Chromone glycosides and hepatoprotective constituents of Hypericum erectum

Naturally Occurring Chromone Glycosides: Sources, Bioactivities, and Spectroscopic Features

Chromone glycosides comprise an important group of secondary metabolites. They are widely distributed in plants and, to a lesser extent, in fungi and bacteria. Significant biological activities, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, etc., have been discovered for chromone glycosides, suggesting their potential as drug leads. This review compiles 192 naturally occurring chromone glycosides along with their sources, classification, biological activities, and spectroscopic features. Detailed biosynthetic pathways and chemotaxonomic studies are also described. Extensive spectroscopic features for this class of compounds have been thoroughly discussed, and detailed 13C-NMR data of compounds 1-192, have been added, except for those that have no reported 13C-NMR data.

Total synthesis of I3,II8-biapigenin and ridiculuflavone A

The first total synthesis of I3,II8-biapigenin and ridiculuflavone A was achieved via Sonogashira and rhodium-catalyzed oxidative coupling as the key steps.

The globalization of traditional medicine in northern peru: from shamanism to molecules

Northern Peru represents the center of the Andean "health axis," with roots going back to traditional practices of Cupisnique culture (1000 BC). For more than a decade of research, semistructured interviews were conducted with healers, collectors, and sellers of medicinal plants. In addition, bioassays were carried out to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of plants found. Most of the 510 species encountered were native to Peru (83%). Fifty percent of the plants used in colonial times have disappeared from the pharmacopoeia. Market vendors specialized either on common and exotic plants, plants for common ailments, and plants only used by healers or on plants with magical purposes. Over 974 preparations with up to 29 different ingredients were used to treat 164 health conditions. Almost 65% of the medicinal plants were applied in these mixtures. Antibacterial activity was confirmed in most plants used for infections. Twenty-four percent of the aqueous extracts and 76% of the ethanolic extracts showed toxicity. Traditional preparation methods take this into account when choosing the appropriate solvent for the preparation of a remedy. The increasing demand for medicinal species did not increase the cultivation of medicinal plants. Most species are wild collected, causing doubts about the sustainability of trade.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of a natural antidepressant, Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort), on vegetal and animal test systems

Background

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum.

Methods

Meristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.

Results

This medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%).

Conclusions

Thus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.