Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of the aerial parts of Odontites vulgaris Moench

In this work, the first specific phytochemical analysis on Odontites vulgaris Moench collected in Central Italy was performed. The aerial parts ethanolic extract was studied and eight compounds were identified: pheophytin a (1), aucubin (2), catalpol (3), shanzhiside methyl ester (4), melampyroside (5), 8-epi-loganin (6), caryoptoside (7) and quinic acid (8). To the best of our knowledge, in this study, compounds (7-8) resulted to be isolated from the genus for the first time. The chemophenetic markers of the family and order were evidenced and several important ecological conclusions could be drawn. The ethanolic extract was also tested for several biological activities showing high effects in the antioxidant, cytoprotective and aflatoxin B1 production inhibitory assays. A brief explanation on these activities under the phytochemical standpoint was also included.

Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Antileukemic Activity of Alkaloid-Enriched Extracts from Vinca sardoa (Stearn) Pignatti

Vinca sardoa (Stearn) Pignatti, known as Sardinian periwinkle, is widely diffused in Sardinia (Italy). This species contains indole alkaloids, which are known to have a great variety of biological activities. This study investigated the antileukemic activity against a B lymphoblast cell line (SUP-B15) of V. sardoa alkaloid-rich extracts obtained from plants grown in Italy, in Iglesias (Sardinia) and Rome (Latium). All the extracts showed a good capacity to induce reductions in cell proliferation of up to 50% at the tested concentrations (1-15 µg/mL). Moreover, none of the extracts showed cytotoxicity on normal cells at all the studied concentrations.

Leucosceptosides A and B: Two Phenyl-Ethanoid Glycosides with Important Occurrence and Biological Activities

In this review paper, the occurrence in the plant kingdom, the chemophenetic value and the biological activities associated with two specific phenyl-ethanoid glycosides, i.e., leucosceptoside A and leucosceptoside B, were reported. This is the first work ever conducted on such a subject. Analysis of the literature data clearly led to three important conclusions: leucosceptoside A is much more common in plants than leucosceptoside B; leucosceptoside A exerts more biological activities than leucosceptoside B even if nothing can be generally concluded about which one is actually the most potent; neither of these compounds can be used as a chemophenetic marker. These three aspects and more are discussed in more depth in this work.

Phytochemical analysis on the aerial parts of Teucrium capitatum L. with aspects of chemosystematics and ethnobotany

The phytochemical analysis on the aerial parts of Teucrium capitatum L. collected from a new population in Central Italy, led to the identification of eight compounds, i.e. pheophytin a (1), poliumoside (2), apigenin (3), luteolin (4), cirsimaritin (5), cirsiliol (6), 8-O-acetyl-harpagide (7) and teucardoside (8) belonging to four different classes of secondary metabolites. Pheophytin a (1) represents a newly identified compound in the genus whereas compounds (7-8) are newly identified compound in the species. The chemotaxonomic and ethnobotanical aspects relative to the presence of these compounds were widely discussed suggesting important conclusions for both.

Harpagide: Occurrence in plants and biological activities - A review

In this review article, the occurrence of harpagide in the plant kingdom and its associated biological activities are presented and detailed for the first time. The presence of harpagide has been reported in several botanical families within Asteridae, and harpagide has been observed to exert a wide number of biological activities such as cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective. These results show how harpagide can be recovered from several natural sources for several pharmacological purposes even if there is a lot to still be studied. Nowadays, the interest is related to its presence in phytomedicines. Threfore, these studies are useful to support and validate the large use of several plants in the folklore medicine.

Phytochemistry, Chemotaxonomy, and Biological Activities of the Araucariaceae Family-A Review

In this review article, the phytochemistry of the species belonging to the Araucariaceae family is explored. Among these, in particular, it is given a wide overview on the phytochemical profile of Wollemia genus, for the first time. In addition to this, the ethnopharmacology and the general biological activities associated to the Araucariaceae species are singularly described. Lastly, the chemotaxonomy at the genus and family levels is described and detailed.

A new diterpene and other compounds from the unripe female cones of Wollemia nobilis

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.

Pedicularis L. Genus: Systematics, Botany, Phytochemistry, Chemotaxonomy, Ethnopharmacology, and Other

In this review, the relevance of the plant species belonging to the Pedicularis L. genus has been considered from different points of view. Particular emphasis was given to phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology, since several classes of natural compounds have been reported within this genus and many of its species are well known to be employed in the traditional medicines of many Asian countries. Some important conclusions on the chemotaxonomic and chemosystematic aspects of the genus have also been provided for the first time. Actually, this work represents the first total comprehensive review on this genus.

