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Lahlou RA, Carvalho F, Pereira MJ, Lopes J, Silva LR. Overview of Ethnobotanical-Pharmacological Studies Carried Out on Medicinal Plants from the Serra da Estrela Natural Park: Focus on Their Antidiabetic Potential. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:454. [PMID: 38675115 PMCID: PMC11054966 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Serra da Estrela Natural Park (NPSE) in Portugal stands out as a well-preserved region abundant in medicinal plants, particularly known for their pharmaceutical applications in diabetes prevention and treatment. This comprehensive review explores these plants' botanical diversity, traditional uses, pharmacological applications, and chemical composition. The NPSE boast a rich diversity with 138 medicinal plants across 55 families identified as traditionally and pharmacologically used against diabetes globally. Notably, the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are prevalent in antidiabetic applications. In vitro studies have revealed their significant inhibition of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, and certain plant co-products regulate genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin secretion. In vivo trials have demonstrated antidiabetic effects, including glycaemia regulation, insulin secretion, antioxidant activity, and lipid profile modulation. Medicinal plants in NPSE exhibit various activities beyond antidiabetic, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and more. Chemical analyses have identified over fifty compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides responsible for their efficacy against diabetes. These findings underscore the potential of NPSE medicinal plants as antidiabetic candidates, urging further research to develop effective plant-based antidiabetic drugs, beverages, and supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhia Aitfella Lahlou
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal; (R.A.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Filomena Carvalho
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal; (R.A.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Maria João Pereira
- CERENA/DER, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - João Lopes
- iMed.ULisboa, Research Institute for Medicines, Faculdade de Farmácia, University of Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Luís R. Silva
- SPRINT Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal; (R.A.L.); (F.C.)
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- CERES, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
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Muñoz-Vega MC, López-Hernández S, Sierra-Chavarro A, Scotti MT, Scotti L, Coy-Barrera E, Herrera-Acevedo C. Machine-Learning- and Structure-Based Virtual Screening for Selecting Cinnamic Acid Derivatives as Leishmania major DHFR-TS Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 29:179. [PMID: 38202763 PMCID: PMC10779987 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The critical enzyme dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase in Leishmania major (LmDHFR-TS) serves a dual-purpose role and is essential for DNA synthesis, a cornerstone of the parasite's reproductive processes. Consequently, the development of inhibitors against LmDHFR-TS is crucial for the creation of novel anti-Leishmania chemotherapies. In this study, we employed an in-house database containing 314 secondary metabolites derived from cinnamic acid that occurred in the Asteraceae family. We conducted a combined ligand/structure-based virtual screening to identify potential inhibitors against LmDHFR-TS. Through consensus analysis of both approaches, we identified three compounds, i.e., lithospermic acid (237), diarctigenin (306), and isolappaol A (308), that exhibited a high probability of being inhibitors according to both approaches and were consequently classified as promising hits. Subsequently, we expanded the binding mode examination of these compounds within the active site of the test enzyme through molecular dynamics simulations, revealing a high degree of structural stability and minimal fluctuations in its tertiary structure. The in silico predictions were then validated through in vitro assays to examine the inhibitory capacity of the top-ranked naturally occurring compounds against LmDHFR-TS recombinant protein. The test compounds effectively inhibited the enzyme with IC50 values ranging from 6.1 to 10.1 μM. In contrast, other common cinnamic acid derivatives (i.e., flavonoid glycosides) from the Asteraceae family, such as hesperidin, isovitexin 4'-O-glucoside, and rutin, exhibited low activity against this target. The selective index (SI) for all tested compounds was determined using HsDHFR with moderate inhibitory effect. Among these hits, lignans 306 and 308 demonstrated the highest selectivity, displaying superior SI values compared to methotrexate, the reference inhibitor of DHFR-TS. Therefore, continued research into the anti-leishmanial potential of these C6C3-hybrid butyrolactone lignans may offer a brighter outlook for combating this neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Muñoz-Vega
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad ECCI, Bogotá, Distrito Capital 111311, Colombia; (M.C.M.-V.); (S.L.-H.); (A.S.-C.)
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Biocatálisis y Biotransformaciones (LIBB), Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería de los Procesos Agroalimentarios y Biotecnológicos (GIPAB), Departamento de Química Universidad del Valle, Cali 760042, Colombia
| | - Sofía López-Hernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad ECCI, Bogotá, Distrito Capital 111311, Colombia; (M.C.M.-V.); (S.L.-H.); (A.S.-C.)
| | - Adrián Sierra-Chavarro
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad ECCI, Bogotá, Distrito Capital 111311, Colombia; (M.C.M.-V.); (S.L.-H.); (A.S.-C.)
