Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Isolation, Characterization and Biological Activities

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinals, Herbs, and Specialty Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2024 | Viewed by 8150

Special Issue Editor

Laboratório de Química de Produtos Naturais, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém 66050-540, PA, Brazil
Interests: natural products chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aromatic and Medicinal plants are species of great importance for traditional medicine. They are reported in different countries for the treatment of various pathological conditions that affect human health; however, taking into account the need for scientific validation of potential pharmacological and toxicological properties of these species, it is necessary to analyze the chemical profile through the identification, isolation of metabolites and verification of the action of these molecules in chemical and biological tests.

This special edition with the title of “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Isolation, Characterization and Biological Activities” aims to present studies that report the chemical characterization of botanical species in different environmental conditions, as well as the chemotaxonomic differences between species of pharmacological importance and isolation of molecules with bioactive properties.

Dr. Pablo Luis B. Figueiredo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • essential oil
  • volatiles
  • medicinal plants
  • biological activities
  • chemotaxonomy
  • aromatics plants
  • seasonal variability

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3110 KiB  
Article
Dendropanax morbifera Leveille Extract-Induced Alteration of Metabolic Profile in Whitening Effects
by Ting Bu, Dongwon Kim and Sooah Kim
Horticulturae 2024, 10(3), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030219 - 25 Feb 2024
Viewed by 592
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille (D. morbifera) extract as a natural melanin depigmentation agent to achieve skin whitening. Treating α-MSH-stimulated B16-F10 cells with the extract effectively inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity. The cellular metabolic [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille (D. morbifera) extract as a natural melanin depigmentation agent to achieve skin whitening. Treating α-MSH-stimulated B16-F10 cells with the extract effectively inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity. The cellular metabolic profiles were analyzed to understand the mechanisms underlying the whitening-related metabolic processes. We identified 29 metabolites that were significantly altered in the α-MSH-stimulated B16-F10 cells. The melanin-synthesis-related pathways that were downregulated included phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism. Simultaneously, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; butanoate metabolism; glutathione metabolism; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism were upregulated. We found that the optimal extract concentration of 0.2 mg/mL showed the highest efficacy in reversing the alterations to the metabolite levels and metabolic pathways. Moreover, D. morbifera extract exerted low cytotoxicity and high efficacy in inhibiting melanin production. Thus, D. morbifera extract is a potential melanin inhibitor with application in the development of whitening cosmetics. Full article
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14 pages, 3138 KiB  
Article
Duration of Steam Distillation Affects Essential Oil Fractions in Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum)
by Marinko Petrović, Vesna Petrović, Zdenko Mlinar, Sandra Babić, Jerko Jukić, Tatjana Prebeg and Dario Kremer
Horticulturae 2024, 10(2), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020183 - 17 Feb 2024
Viewed by 582
Abstract
The composition of the essential oil depends on the duration and conditions under which the distillation of the plant material is carried out. In this study, one sample without fractionation and eight fractions (each after 15 min of steam distillation) of the essential [...] Read more.
The composition of the essential oil depends on the duration and conditions under which the distillation of the plant material is carried out. In this study, one sample without fractionation and eight fractions (each after 15 min of steam distillation) of the essential oil of cultivated H. italicum were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The steam conditions for all samples were as follows: flow rate 800 L/h, temperature 104 °C, and pressure 0.4 bar. The test of the antimicrobial activity was performed with the modified Kirby–Bauer method (disc diffusion method) on non-selective nutrient media (blood agar) using the reference bacterial and fungal strains. A total of 75 different components were found in the essential oil samples obtained. A shorter distillation time makes the oil richer in monoterpenes and more suitable for the perfume and cosmetics industry. On the other hand, prolonged distillation leads to the essential oil being enriched with sesquiterpene oxides, which can have a negative effect on the fragrance of the essential oil. The essential oil of H. italicum showed antimicrobial activity only against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and the best activity was shown by the sixth fraction. Full article
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17 pages, 1808 KiB  
Article
Egyptian Citrus Essential Oils Recovered from Lemon, Orange, and Mandarin Peels: Phytochemical and Biological Value
by Faten Mohamed Ibrahim, Reda Sayed Mohammed, Eman Abdelsalam, Wedian El-Sayed Ashour, Daniela Magalhães, Manuela Pintado and El Sayed El Habbasha
Horticulturae 2024, 10(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020180 - 16 Feb 2024
Viewed by 867
Abstract
Citrus peels are an important by-product of citrus processing industries, but a large part is considered waste. There has been increased attention in the last five years on these industrial by-products, especially those containing residual essential oils (EOs). Lemon, orange, and mandarin peels [...] Read more.
