Phenolic Contents ofKnema attenuataFruits and their Bioactive Potentials

Chemical composition of essential oil and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Knema globularia (Lam.) Warb. from Vietnam

This study is the first to investigate the chemical composition of essential oil and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts from the leaves of Knema globularia (Lam.) Warb. from Vietnam. According to gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the major constituents of K. globularia essential oil were β-elemene (25.48%), α-copaene (17.05%), β-caryophyllene (9.37%), and α-humulene (8.42%). The antioxidant activity of the samples was determined using DPPH and ABTS methods. In both assays, the polar subfraction of the methanolic extract showed better antioxidative capacity than the nonpolar subfraction and the essential oil. In addition, the amounts of total phenol value in the polar subfraction and the nonpolar subfraction were determined to be 113.84 μg/mg and 47.52 μg/mg, respectively. The findings demonstrate that the essential oil and methanol extracts of K. globularia possess significant antioxidant activities and may be a new potential source of natural antioxidants.

Nutmegs and wild nutmegs: An update on ethnomedicines, phytochemicals, pharmacology, and toxicity of the Myristicaceae species

Prized medicinal spice true nutmeg is obtained from Myristica fragrans Houtt. Rest species of the family Myristicaceae are known as wild nutmegs. Nutmegs and wild nutmegs are a rich reservoir of bioactive molecules and used in traditional medicines of Europe, Asia, Africa, America against madness, convulsion, cancer, skin infection, malaria, diarrhea, rheumatism, asthma, cough, cold, as stimulant, tonics, and psychotomimetic agents. Nutmegs are cultivated around the tropics for high-value commercial spice, used in global cuisine. A thorough literature survey of peer-reviewed publications, scientific online databases, authentic webpages, and regulatory guidelines found major phytochemicals namely, terpenes, fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, alkanes, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, and indole alkaloids. Scientific names, synonyms were verified with www.theplantlist.org. Pharmacological evaluation of extracts and isolated biomarkers showed cholinesterase inhibitory, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal activities, and toxicity through in-vitro, in-vivo studies. Human clinical trials were very few. Most of the pharmacological studies were not conducted as per current guidelines of natural products to ensure repeatability, safety, and translational use in human therapeutics. Rigorous pharmacological evaluation and randomized double-blind clinical trials are recommended to analyze the efficacy and therapeutic potential of nutmeg and wild nutmegs in anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, autism, schizophrenia, stroke, cancer, and others.

Knecorticosanones C-H from the fruits of Knema globularia (Lam.) warb

Six undescribed polyketides, 1–6, were discovered from the fruits of Knema globularia (Lam.) warb. Two known polyketides and three known lignans were also isolated. Cytotoxicities against HepG2 and KKU-M156 cells of all polyketides were evaluated. Compound 1 displayed the most cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and KKU-M156 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 1.57 ± 0.37 and 1.78 ± 0.14 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The structure of all isolates was identified using spectroscopic methods including NMR, IR, MS and ECD.

Compound 1 displayed the most cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and KKU-M156 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 1.57 ± 0.37 and 1.78 ± 0.14 μg mL⁻¹, respectively.

Chemical constituents from the Knema globularia fruits and their in vitro cytotoxicity

Two new compounds, designated as knecorticosanones A-B (1-2), along with three known compounds (3-5) were isolated from the fruits of Knema globularia. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopy analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR, and HRESIMS and by comparison with the reported data in the literature. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity. Knecorticosanone B (2) and malabaricone D (5) exhibited moderate cytotoxic effect against Hep-G2, MCF-7 and SK-LU-1 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 8.76 ± 1.02 to 18.74 ± 1.75 μM while knecorticosanone A (1), virolane (3) and 7-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan (4) exhibited weak inhibitory effect against these cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 25.85 ± 2.75 to 66.75 ± 2.08 μM.