A syn-ent-labdadiene derivative with a rare spiro-β-lactone function from the male cones of Wollemia nobilis

An undescribed labdane-like diterpene with a rare spiro-β-lactone function was identified from the ethanol extract of the male cones of the coniferous tree Wollemia nobilis. This spirolabdadienolide (IUPAC name: syn-ent-8(17),13-labdadien-19,18-olid-15-oic acid methyl ester; trivial name: wollemolide), was isolated by means of traditional and high performance chromatography techniques and structurally elucidated through NMR and MS. In addition, six further known metabolites were evidenced in the extract. Wollemolide, which may be considered an additional chemotaxonomic marker, and 4'-O-methyl-scutellarein, a simple flavonoid, had not been isolated in our previous phytochemical study on the same plant organ. This demonstrates how the molecular pattern of a plant species is in continuous movement and changes with the passing of time according to the climate of the year.

A new byciclic monoterpene glucoside and a new biflavone from the male reproduction organs of Wollemia nobilis

In this work, the fifth part of an ongoing phytochemical study on Wollemia nobilis was reported. The attention was now focused on the male reproduction organs of which the content in both primary and secondary metabolites was analyzed. Twenty compounds, belonging to seven different classes of natural compounds, were identified from the ethanolic extract by means of Column Chromatography and NMR and MS Spectroscopy. They all represent new compounds for the studied organ whereas some of them are also new constituents of the genus or even previously undescribed phytochemicals. Their presence was able to display a general overview of these organs from the phytochemical standpoint and to provide more elements in confirmation with the current botanical classification of the species. Moreover, they add a further experimental evidence of the tendency of this species to accumulate different metabolites in different organs. This characteristic as well as the occurrence of several compounds with added value, make this plant a possible candidate for large scale cultivation with extractive purposes to obtain useful phytochemicals for botanicals and pharmaceutical fields. Moreover, they offer the opportunity to develop an additional method of conservation and protection for this endangered and very rare species.

Iridoid glycosides and polyphenolic compounds from Teucrium chamaedrys L

In this work, the phytochemical analysis of Teucrium chamaedrys L. collected in Italy was reported. Eight compounds were isolated and identified by means of classical column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques, such as NMR and MS. In detail, these compounds were: verbascoside (1), forsythoside b (2), samioside (3), alyssonoside (4), harpagide (5), 8-O-acetyl-harpagide (6), cirsiliol (7) and β-arbutin (8). The presence of these compounds, in particular iridoids and phenyl-ethanoid glycosides, has a chemotaxonomic relevance and results to be in perfect accordance with the current botanical classification of the species. In addition, it provides a phytochemical rationale for the use of this particular plant in the ethno-pharmacological field. Conversely, it is worth of mention the absence of potentially toxic components, unlike to what observed in other species of the genus which can no longer be used for ethno-medicinal purposes.

Chemical Traits of Hemiparasitism in Odontites luteus

The study of the monoterpene glycosides content of Odontites luteus has shown the presence of a total of fifteen iridoid glucosides. The presence of compounds 1 - 5 and 7 - 10 is perfectly on-line with both the biogenetic pathway for iridoids biosynthesis in Lamiales and the current botanical classification of the species. On the other side, the presence of compounds like agnuside (6), adoxosidic acid (11), monotropein (12), 6,7-dihydromonotropein (13), methyl oleoside (14) and methyl glucooleoside (15) is of high interest because, first of all, they have never been reported before in Lamiales. In second instance, the majority of the last compounds are formally derived from a different biogenetic pathway which involves deoxyloganic acid/loganin and led to the formation of decarboxylated iridoid showing the 8β-configuration. Furthermore, a second abnormality was found during our study and this regards compounds 14 and 15 which are seco-iriodids and thus not typical for this family. The presence of these unusual compounds, biogenetically not related to species belonging to Lamiales, is a clear evidence of the metabolites transfer from the hosts. In fact, the collection area is also populated by species belonging to Oleaceae and Ericaceae which could be the possible hosts since the biosynthesis of seco-iridoids and or iridoids related to deoxyloganic acid/loganin pathway, with the 8β-configuration, is well documented in these species.

Terpenoids and More Polar Compounds from the Male Cones of Wollemia nobilis

The analysis of metabolites contained in the male cones of Wollemia nobilis was investigated for the first time in this study. Several diterpenoids of chemosystematic relevance were recognized for the first time from the genus and/or from the Araucariaceae family, namely isocupressic acid (1), acetyl-isocupressic acid (2), methyl (E)-communate (3) and sandaracopimaric acid (4). All these terpenoids are also endowed with interesting biological activities and may play a primary role in the self defence toward herbivores. The presence of a new norlabdane (norlabda-8(16)-12-dien-14,17-diol) trivially named as wollemol (5) was also recognized. Norditerpenes are scarcely distributed in Plant Kingdom and in particular in Gymnosperms and this aspect was discussed. The structure of 5 was determined by extensive NMR analysis employing mono- and bidimensional experiments. The 7-4‴-dimethoxyagathisflavone (6), a biflavonoid already recognized in Araucariaceae and W. nobilis, was also isolated from male cones together with shikimic acid (7), a biogenetic precursor of polyphenolic compounds, besides carbohydrates such as glucose (8) and saccharose (9), and arginine (10) a quite common amino acid.