Citrus peels are an important by-product of citrus processing industries, but a large part is considered waste. There has been increased attention in the last five years on these industrial by-products, especially those containing residual essential oils (EOs). Lemon, orange, and mandarin peels from Egypt were subjected to hydro-distillation to obtain EOs, which were analyzed via mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and by building Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS-MN) for the purpose of visually exploring the volatile components of citrus species. The constructed MN revealed that D-Limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene are the dominant volatile constituents in the three Egyptian citrus species. The EOs from three citrus peels exhibited promising activities as antioxidants using two tested methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) compared with vitamin C. Lemon EO proved excellent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Additionally, the three citrus EOs showed good activities against the yeast Candida albicans. Regarding the anti-inflammatory assay, the three citrus EOs showed promising activities as COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors. This study concludes that EOs extracted from citrus peel waste can be valorized as an innovative strategy for food preservation or may be incorporated in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations in alignment with circular economy principles. Full article
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13 pages, 3693 KiB  
Article
Exploration of Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Potential from Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in Viesca, Mexico
by Marlene Palma-Wong, Juan A. Ascacio-Valdés, Nathiely Ramírez-Guzmán, Jorge A. Aguirre-Joya, Erika Flores-Loyola, Agustina Ramírez-Moreno and Cristian Torres-León
Horticulturae 2023, 9(12), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9121252 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 812
Abstract
The medicinal plants of the desert can be a potential source of natural bioactive compounds with applications in health and food preservation. This work aimed to investigate the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of twenty-three plants from the arid zone of Viesca, Mexico. [...] Read more.
The medicinal plants of the desert can be a potential source of natural bioactive compounds with applications in health and food preservation. This work aimed to investigate the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of twenty-three plants from the arid zone of Viesca, Mexico. The antioxidant potential was determined by three methods (ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH). Two extraction methods and three different concentration levels (1:10 mg/mL, 1:25 mg/mL, and 1:50 mg/mL) were evaluated. According to the results, Turnera diffusa (Damiana), Gutierrezia sarothrae (Hierba de San Nicolas), and Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) present the largest content of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity. The highest values of antioxidant activity were achieved using a solid/liquid ratio of 1:50 g/mL for T. diffusa and G. sarothrae and 1:25 mg/mL for L. frutescens. The maceration method was the most suitable for extracting antioxidant compounds from T. diffusa and L. frutescens, while ultrasound-assisted extraction was more efficient for G. sarothrae. The HPLC-MS analysis showed the presence of important phenolic compounds. This study shows for the first time that three plants that naturally grow in Viesca have great potential as a source of natural antioxidant compounds. Full article
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18 pages, 1868 KiB  
Article
Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Leaf and Stem Extracts of Barleria albostellata C.B. Clarke
by Serisha Gangaram, Yougasphree Naidoo, Yaser Hassan Dewir, Moganavelli Singh, Aliscia Nicole Daniels, Katalin Magyar-Tábori and Nóra Mendler-Drienyovszki
Horticulturae 2023, 9(11), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9111226 - 13 Nov 2023
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Abstract
Barleria albostellata C.B. Clarke (Acanthaceae) is a plant native to South Africa and relatively few studies have been performed on it. Species in this genus are known for their ethnopharmacological and phyto-medicinal values. In this study, the total flavonoid and phenolic contents and [...] Read more.