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (M.T.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (M.T.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Ericsson Coy-Barrera
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cajicá 250247, Colombia;
| | - Chonny Herrera-Acevedo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad ECCI, Bogotá, Distrito Capital 111311, Colombia; (M.C.M.-V.); (S.L.-H.); (A.S.-C.)
- Post-Graduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil; (M.T.S.); (L.S.)
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Zare S, Mirlohi A, Sabzalian MR, Saeidi G, Koçak MZ, Hano C. Water Stress and Seed Color Interacting to Impact Seed and Oil Yield, Protein, Mucilage, and Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside Content in Cultivated Flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1632. [PMID: 37111857 PMCID: PMC10141971 DOI: 10.3390/plants12081632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a plant with a wide range of medicinal, health, nutritional, and industrial uses. This study assessed the genetic potential of yellow and brown seeds in thirty F4 families under different water conditions concerning seed yield, oil, protein, fiber, mucilage, and lignans content. Water stress negatively affected seed and oil yield, while it positively affected mucilage, protein, lignans, and fiber content. The total mean comparison showed that under normal moisture conditions, seed yield (209.87 g/m2) and most quality traits, including oil (30.97%), secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (13.89 mg/g), amino acids such as arginine (1.17%) and histidine (1.95%), and mucilage (9.57 g/100 g) were higher in yellow-seeded genotypes than the brown ones ((188.78 g/m2), (30.10%), (11.66 mg/g), (0.62%), (1.87%), and (9.35 g/100 g), respectively). Under water stress conditions, brown-seeded genotypes had a higher amount of fiber (16.74%), seed yield (140.04 g/m2), protein (239.02 mg. g-1), methionine (5.04%), and secondary metabolites such as secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (17.09 mg/g), while their amounts in families with yellow seeds were 14.79%, 117.33 g/m2, 217.12 mg. g-1, 4.34%, and 13.98 mg/g, respectively. Based on the intended food goals, different seed color genotypes may be appropriate for cultivation under different moisture environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Zare
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156 83111, Iran
| | - Aghafakhr Mirlohi
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156 83111, Iran
| | - Mohammad R. Sabzalian
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156 83111, Iran
| | - Ghodratollah Saeidi
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156 83111, Iran
| | - Mehmet Zeki Koçak
- Department of Herbal and Animal Production, Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Igdir University, 76000 Igdir, Turkey
| | - Christophe Hano
- Department of Chemical Biology, Eure & Loir Campus, University of Orleans, 28000 Chartres, France
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Research Progress of NMR in Natural Product Quantification. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26206308. [PMID: 34684890 PMCID: PMC8541192 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the fields of medicine and health, traditional high-performance liquid chromatography or UV-visible spectrophotometry is generally used for substance quantification. However, over time, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) has gradually become more mature. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has certain advantages in the quantitative analysis of substances, such as being nondestructive, having a high flux and short analysis time. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been included in the pharmacopoeiae of various countries. In this paper, the principle of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the recent progress in the quantitative study of natural products by NMR are reviewed, and its application in the quantitative study of natural products is proposed. At the same time, the problems of using NMR alone to quantify natural products are summarized and corresponding suggestions are put forward.
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Mahmoud Hamdy AEA, Mohamed Salah K. Antiviral and Antinematodal potentials of chitosan: Review. JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE AND PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2020; 4:055-059. [DOI: 10.29328/journal.jpsp.1001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
For many years, chemical pesticides have been performed to control different pests and diseases and this may be due to their broad spectrum of action, easy of application and the relatively low cost. But these chemicals have environmental risks, thus alternative control agents are needed. Chitosan is one of the novel suggested solutions to reduce the economic losses associated with chemical pesticides. Chitosan is naturally-occurring compound, as well as safe and biodegradable which obtained from certain natural sources. Chitosan have unique properties which help to control viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, plant nematodes and other pests locally and systemically.
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Venditti A, Frezza C, Rossi G, Sciubba F, Ornano L, De Vita D, Toniolo C, Tomassini L, Foddai S, Nicoletti M, Di Cocco ME, Bianco A, Serafini M. A new diterpene and other compounds from the unripe female cones of Wollemia nobilis. Nat Prod Res 2020; 35:3839-3849. [PMID: 32233655 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1741585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the first phytochemical analysis ever performed on the unripe female cones of Wollemia nobilis W. G. Jones, K. D. Hill & J. M. Allen was described. The analysis evidenced the presence of a new derivative of sandaracopimaric acid together with rare diterpenoid derivatives and known compounds of chemosystematic and bioactivity relevance. Some of these were evidenced in the species or in the family for the first time during this study. The further implications of the isolated compounds in the field of chemosystematics, pharmacology and nutraceutics were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio Frezza
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rossi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Sciubba
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Ornano
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela De Vita
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Toniolo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Lamberto Tomassini
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Foddai
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Nicoletti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Mauro Serafini
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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