Secoiridoids and other chemotaxonomically relevant compounds in Pedicularis: phytochemical analysis and comparison of Pedicularis rostratocapitata Crantz and Pedicularis verticillata L. from Dolomites

We compared the respective metabolite patterns of two Pedicularis species from Dolomites. Seven phenylethanoid glycosides, i.e., verbascoside (1), echinacoside (2), angoroside A (3), cistantubuloside B1 (4), wiedemannioside C (5), campneoside II (11) and cistantubuloside C1 (12), together with several iridoid glucosides as aucubin (6), euphroside (7), monomelittoside (8), mussaenosidic acid (9) and 8-epiloganic acid (13) were identified. Pedicularis verticillata showed also the presence of greatly unexpected secoiridoids, ligustroside (14) and excelside B (15), very rare compounds in Lamiales. Both PhGs and iridoids are considered of taxonomical relevance in the Asteridae and their occurrence in Pedicularis was discussed. In particular, the exclusive presence of several compounds such as 8-epiloganic acid (13), campneoside II (11), cistantubuloside C1 (12), ligustroside (14) and excelside B (15) in Pedicularis rostratocapitata, and angoroside A (3), cistantubuloside B1 (4) and wiedemannioside C (5) in P. verticillata could be considered specific markers for the two botanical entities.

Secondary metabolites from Scrophularia canina L

A re-examination of Scrophularia canina L. confirmed the presence of iridoid glucosides considered as chemotaxonomic markers for the Scrophulariaceae family, like aucubin, harpagide and 8-O-acetylharpagide, besides the further presence of 8-epiloganic acid, which is, indeed, considered the biogenetic precursor of iridoids normally found in Scrophulariaceae, and was recognised here for the first time in the studied species. Also verbascoside and (E)-phytol were evidenced for the first time in S. canina. The former compound is an almost ubiquitous glycosidic phenyl-ethanoid, which attains systematic importance when in co-occurrence with iridoids, and its taxonomical implications were discussed. The latter compound, even though it is omnipresent, is interestingly endowed with several biological activities, which may give an additional reason for the traditional uses of this plant.

Unusual molecular pattern in Ajugoideae subfamily: the case of Ajuga genevensis L. from Dolomites

We analysed the ethanolic extract from Ajuga genevensis L. (Lamiaceae) growing in Dolomites, part of Italian Alps. Three new compounds for this species were identified: rosmarinic acid (1), oleanolic acid (2) and maslinic acid (3), representative of two different classes of chemical compounds (phenylpropanoids and pentacyclic triterpenes). A. genevensis resulted to be a valuable source of these compounds endowed with interesting biological activities (i.e. antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative). The recognition of compounds (1), (2) and (3) may also confirm the ethnomedicinal uses of this plant. From a chemotaxonomical point of view, it is worth noting that iridoids were not evidenced in this accession. Iridoids are considered chemotaxonomic marker in Lamiales, and, in contrast with a previous study on this species, the presence of aucubin was not confirmed. In addition, the presence of large amounts of rosmarinic acid (1) was unexpected for a species that does not belong to subfamily Nepetoideae.

A new iridoid diglucoside from Harpagophytum procumbens

A new iridoid diglucoside has been isolated from an aqueous extract of Harpagophytum procumbens secondary roots, together with six known compounds. Its structure has been assigned as 6'-O-glucopyranosyl-8-O-trans-coumaroylharpagide by spectroscopic means.

Iridoid glycosides from Alonsoa meridionalis

A new iridoid glucoside has been isolated from the Chilean native Alonsoa meridionalis (L.f.) Kuntze. Its structure has been assigned as 6'-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-8-O-acetylharpagide (1) by using spectroscopic methods. Harpagoside (2), laterioside (3) and verbascoside (4) were also identified.

Two new non-glycosidic iridoids from Sambucus ebulus

Two new 'Valeriana-type' non-glycosidic iridoids were isolated from the aerial parts (leaves and young branches) of Sambucus ebulus L., a perennial herbaceous species widespread in Europe. The structures were elucidated, by spectroscopic means, as 7-O-acetylpatrinoside aglycone (1) and 10-O-acetylpatrinoside aglycone (2).

