Labdanes and megastigmanes from Vitex negundo var. heterophylla

Mating strategies of Vitex negundo L. var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder (Lamiaceae): A mixed mating system with inbreeding depression

Plant reproductive ecology is one of the research hotspots in ecology. With the increasing attention paid to the conservation of plant diversity, the research on reproductive characteristics and flowering biological characteristics of more species has attracted more attention. However, plant reproduction is affected by multiple interacting factors such as pollen limitation and resource availability. Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder (Lamiaceae) is a significant species for water and soil conservation. Previous studies have revealed its mating system by the biological characteristics of flowering and SSR markers, but its reproductive strategies remain to be further studied. We evaluated reproductive success through artificial pollination to explore the reproductive characteristics of V. negundo var. heterophylla for the first time. From the results of fruit set, there is a mixed mating system dominated by outcrossing in V. negundo var. heterophylla accompanied by self-compatibility, and it cannot carry out autonomous selfing. Our data show the pollinator-mediated interaction in the success of reproduction, whereas the effect of anemophily is very weak. And the seed germination rate of inbred line progenies was lower than that of hybrid progenies, which is suspected to be caused by inbreeding depression. The research will provide scientific information for the protection and conservation of V. negundo var. heterophylla from the point of view of reproduction. In sum, the results are necessary to protect animal vectors in the background of insect decline.

Cardioprotective Effects of Vitex negundo: A Review of Bioactive Extracts and Compounds

There has been accumulating interest in the application of medicinal plants as alternative medicine to treat various diseases and/or to develop modern medicines. Vitex negundo is one of such medicinal plants that has been of interest to many researchers and has been of use in traditional medicine. V. negundo is found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Malaysia, India, China, The Philippines and East Africa. Therapeutic properties of V. negundo have previously been reviewed. Different parts, preparations and bioactive components of V. negundo possess potential protective and therapeutic effects against cardiovascular disease and related conditions as demonstrated in previous studies. We review the present state of scientific knowledge on the potential use of V. negundo and some of its bioactive components in protecting against cardiovascular diseases and related pathologies. Previous studies in animal and non-animal experimental models, although limited in number and vary in design, seem to support the cardioprotective effect of V. negundo and some of its active components. However, there is need for further preclinical and clinical studies to validate the use of V. negundo and its active constituents in protection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, since only a few V. negundo compounds have been evaluated, specific cardioprotective effects or mechanisms and possible side effects of other V. negundo compounds need to be extensively evaluated.

Megastigmane sesquiterpenoids from whole plants of Viola kunawurensis

Investigation on the chemical constituents of Viola kunawurensis resulted in the isolation of seven undescribed megastigmane sesquiterpenoids including four bicyclic megastigmane glucosides, kunawuronoside A-D, two megastigmane glucosides, kunawuronoside E-F, and a megastigmane, kunawurone A, together with ten known megastigmane sesquiterpenoids. Their structures were established by comprehensive 1D, 2D-NMR and HRESIMS analyses, and their absolute configurations were determined by comparing their calculated ECD data with the experimental ones. Evaluations of the anti-inflammatory activity revealed that kunawuronoside A-D and compounds 14-15 inhibited COX-2 expression with inhibition rates ranging from 36.7% to 58.5%, while the NO production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was suppressed by the kunawuronoside A-D in a dose-dependent manner in RAW264.7 macrophage cell line.

Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Biological Properties, and Health Applications of Vitex sp

The genus Vitex is also known as a chaste tree, in which it is a large shrub native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. A diverse range of species is distributed throughout Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia. The Vitex tree, including its leaves and fruits, has been used for herbal remedies in the form of pastes, decoctions, and dried fruits since ancient times. This article aimed to prepare a comprehensive review of traditional uses and secondary metabolites derived from Vitex sp., including the chemical compounds, biological activities, application of Vitex in human clinical trials, toxicology and safety, marketed products, and patents. The scientific findings were obtained using a number of search engines and databases, including Google Scholar, PMC, and ScienceDirect. Vitex species are well known in pharmacology to have medicinal values, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Previous studies reported that some species are proven to be effective in treating diseases, such as diabetes, and improving female health. A total of 161 compounds from different Vitex species are reported, covering the literature from 1982 to 2022. A chemical analysis report of various studies identified that Vitex exhibited a wide range of phytoconstituents, such as iridoid, diterpenoid, ecdysteroid, and flavonoid and phenolic compounds. Apart from that, the review will also discuss the application of Vitex in human clinical trials, toxicology and safety, marketed products, and patents of the genus. While the extracts of the genus have been made into many commercial products, including supplements and essential oils, most of them are made to be used by women to improve menstrual conditions and relieve premenstrual syndrome. Among the species, Vitex agnus-castus L. is the only one that has been reported to undergo clinical trials, mainly related to the use of the genus for the treatment of mastalgia, menstrual bleeding problems, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, luteal insufficiency, and premenstrual syndrome. Overall, the review addresses recent therapeutic breakthroughs and identifies research gaps that should be explored for prospective research work.

