Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amr Adel, Mohamed S. Elnaggar, Amgad Albohy, Ahmed A. Elrashedy, Ahmed Mostafa, Omnia Kutkat, Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen, Eman Al-Sayed, Mohamed A. Rabeh
Summary: This study evaluated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of extracts from Carica papaya leaves cultivated in Egypt and found that the n-hexane fraction exhibited high antiviral activity. Analysis of the crude extract revealed the presence of various compounds known to possess antiviral activity against different classes of viruses. Computational simulations also showed promising interactions between the annotated compounds and SARS-CoV-2 target proteins.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Margarida Teixeira, Clara Sousa
Summary: Medicinal plants have been traditionally used to cure illnesses, and natural compounds extracted from plants, including the Camellia species, have garnered scientific attention in recent decades. Tea and oil extracted from Camellia sinensis and Camellia oleifera are the most valuable subproducts. Several studies report the health benefits of Camellia species, particularly their antimicrobial and antitumoral activities, as well as their abundance in polyphenols like catechins.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Salar Hafez Ghoran, Fatemeh Taktaz, Ali Akbar Mozafari, Murat Tunctuerk, Nazim Sekeroglu, Anake Kijjoa
Summary: The search for new bioactive compounds from plant sources is an important area of drug discovery research. The genus Salvia, which includes various medicinal herbs, has different pharmacological activities due to the presence of diverse specialized metabolites. Taxonomically different genera can also produce the same compounds.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xinyu Yu, Xinyue Tu, Lingchen Tao, Jayasimha Daddam, Shanshan Li, Fuliang Hu
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the chemical composition, extraction methods, and biological activities of royal jelly fatty acids, providing a theoretical basis for expanding prospective applications of royal jelly in human health.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana M. M. Goncalves, Carolina P. Rocha, Joao C. Marques, Fernando J. M. Goncalves
Summary: The toxic effects of pesticides, especially in aquatic ecosystems, have been a major concern for environmental and human safety. Biomarkers, such as antioxidant enzymes and fatty acids, are crucial in assessing the impacts of pesticides on organisms. Fatty acids have been identified as potential biomarkers due to their sensitivity to alterations in organism homeostasis, particularly in freshwater communities.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mostafa H. H. Baky, Mohamed R. R. Elgindi, Enas M. M. Shawky, Haitham A. A. Ibrahim
Summary: This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Ludwigia adscendens subsp. diffusa and screened its biological activities. The aerial parts of L. adscendens were found to contain various phytochemicals with potential health benefits.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Joshua M. Nicholson, Glenn C. Micalizio
Summary: Asymmetric de novo syntheses of euphol and tirucallol have been achieved using a concise sequence of chemical steps featuring several modern stereoselective transformations. The preparative solution for these complex natural product synthesis problems departs significantly from biomimetic polyene cyclization chemistry. The syntheses involve various stereoselective reactions to establish tetracyclic structures with stereodefined quaternary centers, providing access to enantiodefined euphane and tirucallane systems.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adriana Cristina Urcan, Adriana Dalila Criste, Daniel Severus Dezmirean, Otilia Bobis, Victorita Bonta, Francisc Vasile Dulf, Rodica Margaoan, Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan, Maria Graca Campos
Summary: Beebread is a fermented bee product made from plant pollen, honey and bee saliva, containing high levels of proteins, lipids, free sugars, essential amino acids, and natural antioxidants. These findings suggest that Beebread could serve as a valuable source of value-added nutrients and bioactive compounds.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grazyna Kubiak-Tomaszewska, Piotr Roszkowski, Emilia Grosicka-Maciag, Paulina Strzyga-Lach, Marta Struga
Summary: Flavonoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids are potential substances for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases due to their low cytotoxicity. This study examined the cytotoxic and antioxidant potential of novel conjugates of 6-hydroxy-flavanone and 7-hydroxy-flavone with selected fatty acids. The findings showed that conjugating with fatty acids affected the biological activity of the original flavonoids. The conjugation increased the cytotoxicity of 6-hydroxy-flavanone towards prostate cancer cells, with the most significant effect observed for the oleate conjugate. Similarly, the conjugates of 7-hydroxy-flavone showed noticeable effects, especially with oleate and stearate. Additionally, the esterification of the flavonoids decreased their antioxidant activity compared to the original compounds. Only 6-sorbic flavanone showed a slight increase in antioxidant potential. Therefore, conjugated flavonoids exhibit enhanced cytotoxic effects but reduced antioxidant potential.
Article
Plant Sciences
Karina Vega-Granados, Marta Medina-O'Donnell, Francisco Rivas, Fernando J. Reyes-Zurita, Antonio Martinez, Luis Alvarez de Cienfuegos, Jose A. Lupianez, Andres Parra
Summary: A set of 12 maslinic acid-coumarin conjugates were synthesized, with one conjugate showing the most potent anticancer effects while maintaining high cell viability for non-tumor cells. Four conjugates demonstrated apoptotic effects in cancer cells, and most compounds caused cell-cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in all tested cancer cell lines.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nqobile P. Hlophe, Adeyemi O. Aremu, Jiri Gruz, Johannes Van Staden, Jeffrey F. Finnie
Summary: The application of cytokinins significantly influenced the phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity of in vitro-regenerated Brachystelma species, with ferulic and sinapic acids being the major phenolic acids. The presence of cytokinins resulted in higher antioxidant activity in the micro-propagated plants.
PLANT CELL TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seham S. El-hawary, Ahlam Elwekeel, Sara O. Abo El-Ela, Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen, Asmaa I. Owis
Summary: The phytochemical analysis of Livistona leaves and fruits revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. A total of five phenolic compounds and one fatty acid were isolated from L. australis fruits. The in vitro assays showed that the leaves of L. australis exhibited strong anticholinesterase and antidiabetic activities. This study highlights the potential of Livistona species as a valuable source of flavonoids and phenolic compounds for anti-aging and disease treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jordan L. Tonga, Michael H. K. Kamdem, Julio I. M. Pagna, Thierry Y. Fonkui, Charlotte M. Tata, Marthe C. D. Fotsing, Ephrem A. Nkengfack, Edwin M. Mmutlane, Derek T. Ndinteh
Summary: The chemical investigation of Staudtia kamerunensis revealed the presence of six compounds with antibacterial activity, including three isoflavonoids, one flavonoid, and two pentacyclic triterpenoids. Compound 5 showed enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. This study provides valuable insights into the antimicrobial potential of this plant species.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tania Maria Costa, Juliana Lenzi, Hercilio Higino da Silva Filho, Juliane Araujo Greinert Goulart, Michele Debiasi Alberton, Lorena Benathar Ballod Tavares, Debora de Oliveira
Summary: This study identified compounds produced by Ganoderma lipsiense mycelium and investigated their potential anti-giardial activity in vitro. The results showed that the hexane and dichloromethane fractions of G. lipsiense mycelium extract exhibited strong inhibitory effects on Giardia duodenalis trophozoites.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mariane Daou, Nancy A. Elnaker, Michael A. Ochsenkuhn, Shady A. Amin, Ahmed F. Yousef, Lina F. Yousef
Summary: In this study, the ability of Tamarix nilotica extracts and fractions to inhibit alpha-glucosidase was investigated. The results showed that these extracts and fractions exhibited strong inhibitory activity, surpassing the synthetic inhibitors currently on the market. Metabolomics analysis revealed the presence of terpenoids, fatty acids, and flavonoids, among other compounds, which were associated with the high inhibitory activity. These findings suggest that T. nilotica could be a valuable plant for treating type 2 diabetes and as a source of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