Functional foods: traditional use and European legislation

The concept of functional foods was born in Japan in the 1980s. They are foods that were developed specifically to promote health or reduce the risk of disease. Functional foods have not already been defined by the legislation in Europe. Generally, they are considered as those foods which are intended to be consumed as part of the normal diet and which contain biologically active components which offer the potential of enhanced health or reduced risk of disease. Attention concerning this category of foods has grown, new products have appeared in the European market and interest has turned to define the standards and guidelines for the development and promotion of this kind of foods. In the European Union, there is harmonised legislation on health claims, while compounds, ingredients, plants are still regulated only at national level. The question of traditional use and the role of European Food Safety Authority as European Authority for Food Safety will be examined.

Novel food: a new reality in food ingredient

From the legislative standpoint, foods do not necessarily have a nutritional role, in that they are defined as: any product or substance that is transformed (even partially) or not transformed and that is meant to be ingested by humans (or for which ingestion can be reasonably assumed), excluding such products as pharmaceuticals and tobacco products, among others. In accordance with EC Regulation 258/97 concerning novel foods, the safety of foods must be established by a history of consumption. For novel foods, safety must be proven through risk assessment. However, the authorization procedures for novel foods is complex.

Iridoids from Euphrasia genargentea, a rare Sardinian endemism

The phytochemical study of Euphrasia genargentea, a rare species only present in Sardinia, led to the identification of iridoid glucosides, i.e. aucubin, catalpol, mussaenosidic acid and melampyroside, which allowed chemotaxonomic considerations on the genus. On the basis of iridoid distribution in the genus, E. genargentea does not show any particular analogy with other Italian Euphrasia spp. This study is also important considering the severe risk of extinction of E. genargentea.

Iridoid Glucosides fromViburnum Macrocephalum

The phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Viburnum macrocephalum Fortune, an ornamental species of Chinese origin, led to the isolation, together with the phenolic glucoside triandrin, of three iridoid glucosides: the novel 7-cinnamoylpatrinoside (1), and the known 7- p-coumaroylpatrinoside (2) and patrinoside (3).

Iridoid glucosides from Viburnum chinshanense

The phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Viburnum chinshanense Graebn., a species growing in Western and Central China, led to the isolation of six iridoid glucosides: the novel 10,2'-diacetylpatrinoside, 1, and the known 2'-acetyldihydropenstemide, 2'-trans- p-coumaroyl-dihydropenstemide, 2'-acetylpatrinoside, decapetaloside, and patrinoside. In addition, amentoflavone and rosarin were also isolated.

A comparative chemotaxonomic study on Vinca sardoa steam and Vinca difformis pourret

The phytochemical analysis of iridoidic fraction of the aerial parts of Vinca sardoa and Vinca difformis, gave the identification of loganic acid in V. difformis as unique iridoid glucoside, while loganin is also present in V. sardoa. The two taxa highly differ in alkaloids, so the chemotaxonomic classification in two different species is supported.

Phenylpropanoid glycosides in ItalianOrobanchespp., sect. Orobanche

We studied the occurrence of phenylpropanoid glycosides (PhG) in five species of the genus Orobanche L., collected in the Latium region of Italy. The presence of orobanchoside and verbascoside in all four species confirms that these PhGs are taxonomic markers of the genus. The results suggest that O. gracilis form. citrina could be a diverse entity.

The occurrence of iridoid glycosides in Cymbalaria spp. in Italy

The occurrence of iridoid glycosides in a number of Cymbalaria spp. collected in Italy is shown and chemosystematic implications are discussed.

Glycosidic Monoterpenes fromLinaria Capraria

During our systematic study on the species of genus Linaria (Scrophulariaceae) present in Italy, we examined the glycosidic fraction of Linaria capraria Moris et De Not., a species endemic of Tuscany archipelago. This fraction is particularly complex and we considered in this article only the medium polarity components. In accordance with previous studies, L. capraria shows acyl derivatives of antirrhinoside 1 as specific chemotaxonomic iridoidic markers. L. capraria exhibits a complex composition, with regard to iridoidic constituents, with several chromatographic problems to be resolved. We then isolated, besides the known antirrhinoside 1, two acyl derivatives of antirrhinoside, the 6'-O-senecioyl derivative, 2, and the 6'-O-angeloyl derivative, 3. In addition a glucoside of an acyclic monoterpene, 4, was also isolated, which may be correlated to the other monoterpenic glycosides isolated from other species of Scrophulariaceae.

Bis-iridoid glucosides from Abelia chinensis

Seven bis-iridoid glucosides have been isolated from Abelia chinensis and were characterized by having a secoiridoid residue as unit A esterifying a C(10)-iridoid or a delta-lactone iridoid as unit B. Among these, compounds 1-3 are new and correspond to 7-O-acetyllaciniatoside IV, 7-O-acetyllaciniatoside V, and 7-O-acetylabelioside B, respectively. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by spectral methods.

An unusual C-skeleton type glucoside from Mentzelia incisa

A new glucoside with unusual acyclic C13-skeleton has been isolated from Mentzelia incisa Urban et Gilg. The structure was assigned by spectroscopic means.