The chloroplast genome sequence and characteristic analysis of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder

Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder is a common small shrub in northern China. In order to study the fine nectar characteristics and water and soil conservation characteristics of V. negundo, the analysis of chloroplast genome would provide theoretical basis for economic development and germplasm utilization of V. negundo. The chloroplast genome sequence (accession number MW366787) of V. negundo was accepted by high-throughput sequencing technology using a plant from Jiulongshan, Mentougou District, Beijing, China. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 154,438 bp, and the A, T, C and G content of the whole genome is 30.48, 31.26, 19.42, and 18.84%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of 16 Verbenaceae plants (including V. negundo) with Arabidopsis thaliana as the outgroup was carried out by the maximum likelihood method; and the result shows that V. negundo is relatively closed to Vitex rotundifolia.

Global survey of medicinal plants during lactation and postpartum recovery: Evolutionary perspectives and contemporary health implications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cross-cultural comparison of plants used during lactation and the postpartum period offers insight into a largely overlooked area of ethnopharmacological research. Potential roles of phytochemicals in emerging models of interaction among immunity, inflammation, microbiome and nervous system effects on perinatal development have relevance for the life-long health of individuals and of populations in both traditional and contemporary contexts.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Delineate and interpret patterns of traditional and contemporary global use of medicinal plants ingested by mothers during the postpartum period relative to phytochemical activity on immune development and gastrointestinal microbiome of breastfed infants, and on maternal health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Published reviews and surveys on galactagogues and postpartum recovery practices plus ethnobotanical studies from around the world were used to identify and rank plants, and ascertain regional use patterns. Scientific literature for 20 most-cited plants based on frequency of publication was assessed for antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidepressant, analgesic, galactagogic and safety properties.

RESULTS

From compilation of 4418 use reports related to 1948 species, 105 plant taxa were recorded ≥7 times, with the most frequently cited species, Foeniculum vulgare, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Pimpinella anisum, Euphorbia hirta and Asparagus racemosus, 81, 64, 42, 40 and 38 times, respectively. Species and use vary globally, illustrated by the pattern of aromatic plants of culinary importance versus latex-producing plants utilized in North Africa/Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa with opposing predominance. For 18/20 of the plants a risk/benefit perspective supports assessment that positive immunomodulation and related potential exceed any safety concerns. Published evidence does not support a lactation-enhancing effect for nearly all the most-cited plants while antidepressant data for the majority of plants are predominately limited to animal studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Within a biocultural context traditional postpartum plant use serves adaptive functions for the mother-infant dyad and contributes phytochemicals absent in most contemporary diets and patterns of ingestion, with potential impacts on allergic, inflammatory and other conditions. Polyphenolics and other phytochemicals are widely immunologically active, present in breast milk and predominately non-toxic. Systematic analysis of phytochemicals in human milk, infant lumen and plasma, and immunomodulatory studies that differentiate maternal ingestion during lactation from pregnancy, are needed. Potential herb-drug interaction and other adverse effects should remain central to obstetric advising, but unless a plant is specifically shown as harmful, considering potential contributions to health of individuals and populations, blanket advisories against postpartum herbal use during lactation appear empirically unwarranted.

Penitholabene, a rare 19-nor labdane-type diterpenoid from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium thomii YPGA3

Chemical examination of the fermented material of the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium thomii YPGA3 led to the identification of a rare 19-nor labdane-type diterpenoid, named penitholabene (1). The structure was elucidated based on extensive analyses of the spectroscopic data and quantum chemical calculations of the ¹³C NMR and ECD data. A synthetic compound from commercial sources with the same planar structure is recorded in SciFinder (CAS number: 1217878-75-5), but there is no related reference and the configurations of chiral centers and double bond are not depicted. Penitholabene was reported as a new compound in the current study. To our knowledge, Penitholabene represents the first 19-nor labdane-type diterpenoid found in nature. It showed inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value of 282 μM, being more active than the positive control acarbose (1.33 mM).