Barleria albostellata C.B. Clarke (Acanthaceae) is a plant native to South Africa and relatively few studies have been performed on it. Species in this genus are known for their ethnopharmacological and phyto-medicinal values. In this study, the total flavonoid and phenolic contents and the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts were evaluated at five different concentrations (15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 μg/mL). The antioxidant activity of the extracts of B. albostellata was assessed in vitro using the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, while the phenolic content was determined using a Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The extracts’ cytotoxicity was established using a 3-[(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay in human embryonic kidney (HEK293), cervical cancer (HeLa), and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. Methanolic leaf extracts had the highest total flavonoid content (42.39 ± 1.14 mg GAE/g DW) compared to other solvents. Additionally, the total phenolic content was the greatest in the methanol leaf extract (6.05 ± 0.09 GAE/g DW), followed by the methanol stem extracts (2.93 ± 0.73 GAE/g DW). The methanolic leaf and stem extract concentrations needed for 50% inhibition (DPPH) were 16.95 µg/mL and 14.27 µg/mL, respectively, whereas for FRAP, the reducing powers of all extracts were considerably lower than the ascorbic acid standard. The IC50 values of extracts tested in the three cell lines were >63 µg/mL. According to the findings of our study, the leaves and stems of B. albostellata are rich in several bioactive compounds that may be a possible source of natural antioxidants and may have the potential to treat certain diseases. The extraction of the bioactive compounds from the leaves and stems of B. albostellata using bioassay-guided fractionation and the assessment of their safety will be essential for further investigations into this species in the search of potential novel therapeutic drug leads. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the cytotoxic activities of leaf and stem extracts of Barleria albostellata. Full article
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13 pages, 2017 KiB  
Article
Control of Brown Rot Produced by Monilinia fructicola in Peaches Using a Full-Spectrum Extract of Zuccagnia punctata Cav.
by Melina G. Di Liberto, María Inés Stegmayer, Laura N. Fernández, Ariel D. Quiroga, Laura A. Svetaz and Marcos G. Derita
Horticulturae 2023, 9(10), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9101141 - 17 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1585
Abstract
Brown rot of stone fruit, caused by Monilinia spp., is one of the most important diseases worldwide, causing significant production losses. Currently, the standard practices for controlling this infection consist of repetitive use of synthetic fungicides. The global tendency encourages the demand for [...] Read more.
Brown rot of stone fruit, caused by Monilinia spp., is one of the most important diseases worldwide, causing significant production losses. Currently, the standard practices for controlling this infection consist of repetitive use of synthetic fungicides. The global tendency encourages the demand for high-quality food products harmless to health and the environment, leading to a reduction in the use of these types of substances. Zuccagnia punctata (Fabaceae) is a perennial shrub extensively used for the treatment of fungal and bacterial infections in Argentinean traditional medicine. In this study, we isolated and characterized (morphologically and molecularly) a pathogenic and virulent strain of Monilinia fructicola, which is the most hostile species of the genus. Consequently, we explored the in vitro antifungal activity of the ethanolic extract of Z. punctata against this phytopathogen. The chalcones 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxychalcone and 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone were isolated from the extract and evaluated against M. fructicola demonstrating that they were responsible for this activity. To promote full-spectrum extract rather than pure compounds, we performed ex-vivo assays using fresh peaches inoculated with the pathogen, and then treated by immersion in an extract solution of 250 µg/mL concentration. Treatment with Z. punctata extract did not show a statistically significant difference from commercial fungicides in the control of fruit rot. In addition, Huh7 cell cytotoxicity evaluation showed that Z. punctata extract was less cytotoxic than commercial fungicides at the assayed concentrations. Based on our research, this plant extract could potentially offer a safer alternative to commercial fungicides for treating peach brown rot. Full article
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14 pages, 3029 KiB  
Article
Trewia nudiflora Linn, a Medicinal Plant: Allelopathic Potential and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Its Leaf Extracts
by Mst. Rokeya Khatun, Shunya Tojo, Toshiaki Teruya and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi
Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080897 - 07 Aug 2023
Viewed by 878
Abstract
Trewia nudiflora Linn. is a valuable forest resource due to its economic, ethnomedicinal, and ecological properties; however, its allelopathic potential is undocumented. Therefore, this research was designed to investigate the allelopathic impacts of T. nudiflora leaf extracts on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) [...] Read more.
