A unique C-linked chalcone-dihydrochalcone dimer from Dracaena cinnabari resin

Medicinal plant resin natural products: structural diversity and biological activities

Covering: up to the mid of 2023Plants secrete defense resins rich in small-molecule natural products under abiotic and biotic stresses. This comprehensive review encompasses the literature published up to mid-2023 on medicinal plant resin natural products from six main contributor genera, featuring 275 citations that refer to 1115 structurally diverse compounds. The scope of this review extends to include essential information such as the racemic nature of metabolites found in different species of plant resins, source of resins, and revised structures. Additionally, we carefully analyze the reported biological activities of resins, organizing them based on the their structures. The findings offer important insights into the relationship between their structure and activity. Furthermore, this detailed examination can be valuable for researchers and scientists in the field of medicinal plant resin natural products and will promote continued exploration and progress in this area.

A Review of the In Vitro Inhibition of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase by Chalcone Derivatives

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease relating to steady hyperglycemia resulting from the impairment of the endocrine and non-endocrine systems. Many new drugs having varied targets were discovered to treat this disease, especially type 2 diabetes. Among those, α-glucosidase inhibitors showed their effects by preventing the digestion of carbohydrates through their inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Recently, chalcones have attracted considerable attention as they have a simple structure, are easily synthesized as well as have a variety of derivatives. Some reports suggested that chalcone and its derivates could inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase. This narrative review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the inhibition of chalcone and its derivatives against α-amylase and α-glucosidase that were reviewed and reported in published scientific articles. Twenty-eight articles were reviewed after screening 207 articles found in four databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, VHL (Virtual Health Library), and GHL (Global Health Library). This review presented the inhibitory effects of varied chalcones, including chalcones with a basic structural framework, azachalcones, bis-chalcones, chalcone oximes, coumarin-chalcones, cyclohexane chalcones, dihydrochalcones, and flavanone-coupled chalcones. Many of these chalcones had significant inhibition against α-amylase as well as α-glucosidase that were comparable to or even stronger than standard inhibitors. This suggested that such compounds could be potential candidates for the discovery of new anti-diabetic remedies in the years to come.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Dracaena cinnabari Resin

Dracaena cinnabari (D. cinnabari) is an endemic plant located in Socotra Island, Yemen. Deep red resin attained from different plant species including D. cinnabari is commonly known as dragon's blood. In folk medicine, it is prescribed for the treatment of traumatic dermal, dental, and eye injuries as well as blood stasis, pain, and gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Numerous studies have investigated that this resinous medicine has antidiarrheal, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound healing, and antioxidant activity. Several phytochemicals have been isolated from D. cinnabari, including the biflavonoid cinnabarone, triflavonoids, metacyclophanes, chalcones, chalcanes, dihydrochalcones, sterols, and terpenoids. The present review highlights the structures and bioactivities of main phytochemicals isolated from D. cinnabari regarding the botany and pharmacological effects of the resin derived from this plant.

A new homoisoflavan from Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. resin: α-glucosidase and COX-II inhibitory activity

A new homoisoflavan, identified as (3 R)-7-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyhomoisoflavan, was isolated from Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. resin. The structure was elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. In addition, a diverse group of flavonoids were isolated, representing homoisoflavans, flavans, flavanones, chalcones and dihydrochalcones. The compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase and COX-II inhibition activity. The obtained IC₅₀ values of the tested flavonoids gave an insight about some key structural features to their α-glucosidase and COX-II inhibitory activity. For α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, a flavanone skeleton was favorable over a flavan. For COX-II inhibition, the introduction of a fused heterocyclic ring at the homoisoflavan skeleton enhanced the activity.

First complete NMR data and theoretical study of an antimicrobial formylated dihydrochalcone from Psidium guineense Sw

Chalcones are a widespread group of natural compounds characterized by the basic structure 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-one. In this study, we focused on the uncommon formylated chalcone 3'-formyl-2',4',6'-trihydroxy-5'-methyldihydrochalcone that possess interesting antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Considering the pharmacological relevance of this compound, we report its isolation and the first complete and unequivocal NMR data for this substance, corroborated by in silico theoretical study. In addition to that, its antibacterial potential was evaluated and the compound presented strong activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.[Formula: see text].

Flavonoids and Stilbenoids of the Genera Dracaena and Sansevieria: Structures and Bioactivities

The genera Dracaena and Sansevieria (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae) are still poorly resolved phylogenetically. Plants of these genera are commonly distributed in Africa, China, Southeast Asia, and America. Most of them are cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes and are used in various traditional medicines due to the wide range of ethnopharmacological properties. Extensive in vivo and in vitro tests have been carried out to prove the ethnopharmacological claims and other bioactivities. These investigations have been accompanied by the isolation and identification of hundreds of phytochemical constituents. The most characteristic metabolites are steroids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and saponins; many of them exhibit potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. This review highlights the structures and bioactivities of flavonoids and stilbenoids isolated from Dracaena and Sansevieria.