasic, Nemanja F. Rajcevic, Petar D. Marin, Ana M. Dzamic
Summary: This study analyzed the chemical composition, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activity of Rosa arvensis Huds. leaves and fruits collected from different regions in Serbia. The results showed that leaf extracts had high antioxidant capacity and good alpha-glucosidase inhibitory potential, indicating their potential as novel food ingredients.
Article
Plant Sciences
Dario Kremer, Valerija Dunkic, Ivan Radosavljevic, Faruk Bogunic, Daniella Ivanova, Dalibor Ballian, Danijela Stesevic, Vlado Matevski, Vladimir Randelovic, Eleni Eleftheriadou, Zlatko Satovic, Zlatko Liber
Summary: This study investigated the phytochemical and molecular characteristics of Micromeria and Clinopodium taxa distributed in the Balkan Peninsula. The results provided insights into the taxonomic relationships among the taxa and the correlations between phytochemical and molecular data. However, the geographic distributions did not support the genetic grouping. Further research, including a larger sample size and DNA sequencing, is needed to resolve the taxonomic position of the studied taxa.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jelena Mrmosanin, Aleksandra Pavlovic, Ivana Rasic Misic, Snezana Tosic, Stefan Petrovic, Zorica Mitic, Emilija Pecev-Marinkovic, Biljana Arsic
Summary: This study aimed at optimizing the ICP-AES conditions for the determination of macro and microelements in Trifolium species flowers and leaves. Plasma robustness was achieved after the optimization of instrumental parameters. The most abundant microelement in leaves was Ca, while in flowers it was K. The average contents of microelements were then determined and chemometrics were used for sample grouping based on elemental contents.
ANALYTICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zorica S. Mitic, Jelena S. Nikolic, Ivana S. Dimitrijevic, Snezana C. Jevtovic, Biljana M. Nikolic, Bojan K. Zlatkovic, Gordana S. Stojanovic
Summary: This is the first study to investigate the variability of cuticular wax in Abies alba, A.xborisii-regis, and A. cephalonica in the Balkan Peninsula. The analysis of 269 needle samples revealed the presence of various wax compounds, including n-alkanes, alcohols, diterpenes, triterpenes, and sterols. The statistical analysis showed limited differentiation between A. alba and A. cephalonica, while A.xborisii-regis individuals overlapped with both parent species. The observed variation in wax compounds is likely genetically determined and not an adaptive response to environmental factors.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Milos S. Jovanovic, Milica Milutinovic, Zorica Lazarevic, Jelena Mudric, Jelena Matejic, Dusanka Kitic, Katarina Savikin
Summary: This study compared and optimized conventional heat-assisted extraction (HAE) and advanced microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of bioactive compounds from willow gentian underground parts. The results showed that MAE method could extract bioactive compounds more rapidly and reduce ethanol consumption.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Zorica S. Mitic, Jelena S. Nikolic, Marina Z. Juskovic, Vladimir N. Randelovic, Biljana M. Nikolic, Bojan K. Zlatkovic
Summary: This study identified 10 fir populations that may be hybridogenous, and supports the conservation of these polymorphic fir populations as hybrids may be ecologically and economically superior to the parent species.
TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
M. S. Markovic, D. S. Pljevljakusic, J. S. Matejic, Lj. B. Rakonjac, B. M. Nikolic, M. M. Djokic, V. P. Stankov Jovanovic
Summary: It is important to evaluate alternative respiratory infection treatments using herbal medicines. This study surveyed the population in a Serbian district to determine the use of plants against respiratory infections. The most commonly used plants were Thymus spp., Matricaria chamomilla, and Sambucus nigra. Further research on these plants may lead to the development of effective antiviral drugs against respiratory tract infections.
JOURNAL OF HERBAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gordana B. Krstic, Biljana M. Nikolic, Marina M. Todosijevic, Zorica S. Mitic, Jovana M. Stankovic-Jeremic, Mirjana T. Cvetkovic, Srdjan R. Bojovic, Petar D. Marin
Summary: This study reported on the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from the needles of twelve Pinus taxa. It was found that monoterpenes were the dominant compounds, with α-pinene being the most abundant. The composition of the dominant compounds varied among the taxa. Additionally, the taxonomic implications of the terpene profile in the analyzed Pinus taxa were discussed, and three species from the Pinaster subsection were found to be the most distinct.