Trewia nudiflora Linn. is a valuable forest resource due to its economic, ethnomedicinal, and ecological properties; however, its allelopathic potential is undocumented. Therefore, this research was designed to investigate the allelopathic impacts of T. nudiflora leaf extracts on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.) growth, as well as to isolate and to identify the active allelopathic substances responsible for these effects. A bioassay experiment with eight different treatments (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, and 300 mg dry weight (DW) equivalents of T. nudiflora extracts in mL−1) was carried out. The results showed that the growth of both plants decreased with increasing contents of T. nudiflora extracts, with the effect depending on the plant species and reaching its peak at a concentration of a 300 mg DW equivalent of T. nudiflora extract in mL−1. Active substances were isolated and identified using an HPLC system, which revealed the presences of methyl gallate and pinoresinol in aqueous methanol extracts of T. nudiflora. The shoot and root lengths of the alfalfa and the barnyard grass decreased significantly when they were treated with the methyl gallate and the pinoresinol. The allelopathic inhibition increased with increasing compound concentrations, with the root growth being more sensitive to the pinoresinol than to the methyl gallate, and it was significantly higher at the concentration of 10 mM. These results indicated that the T. nudiflora leaf extracts limited the growth of the treated plants, and the methyl gallate and pinoresinol in the extracts may have caused the inhibition of the T. nudiflora extracts. Thus, the leaf extracts of T. nudiflora and the substances methyl gallate and pinoresinol could be incorporated into sustainable agricultural practices or used to develop bioherbicides that would promote sustainable weed management practices. Full article
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10 pages, 1671 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Influence on Volatile Composition of Psidium friedrichsthalianum Leaves, Sampled in the Brazilian Amazon
by Paulo Vinicius L. Santos, Ellen de Nazaré Santos da Cruz, Jennifer de Andrade Nunes, Rosa Helena V. Mourão, Walnice Maria O. do Nascimento, José Guilherme S. Maia and Pablo Luis B. Figueiredo
Horticulturae 2023, 9(7), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070768 - 05 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 869
Abstract
Psidium friedrichsthalianum (Myrtaceae) is a small tree with antioxidant activity in its fruits and antimicrobial activity in its leaves and thin branches. The present study analyzed the seasonal variability in the yield and essential oil composition of a P. friedrichsthalianum population in Belém, [...] Read more.
Psidium friedrichsthalianum (Myrtaceae) is a small tree with antioxidant activity in its fruits and antimicrobial activity in its leaves and thin branches. The present study analyzed the seasonal variability in the yield and essential oil composition of a P. friedrichsthalianum population in Belém, Brazil. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometer (MS) and flame ionization detector (FID). Chemometric analyses were carried out to verify the climatic influence on the production and composition of the essential oil. The average oil yield in the dry season (August–February) was 0.5 ± 0.0%, and in the rainy season (March–May), it was 0.8 ± 0.0%, with statistical differentiation. There was a moderate correlation between oil yield and the collection area’s relative humidity (r = 0.63). The PCA and HCA analyses did not show differentiation between the P. friedrichsthalianum oil samples during the dry and rainy seasons. However, the class of monoterpene hydrocarbons presented a negative correlation with temperature (r = −0.81) and humidity (−0.80) of the sampled area. In the PCA and HCA studies, the samples were classified into three groups: Group I (leaf oils) was characterized by a higher content of α-pinene (6.3–18.0%), β-elemene (9.9–14.8%), caryophyllene oxide (4.3–16.3%), and β-pinene (4.8–13.4%). Group II (leaf oils) was defined by a higher content of selin-11-en-4-α-ol (4.6–15.6%), β-elemene (9.9–14.8%), α-pinene (6.3–18.0%), and E-caryophyllene (3.1–8.7%). Group III (fruits volatile concentrate) was characterized by a higher content of α-pinene (17.6%), α-terpineol (13.7%), and selin-11-en-4-α-ol (10.0%). There was significant seasonal variability in P. friedrichsthalianum, whose responses are directly linked to abiotic factors such as precipitation, insolation, humidity, and temperature. Full article
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